The Perfect Mess

by K. Sterling

  “Not a big deal?” She asked angrily. “Why would you tell him to go ahead and ask Ben out if you knew he was leaving?” She wailed and Jason pinched the bridge of his nose and hung his head.

  “Baby, guys never go on a date hoping they’ll find their soul mate,” he explained and Ben cringed. That was not smart. Michelle’s eyes became large and crazy.

  “What?” It was very low and ominous. Ben eyed the door and took a few steps toward it.

  “You know, I’m just going to leave Landon’s coat here. Jason, if you could drop it off and tell him I had a great time…” He stopped when Michelle swung toward him and pointed threateningly.

  “Do not leave,” she growled and Ben nodded as he dropped onto the sofa.

  “Sure,” he said as he grabbed a pillow for protection. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than watch you rip your boyfriend’s face off and beat him with it,” he mumbled under his breath and Michelle glared. Jason groaned again as his eyes pleaded for help. Ben shook his head quickly. Sorry, dude. My name is Bennet and I ain’t in it, he thought as he did his best to become invisible. Michelle stomped her foot and growled in frustration.

  “I’m going to ignore the fact that you were just fucking around and looking for an alright way to spend an evening when you asked me out,” she said as she advanced on Jason. “What about Ben? It was your stupid idea for him to meet Landon and now he’s going to get his heart broken because he’s perfect for Ben,” she wailed and Ben held his hands up.

  “Woah. No one mentioned anything about my heart getting involved and no one said he’s perfect,” Ben argued. Even though he had said it to himself about a dozen times. Michelle pointed at her phone on the coffee table.

  “Umm… You did! Last night, before you took him back to your place and did lots of filthy things with him. Which you never do!” She announced. Well, there was all of that, Ben agreed silently as Jason groaned. It was quickly becoming Jason’s primary form of communication.

  “Filthy things? Really?” He complained. “I don’t need to know that,” Jason said as he shook his head. Michelle crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot.

  “Really? You don’t have a problem talking about filthy things with me but suddenly you do if it’s Ben and Landon?” She asked and Ben wrinkled his nose. It was a valid argument but he didn’t want to be discussing those things with Jason so staying out of it was probably best. Jason’s hands dragged down his face.

  “Michelle! I am all about everyone loving anyone they want, however they want but I will readily admit that I’m just not evolved enough to talk about dudes having sex without getting a little uncomfortable. I’m not really great at talking about straight sex like an adult, if we’re being honest,” he said and Ben had to give him that. Ben decided he was cool with this. Michelle chewed her lip as she glared at Jason.

  “Fine. But if you want to keep doing filthy things with me, you’re going to have to get over it,” she demanded and he nodded emphatically.

  “I promise, I’ll work on it,” he swore and she waved angrily.

  “Whatever. That’s not the point! Ben’s going to fall in love with Landon and he’s leaving!” She said loudly and Ben shook his head.

  “I’m not going to fall in love with him, it was just one night,” he pointed out and she snorted.

  “Ha! You’re definitely going to see him again. He’s going to call you and you won’t say no,” she said and Ben tried to look confident when he shrugged.

  “I might, or I might not,” he mumbled as he straightened the fringe on the pillow.

  “Bullshit, Ben!” She yelled and his brows rose. “I was there this morning. You two were stupid hot together and you were both so happy! You’re going to keep seeing him and you’re going to fall in love,” she warned. “If you haven’t already.” Michelle turned back to Jason. “Look at what you’ve done! He’s going to get his heart broken,” she said and Jason’s brows pulled together.

  “You don’t know that. What if they don’t last more than a few dates?” He asked and she gave him a bland look.

  “You weren’t there. They looked like they’ve been together forever and he was making naked coffee,” she said dryly and Jason pushed a hand through his hair.

  “Ok. Maybe they keep dating and Landon decides not to go?” Jason offered and both Michelle and Ben shook their heads. She sighed heavily.

  “I’m not really sure but I think that PixelWorks is a pretty big deal. It’s up there with Disney if you do that kind of stuff,” she said and Jason nodded slowly. “Let’s be real, who would pass up an opportunity like that for someone they’ve only known for a few months?” Michelle asked and Jason’s shoulders sagged. Ben swallowed past the knot in his throat.

