later. Something’s come up that I have to deal with.”
The dreaded brush-off in the flesh, couched in as vague terms as any Bennett had ever heard. He’d used that ‘something’s come up’ line a time or two himself when he’d regretted a hookup with a guy who clearly wanted more than he was willing to give. Is that what he was to Jordan…an almost-hookup he regretted? He rolled his eyes, glad the man on the other end of the line couldn’t see him. Dramatic much? They’d kissed. That was not the same as almost hooking up. They hadn’t groped each other, hadn’t sucked each other off, hadn’t even touched each other except to kiss.
His name being called reminded him he was expected to contribute something to the conversation, that Jordan was waiting on his response. Oh yeah…how did a person respond to a brush-off? It wasn’t so nice being on the other end of that action. He felt let down and angry and…hurt? Why the fuck was he feeling hurt, for crying out loud? They barely knew each other, and Jordan hadn’t made any promises, aside from the one where he’d bring dinner to go along with brownies for dessert.
This is ridiculous! Shaking himself, Bennett said, “Oh, too bad! I hope everything is okay?”
He needed to practice adult-speak for awkward situations such as this. He could do it. His parents had raised him right. He felt a moment of pride at how cool he sounded when he finally spoke.
“Everything’s fine, thanks.” Jordan’s response was stiff, as though he were holding all emotion at bay.
“Well, I guess that means I can take the brownie ingredients off my shopping list.”
Bennett tried for coolly amused and nonchalant and hoped it came off that way in Jordan’s ears. Then he stopped speaking before he said something incredibly foolish that would give away how turbulent his emotions were in that moment.
Jordan cleared his throat. “I had a good time last Friday. Thanks again for the stargazing. Take care, Bennett.”
Well, shit! That sounded a lot like a “Goodbye, I won’t be calling again” ending to the conversation. He barely had time to reply before Jordan hung up. He stared at the phone in his hand, trying to figure out which reaction to go with. Should he be mad, disappointed, or hurt? Anger and hurt seemed like really over-the-top responses to Jordan’s call. Also, they smacked too much of neediness and he wasn’t needy, dammit! He’d go with disappointed. After all, despite his having had that momentary memory lapse, he’d been excited at the possibility of seeing Jordan again, so it was a real pity he most likely never would.
Sighing, because he really wanted to be pissed but knew it would be a waste of emotional energy — and he was a grown-assed man, dammit! — he got ready for work, fed Claus, and sent a swift text to invite his brothers over for poker night. He wouldn’t allow himself to wallow in stupid emotions. Maybe Ry and Chandler could come too. He hadn’t seen them in a bit. He shot off another text to his best friend and his new husband and then drove to the local coffee shop for breakfast on the go.
He had two family photo shoots scheduled and expected to spend most of the rest of the day working on the promo shots. He’d promised to edit them and send them back ASAP. There would be no time to brood. Good! Best decision ever. His office assistant would be in by noon and then he’d be even freer to get stuff done. And after work, there’d be food shopping, and hopefully a fun-filled night with his brothers by blood and love.
The first round of the promo editing work was done by the time his first clients arrived for their photo shoot. they all wore identical blood-red t-shirts with “Carpe diem!” slashed across the chest in yellow letters, and khaki cargo pants. He tried to listen as the mother explained the reason for their attire, but all he managed to retain was that it had something to do with a family reunion to reconnect with a formerly distant older relative now on his death bed. Understandable, if morbid!
Once they were gone, smiling happily at the promise of first proofs in a day or so, he stopped to eat. He hadn’t thought to buy himself a second breakfast sandwich so he could have that with water for lunch. He’d been too discombobulated and the reminder