As much as Kit loved hanging out with the guys and hearing all the nostalgic stories from their childhood as they helped Bentley pack, he had to admit that he was thrilled to be on the road again. This time, their destination was Bentley’s new apartment with Frankie.

The ride in Noah’s Jeep seemed longer because of the traffic, and because of the siblings’ incessant need to sing along to every song that came on the radio – whether they knew the lyrics or not – but the ride was also perfect. He and Bentley were in the back row; Bentley’s arm around Kit as he held him close, and Kit’s head resting comfortably on Bentley’s shoulder. They’d laugh at a high note Jonah would hit, and beg Noah to pay attention to the road instead of crunk dancing behind the wheel, but for the most part they stayed quiet and enjoyed the moment.

Kit reached out for Bentley’s hand as they neared Ocean Avenue, caressing it with his own. He smiled when Bentley tipped his face up by the chin and closed the distance, kissing him just as softly as Kit hoped he would. There was something about feeling Bentley’s lips on his that made his heart flutter. It was as scary as it was exhilarating.

They arrived at Bentley’s new building five minutes later. Noah parked out front instead of pulling into the lot and with a sigh, Kit pulled away to get out. The building’s exterior was everything he expected it to be: modern and beautiful. Santa Monica beach was across the street. Shops surrounded them. It was a gorgeous neighborhood.

Bentley hopped out of the Jeep and punched Jonah in the stomach for no reason. After a short squabble in the middle of the road, Kit eventually told them to cut it. He wanted to get inside and have a look around. He grabbed the lightest box he could find and a bag that felt like it had a blanket inside, and waited patiently at the doors. The others grabbed some things and they headed into the lobby.

Not that Kit expected anything less, but fuck was it gorgeous. The doorman was very nice and greeted Bentley as he welcomed them. Kit tried not to let his jaw stay dropped as they hopped on the elevator, and it moved on its own to the 10th floor. He couldn’t focus on whatever conversation the Fishers were having with Bentley, because all he could think about was how beautiful this place was. In fact, he was five minutes away from suggesting he move in.

Not really, but really.

The elevator doors opened into the apartment. Frankie and a few friends of his had music playing and were in the middle of trying to position a pool table in the space between their living and dining rooms. Kit stepped out of the elevator behind Noah and looked around.

Incredible.

Frankie greeted them with what was maybe the widest grin Kit had ever seen. He hurried over and slapped fives with Noah, Jonah, Benny, and Kit, all before gesturing around.

“Welcome home, Vato!”

Bentley dropped the boxes he was carrying and grinned back. “What’s up, man? Who are your friends?”

Frankie waved them over. “This is my little entourage. My day-one buddies. Max, Jamie, Angel, meet my roommate and his boys, Bentley, Jonah, Noah with the hair. And the cute one is his boyfriend.”

Max – the one with corn rows and a rather nice body if Kit said so himself, smiled as he shook everyone’s hands. “Well I can’t go on Facebook without seeing you two, so I know. Nice to meet you.”

Noah smiled at them. “Yeah, all of this is nice, but I’m trying to take a tour.”

“Have at it, homie.” Frankie gestured around before turning back to Bentley and Kit. As the group took off, he folded his arms. “Need any help with your things?”

Bentley shook his head no. “There’s not that much left in the ride, but Noah did double park so I’ll be right back.” He turned to Kit and smiled. “I’ll be right back, beautiful.”

Kit looked at him and smiled back. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Bentley headed to the elevator and the doors closed behind him. Kit shook his head as he looked around. The place was fully furnished with hardwood floors his mother would’ve loved. Kit was grateful that they took the option of having the place furnished, even if it did bump up the cost of their rent. He didn’t trust Bentley and Frankie to decorate on their own. This would just be one huge mancave.

On the first floor, he could see the living, dining, and kitchen area were all open concept. There were two doors that led to a balcony where Noah and Jonah were currently hanging out, snapping selfies and grinning like kids in a candy store. Kit could not blame him. There was a pool out there. This place would no doubt be the perfect spot to throw a party, and he knew the Fishers were thinking that.

