Benny: I promised I’d tell you when I found out about graduation. They’re pushing it back to June 23rd and moving it to Freeland Arena. I’ll be cleared to put weight on my leg by then but still not cleared to drive, since I’ll just be starting physical therapy.

Wyatt: I’ll drive you.

Benny: That’s not necessary. I can take a cab.

Wyatt: What would be the point since I’m going anyhow?

Benny: You’re coming to my graduation?

Wyatt: Of course. So is mom.

Benny: She doesn’t have to do that.

Wyatt: Don’t say that. You’ll break her heart. She’s already planning a big party for you afterward.

Benny: Are you joking?

Wyatt: Not at all. There’s nothing she loves better than doing mom-type stuff, and she’s run out of events to celebrate for me. You’ve revived her spoiling spirit.

Benny: I’m moved. Truly. I don’t have a lot of people in my life.

Wyatt: You do now.

I don’t have a lot of people in my life. Those words kept floating through Wyatt’s mind. He hated that. Benny shouldn’t be alone. Wyatt got that most of Benny’s solitude was self-inflicted, but still. He couldn’t help but notice some of it was due to awkwardness. Not only did Benny not fit in, he didn’t try. The thing was—occasionally—Benny said things that gave Wyatt the impression he was lonely. He fucking hated the man’s family had been ripped apart. Benny didn’t talk about it unless pressed, but Wyatt couldn’t imagine.

Other thoughts creeped in, the way they always did. Waking up with Benny still in his lap had been damn rough. Benny’s injuries made Wyatt scared to touch him too much. The thought of accidentally hurting the guy was like getting stabbed repeatedly in the throat. Wyatt didn’t know why he cared so much, but he did. His concern went way beyond Benny being the reason Wyatt was still alive. He cared if Benny was happy, fed, getting around okay, and... everything. Wyatt just fucking cared.

Wyatt opened his messages again.

Wyatt: How bored are you?

Benny: Not horribly, but I’m a little sick of the same four walls.

Wyatt: How about I come get you later and bring you to my house? That way, you’re not maneuvering public places yet, but you have four new walls.

* * *

He knew as soon as he walked through Benny’s door to pick him up, something wasn’t right. Wyatt ran through their texts in his head. It was so hard to tell tone while reading through the lines. Now that he was here, sitting next to Benny on the couch, there could be no doubt. There was something wrong with Benny. He’d barely smiled all day. Benny’s smile was the highlight of Wyatt’s day. Wyatt was desperate to bring it back.

“I heard a really bad joke at work today.”

Benny didn’t bite. He chewed on his bottom lip with his unfocused gaze locked on the wall.

Wyatt tried again. “I got a raise even though it was my first day back.” Nothing. “And almost fell down the stairs, because I’d forgotten how steep they are.” No reaction. “Two women offered to marry me. At the same time. Even promised to fly me to Vegas,” Wyatt tacked on when it became more than clear Benny wasn’t listening. He brushed his finger over the top of Benny’s hand. “Are you okay?”

The way Benny startled at his touch said a lot about how deep he’d been lost in thought. “Sorry,” Benny said, still not smiling. “Did you say something? I guess you’re ready to go.”

Wyatt’s brows drew together. “Talk to me.”

Benny’s expression remained blank. “What would you like to talk about? Did you say something about Vegas?”

An aggravated growl tried rising in Wyatt’s throat. He swallowed it down. “I want you to tell me what’s wrong?”

For a second, Benny stared at Wyatt without responding. Wyatt half expected Benny was about to lie and say nothing was wrong. Instead, he shrugged. “Yesterday was my birthday.”

“And you didn’t say anything,” Wyatt snapped. He tried toning it down. “I would’ve done something for you. Taken you to dinner. Bought you a cake.”

Benny waved off Wyatt’s words. “I’m not worried over that. It’s just another day, but—”

“Just another day,” Wyatt repeated, cutting Benny off. “You’re supposed to have cake and presents. And beer,” Wyatt tacked on, because he couldn’t stop. He’d missed Benny’s birthday. It hurt Wyatt’s chest—like he’d failed this amazing man in a huge way.

Benny stared at him—emotionless. “It’s not important, but my—”

“Not important,” Wyatt said, cutting Benny off again. “It’s important to me. Maybe I wanted to do something special for your birthday. Did you ever think of that or were you busy being all stingy with your day?”

Benny’s mouth finally lifted in one corner. His half smile disappeared as quickly as it appeared. “My mom usually calls on my birthday,” Benny said fast, as if he expected to get interrupted again. “It’s the only time I hear from her all year,” he added with a shrug. “Things over there are different—harder, especially for a woman who fled the country and had a child with an American, only to be sent back. She’s not free to talk to me, but she finds a way for my birthday.” He twisted his fingers in his lap, breaking Wyatt’s heart. “I’m never even sure if she’s still alive until I get that call.” He shrugged, looking devastated. “I always figured I’d know she was gone the first time the call didn’t come.” He shrugged again and visibly swallowed. “I guess that was this year.”

