Safe and Sound (Twist of Fate 2)

He rolled his eyes, but I could see the sympathy in them. “You heard me. You’ve known all along our time here was short, Aiden. We’re leaving for Colorado as soon as school gets out. Xander needs to get everything ready for his first wilderness group.”

“Shit,” I muttered. “I thought I’d have more time. This year has gone by too fast.”

Bennett shifted on the blanket until he was sitting cross-legged in front of me. “Listen. I have no interest in saying goodbye to you, Aiden, and I sure as shit know Lucky’s going to be upset about it. So I’d like you to consider coming out for Gary’s retirement party in a couple of weeks. That way, we’ll know it’s not goodbye, okay?”

I thought about the man who was selling his wilderness expedition business to Bennett and Xander. He’d been incredibly helpful to me the night I’d found out about Bennett almost drowning in the river. Gary had caught me with a bottle of scotch in the wilderness lodge and had known exactly what I’d been planning on doing— drinking until I could no longer imagine Bennett struggling in the river. Even knowing Bennett had survived his ordeal hadn’t been enough for me. I’d still only been able to see Bennett’s head being sucked under the swirling water. And I’d been so certain I could hear his screams just before being silenced as he’d slipped beneath the surface of the raging current.

Gary had appeared practically out of nowhere and gently removed the bottle from my clutches, talking to me instead. He’d listened for two hours while I’d slurred and babbled my way through how much Bennett’s friendship meant to me.

I wanted to thank him in person, and even more than that, I wanted to introduce him to Ash.

“Okay,” I said with a smile. “Sounds like a plan. Now tell me more about this farewell shindig. What can I bring?”

I could see the relief come over Bennett’s face immediately. He told me about the plans for a get-together at their apartment and made sure I knew to invite Chase and Ash. By the time we wrapped up the conversation about the farewell party, Bennett caught me staring at Ash.

He’d jumped up to catch the flying disc and the fabric of his T-shirt had ridden up to expose his lower abdomen and delicious happy trail. I’d run my tongue along it just that morning, but for some reason, I’d temporarily forgotten what it tasted like. I needed my hands and mouth on him again.

“Seriously?” Bennett teased. “Give the kid a break. His poor ass is probably—”

I spun my head around and glared at him. “Why are you looking at his ass?”

Bennett’s laugh rang out, causing Bear to pick his head up to see what was going on. Once Bennett’s hand came down to smooth over the thick, black fur, Bear settled back into his nap with a huff.

Bennett’s expression turned soft. “Tell me. You and Ash, huh?”

I blew out a breath, looking back at the man in question. “Yeah.”

“You love him?”

“Yeah.”

We sat in silence for a moment, just watching the men we loved having fun on a gorgeous spring day in the park. After a while, Bennett couldn’t let it rest.

“What’re you going to do about it?”

I turned to see him studying me. “I want to tell him. I want to ask him to stay with me. Move in with me.”

Bennett chuckled. “Doesn’t he already live with you?”

“Yes, but this would be for real. Not because of money or anything. But because we want to be together.”

The Frisbee landed near my feet and I stood up to fling it back in their direction before sitting back down on the blanket. Xander called out his thanks while Ash met my eyes and blew me a kiss.

God, I was stupid for him.

“Do you think he loves you back?” Bennett asked with a laugh. “Wait, wait. I can’t even ask that with a straight face.”

I felt myself deflate. “What do you mean? You don’t think he could love me?”

“What? No. Jesus, Aiden,” he said, grabbing my arm. “I’m laughing because it was a stupid question. Of course he loves you. Anyone with eyeballs can see that. Can’t you?”

“I think so. But I’m afraid his brain will tell his heart not to bother. That loving me is a bad bet.”

“It’s not.”

“He’s been so hurt, B. Like, badly hurt. I’d be shocked if he could allow himself into another serious relationship,” I admitted.

“You won’t know until you talk to him about it. Give him a chance, will you?”

Lucky tackled Ash, causing Ash to tumble onto the ground harder than expected. Before I knew what I was doing, I was off the blanket and racing over to him. By the time I slid to a stop next to him, I realized he was laughing.