Page 92 of When Ben Loved Jace

“Is that why you suggested we take a break?”

He swallows before answering. “If you love something, let it go.”

“I’m so sorry! I really am. I’d take it all back if I could.”

“Learn from it,” he says, his brow furrowing up. I watch him scowl at the ground before he takes a deep breath. Then his green eyes search mine. “Does it make your decision any easier?”

“Yes. I love you. Can you still love me?”

“I wouldn’t be here now if I didn’t.”

I throw my arms around him, Jace hesitating before his own wrap around me gently, and I swear to myself to never hurt him again.

Chapter Twenty-one

Summer has come to an end, and it was easily the best of my life. I haven’t made any big moves career wise, but I did get a promotion to assistant manager at the yoghurt shop. Which is great, because it gives me more control over my schedule. I often work when Jace is in town. He keeps me company for at least part of my shift, and of course we see each other once I’m off. This small sacrifice is made so I can travel with him when he’s out of town. I’ve been all over the country. He’s always eager to show me around a city or for us to discover new sights together. I enjoy getting to have so many adventures with him.

If the royal mess I made has a silver lining, it’s that I’m exceedingly grateful to have him in my life. I’m patient when plans fall apart because of his schedule. I trust him completely. We’re in a good place emotionally. So good, in fact, that we’re taking the next big step. I get to meet his parents!

We’re mixing it up a little by taking a road trip, which surprised me, but as he explained it,“Even I need a break from being on an airplane. At least in a car, I get to be the pilot.”

“As long as you still wear the uniform,”was my reply.

He didn’t go for it, which is probably for the best, because with me next to him, he’d have a hard time concentrating on the road. Harder than he does already, because itisa long drive, and a boy has to keep himself entertained.

“This is it,” Jace says with an edge of reverence. “Home, sweet home.”

We’ve been driving through rural countryside with little to see except trees and weather-worn billboards. Now we finally enter a town filled with small houses, overgrown yards, and the occasional mom and pop shop.

“The north side has all of the new development,” Jace says, “including the usual retail chains. We won’t bother with any of that.” He’s got a funny smile on his face as he takes a sharp right and parks at a gas station. “This is where I used to work.”

The four pumps and small convenience store look a little rundown. I perk up anyway, because I know this was an important place to him. We get out of the car. A hand-painted sign proclaims that we have arrived atBernie’s Stop and Shop.

Jace is full-out grinning when he opens the door for me. I walk inside and notice an older black man with a husky build and a short gray beard standing behind the counter. He greets us before doing a double take.

“Bless my heart!” he says with a wide grin. “The prodigal son returns!”

Jace laughs, meeting him halfway as the man comes around the counter. When they hug, it’s the affectionate kind that lasts for a good long while, like you’re truly happy to reunite with someone and don’t want them to slip away again too easily. Even when Jace is released, the man holds him at arm’s length to look him over.

“You’re doing well!” he concludes.

Jace nods in confirmation before turning to me. “Bernie, this is my boyfriend, Ben.”

I’m treated to a bearhug that, I have to admit, feels pretty darn nice. There’s no doubting the authenticity.

“Welcome, son!” Bernie says when releasing me. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Jace doesn’t talk about his love life much, so I knew you had to be someone special.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you too,” I say, already overwhelmed. “Thanks for scooping him out of the river or we never would have met.”

“He was scaring away all the fish,” Bernie says dismissively. “I didn’t have a choice. How was the drive up here? Are you boys hungry? Help yourself to whatever you’d like in the store. Your money is no good here.”

“I’m not a broke teenager anymore,” Jace says. “I can pay for whatever we need.”

“Oh,” I say, my hands already full of candy bars. “Um… Should I put these back?”

“Don’t you dare,” Bernie says with a chuckle. “I’m happyone of youisn’t too proud to accept a gift.”

“You’ve already done enough for me,” Jace says before gesturing to one of the aisles and murmuring, “Get me a honey bun, Honey Buns.”