“This leave’s going to be hell on you, isn’t it?” His dad laughed. Last time Ben had had leave, he’d re-done all the landscaping in his dad’s backyard out of sheer boredom. “And you can help with wedding prep.”
Ben tried hard not to groan. His father’s upcoming wedding was not his favorite topic. “I’ll be there,” he gritted out. His dad had asked him to be best man, and he supposed he’d have to come up with some sort of toast. “Do you want a bachelor party or something?” Please don’t want a bachelor party.
“I think we probably have vastly different ideas of party.” His father held the bag open for him.
“Truth.” Ben’s laugh made his still-tender ribs ache.
“How about a trip out to Churchill’s and we’ll call it good?” Always one with a soft spot for a good Cuban, his dad was a fan of several of the local cigar lounges.
“I can be down with cigars.” Ben didn’t have to disguise his relief at not having to organize something cheesy.
“You going to bring a date to the wedding?” His father’s voice was far too casual.
“That a requirement?” he managed instead of the “hell no” that wanted to burst forth.
“Of course not. And I’m sure Camilla is doing a separate invite for Maddox, but if you wanted to be seated together—”
“Do we need to decide seating arrangements right now?” He tossed socks and underwear onto the top of the bag then struggled with the zipper with his good hand. “We’ll both be there.”
“And you could think about—just think about bringing someone else along too.” Holding up his hands, his dad took a step back. “Just because Trey turned out to be a sorry excuse for a partner doesn’t mean you should give up on the notion of relationships forever.”
“It’s not that.” Ben shoved the bag to the end of the bed so his dad could heft it up. He then led the way to Maddox’s room.
“And just because your mother left—”
“I don’t want to talk about that.” Ben whirled on him. “You can wait here. I’ll just grab a few things for him—”
“Ben. Don’t be like that.” His father stilled him with a hand on his arm. “We can talk about her. You sister heard from her last week. Told her about you—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” Ben could never be like his dad and Maddox. Both of them managed to be friends with all their exes, but forgiveness wasn’t exactly Ben’s strong suit. He stormed into Maddox’s room, Dad fast on his heels. “She left, remember? And I doubt the Sunny Rock People want her busing it out here to play nursemaid for me, so let’s not act like she gives a shit about any of our lives.”
“Oh, Ben.” His father’s voice held a weary sadness that made Ben’s ribs hurt worse. “When are you going to figure out that leaving doesn’t always mean that people don’t love you?”
Ben made a frustrated noise. Maddox’s room was dominated by his ridiculously huge bed, but it was neat and organized and easy to find clothes to stuff in the bag for him. “What else could it mean? I mean I think Trey’s skipping out on our rent and taking my dogs was a pretty clear F-U. Not exactly poetry and roses. You’re too easy on people.”
“And you’re too hard.” His dad let out a loud sigh. “Think he’d want his tablet or anything like that?”
“Yeah.” Ben gave a grateful smile, beyond grateful for the change in subject. He pulled open the drawer of the bedside table, expecting to find the headphones and tablet Maddox was seldom without, especially lately when he’d seemed to use it as a shield to hold Ben off. But instead of the electronics, he found lube, condoms, and a modest dildo, all neatly side-by-side, no clutter for Maddox’s toy drawer. Images skittered through his brain—Maddox jacking off, eyes closed, moaning softly...Maddox getting fucked. Would he moan for it? Want it hard or slow and gentle? Or—stop it. He shut the drawer fast. “Not here.”
“Got an eyeful of something?” His dad’s laugh was far too familiar and Ben frowned at him.
“Nope,” he lied. “Let’s check the living room for the tablet.”
Head reeling, he led the way out of Maddox’s room, shutting the door firmly. His body couldn’t decide whether it was turned on by the contents of Maddox’s drawer or insanely jealous at the reminder that Maddox had a life beyond him, beyond their friendship. There had been Grayson first, then later Curt, and Ben knew good and well that Maddox wasn’t a virgin, but he’d never felt particularly homicidal toward Maddox’s exes before that moment. They got to know what Maddox looked like, what he sounded like, what he enjoyed when fucked, got to know every turn-on and secret.