“Thank you.”
“It’s going to be weird not having you around.”
They both looked sad.Since Taylor had explained that both he and Jacob had been born in this house and had never lived anywhere else, Ben could understand that.
“You know where to find me if you miss me,” Jacob told Taylor.
Ben was a little confused by that, but he didn’t ask.Not only did he not want to interrupt the conversation between Taylor and Jacob, but he also wasn’t sure it was any of his business.
“Yeah.At the station,” Taylor answered with a smile.
“And you’re always welcome at the house.”Jacob glanced at Ben.“Both of you.”
Ben shuffled his feet and hid behind Taylor.He’d never liked being at the center of attention, but after everything, he liked it even less, even when it was only one man.He wasn’t sure why Jacob was extending his offer to him, anyway.It could only be because Ben was Taylor’s mate, but Jacob didn’t know Ben.Maybe he’d hate him once he got to know him.
“We’ll talk at the station,” Taylor said.It sounded like a promise.
“We can talk whenever you want to talk.You have my number.”
Ben couldn’t see Taylor’s expression, but he could feel how tense he was.“Yeah, but I never needed to call you or leave the house if I wanted to talk to you.”
“You still have Dennis.He lives in the house.Drake is moving in, too, so you won’t be alone.”
“I know, but it’s not the same.”
Ben had never had this kind of friendship.Even though he had people he was close to, they were mostly family, and while he loved them, he didn’t think it was the same.He felt for Taylor, and he wished he could do something to help him.
“You’ll be fine,” Jacob promised, and Ben hoped he was right.He didn’t know Taylor well enough to help him yet, although he wanted to.They’d need time to be able to do that for each other, though.
“Don’t rush into anything,” Jacob continued.“Think about yourself first.You won’t be any good to anyone if you force yourself into something you’re not ready for.”
Ben pressed his lips together, but he was pretty sure that both Jacob and Taylor had heard him gasp.Was Jacob talking about him and his bond with Taylor?He’d made it sound like Taylor was forcing himself to spend time with Ben, which Ben hated.He didn’t want Taylor to feel like he owed him something, even though he did, in a way.They couldn’t ignore the fact that they were mates.That didn’t mean Ben wanted Taylor to do things he didn’t want and wasn’t ready for.
The sound of a car approaching made all three of them turn.Ben recognized Tony, and he tried to curl himself tighter against Taylor’s back.Tony had been nice to him yesterday, but after what Jacob had just said, Ben wondered what both of them thought of him.
It wasn’t his fault that he was Taylor’s mate.He hadn’t asked for that.He hadn’t even known Taylor until a few days ago.He couldn’t say that he didn’t want Taylor, but he did wish that things were easier.Couldn’t he have a mate who wanted him?A mate who wasn’t in crisis because of him?
“I’ll miss you,” Taylor murmured.
Jacob grinned.“You should come with us.We’ll need help getting all these boxes inside the house.”
“Oh, would you look at the time?I really have to go.I’ll call you.”
“I thought you wanted to help!”
When he started moving, Ben moved with him.He was confused because Taylor had said they would help Jacob and Tony, but now, it sounded like they wouldn’t.
Ben wasn’t going to be left behind, so when Taylor rushed inside the house, cackling, he followed him.They didn’t go far, and when Taylor stopped just around the corner, Ben found the courage to ask, “I thought we were going to help them?”
Taylor was still smiling when he looked at Ben.Ben was hit by how beautiful he was—he’d known, of course, but he’d been distracted by everything happening.Now that Taylor was like this in front of him, he couldn’t ignore it or the fact that he wanted to lean in to kiss Taylor.
He couldn’t.Taylor wasn’t ready for that, and Ben wasn’t sure he ever would be.He hoped, of course, but there was no way for him to know the future.
Which made Ben wonder if there was one for them.He wasn’t from Green Hill.He’d thought about going home to his family when he’d escaped, but he’d been afraid to lead Jimmy to them, and he still was.Besides, Taylor wouldn’t leave Green Hill.They hadn’t discussed it, but Ben could tell.Taylor had everything here—a home, of course, but also friends, a family, and a job.Ben didn’t have that.He had his parents, but considering how long he’d been gone, he doubted he still had a job or his apartment.He didn’t have much to go back to.
He wouldn’t mind staying in Green Hill, but that didn’t mean that Taylor would want him to.It was one more thing they needed to talk about, but Ben was terrified of that conversation.What if Taylor told him that their bond didn’t matter?
Ben didn’t think he’d do that.His mate was too sweet.That didn’t mean he wanted the bond, though, or that he’d ever want it.
