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“Hey,” I said as I walked past them to the fridge.
They turned, nodding. Tino gestured to the nachos. “Come partake in the glory of congealed cheese and soggy tortilla chips.”
Huffing a laugh, I grabbed a beer and stood on the other side of the island. “Bar food in the middle of the night. Can’t beat college towns.”
“What’s up? I feel like I haven’t seen you two in ages.”
Smirking, Tino exchanged a glance with Ben. “When you’re not busy with music, you’re locked up in Tali’s bedroom.”
I raked my hand through my hair, letting out a long sigh. He told the truth. Everything else had fallen by the wayside. “Sorry, man.”
He waved me off. “No need to apologize. You’re only young and in love once. Besides, I quite like the smile you put on my girl’s face. She was far too frowny when you were gone.”
I hated that, but I’d been pretty damn frowny without her too.
I set me beer down and picked up a nacho. As I shoved it in my mouth, Ben said, “I guess everything worked out.”
Chewing, I nodded. “I told her everything. We’re solid.”
He shook his head, glancing at Tino again. “I can’t believe you lied about fucking Laura for over a year and it’s all fine and dandy. Either Tali has a heart of gold or you’ve got some Voodoo priestess on retainer.”
I wanted to get defensive, but he was right. I was lucky Tali had forgiven me. Damn lucky.
“Pretty sure it’s the first one. Although, Voodoo priestess is something to consider when I inevitably fuck up again.”
Tino got up, patting Ben on the arm and nodding in my direction. “All right, boys. It’s well past my bedtime. Have fun.”
I took his seat next to Ben. “I’m surprised there’s no slutty nurse sharing these nachos with you. Isn’t that your Halloween tradition?”
He lifted a shoulder. It was a lazy gesture. Even though my head had mostly been buried between Tali’s legs lately, I’d taken note of Ben’s slower pace. Maybe he’d finally kicked his recreational Ritalin habit.
“Wasn’t into it this year. It’s my last Halloween in college and I’m thinking I’m outgrowing it all.”
I nodded. “I feel that. It may be time to blow this town.”
His eyes narrowed on me. “Your girl’s here for another year. Don’t think you’re going anywhere.”
I bit into another nacho, wincing as the now-cold cheese hit my tongue. “There are worse places to be stuck.”
He scratched a spot on his arm absently. “Are you coming to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving?”
“No. Tali’s parents invited me to theirs...seems like the right thing to do.”
He nodded. “Damn do things change fast.”
I chuckled. “If you told me a year ago I’d be spending my next Thanksgiving with Tali, I’d have laughed in your face.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “Especially because a year ago you were sneaking off with Claudia, like my parents had no idea what was going on in the laundry room.”
I pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead, not even wanting to think about that, much less drudge it up for discussion. “Ancient history, man.”
“Right. A lot of things are seeming like relics of the past.”
Swiveling on my stool, I looked him over. Really looked. We’d barely talked since I got back, and it was mostly down to me, but not all. The Ben I’d always known was this huge force. He was loud, filling up every room he occupied. Now, he was quieter. Laughs took longer. Maybe it was all part of getting older, I didn’t know.
“Are you doing okay?” I asked.
He shifted but didn’t quite look at me. “I’m good, man,” he drawled. “Got a lot going on with school. I’ve been prepping for student teaching next semester. Kinda facing the reality of growing up, and it’s terrifying. But yeah, I’m okay.”