As Kit took a few steps farther inside, he put down the box and bag he’d been holding. He could see a bathroom on this floor as well, and the entertainment center had a TV as large as his father’s. That would make Bentley a very happy man. The bedrooms must’ve been on the second level of the apartment, and Kit looked up the stairs and saw that there seemed to be one bedroom on each side.

“The guys and I were about to open a few beers if you and Bentley want to hang for a bit,” Frankie said.

Kit snapped out of his thoughts and looked at him. He offered a smile. “That sounds good. I’m not much of a beer guy, but in the name of celebrating your new home, I’ll have one.”

Frankie patted him on the shoulder. “Awesome, bro.” He went to grab a couple from the fridge and Kit stood in the center of the room, still staring around. When one of Frankie’s friends called the other friend an idiot for dropping a cue ball, Kit realized they were all wearing a t-shirt with similar designs on them. Frankie returned and handed him a Corona.

“Thank you,” Kit said.

“De nada. So how is life at UCLA? I always wanted to go to college.”

Kit chuckled softly. “Well, just know it’ll never be too late if you ever decide to go.”

Frankie smiled.

“Life isn’t too bad on campus. Thanks to Alex Kim and his shitty journalism, I kinda became an overnight sensation. I went from being invisible to being the guy who “turned” Bentley Williams.”

“Turned him, huh?”

“That’s what people say,” Kit answered. He shook his head. “Other than that, it’s a great experience. I’ve met a lot of friends and I love my fashion club. Things are looking up.”

“I’m sure it’s great, but you’ve got to find time to come on the road with us sometime,” Frankie told him. “Bentley was pathetic without you; running back to the hotel every night and crying himself to sleep.”

Kit laughed. As he went to reply, the elevator doors opened and off stepped Bentley with another couple boxes. He sat it down near the entrance and stretched. Arching an eyebrow, he walked over to the two of them with a smile.

“Wow. I was gone for five minutes and you let Frankie turn you into an alcoholic?”

Frankie gave him the finger and Kit laughed. “It’s one beer, baby. He got one for you, too.”

“I did.” Frankie handed it over. “Unwind for a bit. Move-in days don’t have to be all work.”

Bentley tapped his bottle against Kit’s and winked at him before taking a huge gulp. Kit’s sip was much more reserved. He turned to Frankie as the shorter man walked away.

“I’m over here making sure they don’t break anything if you need me.”

Jamie, Angel, and Max scoffed at him.

Noah and Jonah walked back in from the balcony. Jonah was shaking his head.

“You naughty boys aren’t legal.”

Kit smiled as he took another sip. “Are you two hanging out for a bit?”

“Actually,” Noah began. “UCLA is playing Washington in an hour and we’re headed out there. Ariel got a ticket too, so I figured I’d pick her up.”

Kit smirked as he nodded. “I bet she did. That’s cool.”

Noah looked at him. “…Yeah.”

“Are you love birds joining us?” Jonah asked.

Bentley hesitated, looking at Kit. Kit shook his head no.

“If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to hang out here with Benny.”

“And christen his new bedroom? Got it.” Jonah saluted and started to walk off, but Noah spoke again.

“You know, Kit, you’ve been at UCLA going on two months and you haven’t been to one Bruins game. You have to come to one before the season ends!”

Kit swallowed the beer hard. It tasted disgusting. He nodded, though. “You’re right. It’s just that I heard they suck this year because they lost their best player and I haven’t been too interested.”

Bentley winked at him.

Noah laughed. “Well, you gotta come to the next one.”

“I will. When is it?”

“The next home game will be two weeks from today,” he said. “OSU is coming for the Violet Bowl. They haven’t played in 15 years.”

Jonah spoke now, “And don’t think that just because you’re from Ohio, you get to cheer for OSU. That’s not how it works here.”

Kit looked between the two of them as his heart dropped. He tried to catch himself before Bentley or anyone else could catch it. “Wait – OSU is coming to play UCLA?”

