Benji leaned forward, arms around his belly, practically hunched over the table. “You aren’t upset?”
“No. I’d have been upset if you’d called me from the road and told me about the plans when you were already halfway to Philly. Plus, the fact that my reaction worries you so much is amazing, so please don’t think I’m going to resent you for going away for a few days. If you aren’t ready to spring me on your folks, then you aren’t ready.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m hiding you.”
“I promise I don’t think that.” Business in the restaurant was slow, so Van reached out to take both of their hands. “Menage relationships aren’t exactly commonplace, and Benji being in Fading Daze complicates things, because he has a public image to protect. I get that. So, I will promise you guys that if I start to feel left out, or ganged up on, I will say something. I’m not exactly shy about speaking my mind.”
Benji finally smiled. “I’d noticed that.” He took Joshua’s free hand, effectively completing their circle. “God, I want to stuff you both in my luggage and take you with me on Saturday.”
“That’s what video calling is for.” Van foresaw a lot of phone sex in their future. Also a conversation on rules and who could do what when the third wasn’t present, but that wasn’t a chatfor a public restaurant. “And since you two are heading north tomorrow, I have a selfish request.”
“Okay,” Joshua said.
“Will you spend the night with me?” All week their triad had spent as many waking hours together as possible, but Benji and Joshua always returned to their apartment to sleep. Van’s queen bed would be a little crowded with three people, and staying out all night long might bring too much attention to the new shape of Benji and Joshua’s relationship, so they probably wouldn’t?—
“Why’s that selfish?” Benji asked.
Van blinked. “Well, I’m sure your friends will notice if you guys don’t come home tonight.”
“So?”
“Where will you tell them you were?”
Benji tensed a bit. Even the hand clasping Van’s stiffened.
“I’d like to tell them the truth,” Joshua said. “But that’s up to you, too, Ben.”
“I want to tell the truth, too, but I’m worried about it affecting the band.” Benji took his hands back and put them in his lap. “I mean, Bobby and Andy were cool about those drunk photos, and they’ve never given me shit for being gay.”
“But being in a relationship with two men is a big step up from having one long-distance boyfriend?” Van said.
Benji flinched, then nodded.
“Tell them the truth,” Joshua said. “That we went out with Van, and then crashed at his place. You don’t have to tell them we’re all dating and having amazing sex until you’re ready.”
“But isn’t leaving that out still kind of like lying?” Benji asked.
“Depends on your point of view, I guess.”
“I agree with Joshua on this,” Van added. “I’m a lifetime bartender. Joshua is a part-time stock boy on a spiritual journey to find himself.” Joshua flipped him off. “You’re the one with themost to lose in terms of being out there every day, in front of an audience, fighting for your dream. We’ll support you, however you choose to handle this.”
Benji blinked rapidly, his eyes glistening. “God, I love you guys.”
Van’s stomach fell through the floor, while his heart tried to pound its way out of his chest. Benji froze, completely still, his eyes locked with Van’s. He didn’t retract the statement, or try to amend the words. Instead, he seemed to be waiting for Van to react. The words were there, deep down, but they refused to make it to his mouth, so Van simply stared as awe and wonder washed over him.
He hadn’t had anyone declare romantic love for him in a long, long time.
Joshua broke the spell by planting a wet kiss on Benji’s temple. “Back at you, baby.”
“Yeah,” Van said. It was all he had for now.
And apparently, it was enough, because Benji relaxed. “You guys ready to go?” he asked.
Van pitched his voice low. “To sleep or to fool around?”
It made Benji laugh. “I’m all for watching you two fool around, if that’s what you want to do.”
Joshua quirked an eyebrow at Van.
