Chapter 82 Annoying act
You brought me here?” His gaze snapped back to Alex. “To your place?”
“Yes,” Alex responded with a smile.
“Why would you do that?” Lucas demanded, his voice sharpening despite the pounding in his head. “You should have taken me home.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. “You were dead drunk and couldn’t even stand.”
“That’s not the point!” Lucas shot back. “What if someone saw us? What if…”
“What if what?” Alex cut in, sitting up now, his composure cracking. “What exactly are you so afraid of?”
Lucas hesitated. His mouth opened, but then closed back.
Alex swung his legs off the bed and stood up in annoyance. “You were drinking like you wanted to forget the entire world. Do you know how you looked last night? Do you know how many glasses you downed?”
Lucas scoffed weakly. “It was just alcohol. Don’t exaggerate.”
“Just alcohol?” Alex turned to face him fully now, anger flickering in his eyes. “You were one drink away from collapsing. I had to carry you like a baby.”
Lucas’s expression shifted to surprise again, softer this time. “Well, I didn’t ask you to.”
“No,” Alex agreed sharply. “You didn’t, because you weren’t in any state to ask for anything.”
Silence fell heavy between them.
Lucas looked away first and got out of bed. “You shouldn’t have brought me here.”
“And where should I have taken you?” Alex challenged. “Left you back at the bar so you could drink yourself to death? Or to your Nathan's apartment when you know we’re at loggerheads? Or have you guys made up already? Is he back to being your best friend for life?
Lucas flinched without a word as he recalled why he had gone back to the bar.
Alex exhaled harshly, running a hand through his damp hair. “Why act this annoying? What were you trying to prove by blaming me?”
Lucas’s fingers curled at his side, and his voice dropped. “I wasn’t trying to prove anything.”
“Then what?” Alex pressed.
Lucas swallowed. “You… you make things complicated.”
Alex laughed bitterly. “Complicated? By caring for you? By trying to make you feel comfortable?”
“That’s not fair.”
“No, what’s not fair is watching you punish yourself over things you won’t even talk about.” Alex’s voice lowered, but it carried more weight now. “You push me away, then drown yourself in alcohol. What am I supposed to do? Stand there and clap?”
Lucas’s breathing grew uneven. “You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
The tension shifted from sharp to raw. Lucas finally met his eyes. There was frustration there… but beneath it, something more vulnerable.
“I hate feeling out of control,” he admitted quietly. “And when I’m around you, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”
Alex stilled, his eyes locking with his, “That’s why you drank? Really?” he asked, softer now.
Lucas didn’t answer directly. His silence stretched before he muttered. “Well partly.”
Alex’s anger faded into something heavier. He stepped closer, voice low. “If being around me makes you spiral like that, then tell me. Don’t drown yourself.”
Lucas’s throat tightened. “You don’t get it. When I’m with you, I want things I’m not sure I’m ready for.”
The air between them shifted again and this time it was fragile.
Alex’s expression softened, but there was still fire beneath it.
“Wanting something isn’t a weakness, Lucas. Destroying yourself because of it is.”
Lucas looked at him, eyes conflicted, exposed in a way he rarely allowed.
“And next time,” Alex added, quieter but firm, “If you plan to drink yourself senseless, at least have the decency to call me before you start.”
Lucas huffed a faint, humorless laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And you’re reckless.”
Their gazes locked, frustration, care, and stubborn pride colliding.
Neither of them moved. But the distance between them felt smaller than before.
Suddenly Alex's thoughts spiraled as Nathan's name popped up in his head. He thought Lucas had gone back to the bar due to what happened at Nathan’s. Instantly he pushed in, So did you later talk to Nathan?”
Lucas flinched. It was subtle, but Alex saw it, the stiffening shoulders, the way his eyes slid away.
“Well,” Lucas muttered, “it doesn’t matter.”
Alex stared at him in disbelief.
“That’s the wrong answer,” he said sharply. “The correct answer is yes or no.”
There was a silence and it made Alex wonder if he wasn’t going to tell him about it. Lucas didn’t look at him or respond. The quiet was louder than any confession.
“Lucas.” Alex reached forward, gripping his chin, not roughly, but firmly enough to turn his face back. “Look at me.”
Their eyes locked.
“What happened at Nathan’s that made you run to a bar?” Alex demanded. “Don’t insult me by pretending. I know you went there.”
Lucas’s brows furrowed. “What? Are you monitoring me now?”
“Are you trying to hide something from me?” Alex shot back instantly. Then his tone shifted lower and controlled. “If you’re not ready to talk about what happened there, fine. I can wait. But don’t lie to my face.”
Lucas jerked his chin free and started walking to the door.
“Nothing happened. And I’m leaving.” He grabbed his phone.
Alex’s jaw hardened. “I made you soup.”
Lucas paused but didn’t turn.
“It’ll help with the headache,” Alex continued, already walking toward the door. “Come.” He didn’t wait this time.
After a second’s hesitation, Lucas followed. They walked downstairs.
The dining area was warm, the scent of broth still rising gently from the bowl. Steam curled in the air, teasing comfort.
“I think I should go,” Lucas tried again, voice lower now. “Thank you.”
“No.” The word landed more heavily than before. Alex walked around the table, pulled out a chair, and held it firmly in place.
“You’re not leaving,” he said, not gently this time. “I woke up early. I cooked. I made hangover soup for you. The least you can do is sit down and appreciate the effort.”
Lucas stared at him for a long second. Then he exhaled.
“Alright,” he muttered. “I’ll take the soup. Thank you, Alex.”
He walked over and sat down.
Alex pushed the bowl toward him. Lucas lifted the spoon, took a cautious sip, then another. The warmth hit his system immediately, easing the tightness in his skull.
Alex circled the table and took the seat opposite him, watching.
“Breakfast is for us,” Alex added.
Lucas shook his head quickly. “Oh no, I have to…”
“No excuses.”
Lucas looked up.
Alex’s gaze was steady on him, very intense and unyielding.
“Finish your soup,” he said calmly, “and eat.”
Their eyes locked across the table. There was no anger now but stubborn care. Lucas held his stare for a moment longer, then silently picked up toasted bread and started eating.
So did Alex but his eye never stayed away from Lucas’s face. At one stage Lucas complained, “Please stop staring, you're making me more uncomfortable.”
Alex looked down feeling bad, “You know when I brought you home last night, I expected to have a very romantic morning by daybreak but I guess I was wrong.”
Lucas stared at him feeling bad but then gazed away, eyes glistening.