Benny’s devastation was real. Wyatt could hear it and feel it. He had no words. Benny’s life was so much harder than he ever let on. The man silently endured. Wyatt pulled him into a hug and held on. Benny clung to his shirt in silence. For a long time, he held Benny against his chest. Neither of them said a word. Wyatt didn’t know how to fix this or what Benny needed.

“Tell me what I can do,” Wyatt finally said, because the need to help in some way choked him.

“There’s nothing anyone can do.”

“What can I do for you?” Wyatt clarified. “Do you want to be distracted? Would you like to get drunk? Do you want to wreck some shit? Tell me the first thing that pops into your head.”

“All the above,” Benny said immediately. “I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

Wyatt untangled himself from Benny and grabbed his keys off the coffee table. “Let’s go, sexy.” He helped Benny to his feet. “I know the perfect thing.”

* * *

Wyatt’s perfect thing turned out to be something Benny never expected. First, he didn’t realize Wyatt had a basement. Second, he never would’ve guessed Wyatt had turned the place into his own personal shooting range complete with soundproof walls. Third, it was perfect. Benny had never fired a gun. Since he was healing from gunshot wounds, he would’ve expected being around them would bother him. In fact, once Wyatt covered his ears and taught him how to shoot, Benny found he was pretty good at it. It was also oddly relaxing. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Wyatt kept wrapping his arms around Benny, going flush against his back, to help him into position. Benny may or may not have intentionally relaxed his pose just to get Wyatt’s arms around him again.

Once they’d wasted a ton of ammo, Wyatt ordered a pizza and unearthed some beer. Three drinks in and Benny found himself telling stories of his childhood and confessing things about himself he’d never told anyone. He liked Wyatt.

“My mom worked at two factories, trying to make ends meet. One, boxing frozen food from seven to three thirty, and another assembling circuit boards from four to ten. I always got to stay up until eleven thirty so we could have an hour together each night. Since I liked having dinner with her, I always ate my meals at odd times. Most kids had sandwiches in their lunch box. I took a box of cereal to school because it was my breakfast time.” Benny took a bite of his pizza while mulling over those days. “Of course, now that I think about it, I wasn’t old enough to know to fix anything, so it may have just been survival.” Benny laughed at his revelation.

Wyatt didn’t. “Did no one take care of you while your mom worked?”

Benny shrugged. “I suppose someone did back when I was too young to remember, but otherwise, I don’t recall ever having an adult around. It was just me. Maybe that’s why I prefer my own company.” He thought it over again. “Or maybe I just never had a shot.”

“What did you do with all that time alone?”

Since Wyatt seemed truly interested, Benny was honest. “Same things I do now, I suppose. I spent a lot of time online, teaching myself how to do things that catch my interest. Photo editing, website coding, ad targeting; you know, the usual stuff. Then, when I got to high school, all my playing around online had the unexpected side effect of making me really good at learning. I went to Canyondale on a full-ride. Thank God, or I never would’ve gotten to go. What about you? You said you played football.”

Wyatt nodded. “My high-school team won the championship, and I got picked up by a college in Texas. I went and did my four years before moving on to a pro team in Florida for two years. Honestly, it was a miracle I lasted that long. I was good, but not good enough for pro. It also wasn’t the life for me. I made a little money, and I’d gotten my college degree in criminal justice, so I came home and put it to use.”

“Do you like what you do?” There was something in Wyatt’s voice. Benny had to know.

Wyatt shrugged. “Yes and no. I’ve bounced from department to department, trying a little of everything. There’s a lot of politics in police work and I don’t care for that. I’m more of a show-up-and-do-my-job kind of guy. What about you? Do you like what you do?”

Benny had never really thought about it. “I’m kind of lazy, so I guess so.” He laughed at his own ridiculousness. “Sometimes I get stir crazy, but I like waking up when I want and working whatever hours I choose. Plus, the way people buy is always changing, so I have to change with it. It’s challenging. Yeah, I guess I like it.”

At some point while he’d been talking, Wyatt moved closer until they were hip to hip on the couch. Benny loved Wyatt’s eyes, but up close, they were even more amazing. “I know you said it’s not important, but if I were to make it special, what would you like for your birthday?”

Benny shrugged. “When is your birthday?”

Wyatt slung his arm over the back of the couch behind Benny, moving closer in his open aggravation. “Nu-uh. It’s September third, but you don’t get to do that. Even if you never celebrate and never want to, there has to be something you want.”

