by Max Hudson
“Oh really? Then what is he like Benji? I’m dying to know.”
I sighed and finished sanitizing my station just as the bell over the door rang. I sighed in relief when I saw my client walking in. “I’d love to chat Care Bear, but I’ve got work to do and so do you.”
“Fine,” she grumbled. “But don’t you dare think this is over.”
I shook my head as she walked away and got my client checked in.
I was able to avoid Carrie for the rest of the day. But I knew she wouldn’t forget. She had to check Owen out and make sure he was good enough for me. She was the little sister I never wanted but was grateful to have. I just hoped she and Owen didn’t bump heads too badly.
When I got home, I showered and ate the leftover spaghetti from the previous night. It hadn’t even been an entire day and I missed Owen. I missed cuddling with him on the couch and curling into him in bed. I was gone over the man.
My phone rang and I smiled hoping to see Owen’s name, but it was Connor. My heart began to race as I looked at his name on the screen. I’d told Owen I couldn’t hide us from Connor, but I didn’t know if I was ready to tell him so soon. I answered the phone.
“What’s up, dude?” I said.
“Hey man, listen have you spoken to Owen lately?” he asked, and I was immediately on edge. Why did he ask that all of a sudden?
“Yeah, I have, why, what’s up?”
“I don’t know. I called him tonight to see how his new job was going and he told me about it. Then he shocked the shit out of me by telling me he’d signed a lease in your building for the next six months. Owen likes to move, ya know? I guess I didn’t expect him to settle so easily. But that isn’t even the shocking part; he’s talking about sticking around longer, maybe even permanently. He says he can always take on short term jobs when he’s feeling restless, but he thinks it’s time for him to come home.”
My eyes slid closed and I couldn’t bite back the smile on my face. He was staying. I didn’t want to sound like an arrogant douche, but I knew he was staying because of me.
“I think he’s seeing someone,” Connor said, and I froze. “Has he mentioned anything to you about a guy he’s seeing?”
“Umm, no. What makes you think this is about a guy?”
“I don’t know, he just… he sounded so content. Like the kind of content you only get when you know you’ve got someone out there waiting on you. He wasn’t his somber self. It was just weird.” He sighed like he was worried, and I was going to tell him, right then and there.
“Maybe I’m just thinking on it too much. Maybe he is just ready to come home. It’d be great having him close by again.”
“Yeah,” I agreed.
“Anyway, sorry I bothered you about this. Owen’s dating life isn’t your concern.”
Oh, you have no idea how much of my concern it is.
“It’s cool. Speaking of home, when will you be back this way. I’d like to have lunch to catch up.” Tell you that me and your brother are dating.
“I was actually thinking about coming the same weekend Mom and Dad get back. I wanna hear about their trip.”
That was next weekend, which gave me little time to prepare for Connor’s reaction. He was my best friend and I had to trust he wouldn’t be too pissed when I told him.
We ended the call and I got ready for bed. I laid there for almost twenty minutes and cursed Owen to the depths of hell because I couldn’t fall asleep without him. Not even thirty seconds later, my phone rang. I smiled at his name on the screen and answered.
“One night. It took one fucking night for you to turn me into a co-dependent sleeper,” Owen said as soon as I answered.
I smiled at the sound of his voice and rolled over in my bed to face the empty spot next to me. “Hmm, that sounds unfortunate.”
“Don’t play that shit with me, you’re up too, which means you can’t sleep, which means you need to come open this fucking door and let me in.”
It took all of two seconds to catch on to what he said, then I was tossing the phone on the bed and rushing toward my front door. I swung it open and there he stood in a pair of pajama pants and house shoes. He had an overnight bag in his hand, and he looked dog tired.
I smiled before I took his hand and led him inside. He tossed his bag to the floor, kicked off his shoes and climbed into my bed. I crawled in right behind him, the grin never leaving my face.
“Don’t get smug, this is a fluke,” he grumbled, and I chuckled as I pulled him closer to my chest.
