Chapter 17
Parker
“Sucks that Landon couldn’t come.”
Ben frowns. “I know. I think it’s sweet that he’s trying to be brave, but it might be too much for him still.”
I sigh, like the clearly lovesick idiot I am. “Is it stupid that I’m gonna miss him?”
Ben opens the door to West’s building, ushering me in ahead of him. When the door shuts behind him, he places a hand on the small of my back. “No. I’m gonna miss him too, but we’ll see him after.”
It’s football night at West’s apartment. I’m not sure how it’s gonna go. Ben’s lap is my favorite seat in the house, and what am I supposed to do with that in front of West and Darcy? I trust both of them. Darcy more than West, of course, but still.
West is a good guy, and he was ready to defend Darcy when Marcus was being a dickhead, so that counts for something.
Ben knocks on West’s door, and when it swings open, I glance past him, looking for Darcy. Between the art show and getting sick, we haven’t seen as much of each other as I’d like.
“Darcy’s not here yet, but he will be soon.”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
He and Ben do some strange handshake-bro-hug thing, and West ushers us inside.
“I’m just gonna go to my room for a second, and I’ll be right back out. Make yourselves at home,” West says, picking up something from the armrest of the couch and heading into the hallway.
Ben nods, taking my hand, and leads me to the couch.
We sit close, which I happen to really enjoy, but I don’t really know what we can do and what we can’t. We haven’t had a boundaries talk yet. “Do you think we’re allowed to be close without Landon?”
Ben hums. “What do you mean, Cotton Candy?”
I let out a huff. “Like kissing. Do we all need to be together for stuff like that?”
“I’m not sure, really. That’s something we should all talk about together. Tonight, maybe?”
The door swings open, and Darcy walks in. “Hey, everyone.”
“He’s in his room,” I say. When Darcy disappears into the bedroom, I move a little closer to Ben, lowering my voice. “I think tonight would be good.” Mostly because I’m not sure I want to put the talk off.
“Tonight,” Ben echoes.
“I just want to know what to expect, you know? I’ve never been in a situation like this.” Scrunching my nose up, I shrug. “Like, how do you even date two people at once?”
“I think it’s probably up to the people involved. It’s not something I’ve ever navigated either, but…” Ben trails off. “I think the idea of you and Lan together without me is hot, but you may not feel that way. Or he might not.”
“Exactly.”
I don’t really know how I’d feel about it. Maybe it would be one of those things where I’d have to just see. I’d like to think I wouldn’t be upset, but the ugly jealousy that I felt when Ben and Landon kissed before makes me think maybe I won’t be able to handle it. Then again, I didn’t have any security. Maybe if I did, it wouldn’t bother me.
“Definitely tonight,” I say softly.
Ben opens his mouth when a quiet moan echoes through the apartment, followed by a louder one.
My eyes widen. “Ew. What the fuck?”
Ben lets out a laugh. “Ew? That’s rich coming from you.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
