He swallowed, blinking back an unanticipated surge of emotion. Thomas wasn’t the only lucky one, but there was no reason to talk it into the ground. He knew he’d taken a chance on Thomas, even though at first meeting he hadn’t known just how inexperienced he was. He rarely let himself think about what would have been if Thomas had been upfront about that with him in the first place because a present that didn’t involve them together wasn’t one he was interested in.
The shrill chirp of a cellphone ringer interrupted his thoughts, and he raised an eyebrow in Thomas’s direction.
“Do you seriously keep your ringer on?” he asked.
“How else would I know if someone was calling?”
“Oh, my God,” he muttered, shaking his head and pushing Thomas away. “Go answer your phone. I have to pee.”
There wasn’t a bathroom in the yurt, but there was a door in the side that led into a stucco walled bathroom. He appreciated the space was separate, and it was simple enough to meet their needs. The bathroom had a shower with a bench, which while he would have enjoyed a bathtub, Ben supposed the hot tub down the trail would suffice. He took a quick piss and debated rinsing off in the shower, but decided to wait for Thomas to get off the phone. After washing his hands, he slipped back into the tent to find Thomas on the edge of the bed, wearing nothing more than his underwear. His cellphone sat on his knee, the screen lit up and the speaker on.
“I’m sorry that you and your mom fought,” Thomas said, and a young female voice answered him back.
“It’s not your fault she’s a lying bitch.”
“Kenzie.”
“She is. I don’t know what she expected to happen, just telling us lies about you the way she did.”
Thomas looked up at him, the earlier relaxation gone from his face.
“My daughter,” he mouthed.
Tight lines fanned out from the corners of Thomas’s eyes, and Ben sat down beside him, resting his head on his shoulder.
“How did your brother take it?” Thomas asked.
“About as well as you’d expect. It was almost like he was looking for confirmation about his shitty behavior.”
“Your brother is in the wrong for what he’s done to Trent and he knows it. He’s lashing out at anyone he can reach.”
“I’m sorry again that you got the brunt of it,” Kenzie said. “I wouldn’t have invited him that day if I would have known.”
“Water under the bridge, sweetheart.” Thomas settled his hand on Ben’s thigh, swirling his fingers over Ben’s skin.
“I hope you’re having fun out of town with Ben,” Kenzie said, and Thomas reached to take the phone off speaker so fast he nearly fumbled it onto the floor. Ben rolled his eyes and lay back, giving Thomas as much space as he could muster to finish the conversation.
“It’s our first day here,” Thomas said, returning his hand to Ben’s thigh. “But it’s been really nice so far.”
“So, you’ll call me when you’re back in town?”
“Of course.”
“Alright, Dad. Love you,” she said.
“Love you.” Thomas ended the call and tossed his phone onto the pillow, lying back beside Ben.
“I told her about you before,” he said.
“I remember.”
“It was a relief that she didn’t care you’re a man.”
Ben chortled. “You’re telling me.”
“I think it helps that her brother is gay.”
“It’s the 21st century. I’m sure he isn’t the first gay man she’s ever met,” he teased. “Did something go sour with your ex?”