Noah nodded. “Yup, and you’re coming to watch. See you later though, bro.” He half-hugged Kit and then half-hugged Bentley. Bentley said goodbye and thanked them for their help.

“Pizza party tomorrow on me,” Bentley said, all before realizing that he’d drank his entire beer.

“Oh, we’ll be here.” Jonah and Noah said goodbye to everyone and then hopped on the elevator. Kit was still a little stunned as they went. OSU coming meant that Paulie would be coming. He’d be able to see his best friend as well, and that was fucking awesome, but Kit didn’t know how he felt about Paulie coming.

“Hey,” Bentley said with a smile. “You okay?”

“Huh?” Kit shook his head and took a deep breath. “My bad. I just didn’t realize I’d be able to see Tawny again so soon. She didn’t say anything.”

“I think the Violet Bowl was just announced today,” Bentley said. He grabbed Kit’s hand. “She’s likely cheerleading right now and will spam your inbox later. Want to head upstairs? I need to unpack and show you around.”

Kit smiled at the suggestion. “Of course.”

Bentley went to grab a few boxes and Kit helped out, picking up a few bags of his boyfriend’s clothing. They went up the stairs and Kit followed Bentley down the path, looking down over the balcony at the first floor where Frankie and his friends played pool. Bentley entered the first bedroom and Kit’s jaw dropped for real this time. The room was exceptionally beautiful. There was so much space – a walk-in closet, king-size bed with a gorgeous brown leather ottoman at the end, a rather large TV mounted on the wall, and a small love seat by the double doors that led out to Bentley’s balcony. He placed the bags down by the bed and slowly walked over to the doors, peeking outside.  The view was gorgeous… but… was that…?

“You have a jacuzzi on your balcony? You have a balcony in your bedroom? And your own bathroom?”

Bentley placed his boxes down and looked up at Kit with a smile. “I do.” He opened the flaps and pulled out all his chargers. “This place is insane. I know.”

Insane wasn’t powerful enough a word. Kit couldn’t believe he was standing in such a gorgeous home, or that he was looking out at such a breathtaking view. This was one of those apartments a reality star on MTV would live in. It was unreal. Kit turned around and walked over to the walk-in closet. He could hear Bentley working to unpack his boxes as he stepped in. This was so unfair. He had to go back to that tiny shoebox of a dorm while his hot boyfriend got to rest his head here? Lucky bitch.

“Lucky bitch,” he mumbled, leaving the closet and sprawling out across the bed. “Wow. Tempurpedic?”

Bentley dug in the box and pulled out his surround-sound system. “Hm? Oh. I guess so.”

“What’s that?” Kit asked.

“I decided to bring my surround-sound speakers since Ariel didn’t steal them. Our love making will be loud and passionate, so this will come in handy.” Bentley walked over to the mantle and placed it down.

Kit reached for a pillow and propped his head up. “Would you mind taking your shirt off while you work?”

Bentley glanced back at him. “Enjoying yourself, huh?”

“I’m kinda in heaven,” Kit admitted. He smiled at his boyfriend’s laughter and caught Bentley’s tank top when he tossed it at him. Bentley walked back over to the box as Kit continued. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Bentley grabbed his gaming system next. He looked at Kit curiously. “Is it about loud, passionate love?”

Kit thought for a moment. “It wasn’t, but now I want to talk about that.”

Bentley laughed. He put the PlayStation down and walked over to the bed, spreading Kit’s legs apart before lying on top of him. “Well, am I in trouble?”

Kit shook his head no. “Not at all. …OSU is coming and –” His phone rang, distracting him from the conversation he had in mind. Bentley pulled away, reaching into the pockets of his jumper shorts for him.

“It’s Matty Fresh,” Bentley said with a smile. He knelt beside Kit and put it on speaker. “Yo, Pops! What’s up?”

A slight hesitation, then, “I just can’t escape you, can I?”

