Chapter 1
Holden smiled at the man behind the wheel.
"Hey Ben, What's he done now?" He asked as he slid into the passenger seat of the SUV.
On a normal Friday night, Sean would have picked him up from work, shared a quick kiss, and they would have sped off to the destination of their weekly date night. This tradition had started years ago, when they had gone on their first date, and Sean had insisted on the day being theirs since then, a sweet weekly anniversary that Holden had never managed to, nor wanted to get out of.
On some Fridays, though, being the hot shot quarterback he was, Sean would remain at practice past their scheduled meeting place outside of Holden's office. Sean's best friend was then sent to be a chauffeur. It happened so often during 'the season' that Holden had become quite close to the man as well.
"You know the usual; he was distracted by thoughts of one gorgeous, blue-eyed God he can't seem to keep his mind off of. Missed a few passes he should have made." Holden blushed at the pseudo-compliment. When he had first been introduced to Ben, he hadn't like the man. The same feeling he still had when complimented by Ben, had their start when Holden was first forced to spend time with the man.
As he spent more time with Ben, it had started to dissipate but every once in a while he would shy away, that creeping feeling in his gut that spread through his body and made him want to crawl out of his skin would hit him. It was always a shock, but so sudden, and quick, and logically understanding that he was Sean's best friend, brother almost, always kept him from saying anything.
The ride was near silent, the words Ben had spoken keeping Holden from even being able to open his mouth. He had had a bad day already, and the feeling sitting heavy in his stomach made him itch to get his arms around his partner. He started to fidget pressed against the door when the stadium came into sight.
"I know I make you uncomfortable, Holden." Ben was staring straight ahead; his voice had an odd tone to it. "I don't mean to, but what I say is always true OK? Just think about that." His voice trailed off and the car was silent. Holden hadn't even realized the engine had cut off and they were in a space. He was staring at Ben trying to get rid of the uncomfortable twitch he had acquired after those uncomfortable words.
"Ben, I love Sean." Holden started quietly, trying not to destroy the relationship, not wanting to alienate his boyfriend's best friend. "You know that. So why don't we just pretend you didn't say anything." His hand had been searching for the release for the door, unfamiliar with this vehicle. When his hand caught it he wrenched it and practically fell to the ground in his rush to escape the SUV. He was walking as calmly as he could from the situation when he heard a whisper, almost impossible to distinguish from any other sound, it could have just been a figment of his imagination.
"That wasn't a no." Holden froze and turned to the car, but the engine was revving, and the moment gone. He spun on his heel and picked up his pace, needing to get as far away from that moment as he physically could.