Page 74 of When Ben Loved Jace

Allison watches this with a raised eyebrow.

“Want me to give you a ride?”

“No. That’s okay.” I shut my laptop and tuck it under an arm. “I’ll work from there today.”

“Drive safe!”

I barely hear her on my way out the door. Maybe it’s the morning light, but I get a second wind on my way over. I’ll make sure Samson is taken care of, hunker down with him, and get this thing done! After that, it’s graduation and a tour of the country with Jace. That’s a great big dangling prize. I couldn’t be more motivated!

I park on the street and race to the trailer. I almost miss the note taped to the door. I’m hoping it’s from Adrien, explaining that he filled in for me yesterday. He always keeps a close eye on my comings and goings. First things first. I let myself in and feed Samson, who complains loudly while I’m opening a can of food. This whole situation would be easier if Jace let him eat dry kibble, since I could fill a bowl or two on busy days.

“Can’t you hunt your own food?” I retort. “You’ve got the lay of the land now.”

One of the trailer windows is always left cracked open, so Samson can spend time outdoors. But I suppose bugs and birds don’t come drenched in gravy. I watch Samson eat ravenously while feeling guilty, because I don’t see any sign that Adrien fed him. I check the note to be sure.

Hey Jace!

You said to stop by if I was ever in town. Sorry I didn’t call first, like you asked me to. I was hoping to surprise you. I’m still in town for a few days, if you’d like a rerun of what we did in your hotel room. That was an incredible night. I swear I’m still a little sore. LOL Give me a call!

Hugs and kisses - Aaron

My blood pressure shoots through the roof, especially when I reread the note.Hotel room… Incredible night… Hugs and kisses…Who the fuck is Aaron? I force myself to take a deep breath. This must be some guy Jace was involved with before he met me. But if so, how would Aaron know where to find the trailer? We were already together when Jace moved here. Maybe he stayed in contact with someone named Aaron that he has a history with.Even though I’ve never heard of him, it’s possible. And perhaps Aaron didn’t realize that Jace is in a committed relationship now, acting on an invitation to stop by as a friend that he misconstrued.

Sorry I didn’t call first, like you asked me to.

I clench my jaw, my eyes darting down to that name again. Aaron. He left his number under the signature. I’m tempted to call it and find out what the hell is going on!

A noise outside the trailer distracts me. The garage door is going up. Adrien is probably on his way to work. I rush outside and wave him down. He stops and lowers the driver-side window. “What’s the note say?” he asks without prompting. I’ve got it clenched in my hand.

“Did you see who left it?”

Adrien nods. “A cute little Asian twink knocked on my door yesterday, wanting to know where Jace was.”

“What did he want?”

“I just told you.” Adrien lowers his sunglasses to consider me. “Are you all right? You look like hell.”

“No, I’m not all right!”

I hand him the note.

Adrien removes his sunglasses completely to read it, his mouth puckering bitterly. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He hands back the note. “Once a cheater, always a cheater.”

“Do you really think he’d—” I stop short, because it’s a foolish question, considering who I’m asking.

“Iamsurprised,” Adrien says with some degree of sympathy. “I know that Jace really likes you. Maybe he did this in retaliation. Even saints have an ego.”

In retaliation for what I did with Tim. I swallow, the anger swiftly replaced by guilt. “Yeah, but that was just…” I shake the note. “A whole night?”

“Sorry, pumpkin. Want me to call the office and let them know I’ll be late? We can talk it through.”

“That’s okay. I pulled an all-nighter. I’m gonna head home and crash. Thanks anyway.”

“You know how to reach me.”

I step away from the car so he can leave. I’m not really going home. There’s no way I can sleep. Not after this. I return to the trailer and sit on the edge of the bed to reread the note again, ignoring Samson’s attempts to cuddle with me. I alternatebetween anger and sorrow, because yeah, maybe I do deserve this. But it was just a kiss! And um… our cocks rubbing together. I didn’t lie about it though. Or try to deny what happened. Maybe he thought it was bullshit that I didn’t kiss Tim back. But that’s the truth!

Jace forgave me either way. I should forgive him too. But first, he needs to be honest, like I was. I need to know that I can still trust him. I try to call Jace but only get his voicemail. I leave a message, and then a text, both asking him to call me as soon as he can. I stretch out on his bed and close my eyes to rest them, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. Samson curls up against me and purrs, which makes me want to cry, because even that simple pleasure has been robbed of some of its joy.