Colby’s finger trails through the condensation on the beer bottle, gaze firm on me as he carefully considers his next words. “I don’t know you too well yet, Jackson. But Eli speaks very highly of you. I remember Harper as a baby at family events. I held him in my arms before he even knew what life could be like. You’ve got to listen to him. If he says no, he means no. But I think Harper could always use another friend...”
My lips flatten into a line. “I can be friends with him.”
Colby clinks our beer bottles together. “Some love stories are a long game, you know?”
I snort. “Compared to you and Eli, yes, that’s true.”
Colby laughs because he’s a good sport. We join Benji and Eli out on the porch as the sky darkens with sunset, turning burnished orange with pinks and lavenders. I sit beside Benji on the outdoor couch, allowing Colby to take the coveted spot beside Eli on the smaller opposite couch. Eli immediately dips to burrow into Colby’s side, a contented smile tugging at his lips.
Benji pretends to gag. “Too much canoodling going on here.”
“You like it,” I tease, because he does. Benji might be a little shit, but he so desperately wants out of the game, wants to settle down, wants to be loved.
Benji waves his hand dismissively. “What time are we leaving tomorrow?”
I take a slow sip of my beer as Colby stares me down. “I think I’m going to stay.”
Eli sits up straight, eyes wide. “What?”
“I think I’m going to stay in Clay Springs for a while. Take a break from work, focus on my investments. Do you happen to know anywhere I can rent?” I aim the last question at Colby, pointedly ignoring Eli’s increasingly shocked face.
Colby’s smile is slow, but pleased. “I’ve got the perfect place.”
Benji scoffs in annoyance. “Jesus Christ. Now I’m all alone in Georgia?”
Eli’s head tilts. “You could take up the offer from Nolan…”
A furious flush dots Benji’s cheeks at the mention of Nolan. I look between Eli and Benji as they stare one another down, probably speaking telepathically to each other. Something only sunshine boys can do.
Benji finally shrugs. “I guess. I do love to travel…”
I hold my hand up. “Can you explain the details to me?”
A sheepish look crosses Benji’s face. “I’ve been contracting with Nolan.”
“What?” I almost shout, immediately terrified for Benji.
Nolan is a notoriously difficult client. I spent one night with him and still shudder at the memory. Pain play is not remotely my thing. Imagining Benji and Nolan together feels almost impossible, like a wasp and a golden retriever together.
Colby slaps his knees and stands. “I’m going to go get a snack so you boys can talk shop.” He bends down, presses a kiss to Eli’s curly head, then disappears into the house with a flurry. Avoidance if I’ve ever seen it.
“Spill it,” I say firmly, knowing it’ll rile Benji up.
But it seems to have the reverse effect. The man shrinks into the cushion, eyes on the darkening forest behind Eli.
“There’s nothing more to tell. I’ve been working with Nolan the past year. It’s fine. There’s not much left for me in Georgia now that…” He purses his lips as his gaze swings between me and Eli. “I’ll do it. I’ll keep you guys updated.”
“Does he hurt you?” I ask, because I spent one night with Nolan and have the scars to tell about it. Benji and I might snark at each other, but if someone ever hurt him, I’d go scorched earth for him. I’d do that for anyone I love, anyone in my life. Murder is defensible when it’s for a loved one, right?
Benji shakes his head, eyes distant. “No… he doesn’t hurt me.”
There’s something about his tone that unsettles me. His face is closed off and clearly says the conversation is over. Colby promptly returns with some freshly baked cookies, rejoining Eli on the couch. We finish the evening talking about sports, my favorite topic of conversation.
The next day I see Benji off at the airport.
“Please be careful,” I say softly.
Benji rolls his light blue eyes so hard they might get stuck. “I’m not useless, you know. I can take care of myself. And Nolan isn’t as difficult as you all make him out to be. Sure, he’s into pain, but he melts with me. I like him.”
