“Very caveman of you,” I said. I was teasing him, but it sounded kinda hot. “Why do you like me?”
“I don’t,” he said.
Even through the five and a half beers I’d drunk, embarrassment began to seep in. “Oh.”
He reached over and entwined his fingers with mine. “I’m in love with you, Rory. I have been for a long time.”
“Oh,” I said again, feeling my cheeks warm in reaction. Outside of the classroom, those words felt more real. The embarrassment was replaced with nearly uncontrollable lust. No man had ever told me he loved me before Benji—well, except for my dad, and that wasn’t the same, not even close.
“Well, well, Benji Reynolds.”
Benji and I turned to see Bobby Peck standing behind the sofa we were sitting on. I realized that most everyone else had gone.
“President Bobby Peck,” Benji said as if he were spitting venom.
“Where are your keys? I’m going to drive you kids home.”
“Um…no,” Benji said. “Someone else can drive us. Anyone else.”
“I’m the house designated driver tonight. There is no one else.”
Benji looked at me, and I shrugged.
“I can’t drive.”
He blew a puff of air from his lips. “Fine, Bobby Peck, you can drive us home.”
“Bobby Peck has to drive me to work,” I said, rather amused we were using his full name.
Bobby Peck laughed once. “You can’t go to work like this. You’ll get fired. Text your boss, and let him know you can’t make it.”
I pulled out my cell phone. “I’ll just text Cy.”
Drunk. Going home. Will be there early a.m. Night.
“Okay!” I said, shoving my phone in my pocket. “Taken care of.”
My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out again. I squinted at the words.
Need a ride home?
No, Cy. DD has it covered.
Is Benji with you?
Yep.
Okay. Good night.
“Okay! Now it’s reeeeeeeaaaaaally taken care of,” I said, laughing at my slurred words.
Benji held my hand, leading me out to his car. He held open the door, and I crawled into the backseat. He climbed in next to me.
“Whoa. This is inappropriate,” I said.
“Why is that?” Benji asked.
“Being in the backseat with you.”
Bobby Peck laughed. “I know you live at Charlie’s, Benji. Where does Rihanna live?”
“Who?” I asked.
“I think he’s referring to your haircut,” Benji said, trying to whisper and failing.
“Just park the ’stang at Charlie’s. I’ll walk,” I said.
Benji shook his head. I nodded. We both giggled incessantly.
Bobby Peck parked the car and tossed the keys to Benji, and then he pulled a condom from his back pocket. “Have a good night, dude.”
“You’re still you, Bobby Peck,” Benji said. He handed the condom to me. “Can you believe that jerk?”
I laughed and walked with Benji to the entrance. His fingers were still tightly laced between mine.
“I’m going to catch so much hell tomorrow,” I said.
“No,” Benji said. “I won’t let you.”
I smiled. “You can’t save me, Franklin.”
He laughed out loud. “I can do whatever I want. And don’t ever call me that again.”
“I think it’s cute,” I said.
“Oh, yeah?” he asked. I nodded. “Then, call me that anytime you want.”
I grinned. “Good night.”
“Let me walk you home,” Benji said, playfully tugging my hand.
“I got it.”
“It’s the middle of the night. I’m walking you home.”
“No, you’re not. It’s stupid for you to walk all the way over there and then back.”
“It’s stupid for you to walk alone.”
We stared at each other for a moment.
Benji squeezed my hand. “Stay with me.”
“Yeah, right,” I said, walking away.
“I’m serious,” he said, pulling me to him. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
I thought for a minute, chewing on my lip. “You’re not going to let me walk home alone, and I’m not going to let you walk me home. We’re at an impasse.”
“Correct.”
“So, my staying here makes sense, right?”
“Right.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes. I’ll stay if you sleep on the floor.”
“Deal,” he said, shaking his head, as if my request were the easiest thing in the world.
Part of me wished it had been more difficult for him.
Benji fished his card key out of his wallet, and then I followed him quietly down the hall. He turned the knob, and I walked in. He locked the door behind us.
“What’s up with that?” I asked. I tossed Bobby Peck’s condom into the trash can but missed. “Why do you only lock the door when you’re home?”
“Because if someone wants in, they’ll get in. If I’m home, locking it gives me some privacy or a few seconds to prepare if they’re breaking in.”
“Why would someone want to break into your room?”
He smiled, throwing an extra pillow and blanket on the floor. “You never know.” He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a T-shirt. My favorite one. “Do you want something to sleep in?”
“Yes, please,” I said, catching the tee as he tossed it at me.
Benji grabbed a pair of basketball shorts and retreated to the bathroom. I kicked off my boots and then pulled off my shirt and jeans. The maroon shirt slid over my head effortlessly. It was so soft, and it smelled musky and clean, exactly like Benji.
He knocked on the door. “Are you decent?”
“Not really,” I answered. Silence. “I’m just kidding. You can come out.”
Benji opened the door. He was shirtless and in bare feet, wearing only the pair of navy blue basketball shorts he’d brought into the bathroom with him. It was the best thing I’d seen since…well, it was the best thing I’d seen ever.
“Hi,” he said, looking a little stunned himself.
I sat on his bed, letting my toes move around and enjoy the open air.
Benji lay down on his stomach on the floor, bunching up the pillow between his biceps and letting his chin sink into the down feathers.
I pulled back the covers and turned onto my side, facing Benji. He was looking straight ahead, lying perfectly still.