I shrug. “I guess I was worried you would think it was weird and stop hanging out with me.”
He opens his mouth like he’s going to object, but then snaps it shut.
“Say whatever, Vanian. I can handle it.”
“I might not have been mature enough back then, but it really sucks that you didn’t feel like you could tell me. I’m sorry I wasn’t a safe place for you.”
His response surprises me. Not that I thought he was ever intentionally homophobic, but we did so much together that I worried about his reaction. Sleepovers, sports, looking at porn and nude magazines together. My dick was always hard, but not for the pretty girls on-screen or on-page. It was because Van had his dick out and I desperately wanted to touch it.
“It’s okay. We were young, and I was still wrapping my head around it.”
He nods, glancing down at his drink. “I gotta ask, man, did you ever check me out?”
There’s a hint of amusement in his voice, and when he looks up, he’s grinning. “I’ll be offended if you didn’t.”
His comment breaks the tension and I chuckle. “Maybe once.”
“Good. My ego remains intact.”
At least he’s not freaked out now.
“I should get back to work.”
“Can we meet up for dinner or something while I’m in town? I’ll probably head out later tonight, but it would be great to spend a little more time with you.”
“Sure. Where are you staying?”
“Nowhere. Stayed in a hotel last night, and I’ll just leave tonight.”
“Okay. Give me your phone.” He unlocks it and hands it to me, and I type in my address. “You can text me when you get there. Easier than trying to find me.”
“Awesome. Seven okay?”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a long time, Nantes.”
“A very long time. I’ll see you then.”
“Yeah.”
Van watches me leave, and as I walk back to my car, my head is spinning. Who knows what tonight holds? A one-and-done or a chance to rekindle our friendship? Only time will tell.
Chapter 3
Vanian
Nantes Benedetti. What a blast from the past.
It’s not that I haven’t thought about him over the years. Just the opposite, actually. I wanted to reach out, but at first I was slammed with school, then establishing my career, and now… well now I wouldn’t want him involved even by association. If I ever am caught, I don’t want to taint the reputations of those close to me. It’s why I don’t visit my sister or my parents often, and I keep everyone else at arm’s length. Friendly? Yes. Friends? Not so much.
Now I’m pulling onto the Benedetti estate. It’s pretty different from the last time I saw it. Back when I was still a teen, it had a dusty drive, a few scattered buildings and small houses. Now it’s paved and the house looks inviting. There are several more buildings, cars parked everywhere, and people strolling around.
I find a spot to park and hop out of my car, smoothing down my t-shirt. Pretty sure I’m gonna see the entire family. Where there’s one Benedetti, there’s at least two, if not more. Before Imake it up to the front porch, the door opens and Nantes slips out.
He smiles as he walks over to greet me. “You found us.”
“Muscle memory.” I slide my hands into my front pockets. “Where do you want to go?”
