find that tape before it leaks. Mav has good judgment—I’m sure he got the best detective he could find.”
“Maverick did sound pretty excited by him.” He let out a breath that sounded like he’d been holding it for years. “I don’t know. We’ll see, I guess. I try not to think about it too much.” His frown started to grow into a smile. “I’m glad I don’t have to leave either. You’re a great distraction. I’m only obsessing over my problems for about half the day; the other half I’m thinking about you.”
That brought a blush to my cheeks. The heat spread through me, lighting up parts that shouldn’t be lit right then.
“I’m glad you’re staying, too,” I said.
“Well, good,” Rex said, a hand running absentmindedly over his chest, seemingly unaware of the effect that move had on me.
He’s about to be very aware if he looks down.
“I didn’t want to leave so soon. I’ve missed you, Benji.”
Oh. Okay, wasn’t expecting all that.
“I missed you, too.”
It’s done. Never again.
“You know, Benj, ever since that trip to Costa Rica, I’ve… I don’t know. Everywhere I go, I feel like I’m looking for something. Someone.” Rex took in a breath, his hand falling to his side. “When I got here, I didn’t feel like that anymore. Even though my entire life is turned upside down, something about being around you made things start feeling right again. Even if we were in separate rooms or if we were right next to each other. Something about knowing you were good and only a door’s knock away, it makes things feel okay.”
I swallowed what felt like a boulder. “That trip…”
“It changed my life, Benji. You changed my life.”
“But… fuck, Rex. I don’t mean to be dramatic but… well, you kind of ruined mine.”
His eyes opened wide at that. He looked like a fish out of water, mouthing some words that didn’t add up well enough to form a proper sentence.
“You did,” I said. I’d already opened the wound, might as well address it fully.
“Okay, I think it’s time we talked about Costa Rica, then,” Rex said, crossing his arms, biceps looking good enough to take a bite out of.
Focus.
And not on those thick thighs or big arms.
“Fine,” I said, ready to open this can of galaxy-sized worms. “Let’s talk about it.”
Rex Madison
Six Years Ago
The plane’s engine started up, rumbling the aircraft with its powerful vibrations. I was sitting next to Mav, talking about what we’d do when we got back home. I didn’t want to leave—this trip had been incredible on so many fucking levels.
“I think I’m going to move to New York,” Mav said over the engines.
“Really?”
“Yeah, man, I need to spread my wings a little. Come with me. Your dad’s election is this year, shit’s going to get crazy. Just come up to the city with me.”
It sounded like a good plan, but… I looked over to the two rows ahead of us. Benji sat with his head already buried in a pillow, which was weird considering he normally was scared of flying.
We talked all weekend, just us two, about the kind of things we’d do together in Georgia. I promised him I’d come out. I even texted it to him that same morning, like I wanted to get it down on paper or something. I told him I’d talk to Mav, and that he’d understand. Maybe he’d be upset for a few days, a week max, but he’d come around. He’d realize what we both did; there was an undeniable fit between the two of us. We went together like salt and pepper, sun and star, air and wind.
Fucking hell, he was making me all Shakespeare over him.
“I don’t know, man,” I said. “I think I’m going to stay.”
“Shit, really?” Maverick’s eyebrows knit together. “You sure? Do you have a fever or something?”
It’s a fever all right.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I said, picturing my time with Benji from here on out.
“Damn, all right. Well, I’m officially shocked. Bamboozled.” Maverick sat back in his seat, the plane dipping as we approached our landing.
Shocked.
Fucking shocked.
How had I been the one to ruin Benji’s life? After I was the one who had been ghosted, set aside like a torn bag of rancid trash, thrown away as quickly as a piece of dog crap.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. At least he wanted to talk about it. Good, I’d be able to bring up exactly what I was feeling, and Benji would be able to address it head-on.