Casper's POV
The sight of a tipsy Matt clinging to Rex made my warm cheeks, cold.
Rex helped him inside while I got to my feet and approached them. In his drunken state, Matt started to sob as he clung to Rex, who was trying to guide him to the couch.
"Why are you drunk at this hour? It's not even 6 PM yet," Rex asked, looking both concerned and puzzled.
"He cheated on me, Rex," Matt slurred, tears spilling from his eyes.
"Who cheated?"
Matt grasped Rex's face, locking eyes with him. "He asked me out," hiccup, "and then, just a week later," hiccup, "he cheated. Who does that?" He groaned, rubbing his forehead in distress.
"I had no idea you were even seeing someone. Do breakups really drive people to drink this much?" Rex muttered, more to himself than to us.
I stood there, observing them, feeling a mix of emotions. "I think I should head out so you can—"
"No," Rex interrupted, firmly. "You can stay," he added, grasping my hand.
"You need to take care of him; he's clearly out of it," I pointed out.
Rex let go of my hand. "I'll get him back to his room. He'll be out cold soon anyway; he doesn't handle his liquor well." I glanced at Matt, and indeed, he was already nodding off.
"I'll be right back," Rex said, lifting Matt effortlessly onto his shoulders before heading out. I exhaled and took a seat. This was my first time seeing Matt in such a state. I couldn't help but wonder if the boyfriend he mentioned was that bar owner from before.
Wait a minute. I straightened up. "If he broke up with the bar owner, could Matt now be interested in Rex?" I mused aloud.
Rex walked in, exhaling heavily. "I had no idea he weighed that much." He approached me. "You mentioned wanting to leave earlier; do you have somewhere have to go?"
"No, I just figured you'd prefer some time alone with him."
"Why would you think that? We were still talking before he came in," he replied, taking a seat beside me, one leg crossed over the other on the couch.
"It's nothing, I just assumed you'd want some private time with him," I murmured.
A puzzled look crossed his face as he tilted his head slightly. "Why would you think I'd want that?"
Does he genuinely want me to clarify that I'm aware of his feelings for Matt, or is he oblivious to the fact that I know?
"Matt mentioned what happened between you two," I told him.
"What do you mean?" he asked, still frowning.
"I know you had a crush on him back in high school and that you came here because of him," I explained.
"Wait, what?" he exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
Just then, my phone rang, diverting our attention. I glanced at the screen and saw it was Samson. Why the fuck is he calling me now?
Rex groaned in frustration, "Why can't we have a moment without interruptions? Just ignore it. How did you find out I liked him in high school?" he inquired.
"Well, Matt told me—"
"Matt told you?" His eyes widened in shock as the phone rang again.
"I'll just check what he wants," I said, answering the call, but instead of Samson's voice, I heard Austin's.
"Go on a date with me," he said.
"What?!"
"Hold on, I didn't phrase that correctly. Let's go for a double date instead," he reiterated. In the background, I could hear Samson muttering, "You're just making this super awkward." I heard ruffling in the background before Samson chimed in again, "Just come to my room; we can clarify things better."
"Alright," I replied, still puzzled about the unexpected Invitation. I glanced at Rex, who was already watching me intently. Did he hear what Austin just said?
"You need to go, right?" he asked, swallowing hard.
I nodded. "I'll see what they want to say, then I'll come back." He gave a quick nod in response as I made my way to Samson's room.
"What's happening? Why did you ask me out?" I questioned as soon as the door swung open.
"I asked Samson out, but he turned me down," Austin replied.
"What the fuck? What are you talking about? He's your cousin!" I exclaimed in disbelief.
Samson facepalmed in frustration. "This guy meant a double date. His best friend is going out with her boyfriend, and she mentioned wanting a double date," he clarified.
"So? Isn't her boyfriend supposed to bring someone along?" I probed.
"Yeah, but that jerk claims he doesn't have anyone to take with him. I call that bull. I really think he's just not into her. I've told her he's not interested, but she refuses to believe me," Austin complained, folding his arms.
"I suggested you find a girl to accompany you. Don't you have plenty of female friends?" Samson replied, sorting through the chaotic boxes.
"I see this as the perfect chance to rattle him because I think he's homophobic. Tomorrow, I want him to feel as awkward as possible."
"So, what you're saying is you want to make your best friend's boyfriend uncomfortable," Samson observed.
"Exactly."
"Where do I fit into this plan?"
"Well, my friends aren't going to join me, and this guy thinks it would be strange for us to go together since we're cousins. So, that leaves just you."
"I'm not so sure about this. I don't want to get tangled up in your friendship issues," I replied.
"Come on. It'll only take an hour at most; I'll get you out of there quickly," he insisted.
I sighed. "Alright, but you owe me big time," I told him. "And please don't call me; I'm busy," I added to both of them as I stepped out. I rushed to Rex's room, eager to pick up where we left off, but found his door locked. I decided to call him, and after three rings, he finally answered.
"Uh, I'm at your door, but it looks like you're not home."
"Yeah, uh, I decided to come see Mick. He needed something from me. Are you done talking with your friend?"
"Yeah, he just needed a date."
"Oh," he paused. "Are you actually going with him?"
"....yeah," I replied, instantly regretting my honesty even though it was the truth.
We lapsed into silence for a moment before he finally said, "Can you not—" then he sighed, "Forget it."
"I'll see you when you return?" I asked, sensing something shifted with how our conversation turned out.
"Yeah, um, bye," he replied before hanging up.
I really wished I hadn't answered Samson's call.