Glancing at the clock above the stove, I note that’s in like a half an hour.
Me: Shit. Sorry, just now seeing this. Still cool if I come?
Xander: Absolutely!
Me: Alright, cool. I’m just about to eat, but once I’m finished, I’ll head over.
Xander is Cope’s boyfriend, and he’s someone I’ve gotten to know a little bit more over the last month or so. He’s frequently at the arena when I’m there, so as the two non-rodeo affiliated people, we naturally started talking and realized we had a lot in common. He’s never invited me out with the crew, but it should be fun, and what better way to celebrate?
A brief thought crosses my mind that maybe I should check with Boone and make sure it’s okay. I don’t know why, because I’ve hung out with his friends plenty of times over the years and it’s never been an issue. I think I’m just paranoid because of how things have been between us. Although, I will admit, since that night I confronted him about everything when he was changing my tire, things have been alright. Not great, but not overly tense and uncomfortable either.
As if on cue, another text comes in but this time it’s from Boone.
Boone: Hey, I hear you’re going out with us tonight. You gonna be home soon? We can ride together if you want?
News travels fast, I see.
Riding with Boone would be nice because then I could drink without having to worry about driving home. But my car is already here. Glancing over at Benji as he walks in through the sliding glass door with the plate of burgers in hand, I say, “Hey, would you be willing to follow me home, and then drop me off at the bar after we eat?”
He sets the plate on the counter. “I can do that. Who’re you going there with?”
“Xander and the guys.”
Arching a brow, Benji asks, “So, Boone?”
The timer for the air fryer goes off, so I unplug it and pull open the compartment that holds the fries. “Among other people, yes. Do you want to come?”
He’s not going to come, I know this.
“Nah, I’m good,” he replies. “Bet you’re excited to see him, though.”
Benji’s referring to Boone, and I have to fight to not roll my eyes.
“I’m excited to see everybody,” I retort.
He hums. “Sure, you are.”
After I give him the finger, I thumb out a response to Boone before grabbing a couple of plates for us to use.
Me: I’m with Benji. He’s gonna drop me off once we’re finished eating. But thanks.
Boone: *thumbs up emoji*
I hand Benji a plate, and he waggles his eyebrows at me like he’s about to say something smartass. Holding up a hand and cutting him off, I say, “Just shut the fuck up and make your food.”
He sniggers. “I didn’t say anything.”
I have another beer with dinner, wanting to calm my nerves, because no matter how nonchalant I act toward Benji, Iamexcited to see Boone tonight. We haven’t hung out outside of his house without Suzy or Jade there in quite some time. Maybe this can finally be the night we can truly forget about what I saw and get back to normal. Get back to the level of friendship we once had. I’m being overly hopeful, but it’s all I’ve got right now.
“Do you think your hottie brother-in-law knows you’re in love with him?” Benji asks, nearly making me choke the drink I just took. He’s always known I’ve been attracted to him, but he’s never saidthat.
“Fuck off,” I hiss. “I’m not in love with him. And he’s not my brother-in-law anymore.”
“Oh, right, right. Does that mean he’s no longer off limits?”
A chuckle bubbles past my lips. “No, jackass. He’s still off limits. He’s still straight. And I’m still very muchnotin love with him.”
“Whatever you say,” he muses, looking at me like he very much doesnotbelieve me. I don’t know why I haven’t told him about what’s happened between Boone and me. Not that anything has happened between us, per se. It’s something I would normally tell Benji, no questions asked, but there’s something about the situation that has me wanting to keep it to myself.
