Page 27 of New Neighbor

“Huh?” Jesse looked confused. “You knew?”

Benji frowned. “Knew? Well,yeah.”

Jesse leaned back against the booth’s back. “Hay told you?”

Benji’s eyes grew wider. “Wait… what? Hay? Hayden’s gay?”

Jesse’s eyes widened. “Nooo… Hay’s also… a friend of this person, so… I assumed he… might’ve told you.”

Benji grew quiet, staring at Jesse. He took a drink from his beer. Jesse wasn’t great at lying. Never had been. Did they all know about him? “Are you talking about me?”

Jesse’s confusion was evident. “You? No… I’m not talking about you. I swear.”

Benji tilted his head to the right, gathering his courage. “That’s why I asked you to come have a drink tonight. I had something to tell you.” He paused, going over all the times he’d said those words in his head, trying to decide which ones were the right ones. His stomach clenched… fear chilled him to the bone. Benji wanted to puke. “I’ve tried to deny something for a long time. Too long. And I can’t keep it up.”

Jesse sat there, silent a moment. “Okay.”

“The fact that you’re freaking out about this friend who might be gay… I’m not sure how you’re going to take this news.”

“Just spit it out.”

“I’m bi,” Benji said in a rush. He drew in breath after breath, trying not to vomit. He stared at his hand clasping the beer.

Jesse didn’t respond for a moment. The seconds ticked by, and Benji waited for Jesse to jump from the booth and walk out.

“How long have you known?” Jesse finally asked.

Benji shrugged, trying to gauge Jesse’s tone. “I’vealwaysfelt an attraction to other guys… for as long as I can remember. Just as I’ve always been attracted to women. I hid that part of me for a long time…”

“So you were born this way.”

“I believe so,” Benji said, lifting his stare. Jesse didn’t look angry. Disgusted. He just looked a little stunned.

Stunned, he could deal with.

“So, you didn’t just wake up one morning and think, I just might be into dudes today,” Jesse said.

Benji frowned, thrown by the question. “No. That’s not exactly how this works.” He sighed. “Look, maybe you need some time to deal with what I’ve just told you. Out of all the guys, I’d hoped you would be the one who was okay with this.”

“Iamokay,” Jesse said, leaning in and placing his elbows on the table. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like I wasn’t. I’ll be there for you no matter who you love. I was just curious how you…knew.”

Benji nodded slightly. “I justknew.”

Jesse was silent a moment. “I’ve never quite understood how someone could like menandwomen.”

“I’m attracted to people. Not gender. If there’s someone who I feel a connection to, it doesn’t matter what’s between their legs. I want to know them… I want them to know me.” Benji paused. “And no, I’m not attracted to you, if that helps anything.”

“Why not?” Jesse said, smiling mischievously. “I’m a catch.”

Benji chuckled, shaking his head.

Silence fell between them. Benji sensed that Jesse was dealing… but he wasn’t sure.

“So… are we okay?” Benji asked.

“Of course we are,” Jesse said. “Seriously.Whoeveryou love, I’m good with it. I’ll be there to support you.Whoever.”

Benji sat silently a second or two. He relaxed a little, thankful Jesse seemed to be accepting. “Like, maybe, Mac?”

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