Page 121 of Dean

“Really? So, you’ve not thought about thick trunks?” Avery says, waggling his eyebrows and making Ben blush.

“Well, I have,” Avery interjects before Ben can answer. “I cannot wait to see some colorful leaves in the fall and some blooms in the spring.” Avery’s face turns dreamy, and it makes my heart skip a beat. I’ll make sure he has all the trees and flowers. I even ordered some pots to be delivered today. He’ll be able to plant to his heart’s content. Maybe it will even make him want to stay. I know we like one another,and that I want him intensely, but we haven’t talked about permanent living arrangements yet. I need to fucking talk to him about that.

“I can’t wait to see what they look like,” Ben says, and I take a sip of my drink as the food is placed down before us. “So what are you two going to do at the farmer’s market?”

“Oh, well, I want to get some fresh produce. God, what I wouldn’t give for a garden box.”

I eye him, and he wiggles in his seat. Guess I’ll have to make him some…you know, since he’s going to be staying with me.

“But I mean, I’ll have to wait until I have my own place.”

My mouth turns down. “Why do you have to wait?”

“Because…well, that’s your house.”

I arch an eyebrow as Ben’s gaze pings between us.

“Yeah, and it’s yours too.”

“But I’m just a roommate.”

“You’re more than a fucking roommate. You just said so earlier. Boyfriends, remember?”

Avery lowers his voice and his eyes. “I know, but I don’t want you pressured. I can move out and we can continue to date and?—”

“Fuck no,” I murmur and then let my hand fall onto his thigh. I squeeze it softly and he sighs into me. “We’ll discuss this when we get home.”

I put an emphasis on that last word and he nods, moving his gaze back to Ben. He’s on his phone, glancing down at it over and over.

“You okay? I’ve gotten some vibes. Are you seeing—” I ask, and Ben’s cheeks darken again. His eyelids flutter and he looks like he’s going to pass out.

“Oh, look at this cute picture!” Avery interrupts suddenly, moving my gaze to the wall. It’s not remarkable—just a chicken holding a pitchfork with its wing.

I stare at Avery and he gives me an imperceptible shake of his head. Shouldn’t have tried to ask that then, not yet. Should have just gone with my gut.

Fuck, I messed up. I turn my gaze back to Ben, who is stuffing his face while Avery chats about summer plans. Thank hell for Avery.

He’s amazing. He knows how to read this situation better than me.

When it’s time to leave, Ben gives me a hug and presses a kiss to Avery’s cheek before nearly running off.

I feel my shoulders sag, and Avery gently touches my cheek.

“It’s fine. He knows you’re just worried about him.”

“He’s acting weird. I don’t like that he feels he needs to hide stuff from me.”

“Yeah, I know, but he’ll tell you when he’s ready. You know what? Come on. Let’s go to the farmer’s market. I want to get some fresh produce and then make you the most delicious dinner ever.”

The way he looks giddy has my mood shifting slightly. I’ll worry about Ben later.

“Who the fuck is that going into the house?”

Avery leans further into my back, throwing his gaze over my shoulder, and laughs. “Oh, that’s just Lex. Have you met him before? He must have let himself in. He does that.”

“The fuck?” I murmur when I shut the motorcycle off and Avery hops off.

“That’s just how he is, Dean.”

---