You All Over Me [BxB]

Thirty-Seven

On the first day of senior year, a major typhoon hits the metro. Classes are suspended, and students are required to finish readings at home. After three years of the same routine and with their Juris Doctor degrees in the bag, the review feels less intense.

Jacob and Theodore know the drill.

Rain pours nonstop, massive pewter clouds emptying themselves onto the earth. The glass windows fog up, the view outside reduced to near zero visibility.

Theodore saunters over to the window, a mug of hot chocolate in hand, the news playing softly on TV.

Many towns are flooded, and several orders of evacuation have been announced by local government offices here and there.

Theodore heaves a deep sigh. "Jake," he calls.

In a flash, Jacob is beside him. "Yes?"

"Can I borrow some money?"

"Sure."

Theodore twirls to look at him. "Sure? No questions asked?"

"No questions asked." Jacob hands him his phone. "Password is 1-2-3-5-8-0."

Theodore starts to press. "1-2-3-5— oh. How cheesy." The screen unlocks, revealing their cuddling photo as the wallpaper, and he snorts.

"I need to get to your bank."

"Ah, then that's—"

"Actually, you log in."

"Okay, wife."

Theodore shoots him a feeble glare.

Jacob cackles and logs in. Theodore scrambles to the TV and scans a QR code for a donation drive.

"There," he murmurs, tossing the phone to Jacob one last time. "I'll pay you back once I get my first paycheck."

"Nah, don't bother. You gave it to charity, and it was my parents' money, and my parents love charity."

A subtle brrrr vibrates through the device in Jacob's hands.

"Oh, here we go. Speaking of..." He picks up the call. "Hey, Mom."

"Hello, Jake," Andrea's voice comes through. "How are you?"

"I'm good," he says. Theodore makes his way to the living room to watch the news.

"Why'd you call?"

"We're hosting a barbecue next weekend. You should come."

"Should I?"

"Jake."

He glimpses at Theodore. It seems like the kind of gathering his parents would be invited to. Should he ask him?

"Okay. I'll be there. Can I bring someone over?"

A beat passes.

"Theodore?"

"Yes."

His mother isn't slow. No need to spell it out. Besides, Theodore's mom might have discussed it with her.

"Go ahead. See you, then."

As expected—no drama. Andrea Allegre is simply a busy woman whose life revolves in the hospital, research, and looking after her husband.

It works for Jacob.

"See you."

Jacob hangs up, then plops down into the seat next to Theodore.

"Who was it?"

"Mom," he replies. "They're hosting a barbecue at home... Do you wanna come?"

Theodore's head whips to him, a tinge of reluctance seeping through his features—lips thinning, gaze dulling.