Ends of the Earth

Kellerman 404

Just then, someone pushed open the locked door and left the building, and Ben caught it, slipping inside. He could still turn around and leave. Jason would never know he’d been there. Ugh. At this point he was feeling like a creepy stalker. No, he was here, and he’d talk to Jason, and then what would be, would be.

Resolved, he rode the groaning elevator to the fourth floor. Marching up to 404, he knocked before he could chicken out. His heart pounded as footsteps approached, a shadow falling over the peephole.

The door sprang open, Jason standing in the threshold, jaw on the floor. “Ben? Are you… You’re here?”

He dropped his duffel, shaky hands motioning as he spoke. “If you kick me out I’ll totally understand. I just had to see you in person. I couldn’t let this go without trying. Couldn’t let us go.”

When Jason simply stared, Ben kept going. “I think about you and Maggie all the time. I realize we only knew each other a few days, but I’ve never felt anything this strong in my life. You’re not a kid—you’re a brave and beautiful and wonderful man. But I do want to take care of you. I want to protect you from anyone who would hurt you. I want to hold you at night and know you’re safe. I want to make sure you’re happy and laughing, and that you have everything you could ever want.”

Jason still stared soundlessly.

Mouth dry, Ben barreled on. “And it’s not because I think you’re weak. You had to grow up so young. Most people wouldn’t have had the balls to keep Maggie. To raise her and sacrifice everything else. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, but I still want to take care of you. Maybe that’s wrong, but it’s how I feel.” He thumped a hand on his chest. “I feel it so deeply. I want to take care of you both. I want to share my life with you. You and Maggie came along when I least expected it and filled up the hole inside me that had been empty for so long.”

Jason still wasn’t saying a word. He stood frozen, chest rising and falling rapidly.

“I think we could be so good together. You make me excited about life again. Excited to explore and share and really live. We meet hundreds of people—thousands—and they come in and out of our lives. But when I met you there was a spark, and I don’t know if it’s chemistry or pure dumb luck, but I don’t want to let you go. I know it was wrong to just show up here—”

Choking down a sob, Jason launched himself, locking his arms around Ben as Ben staggered. He grabbed Jason back, squeezing with all the love in his heart.

Jason gulped in a breath. “I can’t believe you’re standing here. I was working up the nerve to finally call you and try to tell you how I feel, and now you’re here.” He gripped Ben harder. “God, I want that too,” Jason whispered as he lifted his head, eyes bright and gleaming. “What you just said.”

Ben’s impassioned speech was a blur now. “Which part?”

Jason laughed, and it was glorious. “All of it.”

Lightheaded, he laughed too. “With me? This is all new for you, and you might find someone else. Someone closer to your age. Someone… I don’t know. Better.”

“Better than you?” Jason shook his head vigorously. “Not possible. You’re brave and loyal, and you don’t make fun of me for liking Will Smith. You, you… You’re patient with Maggie’s million questions, and you’re so sexy I just want to climb you like a tree and rub myself all over you. You’re everything I never knew I wanted. Never even imagined I could have.”

“You’ve got me. All of me.”

Jason clutched Ben’s sides. “I thought if I didn’t do it on my own I was a failure. I was wrong. I don’t want to be alone anymore. I want to be with you. The three of us together.”

With a shudder, Ben pulled him into another hug, pressing his face against Jason’s neck. “I don’t want to be alone anymore either,” he murmured. “God, Jason. I missed you so much. Both of you. I didn’t think I could fall in love that fast.”

Jason leaned back, searching Ben’s face. “Love?”

“Absolutely.” It shone in Ben so strongly he was sure it had to be visible. “Yes.”

“I love you too. I do.” He laughed disbelievingly. “I really do, Ben.”

“Do I get to kiss you now?”

Jason nodded vigorously, tugging him over the threshold. “All the kisses. Everything.”

Ben caught Jason’s lips as they came together hungrily. He managed to close the door, pressing him back against it, roaming his hands over Jason’s chest, skimming up under his clothes, eager for warm skin.