“Sure it is, baby.” I kissed his shoulder and he sighed happily.
“Thanks for not teasing me for being needy,” he said. I knew there was more to his words and we’d address it later but for now, he needed to sleep.
“Need me as much as you need Owen. I’m here for whatever it is. Now sleep.” He sighed again but his body relaxed as he fell asleep. My grip around his waist was tight. Like I couldn’t get any closer to him. He was mine and I’d do everything in my power to keep it that way.
Chapter Twelve
Owen
One night turned into three and I chose to ignore it. I was not going to admit that I couldn’t fall asleep now, without Benji’s arms wrapped around me. I was also not going to admit that I was halfway in love with him. Not that it should be a surprise. I’d pretty much been in love with him since I was a kid. I just didn’t recognize what it was until I was a teenager and used my hormones as an excuse to finally have him. I’d just never expected it to consume me as much as it did. And it was happening all over again, only this time, Benji was refusing to have sex with me.
Sure, we sucked each other off and the man could do things to me with his tongue that had me seeing heaven, but he would stop us from going all the way. I understood he wanted to do things the right way, but I was losing my patience. I wanted him inside of me and I wanted it more than I wanted anything.
I had a feeling as to why he wouldn’t fuck me, and his name was Connor. My brother was cockblocking all the way from Florida and he didn’t even know it. I understood Benji’s need to tell Con. As much as Connor was my brother by blood, he and Benji were even closer. Benji needed peace of mind from Connor and he wasn’t going to fuck me until Connor knew what was going on.
Luckily that day came sooner than expected. Connor had called the day before to tell us he was going to be in town Thursday instead of Friday. Benji and I had been out picking up some of the furniture when he called. I could see the anxiety all over Benji’s face and so I intertwined his fingers with mine and he relaxed. That night I’d given him a blowjob to help him further relax and he reciprocated by rimming me until I was a hot, whimpering mess. So, yes, it was time to tell Connor because I needed to be with my man, and he was the only obstacle keeping me from doing just that. I loved my brother, but I’d strangle him if he ruined what Benji and I were building together.
Benji’s grip on my hand was almost bone crushing as we waited for Connor. “Babe calm down. The worst that can happen is him being freaked about it. He’ll get over it. It’s fine.”
Benji let out a long breath and he relaxed. Slightly.
“You’re right. I just want him to be okay with it.”
“I know. It’ll all work out.”
I spotted Connor when he walked in and was directed toward our table. I knew he was surprised to see me, considering he was only supposed to be having lunch with Benji. We were going to have dinner with Mom and Dad tomorrow night. Benji had said he was okay with telling Connor on his own, but my instincts told me Benji was going to need me and so I was there.
“This is a surprise,” Connor said as he sat across from us. I waited for him to realize that I hadn’t chosen to take the seat opposite of Benji, but it never came. Connor just went right into chatting about his drive up and how he’s taking his own vacation soon. When nobody else spoke, he finally stopped talking and glanced from Benji to me.
“Okay, guys, what’s going on? Why does Benji look like he’s going
to barf at any second?”
I looked over at Benji and sure enough he looked green. I knew he was nervous, and I felt like an ass for not realizing how serious it was. He needed me and I was letting him down, which was why I didn’t think about Connor’s feelings or anybody else’s when I pressed a hand to Benji’s cheek and turned his toward mine.
“You’re okay. We’re okay. No matter what Benj. Okay?”
Benji blinked swiftly and nodded before his eyes slid closed and he kissed the palm of my hand. “Thanks baby,” he whispered.
“Anytime babe.”
That was when Connor shrieked, “Baby? Babe! What the fuck is going on right now?”
Benji sighed and laced his fingers with mine before placing our hands on the table. Connor’s eyes widened and he shook his head as Benji said, “Owen and I are dating.”
Connor went still as a statue before he burst into laughter. He laughed loud and long and didn’t stop until he realized we weren’t laughing.
