Beta Complex-Chapter 55: Who’s My Boyfriend?

Chapter 55: Who’s My Boyfriend?
The bustle of the restaurant is loud as Ethan sips at his drink. His brown eyes are glued to the table as he avoids Chris’ gaze. The omega across from him tucks strands of long blonde hair behind his ear, his blue eyes glued to the fidgeting beta. They’ve been sitting in silence for all of three minutes, and not once has Ethan gained the courage to meet him eye to eye.
"Are you okay?" Chris asks, his hand shifting forward on the table so the tips of his fingers brush against Ethan’s. Ethan cringes and pulls his hand away, not because he doesn’t like Chris. It’s the exact opposite, the omega has been nothing but nice to him. It’s because of the guilt that eats away at his heart. He doesn’t deserve to be friends with him.
"I promise I’m not avoiding you." Chris chuckles, his pale eyebrows furrowing as he clasps his hands together in front of him. "I. . ." He trails off and then clears his, "Well, I had to take care of something at work." He shrugs.
"Ah, yeah." Ethan finally drags his gaze away from the table and to the omega across from him. He holds his mug of coffee in both hands, if just to give them something to do. And maybe to keep Chris from touching him. He doesn’t deserve whatever comfort he’s trying to offer him. "There’s just something important I have to tell you."
"Oh, okay." Chris leans back in the seat, his shoulders losing the tension that had lined it moments before. "Go ahead." He smiles.
"Well, the other day," Ethan reaches up to rub his neck, his other hand still tightly gripping the cup, "Well, we were celebrating," his gaze drifts to look at something over his shoulder and his frown deepens when he sees a familiar figure walks past the restaurant outside. Seriously, what is wrong with him? Even at a moment like this he’s seeing Zander in his mind. It’s like the alpha is dedicated to haunting him without even knowing it.
Ethan takes a deep breath and shakes his head. Now’s not the time to think about the alpha, he has to focus on what’s in front of him and admit to his sins. "So, I had a few drinks in me." He says. "Not that it’s an excuse, or anything!" His brown eyes grow wide when he realizes it sounds like he’s trying to defend himself. In no way does he want to do that. He just wants to accept his punishment and move on. "I wasn’t even drunk, just a little tipsy so I was of my full mind. But well-"
"Ethan!" Chris leans forward, grabs the beta’s hand that moves animatedly between them and squeezes. "It’s okay. Just say it." He chuckles, the sound light and airy. "Rip the bandaid off."
"Your boyfriend came over and sucked me off." Ethan blurts out. He yanks his hand back and cradles it to his chest as he purses his lips. He waits for Chris to throw his drink in his face, his shoulders tense, but when nothing happens he furrows his eyebrows.
Chris blinks up at him, "My boyfriend?" He asks.
Ethan nods his head, not relaxing one bit. Any second now the omega will fall into hysterics and attack him.
"Who’s my boyfriend?" Chris asks again.
Ethan furrows his eyebrows, the tension easing from his body as confusion replaces it. "Zander?" The name comes out like a question. "Uh, I remember you telling me you went on a date with him, but he gave me the impression that he wasn’t seeing anyone. And then I saw you two arguing-"
Chris cuts him off with a laugh so loud it startles him. Oh, is the hysterics starting now?
"I think there’s been a misunderstanding." Chris smothers his giggle with a hand, and Ethan tilts his head. "Zander and I aren’t together." The omega shakes his head for emphasis. "Our parents set us up for an arranged marriage, however. . ." He trails off and then shrugs, "Well, we just don’t really get along. That’s why we were arguing the other day."
"What?" Ethan breathes out, his heart stuttering in his chest. "Really?"
"I promise." Chris laughs.
Ethan frowns, oh. His face flushes and he drops his head to the table. Oh god, he made such a fool of himself then, to both Chris and Zander. . . Oh Zander. He thinks back to the face the alpha made when Ethan told him to never come over again.
Why didn’t Zander correct him? Why did he let him go on the way he did? Ethan just scolded him and berated him for being a two timer, when all this time Zander has been loyal. Not that he needs to be, they’re not even in a relationship, but still the point is there.
He rubs his hand down his face and groans as embarrassment settles into the pit of his stomach. He needs to apologize to him now. Will Zander even forgive him? The way he acted was so shitty.
"Hey," Chris grabs his hand again, and tugs it away from his face, "It’s okay." He smiles, "There’s no need to feel ashamed."
"Huh?" Ethan glances at him and forces a smile, "Ah, okay. I’m glad I got it out though. It’s been weighing down on me." He pulls his hand out of Chris’ grip and grabs his mug. He brings it to his lips, but his appetite for it is long gone.
Chris wiggles his eyebrows, "So, Zander sucked your dick?"
Ethan burns red as he tries not to choke on his coffee, "It was nothing." His voice is hoarse as he speaks, "Just a little -"
"Fling? For fun?" Chris leans forward, and for some reason, his smile looks strained. Ethan furrows his eyebrows and shifts in his spot, a sudden unease making him lean back.
"Yeah." Ethan murmurs. He resists the urge to pull his phone out and call the alpha up. He’ll do it later, after Chris has left. Now that he knows the two aren’t exactly on good terms, maybe it would be best to make sure they don’t run into each other.