Page 34 of Unless It's You
Ben joined us tonight to assist in showing the lads a few passing and catching techniques. Leo, Callum, and the other boys were immediately drawn to him. Everyone is, aren’t they? They circled Ben like flies, almost innately understanding he is not like them, he is not like me. He didn’t grow up broken.
“Thanks for coming out. The boys loved it.” I pick up the cones and shove them down into the equipment duffel.
“No worries. It was fun. They’re good lads. But it’s been a bit since I tossed a rugby ball.” Ben runs a hand through his light hair, wet from the rain. “Still good to grab a drink?”
“Yeah.”
We head back toward Camden and duck into the first pub along the way, settling at a table with pints of lager, the equipment bag tucked by my feet.
“What’s new?” I ask, eager to not talk about my own life.
“I have a Robin and Simon story for you.” Ben smirks.
“Oh, do tell.” Stories about Ben’s wholesome parents are myfavorite. I keep in touch with them, but he’s always got the latest gossip since they talk almost daily.
“They are now fixated on walking across the UK next summer.”
I laugh. “Of course they are. Why?”
“I truly do not know. Now that Dad is retired, they want to do the Coast to Coast Walk, starting from the Irish Sea and all the way across northern England to the North Sea.”
“Christ.”
“I know. Mum’s been doing all the research and thinks they can train for the next year and pull it off.”
“They didn’t mention that when I saw them last month. How far is it?”
“It’s a brand-new obsession. The trail is over three hundred kilometers.” Ben shakes his head. “There is absolutely no way. I’m going to have to make sure I’m free to go rescue them.”
“Let me know, I can help.”
“Thanks.”
We both drink deeply from our pints. He sighs.
“What’s wrong?” I furrow my brow at my usually cheery friend.
“They drive me nuts, but sometimes I look at my parents and wonder if I’ll ever have what they have. You know what I mean?” He runs his hand through his drying blond locks. “I know you’re not into the marriage or kids thing, but I’d always wanted to settle down by now. Maybe start a family. Do stupid things like plan an overly ambitious walk across the country with someone.”
I swallow. Ben doesn’t often get serious like this. He must be feeling like absolute rubbish.
“We’re already mid-thirties, mate.” Ben’s face is stricken.
“You realize that’s not old, right?”
“It feels old.” He drinks from his now half-full pint.
“You’ll find the right person eventually.” It’s all Ican come up with.
“Is that your pep talk?” He groans. “Because it’s shite.”
I grunt. “You know pep talks really aren’t my thing.”
“I dunno. Maybe wanting to settle down is too much. I really fucked it up with Stella Hart when I pushed her on the kids thing. I think about that all the time, mate.”
Fuuuuck. My eyes practically pop out of my head at his mention of Stella, but thankfully, he doesn’t notice and keeps talking.
“Maybe I can live without kids? Maybe marriage—or even a serious relationship—would be enough.”
