Dad ordered a coffee to end his meal, as usual, so Benji decided to split a cannoli with Joshua. He needed something to keep his hands busy, because he couldn’t think of anything to talk about. His mind was full of Van and all of the fun their trio had this past week. Mom gave him frequent curious looks, but God bless both his parents, they let it go until the four of them were home again.
They’d barely crossed the threshold into the living room before she said, “Okay, what is going on? Benji, I haven’t seen you this quiet since after the car accident last summer.”
Benji startled, his heart pounding. He glanced at his mom, who was watching him from near the sofa with open curiosity and a bit of worry. Then to Joshua, who slid an arm around his waist and kissed his temple. Dad started hanging everyone’s coats in the hall closet.
“It’s a bit odd to try and explain,” Joshua said. “We’ve met someone.”
Dad dropped his own jacket on the floor, and turned to face them. “You’ve what?”
“You said you two were happy again,” Mom said. Her face crumpled. “Are you breaking up after all this time?”
“No.” Benji pulled away from Joshua’s touch so he could squeeze his mom’s hands tight. “No, we aren’t breaking up. We are definitely still together.”
“Then what do you mean that you’ve met someone? I don’t understand.”
Dad gave up on the coats and moved to stand by his wife. Joshua closed in on Benji, creating a tight unit of support all around. Benji’s mouth went dry.
“We met the same person,” Joshua said. “His name is Van Holt.”
Mom’s expression went fierce. “The boy you said helped you fix your relationship with Benji? Was that so he could insinuate himself into your lives?”
“No, it wasn’t like that.”
“It’s so much more complicated than that, Mom,” Benji said. “There was always something missing between me and Joshua, even when we chose to be exclusive, but we didn’t know what it was. Van is that missing piece.”
Joshua nodded. “It’s like we always knew on a subliminal level that the two of us couldn’t work alone. We needed a third person.”
Dad made a face that was a terrifying mix of disgust and confusion. “So you’re still together, but you’re both also dating this other boy?”
“Yes,” they replied in tandem.
“And you’re sure this isn’t some late reaction to the accident?”
“What does that even mean?” Benji asked. “We’re not experimenting or acting out. The feelings we have for Van are real.” He swallowed hard, regretting now all the food he’d eaten. “I love him, too.”
Mom’s face went completely blank, while Dad flinched. That hurt. A lot.
“I know this is a surprise, and it’s pretty unorthodox,” Joshua said. “But I promise you both. No one is being taken advantage of. We all went into this with our eyes wide open, and we’ve talked. About what this means to us as individuals, and how wefunction as a group. We wouldn’t be telling you about Van if it wasn’t real.”
“You certainly don’t take the easy road,” Mom said to Benji.
Benji shrugged, then wrapped his arms around Joshua from behind, unashamed of using his boyfriend as a human shield. His emotions were simmering right on the surface, and he needed his parents to be okay with this. “You can’t help who you fall in love with. I’ve loved Joshua a long time, and maybe I’ve only loved Van for a little while, but it’s real. And it feels right. We’re so happy when we’re all together.”
“And you know that’s all we’ve ever wanted, baby. For you to be happy.”
“But with one person, not two.”
His parents exchanged a look he couldn’t read, but at least Dad’s disgust was melting away bit by bit, leaving a lot of confusion and concern in its place.
“We’re being careful every step of the way,” Joshua said. “And not just sex, but with each other’s feelings. Benji and I are very careful about making sure Van doesn’t feel ganged up on, or like his thoughts and needs matter less than ours. We’re all equals.”
“How’s that possible when you and Benji have so much history?” Dad asked.
“That’s true, we do, but Benji and I have hurt each other, too. In the past. I know this is very unusual, and maybe even a little bit terrifying, but I promise I love Benji as much as I ever did. Maybe even more for trusting me to share his heart and my own heart with another man.”
“I’m so happy, Dad,” Benji said. “I swear I am. Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
Those must have been the right words, because Dad’s posture relaxed, reducing him from overprotective father into curious dad again. “How well do you know this Van character?”