  “I wouldn’t want him to. I’m sure he’s worked really hard and that’s probably something he’s wanted for a long time,” he mumbled and Jason exhaled loudly as he sank into an armchair.

  “Since he was a kid. He’s always talked about working at PixelWorks and he’s so talented,” Jason said and Ben clenched his jaw as his stomach twisted. Then, Jason sat up and pointed wildly at Ben. “What if you moved to California?” He said before he smiled up at Michelle. An ear-piercing shriek filled the room and Ben jumped when the pillow was snatched from him.

  “Are you trying to ruin all of our lives?” She screamed as she whipped the pillow at Jason. “I can’t live without Ben! Did you think about that?” Michelle asked. Jason covered his face with his hands and groaned again.

  “I’m sorry!” He cried and Michelle pointed at him.

  “You had better hope that this works out. Because if my brother moves to California, I have to go too. And I hate California,” she declared. “And you’ll have to move too because I’m not leaving you and you’re going to have to suffer with me,” she insisted and he nodded behind his hands. She threw her hands up then stormed out of the room. Ben stared after her for several moments before he looked back at Jason. He was peeking through his fingers.

  “Would you move to California?” Ben asked and Jason sighed as he sat up straight.

  “For her?” He asked as he stared in the direction of her room. He nodded. “Absolutely,” Jason said and Ben felt a soft smile tilt his lips as warmth filled his chest. He really wanted Michelle and Jason to work. Jason leaned and rested his elbows on his knees. “Would you move to California for him?” He asked and Ben didn’t hesitate to shake his head.

  “No way. I couldn’t turn everything upside down like that for a guy I’ve only known for a few months. And I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want that. No one would ask someone to do that,” Ben said and Jason’s lips pulled tight as he nodded.

  “Probably not. But, if we’re having a moment here, I have to tell you, I’m a little relieved. I don’t want to move to California either,” he admitted and Ben laughed softly as he sat back and crossed his ankles. They were silent for several moments before Jason tossed the pillow back at Ben. “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see where this goes. Two months of…” Jason squeezed his eyes shut for a second. “Doing filthy things is better than sitting around depressed, right?” He offered and Ben looked at the ceiling and his head tilted from side to side as he weighed the consequences. Jason waved dismissively. “Come on, a lot can happen, Ben. What if the job falls through? What if he meets someone else while he’s still here and they convince him not to go and that guy ends up with him?” Jason asked gently and Ben felt as if he’d been punched in the chest. “Maybe he still goes and you guys date long distance until you figure it out,” he offered and it was Ben that groaned as he squeezed his temples.

  “That almost never works. He’ll find someone better in California and he’ll dump me over the phone,” Ben predicted and Jason shook his head.

  “That would never happen,” he said firmly and Ben raised a brow expectantly and Jason reached over and pushed Ben affectionately. “He couldn’t find anyone better. That’s why I still
wanted him to call you. It’s going to work out,” Jason promised and Ben hoped he wasn’t going to give into the urge and hug Jason.

  “We’ll see. He might not even call me,” Ben said and Jason narrowed his eyes as he stared across the room.

  “Don’t wait for him to call,” Jason said and Ben frowned and was about to argue when Jason waved for him to wait. “He won’t want to pressure you because he’ll feel bad. He won’t want to hurt you,” he advised and Ben’s stomach twisted a little tighter. Why does he have to be such a good guy? This would be easier if he was just a dick and a good piece of ass, Ben complained.

  “So I should call him?” Ben asked and Jason shook his head.

  “You don’t have time to play phone tag. And Landon is kind of a romantic,” Jason advised and Ben gestured for him to continue. Jason’s head nodded toward the coat. “Take it to him. Show up at his place and do filthy things with him,” he said and despite the fact that he thought the idea had merit he looked at Jason with confusion.

  “I thought you said he was a romantic. Filthy isn’t very romantic,” Ben argued and Jason laughed.

