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“Yeah, okay,” I say to Miles, rubbing my hands together. “I’ll call him now. Thanks man.”
“Always,” Miles says and hangs up.
I’ve never had to call Benjamin, but I have his business card with his cell number on the back. Shoring up my courage, I dial his number. I’m about twenty minutes from home, so I start driving while I wait for him to answer. I’m afraid it’ll roll over to voicemail when he answers in a slurred voice.
“Umm … hello?”
“Benjamin?” I ask, though I know it’s him. I’ve just never heard him sound like this.
“I know it’s you Rome because no one else calls me Benjamin. It’s a … stupid fucking name. Should have changed it years ago. Did you know my alpha dad’s middle name is Benjamin? I was named after him before—” He stops rambling. “What do you want?”
Clearing my throat, I open my mouth to speak, but words get caught before they make their way past my tongue.
Benjamin doesn’t take my silence well. “If you’re calling to fire me, just say that. Don’t sit on my phone, mouth breathing.”
Despite myself, I laugh. “I’m not a mouth breather.”
“Yeah, okay. What is it you want, boss man? I’m busy.”
“Doing what?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Getting drunk so I can forget my shitty day. A day you made even more shitty.”
I sigh. “Yeah, I know. I apologize, Benjamin. That was out of line and you didn’t deserve that.”
He giggles. I scrunch my eyebrows, wondering what he thinks is so funny. “How much did that hurt?”
“What?”
“You apologizing.” He continues to giggle and it’s contagious. I start to laugh too.
“It was fine. I don’t mind. You deserve an apology.”
Benjamin’s laughter trails off and he’s silent for a moment. “Thank you. It’s been … not a good day. I’m sorry for yelling.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” I say quickly.
“Even still,” he says, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken my shitty day out on you.”
He doesn’t do anything else right away, but I know he hasn’t hung up. I hear rustling, soft whispers and a baby babbling in the background. It makes me happy that he’s not at home, drinking alone, but I really wish he were with me so I can see his face while I apologize and I can make it up to him anyway he deems fit.
“Listen—” I start, but Benjamin cuts me off.
“Can you call me tomorrow? I can’t think about any of today right now.”
“Yes. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
His sigh is full of relief. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Rome.”
Before I can say more, he hangs up.
That went well. I just have to elaborate tomorrow when I call. At least I get the chance to think of what I want to say. Because Benjamin needs to know everything, beginning to end. Maybe that’ll help him trust me.
I wait until the next morning to call my omega. I wanted to text him to make sure he was okay last night, that he got home safe, but that’s not my place.
Yet.
Answering his phone with a groan, Benjamin’s sweet voice drifts through my ears. “It’s too early, Rome.”
