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Bennet sniffles again, rubbing a hand over his eyes, and I stuff my hands into my pockets. I will not hug him.
I will not fucking hug him.
He sniffles again, and I sigh, reaching out and pulling him into me. I’m shorter than him, so my head hits his collarbone as I rest my cheek against his chest.
Bennet freezes, probably thrown off by me voluntarily touching him. But his hands wrap around my back, and he holds me against him tightly.
He smells far too good, something woody and smoky. And he’s so damn warm.
“Don’t get too excited,” I murmur, my hands snaking up his back. I can feel the muscles bunch beneath my palms. “I am only doing this because I feel sorry for you.”
“Shut up, Jasper,” Bennet says with a laugh. “God, you just have to go and ruin it by opening your mouth.”
“I learn from the best,” I retort, and Bennet presses his face into my hair, inhaling.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. I know you probably hate this, but goddamn, that was hard.” His voice breaks again, and my stomach churns at the sound.
I don’t know much about Bennet other than he’s a camboy and from Kansas. I don’t think he went to college, based on a couple of comments he’s made. I don’t think he’s ever been in a serious relationship, not that he would ever tell me, but I don’t know about his past. About what made him the way he is. How he became Bennet. I never thought to ask.
“I can’t lose her, Jasper,” he murmurs into my hair. “I lost my dad to cancer, and fuck…”
Well, hell. I didn’t know that either. I hold him to me tighter. I can do this for now. It doesn’t have to mean anything.
“We can stay for as long as you want. You can go back in and see her when you feel like it,” I tell him. “There’s no rush to get back.” Although, maybe I should check in with Carter. Right before we left, he was talking about his new site. And I know he’s banking on me, Bennet, and Damon to get it going.
Fuck, who the hell am I going to collab with around here? Fucking Jimbob? I mean, he’s hot in his own way, but somehow I doubt he’s down for sex on camera. The guy screams commitment and dating, and would probably even bring flowers and a roll of cheese to dinner.
Maybe I could convince Ryan…or…nope, I will not go there.
Bennet trembles against me, pulling my thoughts back to him, and then he sighs. “Okay. If you’re sure and really don’t mind staying.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
We’ll figure it out. He needs time here with his mother and for whatever reason, I can’t leave him here like this.
We stand like that a minute longer before he pulls away, his cheeks flushed, his eyes glassy, and then he links his hand with mine and leads me back into the waiting room.
I let him hold my hand for a bit. Just because he needs it. It doesn’t mean anything, and I don’t even really like it.
Things will go back to normal soon. Probably tomorrow, or at the absolute worst, when I’m back in California again.
But he needs this, so I let him take it. Just for a bit.
I can do that at least.
* * *
We stayed at the hospital until late afternoon when Bridgette and Samantha showed up to take over. I spent the time in the waiting room playing games on my phone, looking up flights back to California that I never booked, and chatting with Carter about his new website.
Apparently, having Bennet and I collaborate would be a huge draw for people to check out his new site. He even offered us an extremely big bonus for every tease and then for the actual video. I mean, it’s terrible timing, but I told Carter I’d give it some consideration and bring it up to Bennet when he was feeling a little better.
I plan on heading home in the next few days, but maybe we could tease the fans with the possibility of something more.
I mull on that the entire drive back to the trailer.
Bennet’s slumped in the passenger seat, his leg bouncing up and down, his anxiety palpable. I don’t know how to help him. Not sure if I even can. So I stay silent, the only sound in the cab of the truck is the radio.
“Thanks for being there today,” Bennet says, his voice shocking me. I hadn’t expected him to talk. “My sisters love you.”