Kit laughed, trying to take the phone from him, but Bentley played a game of keep away. “I’m here, Dad! He won’t give me the phone.”

“Hey, kiddo. How’s it going?”

Kit moved farther up the bed and gestured for Bentley to join him. “Great! Bentley’s new place is insane, Dad. You wouldn’t believe it.”

Bentley smiled, settling in close to his side.

“Well, maybe I’ll have to bunk with him soon…”

“You’re more than welcome to, Pops,” Bentley replied.

Matthew hummed. “Did you make sure you didn’t forget anything so you won’t have to come back?”

Kit rolled his eyes at their banter as they went back and forth, eventually interrupting them. “Not to interrupt, but I have a question. Benny and I were talking earlier, and I mentioned the time at Cedar Point when this little boy came up to us and was a total sweetheart. The boy that gave me the ring pop… do you remember him?”

His father began to chuckle. “How could I forget him? He was all over my 7-year-old son.”

Bentley smirked. “I bet he was a real looker, huh? Dark hair, grey eyes, charming smile?”

“He was toothless and skinny and had bushy hair that annoyed me.”

Kit burst out laughing. Bentley pinched his stomach.

“Kit wanted ice cream so Angie and I walked him over to the dessert cart. He started talking about how badly he wanted to go on this ride he was too short for when all of the sudden, he got quiet. I turn around and see this little kid, maybe an inch shorter than Kit, standing there staring at him. My wife asks him where his parents are and he all but ignores her to say hi to Kit.”

Bentley looked at Kit and smiled. “In his defense, your son is beautiful. I totally get it.”

Kit blew a kiss his way.

“He gets his looks from me,” Matthew said.

Bentley scoffed, but Kit encouraged him to keep going. “Tell us the rest.”

“Well, eventually his parents came over with their little girl. His dad … Brad, I think. Nice fella. No – it was Brian. He apologized as his wife told the little dweeb not to walk off from them ever again. Angie said it was okay. Usually, we took Kit to these theme parks with Tawny, but that day it was just us. Hanging out and going on the rides with another boy his age wasn’t a bad idea.”

Kit smiled as he listened. “And then what?”

“Well, the ice cream was forgotten about. We all walked over to the Space Age ride. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, I just remember Kit being his usual shy self and the little boy running his mouth a mile a minute. When it was their turn to get on the ride, he and Kit were holding hands and my wife reminded me that they were innocent children, so I decided not to make any threats.”

“That’s adorable,” Bentley said. He seemed pleased with himself. Kit stared at him as his father resumed.

“Yeah, it was something.” Matthew paused for a moment to handle something with a customer before returning to the phone. “I remember spending time with his mom and dad and Angie while the kids all enjoyed the rides. Eventually, we headed to the food court because the kid’s father said he wanted to buy everyone pizza before they had to head out. It was a nice gesture. We sat at a table together and talked for a while. Kit talked to the kid’s little sister about some TV show they liked. I remember them eating their pizza and then the kid mumbling to his parents about wishing they lived in Ohio so that he could see his boyfriend more. I almost had a heart attack.”

Kit laughed. “Oh come on. He did not say that.”

“Sounds like something I’d say,” Bentley whispered.

“He said he wished they could move to Ohio so that he could see his boyfriend more. I remember it clearly, because you told him you’d see him when he came back, and Angie wouldn’t stop cooing like it was cute. My 7-year-old having a boyfriend wasn’t cute. I’m barely okay with my 18-year-old being in a relationship. I told you to wait until you were 30.”

Kit rolled his eyes.

“They had to say goodbye after eating, and that’s when the little shit literally got on one knee and gave him a ring pop.”

Bentley smiled at Kit’s laughter. “Not even a little surprised by this,” he said.

“Kit let him have his friendship bracelet and the boy put it on before they hugged goodbye.”

“Did I cry?” Kit asked.

“I remember you being really quiet the rest of the day, which was unlike you. You and your mom made sure I never had a moment of silence.”

Kit laughed. “True.”

