Page 14 of For the Love of Scott
“I know, right?” says Ben. “He usually comes home for a few weeks after his season ends. I’m sure we can get together or something.”
“You know him? I don’t remember him at all.”
“We did Scouts and Little League together,” says Ben. “He left to play in one of those junior leagues that feeds into the professional system after middle school. Lived with a family in Nebraska, I think it was.”
Ben rises then and begins collecting plates. Half time is moments away and they all have their parts to play. Except Ma and Dad. Ma and Dad stay put. Leah has Misty duty tonight, and Tim, Rachel, and Ben will oversee the cleaning up of dinner.
Scott stands. “How can I help?”
“Go pick some ice cream, honey,” says Ma. “Ben, show him the freezer.”
“Right this way.”
The whistle blows and everyone gets to work.
“But I don’t want to go to bed,” says Misty.
“You never want to go to bed, munchkin,” says Leah. “Let’s go.”
Misty stomps up the stairs with Leah right behind her.
Rachel and Tim start rinsing the dishes, and Ben leads Scott into the garage and opens a large chest freezer of nothing but ice cream.
Scott looks inside and then looks at Ben with huge brown eyes. “Holy hot fudge sundae, Batman, that’s a lot of ice cream.”
Ben laughs. “Yeah, we have it just about every night. And, as you can see, we aren’t that picky.”
Wispy white condensation swirls upwards as they both brace themselves with their hands on the edge of the open freezer and study the contents. Well, Scott peruses the ice cream. Ben just looks at Scott. The five o’clock shadow, the spiky black lashes, the strip of white at the base of his hairline indicating a recent haircut. He wants to nuzzle the spot behind his ear.
The corner of Scott’s mouth crooks upwards and he turns his head to meet Ben’s gaze. His dark eyes shine in the light from the freezer bed. “Like what you see?” he murmurs, his gaze flicking to Ben’s mouth and back.
Ben’s stomach swirls and, damn, he wants to steal a kiss. But they’d agreed to slow, so he’ll just bide his time.
Scott leans in and takes possession of his mouth. Then, somehow, they’re upright and chest to chest, and there’s heavy breathing and tongue and teeth and noses, and his pants are growing tight and—
“How long does it take to pick out ice—”
Ben steps back, chest heaving, gaze never leaving Scott’s.
“Oh, shoot. Sorry, guys.” Rachel whirls around and disappears before he can say anything.
Scott’s chest rises and falls in quick waves as he too works at catching his breath. He points at the freezer. “I guess we should pick something and get back.”
“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “Don’t worry about Rachel, she won’t say any—”
“Oh. My. God. I missed it?”comes Leah’s voice loud and clear from the kitchen.
They haven’t been in here that long, have they?
“Or never mind. Sorry about that.”
“I kissed you, remember?” Scott says, grinning as he reaches into the freezer and comes up with a carton of mint and chip.
“Granted. But they’remyfamily.” And he’s going to get his revenge somehow.
“Yes, they are, Ben. Don’t worry about it. Come on.”
The freezer shuts with a thud and Ben follows Scott back into the house, dreading the ribbing that is now sure to come.
