"Daxton!" The black haired wasn't in the room anymore. His eyes keenly set on the blonde guy across the room.
Kayden followed the gaze of the black boy and saw who he was intently staring at. "You do realize that I'm your cousin too, right? And I've not seen you gawk at me like that".
This sentence was enough to snap Daxton out of his blonde boy trance, and glance at his cousin, his cheeks a dark shade of red.
"I'm..I'm not gawking at Mateo" Daxton couldn't meet Kayden's eyes because he knows of his cousin's ability to detect lies, like he's some psychic, but this didn't stop the fast beating in his chest.
*Mateo? Really? Didn't say the name though, but it's nice you include me in your love life" Kayden wasn't helping matters. Daxton was trying to settle his heart rate before Mateo would come over to them, and the thought of him and Mateo having a love life wasn't helping.
Daxton turned to glare at his cousin, trying to keep a cold persona, but his face only turned a deeper shade of red, as the blond joined them at their table.
"Brother. Nice to see to you here" The deep, gruff voice of the blonde sent excitement to Daxton, even to places he didn't accept, but enjoyed.
"Mateo! What pleasant surprise" Mateo didn't bother with his brother, as he glanced over to his cousin, his eyes going over the feature of his cousin.
"Dax. Hey" This was it. Daxton nearly passed out, he felt his blood pressure rise with excitement. Was…was Mateo West talking to him? And…and Dax? His heartbeat increased as heat rushed to his cheeks.
"H…he…Mateo" Before Daxton stopped himself from staring, the blonde flashed him a bright smile, making it impossible for the guy to look away. Kayden rolled his eyes, as the person that once was hooked on him, completely ignored him like he wasn't even there.
"Ugh. Mateo, what do you want?" Daxton's eyes moved to the floor, when the blonde looked away from him. Mateo had his eyes on him. It felt like s dream to Daxton.
"Well, nothing. Wanted to see what father's favourite was doing in a…in a place like this. Golden boys don't stay in places like this" Mateo's voice was spiteful, the venom and intended jab at Kayden very obvious in his words, causing Kayden to narrow his eyes.
This is how it has always been. Mateo never hid his dislike for his brother, and his brother didn't pretend acting like it wasn't there.
Kayden rolled his eyes, but remained quiet. He didn't let his brother's spite disturb him, as far as it wasn't directed at his personal, private life.
"See you later, Daxton. Brother" The two set of eyes trained on the blonde held different emotions, one held softness, admiration, while the other held, worry but at the same time, anger.
Daxton lowered his head. He was beginning to get annoyed at the way his heartbeat increased whenever a particular blonde was around, and the way he nearly begged the blonde to stay when he was about to leave. He shouldn't have such attraction but he still couldn't stop himself.
"You know, I see the way you look at him" Daxton's breath hitched. He had tried so hard for a long time to hid his feelings for Mateo, and didn't want anyone to know, not even his best friend, Kayden. But he knew sooner or later, Kayden's observant nature would catch up. He just didn't think it would be this soon.
"What…how…how do I look at him?" It was futile, and he knew this. As far as Kayden had noticed, it was useless to act in oblivion.
"Daxton, it's alright. You don't have to lie. I'm going to keep your secret, I have for years now, but I genuinely don't know why it's him though. I mean, there are a lot of better guys out there" Kayden flashed a warm smile when he saw the teary eyes of the black haired guy beside him.
He knew how much Daxton had been holding in his true self. Daxton's father was open about how he wanted his children to be, and Daxton's love interest didn't particularly fit. A didactic father, if Kayden was to say.
So when he first noticed the blush that appeared on Daxton's cheeks anytime his annoying brother, appeared, he kept his mouth shut, not wanting to make the guy feel uncomfortable.
He enjoyed his relationship with his cousin, who was closer to him than his own brother, and he didn't want someone close to him feel small or insecure for something that makes them happy.
"How…how long have you known?" Taking a gulp from his drink, the brown haired shrugged, making Daxton widen his eyes. "That long. Oh my God, you see why I love you. But please, don't say anything to him, I…I don't think he likes me like that"
Kayden kept his eye trained on the guy infront of him, someone outgoing, never shy, was a blushing red little human, in front of his asshole of a brother. Unbelievable.
"If I wanted to tell him, it'd be out there by now. Your secret's safe with me, Dax. This isn't our first rodeo, no?* Both guys finished their drinks with bright smiles on their faces.
Daxton was calm, his nerve was settled. He knew he could trust Kayden with anything. They've built their relationship right from when they were in middle school, from skipping classes and lying about it, to covering up for the other when it came to switching report cards at a bad term.
"So…enough about me, talked to Andrea since? She's really pretty…too pretty for you, though"
Daxton shrugged making it sound casual."Of course, I love you too. And plus, the night is almost over. I have huge files tomorrow. And please for the love of God, stop meddling about in my business"
He was avoiding the conversation. Kayden was glad he was better at hiding his feelings, but gleeful that his cousin let things pass over him easily .
The night was calm but rowdy, as Daxton sat beside his cousin, as he was driven to his house. He still remembered those nights his father would drill them on everything, down to love partners, and it made his heart race, but not in the way it raced for Mateo.
What's going to happen to him when his father finds out? The thought sent shivers through his spine. His father had made it extremely clear, his hatred for anything that wasn't by the book, as the man would always say, and it had, unknowing to the man, pushed his son in a corner.
"You're home" The announcement brought Daxton out of his reverie as he managed to give a small smile to his cousin, who only looked at him with sympathy.
He had only stayed in Daxton's house for a week during a summer break back in High school, but tension in the house made him freeze.
Everyone moved so robotically, everything had an order and although Kayden loved following a pattern, or a schedule, he couldn't bring himself to live like his life depended on it, so when his cousin begged him to accommodate him, when they were old enough to live alone, Kayden didn't think twice before accepting.
Daxton walked into his white painted house, and he nearly cried at the chilling atmosphere that welcomed him. Everything was quiet and stoic. Helpers, everyone.
He walked into his father's study to greet him, as the rule said.
"Father" He bowed slightly, his nails digging into his palms, all thoughts of Mateo out the window."Daxton. Where have you been?" It was still the same. The rigid voice of his father, sounded still the same, but this time, it was colder.
"With Kayden" He quickly responded. He didn't know why his knees felt like feather underneath him, but he knew he was about to disappear, as the judging eyes of his father scanned him.
"Good company. You may leave" A single breath of relief was exhaled by Daxton, as he turned on his heels, but his father clearing his throat made him freeze again.
It was like a signal to his brain, and he knew for a fact that he wasn't the only one that suffered such. His siblings and even his mother froze at the sound of him. It was ridiculous, but their body still wouldn't move.
"You have a blind date tomorrow, prepare. You'll be having breakfast with her, since you clearly don't have a girl with you. Leave!" The command was given, and like a soldier, Daxton left without any word of protest.
This was the fifth blind date he would go on, and neither of them lasted more than that day, but still his father continued to book more women for him, which only solidified Daxton's decision on not telling his father anything, and when the time comes, he'll marry and settle down with a beautiful woman.
Because even his crush, doesn't like him that way, but even if he did, Daxton wasn't sure if it was worth incurring his father's wrath over.