  “There’s a difference between being romantic and being a romantic,” Jason said and Ben waited for him to explain. Jason chuckled softly as he reclined. “He’s a romantic in that he’ll want a happy ending and is ready to get swept off his feet. A few text messages and phone calls so you can decide to go out next Friday isn’t going to move him. Showing up and doing filthy things because you can’t get enough of him will get you a lot of points. Plus, he’s had a really long dry spell so he could use a lot of filthy,” he explained and Ben jumped to his feet.

  “Right,” he said as he went to the table. “I should probably take this over there myself,” Ben mumbled as he picked up the coat. He waved over his shoulder as he went to the door. “I’ll see you later,” he said and Jason laughed.

  “Good luck. And I think I’ll see if I can earn myself a little make-up sex,” he said as he got to his feet. Ben glared over his shoulder as he opened the door.

  “I don’t need to know about that,” he said loudly and Jason gave him a pointed look.

  “Hey. If I have to get comfortable with gay sex, you have to get comfortable with straight sex,” he countered and Ben rolled his eyes.

  “This isn’t just straight sex, which is kind of gross,” Ben admitted grudgingly and accepted that he had to cut Jason a little more slack. “This is straight sex with my sister,” he argued and Jason shrugged as he leaned against the wall.

  “Yeah. But I love her and it’s really, really good,” he said and Ben held his hands up.

  “Oh, ew!” He complained and Jason grinned. “I really didn’t need that last part,” Ben said and Jason waved.

  “One day, we’re going to give you a bunch of nieces and nephews. Just consider this practice,” he suggested and Ben wasn’t sure if that made it better. Jason winked. “Lots and lots of practice,” Jason said and sighed dreamily. Ben shook his head as he backed through the door.

  “Shut the fuck up!” He said then his head snapped toward Michelle’s room when her door opened. Her head popped out and her lips trembled as she looked at Jason.

  “You know I heard every bit of that,” she whispered and a bashful smile filled Jason’s face.

  “Did you?” He asked and she nodded as she swung her door wide and gestured for him to join her.

  “All of it. The part about no one being better than Ben and Landon being a romantic.” She reached for Jason as he drew close and Ben pulled his head back in disgust. “And the part when you said you love me and want to have a bunch of kids.” Her voice got low and soft and Ben gagged as he pulled the door shut.

  He leaned against the panels as he waited for the nausea to pass. Then he looked at Landon’s coat and asked himself if he was really going to go over there. Romance and romantics aside, the whole thing was still a potential mess. Ben wasn’t sure if his sister was right about him already being in love but rushing things with Landon would only make it inevitable. Ben raised the coat and pressed it to his face and inhaled. Landon’s clean, peppery green scent filled him and Ben’s body tightened.

  “Son of a bitch,” he complained as he pushed off the door and rushed across the hall to grab his wallet and his keys.

  Chapter 10

  Landon sighed as he tossed his keys in the bowl on the counter and loosened his tie. He stopped by the fridge and grabbed a bottle of green tea on his way to his bedroom. He was pulling his undershirt over his head and he moaned as he took a deep breath. He leaned against the bathroom door and pressed his shirt to his face. He smelled like Ben. He’d used Ben’s soap, body wash and deodorant. And his clothes managed to absorb the warm citrus smell of Ben’s apartment.

  Even if it wasn’t the worst idea ever, it would be too soon to call him, Landon thought as he took one last whiff before tossing his shirt in the laundry basket. He quickly stripped off the rest of his clothes and went into his room and pulled a pair of gym shorts from the dresser. He stepped into them then cursed under his breath as he turned back to the bathroom. He snatched his undershirt from the basket and grumbled as he pulled it over his head as he went into his office. He squatted down and checked to make sure Keith had plenty of food and water. He scowled as Keith’s nose twitched inquisitively between the cage’s bars.

  “No, you’re pathetic and might be planning to live in the same shirt for a week,” he said as he rose and went to his desk. He sighed heavily as he fell into his seat. He was tired but felt too anxious to take a nap. Landon grabbed a pencil and looked over the brief for his latest assignment and tried to clear his mind.

