Page 115 of Dean

“Can I ride with you?” Ben asks me, his hand on my shoulder, and my heart jumps in excitement.

“Yeah. You ready?” I ask as I pat his hand.

“Just like old times,” Ben says, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Like old times.”

Ben throws his leg over the seat and puts his arms around my waist.

“Love you, Dad,” he says and I pat his hand once more. I love himtoo. I always will, no matter what. Even if he is sleeping with my two best friends.

Without another word, we roar off into the distance.

Content. That’s what I feel as I drive back to my place after a long ride with Ben, Cash, and Ford. Ben follows behind me in his car and parks beside me, hopping out and meeting me by the front porch.

“That was really fun. Thanks for the ride, Dad.”

I want to ask him questions, want to pry, but I let it go. He’ll tell me when he’s ready.

I probably should be more upset about it, but for some reason, I’m not. I trust Cash and Ford, and as long as Ben is safe and happy, as long as he’s found someone he loves—someones, perhaps?—then I’m okay with it.

“Sure thing. It was fun. We should do it again.”

“We will. I promise. Well, I’m gonna go, maybe watch a movie.”

“Yeah. Goodnight then.”

He leans in and gives me a hug like he used to when he was younger and then takes the steps to his garage apartment two at a time. I watch him go, memories of him as a little boy moving through my mind. Fuck, time has flown. What happened? It’s like I’ve blinked and he’s all grown up.

He sends me a final wave, and the door shuts to his apartment. I move onto the porch and I can tell by the music filtering through the speakers on the TV and the lights flickering through the front windows that Avery is in the living room.

Fuck, please let Kit not be around, I think as I unlock the door and step inside. I know immediately that Kit’s not here. It’s just Avery, paint on his skin as he glances up from his canvas at me.

“Hi,” he says, looking slightly smudged and mussed—the perfect piece of artwork.

“Hi,” I reply and then run a hand through my hair. “Sorry I’m late. Went for a ride with Ben, Cash, and Ford.”

“Oh, did you? How was it?”

He sets his paintbrush down and wipes his hands on my old shirt that he’s wearing, messing it up even further, but it looks good on him, so I say nothing.

“It was fine. I got some weird vibes though…” I peer down at Avery as he leans into me. “Have you noticed anything weird with Ben lately? Or Cash and Ford? I could be going fucking crazy, but I think…”

Avery blinks up at me and his cheeks flush. “Um, oh? I don’t…have you spoken to Ben?”

“Something’s up with him. I think I’m going to take him to breakfast. Maybe he’ll tell me the truth then.”

“You should. You both should have a nice, long chat.”

“You could come too.”

“Only if you want me to. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Ben knows you’re part of my life now. I think he’d like it if you were there.”

“All right, well, if he says it’s okay.”

“I’ll text him and ask.”

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