“You’re joking right? You guys are pulling my leg… right?”
Benji shook his head while I verbally told him No. Connor shook his head as he looked between us.
“W-what, wait, how long has this been going on?”
“Technically, only a week but honestly, years,” I said.
“What?” Connor shrieked.
“Not like you’re thinking,” Benji cut in. “It started senior year. It was only one night.”
Connor looked as if Benji had just shot him. He looked that betrayed. “High school? Eight years ago,” he trailed off and his eyes narrowed. “That was when Owen got all weird and stopped coming home. It was because of you, wasn’t it?”
I was not a fan of the way he was speaking to Benji and I let it be known immediately. “It wasn’t because of him. It was because of me, so watch how you’re talking to him.”
“Wow, look at you being the dutiful boyfriend,” he said. This wasn’t Connor. He wasn’t snarky, he wasn’t mean, he was one of the kindest people I’d ever known. He was hurting and lashing out.
“Connor,” I began but he ignored me, his glare on Benji.
“How long have you liked him, for real? Don’t lie to me Benji.”
Benji sighed and answered honestly. Connor huffed out a laugh and sat back shaking his head. “Is that why you wanted to be my friend? So you could get close to my brother? And once he tossed you aside, what? You stuck around hoping he’d look at you for a second round. Seems like you got it.”
Benji stiffened next to me and when I looked at him, it was like I could feel my heart cracking down the middle. The blatant hurt on his face was so clear it was like a physical, breathing thing. I looked over at Connor, whose eyes were wide. He knew he’d gone too far, and he’d just hurt Benji.
“Benji,” he began but Benji shook his head.
“Never, not once have I ever used you for anything. I stuck around because I thought we were family. I stuck around because you were my best friend in the world. I would never do anything to hurt you. It was why I never said anything about what happened. I didn’t want you blaming Owen, I didn’t want you mad at me or disappointed in me. I’d never intentionally hurt you. And you know I’d never use our friendship as an excuse to get close to your brother. You know me better than that. Or at least I thought you did.”
Benji stood up from the booth and Connor tried to speak again but Benji was having none of it. He tossed some money on the table and turned to face me. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me soundly.
“I love you. No matter what happens after today, I need you to know that I love you. I’ve loved you since I was old enough to know what love was. I loved you then and I love you still.” I was so damn stunned you could have blown me over with a feather. Benji smiled at my stunned expression before he kissed me again and left.
It wasn’t until he was no longer in sight did I shake myself from my daze. Connor’s eyes were shining with unshed tears and the big brother in me wanted to hug him. But he’d just devastated Benji and I feared I’d likely strangle him rather than hug him.
“I didn’t mean it,” Connor whispered, and he sounded like a little boy. I knew he’d have questions, but I didn’t expect him to react this way.
“Is it really so bad that we want to be together?” I asked and Connor swallowed thickly.
“I- if things go bad, we’ll lose him.”
“I think you did a good job of doing that on your own,” I said, and Connor flinched. I normally wouldn’t be so harsh. My need to protect my little brother has always been a priority. But he was a grown ass man and the way he’d just reacted was beyond childish and petty. “He’s your best friend and you just spoke to him like he was one of my tricks.”
Connor brushed a frustrated hand through his hair and groaned. “I know. I know. I fucked up. It just… it really caught me off guard. I felt ambushed. Fuck, what if he won’t let me apologize?”
“You’d deserve it.”
“Owen,” he whined, and I shrugged. “Why did you lie to me? I asked you a million times what happened between you and Benji and you brushed it off. Then you fed me some bullshit the last time I asked.”
“Well, back then it was because I was ashamed of my own actions. I ran away from Benji because I knew I was in love with him and that I couldn’t act on it. I thought a lot like you. I was scared that he could love me back and that we’d crash and burn in the most epic way and then he’d be gone. I was worried this time around too but like Benji said, he’s family. It would suck to have to see him knowing we couldn’t make it work but he would never just leave and disappear. We’re his family. He has no one else and you know that better than anyone, Connor.”
