Chapter 31 - Reece
It had been three days since Reece had his heart broken. Three days since he returned to his apartment and existed in misery. The only reason he was able to force himself out of bed to take care of himself was because Alex was checking and threatened to call Reece’s sisters if he didn’t.
He did the bare minimum, eating very little, either taking quick showers with little effort or baths that he only dragged himself out of once the water turned cool.
Work was out of the question. Reece had stopped crying.
He ran out of tears. But he couldn’t force himself to smile.
He couldn’t force himself to even remotely fake being okay.
Three days without Nick and knowing that he wasn’t coming back this time was literal hell and Reece kept hoping with each new day it would get better. But it didn’t. He just felt more empty. More tired.
On the fourth day, when Alex showed up, he wasn’t alone.
Reece was mortified to find Ivory by Alex’s side.
While Reece was a complete mess. His pajamas didn’t match.
His hair was all over the place. There were bags under his eyes.
But Ivory was a little ball of sunshine that tackled Reece with a hug so tight it knocked the breath out of him.
Reece didn’t think he wanted company, but Alex and Ivory made themselves at home and Reece didn’t have the heart to refuse Ivory or the nerve to refuse Alex.
He didn’t think he wanted to talk about things anymore, but it hadn’t taken more than Ivory taking Reece’s hand for him to break and start pouring his heart out.
He didn’t hold back either, not his words or his tears, knowing that Alex and Ivory both had their own difficult journeys in their own relationships. He knew they would never judge him. Knew they’d listen and support him wholeheartedly, and it turned out that was exactly what Reece needed.
Being honest about his feelings felt good. He was always holding back, even with his friends, out of respect for Nick, but Reece desperately needed an outlet.
“I didn’t mean to fall for him, but… the truth is, I already did a long time ago.
Way before we had sex.” Reece sniffed, closing his eyes as Ivory dabbed a tissue at the corners of them.
“But I never put any expectations on Nicky ever. Even if there was a stupid part of me that was hopeful, you know…”
Ivory hummed in agreement and tucked a stray lock of hair behind his ear. “If he freaked out just because you said you loved him, when that’s as obvious as it is, then he seriously needs a reality check. Of course you love him. Right, Alex?”
While Reece and Ivory sat snug on the couch, sharing a blanket, Alex stood across from them with his arms crossed. He was quiet and thoughtful, but that was typical Alex. He was always thinking critically. Alex looked between the two of them, his expression giving nothing away.
“Right. It’s not because of what you said, Reece.”
“Did he say something to you?”
Alex averted his eyes. “No.”
Reece squinted at him and rubbed his nose. Alex might’ve been holding back on him, but Reece couldn’t be sure. “Dec, then?”
Declan might’ve been one of his best friends, but he was also Nick’s. Maybe Declan would share more with Alex than he would with Reece.
“No. Nicholas is a lot like me in that regard. He struggles with what he feels. Putting it into words isn’t easy.”
Reece knew that well. Nick didn’t share his feelings, he repressed them. Ivory was right, Nick knew that Reece loved him. That wasn’t a secret, whether he was in love with him or not. And even if Nick never said it, Reece knew he loved him too.
They cared about each other and wanted the best for each other. Reece felt that they were better together–he wanted to continue supporting Nick and being by his side forever–but if his support and love was better from a distance, then Reece would accept it.
“I know—why don’t we have a Fashion Disaster marathon pamper sesh.”
Ivory’s suggestion had Reece melting against him. “Really?” It sounded so amazing he could’ve started crying again.
“Totally! I’ll get the show ready.”
“Okay.” Reece stood with a small smile. “I’ll just shower super quick and bring out the pampering goods.”
“I’ll order pizza,” Alex said.
And for a little while, he was able to completely forget about Nick.
He stopped worrying. Reece got clean and settled with his friends, watching one of his favorite shows, eating a comfort food that just so happened to be Ivory’s favorite, and pampering himself with all the self care he’d been neglecting for days.
Ivory and Reece painted each other’s nails and then held Alex hostage, tag-teaming the task of painting his to match against his will.
The genuine look of horror on his face at the result of his perfect black nails was so funny Reece and Ivory couldn’t stop laughing.
The fact that Alex just continued to stare at his fingers and hold them as if he’d never be able to touch anything ever again only made it funnier.
They were up well into the night, Alex and Ivory sleeping over. That night, Reece didn’t dream and he slept well. And when he woke the next morning, sandwiched between Alex and Ivory on the pallet they made in the living room, Reece smiled and knew that everything was going to be okay.