Daybreak: A Boys of Bellamy Novel (The Boys of Bellamy Book 2) by Ruthie Luhnow

Author:Ruthie Luhnow [Luhnow, Ruthie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

"Jamie," Bennett said, turning off the television. They'd spent a lazy day together, half-dressed and tangled up on each other's arms, watching stupid shows and drinking coffee and making out until Jamie's face was bright red from Bennett's stubble.

"Hmm?" Jamie said, wriggling to look up at him. They were laying on the couch together, Jamie nestled into the crook of Bennett's shoulder. The roads had long since been plowed, and the city was slowly returning to business as usual—enough for them to order a pizza that afternoon when Jamie loudly began complaining he was going to starve to death—but they hadn't discussed when Jamie would be leaving.

"Will you—will you stay tonight?" Bennett asked. "Unless—if you need to get home, I understand—"

"Are you kidding?" Jamie said. "You'll be lucky if I ever leave."

"I washed your clothes this morning while you were sleeping, so if you don't mind just wearing those—"

"Wait, I can't wear your sweater to class?" Jamie said, his eyes wide-eyed and innocent. Bennett raised an eyebrow. "Oh, calm down, you know I’m joking. But—thank you."

"Of course," Bennett said, craning down to press a kiss to Jamie's forehead. "But—also—I…" He trailed off, swallowing hard. He'd spent an entire episode of some medical drama they'd found gearing up to say the words, but now they wouldn't seem to come.

Jamie sat up, sensing Bennett was trying to say something important, watching him so patiently, so lovingly.

Oh Jamie, Bennett thought.

"I… want to tell you about… what happened," he said haltingly. "How I got my scar and… everything."

Jamie reached out and grabbed Bennett's hand, squeezing it hard. It reminded him of Peter—I'm here, you're safe, the gesture said.

"You don't need to," Jamie said softly. "If you're not ready."

"I think after last night, I owe you an explanation."

"You don't owe me anything," Jamie said.

"Well, I'd like to. Just—forgive me if it takes a while."

Jamie sat there quietly, but Bennett quailed under his gaze, his eyes glowing amber in the dying afternoon light.

"God, this is embarrassing but—I don't think… I don't think I can do this if you're looking at me," Bennett said, his cheeks burning. How immature—how humiliating—and yet, he knew it was the only way.

Jamie scooted a little further away and lay down on his side, resting his head on Bennett's lap, so he was looking towards the now dark television.

"What about this?" he said. "Is this okay?"

"Yes," Bennett said, bringing his hand to stroke Jamie's hair. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing on the sensations of his body—Jamie warm in his lap, hair silky under his fingertips, the warmth from the heater, the rich smell of the leftover pizza.

The sun sank lower and lower, and at last, the words came.

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Bennett said. "Most of us were. I was on an assignment and ran an errand on the wrong day, and then suddenly my whole life was shattered."

Jamie's breathing was soft and even, but Bennett knew he wasn't asleep.

"I… don't know how much you read or heard," Bennett said.

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