“No.” I shook my head vehemently. “Never feel ashamed for who you are. Ever. I’m here now.” I wiped away my tears and smiled. “I’m done blubbering. I want to hear everything you’ve decided to do and how I can help … to bring you home.”
Benji chuckled. “There’s my girl.”
“He wants to play basketball,” Michael said, entering the kitchen with a wide grin on his handsome face. Michael’s casual clothes were as nice as Marilyn’s. His light-blue-and-white button-down shirt was paired with black slacks and matching loafers.
“What?” I asked, jumping out of Benji’s lap. I could sit with him after his parents left.
“Yeah. Why not? I love ball. I just need to find out what I’m good at while sporting new wheels.” He patted his wheelchair.
“I think that’s amazing!” For the first time in weeks, a flicker of hope sparked to life in my chest.
“Kids, we’ve got to head out. There’s money on the counter for dinner and to rent some movies or whatever you want to do. Just stay here for tonight, though.”
Fear flickered across Michael’s face. He and Marilyn had been through hell and back, and I couldn’t imagine how difficult it was to leave Benji at the house for the first time.
“Promise. We’re going to be fine,” I assured them, flashing them a warm smile.
“We’ll give you a ride home later so you don’t have to pay an Uber,” Michael said, leaning down and giving me a fatherly peck on the cheek. “Son, you call if you need anything.” He squeezed Benji’s shoulder, then left the kitchen. There was no mistaking the tension in his body.
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. “It’s hard for them to leave you.”
Benji held up a finger, signaling for me to wait. The moment the front door clicked shut, he threw his hands up in the air and released a loud whoop.
I nearly jumped out of my skin then giggled. “You fucking scared me!”
He rolled his wheelchair forward and laughed. “Man, I’ve not been able to do anything without them breathing down my neck. I can get myself to the bathroom, but nooo. Mom’s gotta be right there, helping and watching every move I make.” Benji rubbed his face, frustration rolling off him in waves.
“Oh no. I’m so sorry.” My shoulders slumped. “I hadn’t really thought about that. Fill me in. But first, are you hungry? Your mom has all this food for us.” My mouth watered as I eyeballed the club sandwiches, pickles, and chips. “I can bring the plates to the living room or wherever you’re the most comfortable.” I grabbed a pickle spear and took a bite. The loud snap and crunch filled the kitchen. “Vlasic,” I said, wiggling my pickle at him like it was a cigar. I gave him a little wink, then laughed, trying to lighten his mood.
Benji barked out a laugh and smiled. “Yeah. I’ve got more space in there, plus the TV has Netflix and Amazon Prime in case we want to watch a movie. Hell, we might talk all day and not watch a movie. Honestly, I don’t care what we do. I’m just so fucking happy you’re here.” His eyes misted over with his confession.
“Well you’re stuck with me, and after you fill me in on your new plans, I have a few updates for you as well.”
“From how your face just lit up, I’m going to take a wild guess that things got hot and spicy with a Mr. Layne Garrison?”
Although I couldn’t see my cheeks, I felt them turn crimson. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, Benji. I think I’m in way over my head.” I slapped my hand over my mouth then dropped it. “No more.” I waved my finger, emphasizing my words. “You first. We can talk about Layne later.” I picked up our plates and made my way to the living room with Benji right behind me. I set the plates on the coffee table while Benji parked his chair at the end of the couch.
“I guess I’m a little hungry now that you mention it.”
“Do you have a TV tray, or is your lap all right?”
He patted his legs. “I’m good right here.”
I handed him his plate, slipped off my boots, and settled in on the black leather couch next to him. My focus landed on the family photo hanging above the stone fireplace. Michael, Marilyn, and Benji were beaming. The picture was one of my favorites. Not only was it full of color, but it was obvious they were happy. There was nothing fake about the love they had for each other.
“So there’s something that happened this morning that I’ve not told anyone yet,” Benji said before taking a bite of his sandwich.
I tucked my legs beneath me, giving him my undivided attention. “Really? What?”
“My dick got hard as a rock.”
Although we’d talked about a lot of things, Benji’s cock hadn’t been one of them.
“Dude!” I said, pointing at him. “Does this mean you can still have sex?”
“Hell fucking yeah. My shit still works!” He pumped his fists in the air, laughing. “Seriously, we weren’t sure what was going to happen. I might regain some of the feeling in my legs too. And if I get even tingles back, then who says I can’t walk again?”
I picked up my sandwich and took a bite. “How positive have the doctors been?”
“Meh,” Benji wiggled his hand from side to side. “So-so. There are a lot of complicated medical terms, but they’re not a hundred percent sure what’s going to happen. It’s not as cut and dried as if your spinal cord was crushed. I think the big thing they’re trying to avoid is getting my hopes up for nothing.”
“Yeah. I mean, they have to err on the side of caution, but I can’t imagine how difficult that would be for you.”
“Honestly, the hope that I might walk again gets me through the shitty and emotional days, and a hard dick helps too.” Benji snickered. “For now, as I’ve already mentioned, I’m looking into sports. It will keep me fit mentally and physically. I’ll pick up school next year when I’m more comfortable leaving the house and getting around.”
“I’ll help you.” I waved him off as though it weren’t a big deal, but we both knew I couldn’t be with him every minute of the day.
“Yeah, and what if you’re sneaking off with Layne, and he’s giving you the ride of your life?” His expression grew serious. “Will you walk away and wheel me around?”
My lips pursed together. “Um, what? I think you’re assuming we’re sleeping together, so lemme stop you there.”
His eyes narrowed while he assessed me. “Really?”
Taking another bite of my sandwich, I shook my head. “Ugh. Dammit. Avery has been texting you, hasn’t she? She just assumes something happened because he spent the night after he woke up from his drunken oblivion.”
Benji moved his plate to the table then placed his elbows on his knees and cupped his chin in his hands. “Do tell, and don’t you dare leave anything out. Until I can find a new boy toy, I’m going to have to live vicariously through you. Just don’t leave me high and dry.”
I rolled my eyes. “If I do sleep with him, you most certainly do not get all the deets. That’s private. Besides, I’ve already told you he’s”—I moved my pointer fingers apart—“this big.”