Page 38 of New Neighbor

Epilogue

At the Labor Day BBQ…

Benji grabbed the big bowl of potato salad he’d made and slid from the passenger side of Mac’s car. He smiled at his new boyfriend as he rounded the car, still feeling like he was walking on air. Mac paused, waiting for him, a soft smile on his lips.

“You ready for this?” Mac asked, his voice low.

Today, Benji would come out to the rest of his friends with Mac at his side. For the last few weeks, he’d laid low, avoiding everyone and spending most of his time at home, with Mac. He’d gotten a text from Jesse saying Hayden had spent some time rehabbing and was home, doing much better—which was a load off his mind.

And he’d heard that Clay had moved back in as Adam’s roommate and was no longer spending his days on Hayden’s couch—so apparently their feud was over.

He sighed, thankful his friends seemed to be in a better place. Maybe they weren’t headed for destruction. But, there was still his coming out. They might all reject him. And that thought terrified him.

As soon as he rounded to the house and eyed the backyard, he stopped. Mac ran into the back of him, nearly knocking the bowl from his hands.

“What’s wrong?” Mac asked.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” he murmured.

His gaze took in the scene. Adam worked the grill while Clay stood beside him, beer in hand. Hayden lounged on a chaise beside the pool, a soda in one hand. He talked to Jesse, who sat on the chaise beside him.

They all looked happy. Smiles crossed their faces.

What he was about to say might change that.

Jesse knew… but Benji had sent him a text asking the guy to keep the news secret. Until he could tell them himself.

Now he wasn’t so sure he had the balls to do it.

Mac moved around and faced him. He took the bowl from Benji’s shaking hands. “You don’t have to do this. Not today. Not until you’re ready.”

Benji met Mac’s stare, seeking to leech off some of his strength.

“I’ve got to do it eventually,” Benji said. “I won’t make you live my lie.” He didn’t want to have to hide Mac, or shy away from touching his own boyfriend. The last weeks spent with Mac had made him realize all he’d missed… all he’d sacrificed by not living honestly.

He had to tell the guys.

If they rejected him, he’d survive. It would be painful and he’d hurt like hell, but he’d survive it.

He had Mac in his corner. And Mac’s friends, Tevan and Julio—who were a couple, Benji had found out over dinner with the guys a few days before. He’d heard their tales of rejection and pain after coming out, and they’d been very supportive of Benji.

“Let’s do this,” Benji said before coaxing Mac along.

They walked into the backyard… and he threaded one hand into Mac’s.

As they neared, Jesse noticed them. His gaze went to their bound hands, and a smile began to cross his lips.

One by one, his other friends noticed his arrival. And one by one, they noticed his hand bound in Mac’s. He let go for a moment to take the bowl and place it on the table.

“Hey, everyone,” he said as he turned back to face them.

The guys all murmured their hellos to both him and Mac. His heart beat like crazy, and he felt half sick to his stomach.

“I have something I need to tell everyone,” Benji announced.

“I think it’s pretty obvious,” Clay said. “You and Mac are a thing.”

Benji sighed. “Can I please do this my way?”

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