Bryce
As pissed as I was about the fact Ben accepted a gift from another man, I couldn't stay mad at him. Ben assured me over and over again that night that I had no reason to be jealous, or even worry that he'd choose anyone over me. To prove that, Ben gave me the Rolex.
At first I didn't want it. It was from that guy and it was Ben's birthday present. "Take it," he said, "I didn't want it to begin with and besides, it is MY gift, so I can do with it as I choose. And I CHOOSE to give it to you."
I was still mad, mainly because I was acting like one of those jealous girlfriends that always get upset when their boyfriends are in the same room with another woman. But we're both men, I shouldn't be acting like that right? There was only one person I could ask about this and that was Tom.
When I told Tom about my situation, Tom helped put my mind at ease to an extent.
It's not jealousy, per se, he texted, It's pretty much being territorial. Another guy is moving in on your man and you're basically defending your territory.
With what Tom had said, it made sense. I trust Ben wholeheartedly, but this guy, Sam, I don't trust him as far as Techno can throw him.
"What's wrong," asked Techno, "What's bothering you now?"
"Piss off."
"Asshole," he said, "You look like you're going to kill someone."
"I'm fine," I told Techno, "Just have some things on my mind."
"If you say so," he said, "By the way, you mind if I tell Mel and Ricky about you and Ben?"
"You mind if I shove that bat up your ass? 'Cause that's what'll happen if you do." I haven't thought about those two idiots in a while but I definitely didn't want them to know that I have a boyfriend.
"Bro, calm down," Techno answered, "I was just asking. Of course, I wanted to know how you felt comfortable enough to make your relationship public knowledge."
"Hell to the no," I said, "I am not telling anyone else."
"So you're just going to keep it a secret," Techno asked, "What about Ben? You think he'll be ok with this?"
"He might be wanting to keep us a secret too," I said, knowing it was a bold faced lie, "I don't think he's ready to make our relationship public either."
Techno and I sat in the dugout in our baseball uniforms with an awkward silence haning over us for a couple minutes until Techno decided to break the silence.
"You going to tell me what's been eating away at you?"
"Nothing's bothering me," I answered, "Except you."
"Bryce," he replied, "You're my best friend. Right now you should be crazy in love with your boyfriend, but you're not."
"In love, my ass," I snapped back, "Right now I want to put him eight feet under."
"Don't you mean six feet under?"
"Yeah," I said, "Six feet plus an extra two."
"What is it this time," he asked me, "Is this about his brithday?"
I must've made a face because Techno clapped back with, "I knew it. I told you, you should've gone with Ben to celebrate his birthday. Not hanging out with your friends."
"Well it's too late now."
"For you maybe," he replied, "But not for me. Maybe I can help you out."
Techno pulled out his phone and sent Ben a text. I read what he sent. Hey bro, sorry I missed your birthday. Treat me to lunch. I have a gift for you.
"You have a gift for Ben?"
"Oh my beautiful, blonde bestie," Techno said with a mischievous grin, "You are the gift. I'm going to fix whatever issue you two have."
Techno
After practice, Bryce and I waited for Ben at the Science and Engineering building. Once there, we had discussed how Bryce will make up with Ben.
"OK, we're here," I said, "Call your boyfriend."
Bryce grudgingly pulled out his phone and dialed Ben. "Dude, don't say that out loud when we're in public."
"Just do it."
The moment the call connected and started to ring, I saw a familiar face. "Oh, there he is," I said, "Who's that with him?" Ben was walking in our direction with a very attractive guy. I looked over and Bryce just angrily glared at the guy. The only time I saw this was when he wanted to beat the crap out of someone. "He's pretty cute. I wonder if he's single."
"Hey guys," Ben greeted us as he approached, "Long time no see, Techno."
"I know," I replied, I looked at the guy with him, "And who's this?"
"Guys," Ben began with his introduction, "This is Sam. Sam, this is Techno and that's Bryce."
I noticed however that Sam and Bryce just looked at each other. The look on Bryce's face was that of earlier and I realized the reason he was upset and it had something to do with Sam.
Bryce
The moment I saw Sam, I immediately knew he was trouble. And he knew it. The way he looked at me and only me when Ben introduced us.
"Bryce is my roommate," Ben said, "Techno is his best friend."
Sam never took his eyes off me but he seemed to know that Ben and I are more than just roommates. He didn't even bother to ask why Techno was called Techno, which every time Techno was introduced to new people, they would ask. Not Sam. Sam's full attention was focused on me.
"By the way," Techno chimed in, "You look familiar."
"He was at Ben's birthday party," I answered, "Let's go eat, I'm hungry." My voice carried a bit of hostility which everyone noticed.
We went to a restaurant called CiCi's Wing Hut and immediately Techno was chatting up a storm with Sam, trying hard to subtly flirt with him. I tried to relax but I was still upset. Once we placed our orders, Sam was bringing up old stories of Ben when he was in high school and how much of a nerd he was. I learned Ben and Sam had dressed up as Power Rangers for Halloween together, they had gone to comic con's together and even started a band together. The way Sam had talked about the past made it seem like… No way. It can't be.
Our orders came in and our orders were all distinct. My wings were spicy, Techno's were sweet, Ben's were plain, and Sam's were pure BBQ.
I tried one of the new flavors which was the Carolina reaper sauce. "Hey Ben," I said to him, "Try this one. It's really good."
"It isn't too spicy is it?" Sam had asked.
"Sam," Ben called to him, as if he were telling him to be quiet, "I'm not a kid anymore."
"Ok," Sam said, "If you get sick, don't come crying."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"It's nothing." Ben answered.
"If you call acid reflux and spending hours in the john nothing."
"Sam!" Ben had used a strict but polite tone I have never seen him use before.
"Care to fill me in?" Techno asked.
"Ben gets sick easily if he eats spicy or raw foods."
"You do?" I asked, annoyance clear in my voice.
Ben went silent and avoided eye contact with me.
"Hey Bryce," Techno tried to change the subject to liven the mood, "What was the name of that dancing game you and Fae played here?"
Shut up, Techno!
Ben looked at me, annoyed with me as well. "You came here with Fae?"
The awkward tension at our table was palpable at this point. I had to get away for a bit. "I'll be right back. I'm going to the restroom."
Once I was at the restroom, I moved to the nearest urinal and lightly banged my head against the wall. Stupid, stupid, stupid me.
A few seconds later, Sam walked in and looked at me like a bully wanting to pick a fight. "Can I help you?" I asked.
"I see you're enjoying the present I bought Ben." he said.
I had forgotten that I was wearing the Rolex. I quickly made an excuse to hide the real reason why Ben gave it to me without raising any suspicion. "Ben let me borrow it. I said it looked nice and he said I could wear it."
"Is that so," Sam said, "You and he must be close. Too close to be just roommates."
"Just what are you implying?" Anger rising in my voice.
"I'm just pointing out some things I have observed with you," answered Sam, "So I will ask you this. What is the nature of your relationship with Ben?"
Tom's words on being territorial became clear as glass with this guy. I wanted to punch him and tell him to back off but instead I just took the more cowardly route. "We're just roommates."
"Good," Sam said, "Because Ben is more than just a friend to me. He's my first and only love. And here I thought I had competition. But if you're not in the game, then that means Ben is fair game." After saying that, Sam left the restroom and I was there, angry. Angry at him for trying to take what's mine, and more importantly, angry at myself for not defending my man.