“Did the other kid cry? He was strong, right? I bet he was a man about it, willing to wait until they met again.”

“No, he cried.”

Kit laughed harder.

Bentley waved him off, but handed him the phone. “Well, Pops, Kit found that friendship bracelet in this memory box my mother made for Ariel and myself this afternoon. I am the little boy that stole your son’s heart all those years ago. Brian’s my dad. We were in Ohio for a competition of his and he took the family to Cedar Point after his win.”

Matthew was quiet. Kit grinned as he waited for the outcome of this conversation. Any type of reaction from his father would’ve been nice, but all he heard was silence.

Bentley continued, “In other news, I miss you, man. We should have a sleepover tomorrow night.”

“You’re not the kid. Are you?” Matthew sounded dumbfounded. “You two are pranking me.”

Kit spoke into the phone now. “I swear I found the exact bracelet that Tawny made me in his memory box, Dad. I FaceTimed her for confirmation and she said it was it. Then, Benny’s mom remembered the day as well, and meeting you all those years ago. The idiot I’m dating now was that sweet, adorable kid back when I was little.”

Bentley pinched him in the stomach again, and Kit laughed as he tried pushing him away.

“Wow,” Matthew said. “Wow. That’s insane. Your mother would be thrilled to hear this. She thought he was the cutest thing.”

Bentley grinned. “I would’ve gotten along with her well, I think.”

Kit smiled. “It is insane. I’ve spent a long time feeling alone, but it’s comforting to know that as long as Bentley is somewhere in this world, I’ll have a better half.”

Bentley stared back at him – his face serious now. Kit smiled and continued.

“And Dad, I know you’re probably thinking that this is some freak happenstance, but I’d like to think all things happen for a reason.” He leaned in close to Bentley, propping his chin on his chest. “The fears I had when it came to wanting to give him a chance feel trivial now. I almost feel like maybe this is meant to be.”

Bentley reached up and his hand was in Kit’s hair. Slowly, he combed it back from his face and looked in his eyes. Kit turned and kissed his wrist before smiling.

“Well, so far, that’s fine by me,” Matthew said. Kit could tell by his father’s voice that he was still in a state of shock. He continued, “Bentley seems like a great kid, but – I should warn you both: even if you two are soulmates or whatever, if you hurt him, Bentley, you are still subject to my size 12s in your ass. Nothing changes.”

Kit sighed, but Bentley smiled softly. He nodded and spoke into the phone. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Pops.”

“We’re going to let you get back to being a business owner,” Kit said. He took the phone back from Bentley and held it to his lips. “Love you, old man. See you tonight.”

“Love you, kiddo. Goodbye, Benny.”

“Later.” Bentley spread out on the bed and stretched as Kit ended the phone call. He began to smile, shaking his head.

“What’s so funny?” Kit asked. He rolled over so that he was on top of him.

Bentley licked his lips and immediately reached to undo his denim jumpsuit, throwing the first strap over his shoulder. “I’m just realizing how lucky I am. That’s all.”

Kit watched Bentley undo his jumper straps and then watched his hands move down to his waist. “I’m the lucky one. Just think; if I was dumb enough to let my fears prevent us from being together, we wouldn’t ever know about this.”

“But you couldn’t resist me,” Bentley said. “It’s fine.”

Kit laughed. “You are absolutely right. I think it might’ve been the way you kissed me in that photo booth. I knew I was a goner then.”

Bentley bit his lip into a smile. “FYI I live right across the street from the pier now. If you want to walk over there tonight before you head back home, we can totally do that.”

Kit stole a wet kiss and stood up. “Sounds like a plan to me. Let’s get you unpacked first, cutie.”

“Can I have a kiss after every bag or box we unpack?”

Kit thought for a moment; fist under chin for dramatic purposes. “Hm. Nah.” He laughed when Bentley hopped out the bed and picked him up. “Okay, okay! You can have a kiss.”

Bentley let him land safely on the floor and attached his mouth to his immediately. Kit was beginning to feel very spoiled.