Without thought, Benny’s gaze dropped to Wyatt’s mouth. Wyatt had used the word “want” and Benny’s mind had immediately gone the only place where he craved. He wasn’t big on material things. As long as he had a good quality computer to help him escape, he didn’t need nice clothes to get him there. But this man, he was a walking talking representation of everything missing from Benny’s life. It wasn’t as if Benny didn’t get chances to meet people. He’d met plenty of guys at school and one or two at coffee shops. Benny had never met a man like Wyatt. He’d also never longed for anyone as much. A hint of bravery rose in Benny. Life was short. He could die tomorrow. His gaze lifted, colliding with Wyatt’s. There was so much heat in Wyatt’s stare, Benny knew if he reached over, he’d find Wyatt hard for him. Benny’s courage skyrocketed. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind Wyatt would do whatever Benny asked. All Benny wanted was a kiss. Just one. He leaned closer. His mouth went dry at the thought of Wyatt’s plump bottom lip between his teeth. Wyatt’s gaze hooded as Benny inched closer. Benny’s heart sped. His cock stirred. Wyatt lowered his head. The doorbell rang, freezing the man an inch from Benny’s lips.

“That’s for you,” Wyatt said, pulling back. Benny blinked at him in confusion. The doorbell rang again and Wyatt stood. He helped Benny to his feet. “The door, it’s for you. Go answer it.”

“Why would it be for me?”

“For fuck’s sake,” Wyatt growled, shoving Benny’s crutches beneath his arms. “Answer the damn door.”

Benny did as told, crossing the room and pulling open the door. Darrel, Richie, Jayden, and Ella were on the other side. Ella held a cake while Darrel had beer and balloons. Richie had four gift bags dangling from his hands. Jayden’s hands were shoved in his pockets. Benny’s gaze moved from face to face. Shock left him without words.

“Happy birthday,” Ella yelled loud enough if they’d been at Benny’s place, his old crotchety neighbor would’ve called the police. Luckily, Wyatt didn’t have any neighbors close enough to hear a thing.

“What?” That was all Benny could drum up.

“Let them in,” Wyatt said, his voice heavy with laughter.

Benny automatically hopped backward.

Ella hugged Benny before focusing on Wyatt. “There’s more stuff in the car.”

Wyatt’s gaze moved over Benny’s shoulder. “Are Jayden’s arms broken?” Even though Wyatt’s voice still dripped with humor, his face was tight. Benny’s curiosity was piqued.

Ella shrugged. “I have lots of opinions, but I’ll keep them to myself. You’re all grown men. Get the rest of the stuff out of the car.” Without waiting to see if he’d do what she wanted, Ella turned back to Benny. “I have chocolate cake with white icing. Is that okay? I didn’t know what you like.”

Somehow, Benny’s numb lips found a way to work. “Thank you. That’s perfect. I think I missed something,” he admitted, because his brain still didn’t want to work.

Her musical laughter made him smile, even though he didn’t know what was going on. “Wyatt called and asked us to help him throw you a surprise party. Of course, if we’d known yesterday was your birthday, we would’ve done more.”

“This is perfect,” Benny assured her. He felt like an ass for not acting grateful enough. “You definitely surprised me. Wyatt’s been with me all day. I never saw him call.”

Wyatt came back through the door carrying several grocery bags. He winked as he passed between them. Benny’s hungry gaze followed him without thought.

Ella laughed again, pulling his attention back her way. Her eyes shone bright with humor. “My son can be very sneaky when properly motivated.” She closed the front door. “I can see you’ve got his attention.” Her gaze met his once more. “You’ve also got mine. Wyatt needs someone unshakable. If you hang around long enough, and I think you will, you’ll see he’s knee deep in shitty people.” Her smile reappeared. “Let’s take this cake to the kitchen and get the party started. We’re already a day behind.”

Benny crutched along behind her, heading for the kitchen while trying to process the rapid changes the day had undergone. He’d started out horribly depressed. The ache still sat on his throat, but Wyatt had shown up again right when Benny needed him. They cleared the kitchen doorway and Benny’s gaze automatically sought the man who’d done all this for him. His white t-shirt strained against his muscles. He looked like a freaking miracle to Benny. Wyatt turned his head as if he felt Benny’s stare. Their gazes met and held. Wyatt’s mouth lifted in one corner. The air thinned, making Benny lightheaded. His knight. The instant that thought floated through his mind, Benny knew. His mom was gone. The day of her deportation, she’d promised him he wouldn’t be alone long. She’d sworn a knight would race to his rescue and love him like he deserved. He’d laughed. He wasn’t laughing now. She’d done this.