Phil wasn’t passive.His strong hands came up to grip Ben’s ass, crushing him tighter into Phil’s lap.But when Ben pressed him back harder into the chair, he made a soft, pleased sound into Ben’s mouth.
The kitchen chair beneath them creaked ominously.
Ben forced himself to pull away and stand up.
“Thank you,” he said.“And I’m sorry.”
Chapter Seven
Olivia Starling [off-screen]: How are you feeling about the team’s chances against Washington?
Ben Morris: Uh, yeah.If they show up to play a full sixty minutes, we’ll be fine.
Roger Waters [off-screen]: Is the new power play working out?
Ben Morris: Yup.
Olivia Starling [off-screen]: Can you speak to Philadelphia captain Tyson Fuller’s recent statements about Jax Grant?
Ben Morris: Huh?Oh, I didn’t see that.Sorry.
Top comments:
seelionssaylions: Are we sure this guy works for the Sea Lions?Or did they just catch a random guy on the street on his way in?
grant16rules: justice for jax grant!
phileastfanclub: Any news on Easton?
(From Ben Morris pregame media availability, Washington @ San Francisco, 12/02/2024)
The team played Washington the next night.Ben went to morning skate, but from what Phil witnessed between physical therapy and his gym routine, he might as well not have.Phil couldn’t blame him.They’d left Charlie sacked out on the couch with a family-size bag of chips, a six-pack of soda, and aWalking Deadmarathon.The chips were baked instead of deep-fried and the soda was low-calorie, but still.
None of that was age-appropriate child-rearing.
Teenager-rearing.
Whatever.
Phil had shot an email to his lawyer before bed the night before.In a way, it was lucky he’d gotten divorced.He had someone for family law now.He’d received a long response with several attachments this morning.It would be a lot of work for Ben, having Charlie.Keeping Charlie.Phil wondered if he fully realized how much.As Phil understood it, Ben had never even met Charlie before.
And Ben would have to summon his family to court to get legal guardianship.
Phil couldn’t imagine.His parents might be exhausting to deal with, but he cared about them, and they cared about him.Back when he was a teenager and he’d kissed other boys more regularly, Phil had wondered a time or two if he should tell his parents about it.He’d been absolutely certain it would be fine, but he’d also been absolutely certain he didn’t want to deal with the ensuing fuss.
The idea of telling them and being turned away never occurred to him.
Phil shifted from the free weight area to the leg press.Getting into the seat comfortably required some maneuvering.His knee got stronger every day; the vigorous physical therapy saw to that.But it still felt loose and weird when he put too much pressure on it, as if threatening to give underneath him at any time.
He was checking California’s list of requirements for full legal guardianship on his phone between sets when Ben came in, followed by Vanderbilt and the two goalies.Phil took one of his earbuds out and left Jay-Z complaining about all his wealth and influence in the other ear so he could hear the conversation.
“And you’re sure you’re keeping the same lineup for tonight?”Vanderbilt asked.“Only we’ve been playing like shit.”
Ben looked as if he was being hunted for sport.
Phil caught his eye and shook his head, willing him to understand.
“Last I checked, coaches make the coaching decisions.”Ben managed to strike the right note of grumpiness as if irritated to even be asked such a stupid question.
