Ben knew it wasn’t actually possible that he’d driven from the diner to his house without breathing, but that was definitely what it felt like.

Once he was finally inside the dark, quiet house, he slouched against the closed door, finally taking a deep breath and then slowly exhaling as he closed his eyes.

He felt like he was in a daze. It felt… exactly like that night eight years ago.

The same awkward pause. The same look in Chase’s eyes.

But this time, there hadn’t been that sweet, amazing, confusing kiss.

Just… silence.

Then disappointment.

Should Ben have made the first move? But didn’t he make the first move the last time? And look how that turned out.

Or maybe last time just… happened. It was hard to remember, and even at the time he hadn’t been sure how the kiss came about. The moment had been so charged with hormones and anticipation and the angst of what was going on around them that it had all been sort of a blur.

Tonight wasn’t blurry, though. It was clear what Chase had wanted.

Ben wanted it, too—he had never stopped wanting it.

Was it dumb to still want that, though? And of all people… with Chase?

It was one thing to wish for the impossible as an idealistic teenager, but he and Chase were both well past those years. Ben didn’t have time in his life for games or fantasies. He didn’t want to make time for those things, either.

And that was really all there was to it.

Opening his eyes again and doing his best to push those last awkward minutes with Chase to the back of his mind, Ben walked down the hallway to his bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt as he went.

All he really wanted to do was get undressed, climb into bed, and call it a night.

He was glad that he met with Chase, and would happily do so again. But he was going to have to do a better job of guarding his heart next time. If there was a next time. It was just too easy for him to fall back into those same old feelings and that same old fantasy.

Ben’s phone vibrated just as he was taking it out of his pocket, and he nearly dropped it as he fumbled to read the text that had just come through.

It was from Chase.

Ben laughed. Chase knew him pretty well, even after so many years apart. Even when they were younger, Ben had never been a fan of staying out late, and on the rare occasion that he was out after ten o’clock—like tonight—he was usually asleep within minutes of getting home.

He was still smiling as he tapped out a quick response.

Ben debated for a moment before he hit send. Was that too much?

No. Whatever. It was just a joke, and Chase would surely know that.

Nearly as soon as he’d sent the message, a new one came in.

As soon as Ben read it, his heart started beating faster. He stepped out of his bedroom into the dark hallway, peering down toward the front of the house as if he’d be able to see something. He re-read the message, just in case.

Yep. It definitely still said what he thought it said.

Ben was hurrying back down the hallway, nearly to the front door before he remembered he’d been in the process of getting undressed when Chase sent the first text. He fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, getting half of them buttoned again before giving up.

Once he saw Chase’s silhouette through the narrow window next to the door, it became impossible to think of anything else.

Ben took a deep breath as he reached for the handle, pausing to slowly inhale and exhale. He turned the door knob and then he was standing face to face with Chase again, who was somehow looking even more handsome than ever under the soft yellow porch light.

“Hi,” Ben said, smiling tentatively. He had no idea why Chase was there, but… he sort of didn’t want to question it, either.

The ball was in Chase’s court, and Ben intended to keep it that way.

“Hey,” Chase said, shoving his hands in his pocket as he looked down at his feet for a moment before meeting Ben’s gaze again. “How’s it going?”

“Good, I guess?” Ben laughed, then quirked an eyebrow. “Same as it was about thirty minutes ago, when I saw you last…”

“Oh, right.” Chase swallowed hard and shoved a hand back through his hair. “Right… so, I was thinking… on my way home. I was thinking that there was something I needed to tell you.”

Ben’s mouth went dry. Everything about Chase’s body language was weird. The guy who was always confident and cocky looked more nervous than Ben had ever seen him. And just seeing his friend like that was making Ben nervous, too.

“You know you can tell me anything,” Ben said, trying to sound reassuring as he motioned Chase inside. “Do you want to come in and sit down?”

“No—I mean… yes? Fuck, I’m fucking this up, aren’t I?”

Ben was going to ask what the hell Chase was talking about, but he didn’t get a chance. The words stuck in his throat as soon as Chase took a step closer.

Then another step.

Closer.

And closer.

“Wha—” Ben started to say something, then completely forgot about it. Whatever it was didn’t matter.

Because Chase’s lips were on Ben’s, and his hands were on Ben’s hips, pulling him tight against that hard, hot body that Ben had been dreaming about every night since… well, forever.

Ben melted into the kiss. It felt like he was floating, like any moment he might drift off if Chase’s strong arms and steady hands weren’t there to anchor him in place.

Their tongues me and it felt even better than Ben remembered. It wasn’t tentative or slow. There was no hesitation. Chase knew exactly what he wanted, and Ben did, too.

A needy little sound escaped Ben’s throat as Chase pulled back and broke away from the kiss. God, Ben just wanted it to go on all night. He didn’t want it to end. Not now. Not ever.

Ben swayed on his feet, but Chase was there, his hands still in place holding Ben steady. Just like a rock. Just like every dream about this moment that Ben had ever had.

“I’ve been wanting to do that again for a long time,” Chase said, finally. He slowly let his hands fall back to his sides and smiled. “Thank you for that. I, uh, should probably go.”

Ben’s head was spinning. He was happy and confused and horny as hell. But Chase was leaving, and he had to say something.

What, though? Should he try to stop Chase? Keep him there?

Kiss him again?

He didn’t do any of those things. Ben simply said, “Okay,” and watched as Chase walked back out the door and disappeared into the night.

For the second time in less than an hour, Ben was alone in his house, leaning against the door, breathless and confused.

This really couldn’t keep happening. It wouldn’t turn out well for either of them.

But… why did it feel so right?