Page 96 of When Ben Loved Jace

“I’m still his best friend,” Greg grumbles. “So yeah.”

“Sorry. I thought of that talk we had, how you never wanted to hurt him again after messing up, and I just want to say that I get it now. I feel the same way.”

“We’re good,” Greg assures me. “He loves you, so I do too. But if I ever meet this Tim guy face to face, it’s gonna get ugly.”

“You won’t. He’s history.”

“You know,” Greg says leadingly, “maybe there’s a way you could make it up to me.”

“If you’re trying to test me with your sexy bod again, it won’t work. Probably.”

Greg laughs. “Nah. But maybe Jace wouldn’t take it so hard if you broke the news to him. A spoonful of sugar, that sort of thing.”

I think about it and shake my head. “You’re his best friend. He should hear it from you. But Icanhelp soften the blow tonight, if you want to tell him tomorrow.”

Greg peers at me. “You’re offering to blow him so he’s not as tense?”

“No. Actually, why not? I’ll throw that in for free. My intention is to simply mention what I observed this evening—the obvious chemistry between you and Michelle. That way he won’t be blindsided when you tell him.”

“Perfect!” Greg bumps fists with me. Then he treats me to a hug. “Good talking to ya, Ben. See you tomorrow.”

I return inside and go upstairs to find Jace’s old room. Which is not what I expect. Most of it is dominated by a model train set that’s currently running. Jace’s father is still in there, wearing a conductor’s cap. He grins at me and places it on my head on his way out.

“Sleep well, boys!”

“Is this a secret hobby of yours?” I ask when we’re alone.

“No,” Jace says with an amused chuckle. “I’m just as surprised as you are. My parents retired last year. I guess mydad needed something to occupy his time. You missed the tour. It was… extensive.”

“Oh! Sorry. I was talking to Greg.”

Jace peels off his shirt. “About what?”

“Just catching up. Although he sure does mention Michelle a lot.”

Jace studies me a moment. “What are you saying?”

“Nothing. But wouldn’t it be sweet if they ended up together? I mean, Greg is a really great guy. And yeah, it would be kind of weird because he’s your best friend, but you love your sister, and if she’s going to settle down with someone, you can’t really do better than him.”

“Gosh,” Jace says. “I’ve never thought about it that way. If it turns out that they’ve been having a secret relationship for the past few months, your pep talk has ensured that I won’t be upset at all.”

I stare. Then I roll my eyes. “You already know.”

Jace smirks. “Michelle told me ages ago.”

“Then how come Greg is still keeping it a secret?”

“Because my sister thinks it’ll be proof of his commitment to her if he decides to tell me on his own. If she coerces him into doing so, the gesture will be hollow.”

I laugh. “Make sure to act surprised when he tells you tomorrow."

I'm almost disappointed that I don’t have an important role to play in the story. Although I can at least uphold one part of the bargain.

“Let me help you out of those jeans,” I say to Jace before dropping to my knees.

— — —

I’m lounging on the back porch two days later with Jace’s mother and a gaggle of cats. I can’t figure out exactly how many his family has. At the moment, three of them are warming themselves on the wooden deck where the morning sun breaks through the trees. A fourth is on his mother’s lap, purring contentedly as she strokes its head.