“Remember—I shared your bed and gave you half of my food for damn near fourteen years.” Benjamin interrupts and Felix nods—tapping his chin.
“Also true.” I turn and glare at my beautiful fiancé and he glares right back.
“What if you guys just like—fist-fought? Whosoever wins gets Fe.” Amber offers from where she sits on the dining-room table, eating an apple.
“Okay—that would be so unfair. Aaron can throw me from here to our apartment if he wants to.” Benjamin deadpans and I can’t help but grin, crossing my arms as I lean back on thecouch.
“It’s true.” I say. Benjamin rolls his eyes.
I look back at Amber and she’s smiling at us gently, enjoying watching our debacle.Amber. My best friend. The one who got me through all of puberty. It’s so obvious now.
“Wait.” I interject. “Fe—stand with Button for the wedding.” I stand up and walk to Amber—standing in front of her where she sits on the table. Her eyes widen. “Amber.”
“Motherfucker—don’t make me cry.” She looks around the room before returning her gaze to me. I notice her hands are shaking.
“You’ve been my best friend for a very long time. We know each otherverywell. I love you—you’re my family. Would you? Would you be my best woman?” Amber’s glaring at me as she sheds tears—her mascara dripping.
“Are you… This is sudden. Are you sure? I’m really not offended if you choose your brother.” I can see the building emotion—how much this means to her, and I know I’m making the right choice.
“I’m definitely sure. I want you by my side now the way you have been for everything else. Will you?” She chokes down a sob and clears her throat.
“Duh.” Her arms wrap around my shoulders as she squeezes me. The three in the living room cheer. After she’s done wiping her dirty face on me and cursing me for the sudden emotional onslaught—I return to the couch. Benjamin smiles one of those sun smiles and I feel warm, poking a dimple.
“Thank God—” he starts with a little laugh. “If Aaron had won, it would have just been me up there.”
Silence. The whole room is sucked clean of sound as everyone realizes that he’s right. The only other person close to him other than me is Felix. Amber is his friend—sure—but not any more than Kayla.I would have left him alone. He was willing to be—if that’s what Felix wanted—what I wanted. Benjamin looks around—eyes widening as he looksat our faces.
“Hey now—that was supposed to be funny. Lose those pity eyes. Did we forget I’m getting married?” He wiggles his ring adorned finger at us—eyes screamingdon’t be ridiculous!“Now everyone tell me how handsome I’ll look at the altar.” He grins, batting his lashes as Fe and Kayla start fake-gushing about how gorgeous he is.
“You’ll be so handsome I’ll die when I look at you.” Kayla says—serious and sad.
“I might object just because I’m jealous and want you all to myself.” Felix admits like it’s a secret confession.
I watch Benjamin as he laughs and waves them off—a blush littering his cheeks. I feel like the worst fiancé in the world.
When I turn my head to look at Amber, she’s already looking at me and with that best friend telepathy she says—this
will be hard for him.I know it will be—I remember what he confided in me at Felix’s wedding.
I’ll make him happy,my eyes respond. She smiles.
???
I watch Benjamin as he breathes—his head lying so gently on his pillow—his lips slightly parted. His hands are brought up to his chest so I can see his ring and it’s making me a bit hard.
He looks beautiful—so peaceful and defenseless.
“You’re staring.” He says, not bothering to open his eyes. Guess he’s awake.
“Am I not allowed?” I ask, laying on my side next to him.
“What’s bothering you?” He opens his eyes—looking straight into mine. “If it’s what I said earlier—please ignore it. I really didn’t say it to garner some kind of pity or guilt. I thought it’d be funny and regretted it the moment I said it.” I reach out and place my hand over his, running a finger over his ring.
“I know. But it doesn’t change that it’s true.” He sighs. “I’m serious. I didn’t even consider it. I only thought about myself.”
“Aaron, that’s not a bad thing. Thinking of yourself first doesn’t make you a bad person—or a bad boyfriend.” I shove his shoulder until he’s on his back, propping myself up to lean over him.
“Fiancé. And the entire purpose of having a man like me around is to protect you and take care of you. What god thinks of himself before his disciples?” Benjamin considers this for a moment—hand moving under the blanket to trace my tattoo.
