If I’m being honest, the way Will and I so rapidly went from serious relationship to pretty good friends is shocking even to me. Maybe it’s due to the fact that him and Ben have gotten so close or this weird trauma bond we have since dealing with Lily’s death, but for whatever reason, any awkwardness we initially felt has basically disappeared.
“Um— you’re not dressed yet?” I can’t help but let frustration seep into my tone as I glance at my phone to check the time. “Will— we need to be there in like thirty minutes, get ready!” Will rolls his eyes.
“Last time I checked, you’re his girlfriend now. If I needed someone to nag me, I’d be living with my mother,” he says, gesturing to Ben.
“Will…” Ben’s tone is a deep rumble, warning his brother that he’s toeing the line with how he’s speaking to me, and I can’t help but want to rip Ben’s clothes off at this exact moment. Will rolls his eyes dramatically and plops down on the bed.
“Besides,” he continues, hands behind his head as he stares up at the ceiling. “I’m not going.”
Ben and I share a knowing glance. Ever since the whole story with Lily came out something has shifted with Will and Gen, and no one really knows why. Well… Ben doesn’t know why. I feel like I’m bursting with all of the secrets Gen and Sloane have trusted me with this past month, and after not having real girlfriends for the past two years, I really don’t want to break their trust. Thus, I have been a vault.
I perch next to Will on the bed, folding my hands over my knees.
“Would you like to talk about it, William?” I ask teasingly, tilting my head, and he sighs.
“Not really, no. I just— shouldn’t be there.” He glances at me as if to say he knows I know and to keep my mouth shut. I give him an incredulous look but remain silent. Ben, still fixated on making sure his tie is perfect, groans into the mirror.
“Will, what'd you do?”
Will props himself on his elbows. “Why do we all assume that I was the one to do something?”
“History,” I say.
“Reputation,” Ben chimes in.
“Okay, okay. Chill.” Will stands smoothing out his pants. “Everything is fine, I just want to be respectful and give her space. Especially on such a big night.”
I stand too, moving back toward Ben. “I think that’s very mature of you.”
“See. I’mmature,” Will says to Ben.
“Uh-huh,” Ben says, barely paying attention.
“Dude, how are you going to play for the pros if you can’t keep up with a basic conversation?”
Ben sighs, giving up on the tie and yanking it off completely, which honestly is the hotter option anyway. He moves toward me putting his arm around my waist.
“I don’t actually know anything yet. The draft isn’t until July, so I’d appreciate it if you’d stop jinxing it.”
“Jinxing it?” I laugh. “Who knew you were so superstitious?”
“It’s hard not to be when all your wishes keep coming true.” Ben smiles, winking at me and my heart flips.
“Okay— barf. I’m leaving.” Will moves toward the door and I can’t help but laugh.
“You sure you’re okay, man?” Ben’s voice takes on a more serious tone.
Will turns to face us, walking backward through the door.
“I’m fine. Seriously. Have a good night you two, andpleasefor the love of god use protection.” With that he slips out and I sigh.
“What am I going to do when you get drafted?” I let myself melt into Ben, reveling in the way his arms are wrapped around my waist.
“Well, hopefully it will be the Celtics who pick me and then you’ll be in the city just as much as I will, with your big new column and all.”
“Hmm,” I hum in contentment, spinning around to face him. He isn’t wrong— the Boston Common, home of my brand new column due to my fall out with Ian, is pretty much walking distance from the stadium. “It would be awfully convenient. I could just crash at your place after a long, arduous day at the paper…” I say wistfully, half joking and half serious.
“I think by that point it would beourplace, though, no?” His eyes twinkle with mischief, but there’s a hint of something serious there, and I feel my heart beat in my chest.
