Page 49 of Dean

“Alone?”

“Yeah, went out and met some friends. Drank too much.”

“Hm. Should have gone with him. He’s pretty. Might find someone else quick if you don’t put out.”

My lips turn down, my stomach churning. “Fuck off with that shit, Cash.”

“What? It’s the truth.”

Ford moves over to us and slings his arm around Cash. “Talking about putting out?”

Cash rolls his eyes and Ford chuckles just as Ben walks in. He peers over at us, swallowing roughly, his hand going up to his neck. He looks anxious, like he’s had a rough night.

I don’t like that at all. I should have been there for him. But I was with Avery.

Fuck. Am I a bad dad? Would Elaine be disappointed in me?

“You okay?” I ask, my voice booming through the quiet warehouse.

Ben jumps and his face reddens.

“Yeah.” His voice cracks and he clears his throat. “Yep! Great!”

Cash and Ford glance at one another, probably concerned as well, although their cheeks are slightly red as they look at me, but maybe I’m just imagining shit. Maybe being with Avery last night has made a screw loose. I study Ben once more and then shake my head at Ford and Cash. None of us should bother him about it at work. I’ll talk to him later when he’s home. We don’t talk nearly enough these days, and I want him to know that I’m here for him. I’ll always be here.

It’s the one thing I did right.

It’s the one thing I’ll continue to do well.

My eyes flick up to Avery, who’s working in the office. He’s wearing a form-fitting romper, one that shows off his ankles and his arms. Little rainbows decorate the fabric, and every time I see it, I can’t help the little ping of pride that filters through me.

He’s being brave. Maybe soon he’ll wear those heels he talked about.

If he wants to.

Maybe he’ll even get his belly button pierced like I suggested.

“If you stare any longer, your head is going to get stuck like that,” Ford says, and I turn to glower at him.

“I was just checking…on the shop. Making sure it’s run efficiently.”

“Yeah, I see what part of the shop you’re concerned with.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

Ford chuckles and we get back to work. Nobody talks about it again and thank fuck for that. Because I don’t know what I feel. I have no idea what’s going on with me.

CHAPTER NINE

AVERY

Ben’s acting weird and I think I know why. Well, I’m not completely certain, but I have a good idea. Mostly.

It could just be a conspiracy theory on my part, one that I conjured up when I saw how Cash and Ford look at him sometimes. And I could be totally wrong, but I think he’s getting some.

From someone.

Someone who knows Dean.

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