"Hey, Alexis. Wake up. I need you. Alexis, oh hi," Xavier said greeting the man in Alexis's bed cheerfully. It was three a.m. and since Xavier couldn't sleep after thinking about everything Chase had said, he figured it would be best if he went to his friend's house to share the recent development.
"I assume you're Lee?"
The man nodded, pulling the cover over his body. Xavier had to admit that Alexis did good. The man was fine. And in a Gong Yoo, ridiculously hot kind of way. Especially those abs.
"Are you Alexis' friend?"
Xavier nodded.
"I am. Her best friend. Don't worry, I'm gay."
Lee's eyes suddenly widened in recognition.
"Oh! You're Xavier. Nice to meet you," Lee said. Suddenly Alexis turned towards Lee burrowing in his warmth.
"You feel so good Lee. Can we-"
"Lexi? Your friend is here and he's standing over your bed," he said quietly She blinked her eyes open at Lee before turning around to face where Xavier was standing.
"What are you talking about Lee-XAVIER! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE! GET OUT!" she screamed.
"I will, but I-"
"Go into the living room and wait for me to get dressed. Leave!"
"But-"
"NOW!" her voice had reached a decibel that Xavier was sure could shatter the windows in her apartment. Even Lee winced. Xavier practically ran out the room slamming the door behind him. It was minutes later when Alexis came out in a fluffy pink robe glaring at him. Her hair looked like a bird's nest, and she looked as if she could murder him on the spot.
"He's really handsome, that Lee," he said with trepidation. Alexis pointed to her couch, and Xavier immediately took a seat.
"Why are you over here at almost four in the morning?" she whined. Xavier sighed.
"I have some news. And I need your help on how to deal with it. I couldn't wait until tomorrow morning to tell you. But first, did you bring me some leftovers?"
Alexis rubbed the sleep out of her eye before giving a slight nod.
"Yes. We went to an Italian place, and I got fettucine. Now what is it?"
"It's Chase," he started only for her to groan.
"Not this again. Xavier, you need to-"
"Chase admitted to me today in our apartment that he's been in love with me for two years!" Xavier said in a rush. Alexis eyes widened comically before she slumped back on her side of the couch.
"I'm going to need more information."
For the next several minutes, Xavier explained what Chase told him verbatim. And when he was finished, Alexis took one look at him and burst into laughter.
"What is so funny?" he asked. Alexis pointed to Xavier.
"You. You are freaking hilarious."
"What-"
"Not only is he hopelessly in love with you, but you are just as in love with him."
"I'm not."
Alexis smiled.
"Oh, yes you are. Xavier you've been on a couple of dates, but they always end badly because you always compare them to Chase. Even the last guy said that he hopes you get with Chase before it's too late."
"He never told me that."
"No, but he told me when I passed him on campus months ago," she said calmly. Xavier's eyes widened. "You don't hate Chase, you like him. You just hate that you couldn't figure him out. But now that you know all there is to know about him, why don't you go back and tell him your feelings? Your mom even knows you're in love with him, but you're too chicken to do anything about it."
Xavier lowered his gaze at her perfect deduction.
"How are you so smart?" he asked quietly.
"It's a gift. Now please get out of here. I have a hot man in my bed, and he actually likes me. I don't want to scare him off. You have to get them addicted to you so they can't leave when they meet your crazy family and friends," she stated conspiratorially.
Xavier chuckled.
"Well, tell him I'd like for us to go out later. When everyone is dressed."
"We will do that when you man up and tell Chase how you feel."
.....
When Xavier got back home was already gone. But it wasn't surprising. He typically had practice two times a day. But this time, Xavier would be intentionally waiting for him to return. He took a shower, cleaned up their apartment, and put on his best jeans and long-sleeved white t-shirt. By the time he was all situated he heard the keys in the door, and he jumped into the bar stool that was by the counter. When the door opened, Chase was surprised to see Xavier sitting, and staring at him.
"Uh, hi. I should get-"
"Wait. Please. Just give me a few moments of your time," he said quietly. Xavier dropped his duffel, internally glad that he took a long and thorough shower after practice.
"Alright," Chase said leaning against the refrigerator so that he could face Xavier.
"I'm sorry that I misjudged you. It's not your fault, but totally on me. You see the truth is, I liked a guy who was on the football team at my high school. But he was a complete jerk. When he found out that I liked him, he made a mockery by pretending to like me back. He took me out to eat and took me dancing. We even had sex at his house that same night. I had no idea that he was recording the entire thing, until the next day."
Chase's eyes widened in horror.
"I'm so sorry, Xavier."
"Yeah. My junior and senior year of high school was terrible. Everyone made fun of me and not one person made fun of him. He said he wasn't gay even though he had full-on gay sex with me. But because he was set for bigger and better things and called me every name under the sun he was saved from ridicule. My gayness fooled him into sleeping with me. I was so mortified Chase, but I was even more ashamed when my mother and father found out. He was suspended from school and ordered to take the video down, but he was able to come back after only three days, because they needed him to win the playoffs."
Xavier sniffled and Chase couldn't bear the distance any longer. He rounded the corner and cupped Xavier's face in his hands.
"I'm so sorry that happened to you baby."
Xavier nodded.
"I tried so hard to be strong, and I was for a long time. But I promised myself to never trust a jock. And then you became my roommate."