“About us…” Benson almost couldn’t say it. “This isn’t like the old times. We’re not all moving into the same condo so we can pass her back and forth every night.”
“Well, that was good enough five years ago, now wasn’t it?”
“I love her,” Benson reiterated. “I didn’t have a problem with her dating someone else before, but I’m going to ask her to be exclusive with me soon. So, get her out of your system.”
Liam scoffed.
“What?”
“Get her out ofmysystem? I could tell you the same thing. Besides, she saw a million fucking stars the other night. We’re like two dates away from DP-ing that gorgeous girl.”
“Get that out of your mouth.”
“Why? Because I put it in your head?” Liam taunted him with a finger waving before his face. “I’m not askingusto get back together. I know how stupid that would be. But we both want the same woman for a damn good reason. We can be friendly about this, Ben. We don’t have to be rivals.”
“You’re not the type to be content always being the third wheel.”
“What third wheel?”
“Eden’s lease is up in a couple of months. I’m gonna ask her to move in with me. I’ll be damned if she moves in withyou.”
“Why? Because then it will be more difficult for you to feel her up every night?”
“More like I don’t want to imagineyougetting to do it every night.”
“Ben.”
“What?”
This whole time, they never raised their voices. Instead, they hissed at one another as if they conspired to overthrow a Fortune 500 company instead of fighting over the same woman. “Don’t do this. Don’t make this more complicated than it has to be.”
“Why shouldn’t I? She’s the one I want.”
“This whole time, you’re going on about her, but you’re not stating the obvious…”
“Which is?”
Liam shook his head. “If she was fate, then so was I.”
Benson chewed on his cheek as he stewed in that. “For the love of fuck, stop messing with my head like that.”
“What are you talking about?” Exasperated, Liam tossed his arms out to the side before slapping his hands against his hips. “I’m not messing with your head! I’m just stating the truth!”
“Which is?”
The two men stared down one another, waiting for the other to speak.This reminds me so much of…Their entire relationship. Benson getting lost in his thoughts, and Liam attempting to translate. Liam getting frustrated while Benson felt guiltier. They were their happiest with a woman between them – this was true. But when they were alone like this? Attempting to figure out their future?I loved him. I couldn’t stand him.Benson had finally gotten over Liam a couple of years ago. Now here he was again, the same age, while Benson had grown gray hairs.
Looking into those eyes reminded Benson of a time when he truly didn’t give a shit. When he was willing to buck the status quo and goall-inwith what his heart truly desired. Liam hadn’t just been his match – he had been Benson’s equal. A man slightly younger than him, who wasn’t afraid to live in the moment, while having a heart of gold. Who else would keep Benson from diving into a drink at the worst time? Who else would throw a pillow and the prescription he had picked up at the pharmacy when Benson was ill?Twice. He did that twice.And what other man hadmade loveto Benson, proving that male sexuality wasn’t all libido, no romance?
They had always wanted the same things. Benson’s big mouth had ruined it.
Which was why he held back… from doing what he really wanted.
This man…
That man’s finger was soon in Benson’s chest. “Don’t make me do it, Ben,” Liam said, hushed. “Don’t make me try to win her from you.”
“Why the fuck not?”