  It didn’t work. Probably because he lifted the collar of his shirt above his nose and took a deep breath and could clearly see Ben naked and crawling over him. Which happened after Ben slowly stripped Landon naked and just before he covered every inch of Landon’s body with those incredible lips. Jesus Christ, those lips… Landon groaned as he bit the collar of his shirt. His eyes fell to the page and he dropped his pencil as he jumped to his feet. Landon pushed his hands through his hair as he stared at a far too lifelike pencil sketch of Ben’s lips.

  “A drink,” he decided as he turned from the room. He nodded as he rushed through the living room and was reaching for a bottle of vodka on the kitchen counter when he paused. “No. You’ll get drunk and you’ll break down and call him. And he’ll think you’re an alcoholic because no one that isn’t drinks as much as they did last night and then gets drunk again at noon the next day.” Landon rubbed the back of his neck as he began to pace. “A movie. Watch a movie. You won’t be tempted to call him if you’re distracted by a movie,” he said as he walked into the living room.

  A knock at the door made him jump. He frowned as he strode across the room. Landon pressed his eye to the hole then his head pulled back. He shook his head in disbelief then looked again. Ben was definitely on the other side of the door. Landon pressed his hands and forehead against the wood and chewed his lip as he debated. He really, really wanted to see and smell and hear Ben but he knew that he’d want to touch and taste Ben and that would lead to fucking Ben. Which would only make things more complicated. There was another knock and Landon lightly beat his head against the wood before he unlocked the door. He took a deep breath and pulled it open.

  “Hey!” Landon acted surprised when Ben’s eyes met his and he smiled. Ben held up Landon’s coat.

  “You left this,” he said and Landon rolled his eyes as he took it from Ben.

  “My mom always said I’d lose my ass if it wasn’t attached to the top of my legs,” he said as he stepped aside and waved for Ben to come in. He had to let him in. He couldn’t just send him on his way. That would be rude. He shut the door and Ben’s soft chuckle spilled through Landon leaving warmth in its wake.

  “It would be a shame to lose that,” Ben said as he walked into the living room. “This is a great building and I love what you’ve done in here,” he s
aid as he turned and surveyed the room. Landon wasn’t sure why but his feet carried him to Ben and his hand reached out and slid around Ben’s neck.

  “Thanks for bringing this,” he murmured as his lips brushed against Ben’s. Ben’s fingers trailed down Landon’s neck and he hummed softly as their lips clung.

  “I was afraid it was too soon. I asked Jason but I think he’s going to be busy for the rest of the weekend,” Ben explained and Landon shrugged.

  “It’s fine. I was thinking about calling you,” he said. It wasn’t a total lie. “I’m going to go hang this up, make yourself at home,” Landon said as he stepped back. His hand slid down Ben’s chest, prolonging their contact. He shook his head as he stepped out of reach. You are completely fucking helpless, he complained as he turned and went down the hall.

  “Did you paint this?” Ben asked from the living room as Landon walked into his closet.

  “The painting over the couch?” Landon asked.

  “Yeah,” Ben said and Landon laughed as he grabbed a hanger.

  “No. A man named Van Gogh painted that, it’s a reproduction,” Landon said as he hung his coat. He checked the pockets and pulled out the tin of mints and his sunglasses. He popped a mint in his mouth as he set them on the dresser.

  “Is this Keith?” Ben asked and Landon grinned as he walked into the office. His grin faded as his eyes locked on Ben’s ass. He was bent over, staring into Keith’s cage. Landon shook his head to clear it.

  “That’s Keith,” he said as he stood next to Ben. Ben stood and his eyes swept around the room.

  “You work here?” He asked and Landon nodded. Ben’s eyes went to the desk. “Can I see some of your work?” He stepped toward the desk and Landon was about to show him his most recent brief when his eyes went to the last thing he’d drawn.

  “Sure! Let me show you my portfolio,” Landon said as he rushed past Ben. He pulled it from the shelf and dropped it on top of his desk. Once the drawing of Ben’s lips was covered, Landon relaxed as he flipped open his portfolio. Ben grinned as he turned the pages.