Connor sighed and looked away. “I reacted rashly. I didn’t mean it. I know Benji and I should have taken some time to process before I reacted. Now that everything is out, it makes sense why neither of you ever really got serious with anyone. Because you were hung up on each other.” He sighed and sank back in his seat. “So, Benji just told you he loved you and you didn’t reply. Do you love him too?”
I smiled and Connor shook his head, his own grin appearing. “God, I never would have imagined this. Mom and Dad are going to freak.”
“Dad already knows. Well, he knows that Benji and I hooked up eight years ago.”
“Thin walls,” Connor said with a shudder and I laughed.
The waitress finally came with our food and Connor frowned at Benji’s empty seat. “How am I going to make this up to him?”
“You’ll think of something. It won’t take much. Benji isn’t the type to hold a grudge. Even after what I’d done to him, he still forgave me pretty quickly. He’ll forgive you. But Connor, if you ever put that look on his face again, I’ll deck you.”
Connor must’ve known I was serious because he nodded in agreement.
When we got outside, I was about to call a car but realized Benji had left his truck. I’d run back inside and picked his keys up from the table and I drove straight home, but I didn’t go to my apartment. I went up to the fifth floor. I knocked and nothing happened. I knocked again and still no answer.
“Babe, you in there?” I called out but there was no reply. I had no clue where he could have gone but he was hurting and the last thing I wanted was for Benji feel like he was alone. I needed to find him, and I knew if he wasn’t home there was likely only one other place he’d be. So, I hopped back in Benji’s truck and drove straight to Cole World Creations.
Chapter Thirteen
Benji
I’d come to work because sitting at home was only going to drive me crazy. My nerves were through the roof. After seeing Connor’s reaction, I feared the worst. Owen loved his brother; he’d always been Connor’s protector. As much as I wanted to believe he would stand up for us, I couldn’t help but fear he’d side with Connor and decide we weren’t worth it. I’d told him I loved him because I didn’t know if I’d get another chance to after tonight. And I’d meant it. I loved Owen and
I had for a very long time. I hated the thought of losing him so soon after getting him back, but I needed to brace myself for the possibility.
I’d just finished wiping down a walk-in client when Carrie shouted, “Hey Benji! Your preppy boyfriend is here. You know, the one I found out was the other boss man’s older brother! Him, he’s here.”
I shook my head and helped the young lady I was working on to her feet and led her to the mirror to check out her tat. She smiled and thanked me before I walked her over to the desk where Owen and Carrie were bickering.
“You have work to do, stop being a pain,” I said to Carrie.
She rolled her eyes and replied, “Yeah, it would be boring around here if I did that.”
I smiled because she was right. I knew coming into work had been a good call. I turned toward Owen, who was watching me with caution.
“Hey,” he finally said. Then he was in my arms. I sighed and held him close. We leaned back and he pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
“Just in case you didn’t know, I love you too, Benji. Nothing and no one could change that. Not even Connor, who feels like total shit by the way,” Owen said as his hands roamed my back. “He didn’t mean it. Says he felt ambushed. But he’s hurting, not because of us, but because he hurt you. He loves you and he knows he crossed the line. I’m pissed at him but he’s still my baby brother so when he apologizes, I request that you don’t make him sweat too much before you forgive him?”
I laughed before I kissed him again. “Sure, baby.”
He nuzzled my neck before he placed a kiss on the spot that always got my gears turning. “Do you have to stay?” he whispered, and chills ran down my spine at the rasp in his tone.
“No, we can head home.” He kissed my neck again and I trembled. “Let’s go,” I said pulling him toward the door. I called out a goodbye to everyone and was met with goodbyes and chuckles. My crew was happy for me. They knew by now I was in a relationship and they were happy to see me happy. And I was happy.