Beefy Ben

“Hey,” I greeted Samuel as he walked in. “How was your workout?”

“Hey, Lily.” He dropped his duffle bag on the ground. “The usual.”

He started to look inside of his duffle bag. “Here.” He handed me a box that was sloppily wrapped with green paper.

“Ohhh.” I took the box. “You didn’t have to get me anything. If anything, I should give you something since you’re letting me stay here.” I laughed.

He let out a nervous chuckle. “It’s from Nate.” I placed the box on the couch, avoiding it like it was filled with a virus. “Ohh.”

“He gave it to me when I visited him.”

I was still angry with him. But at the same time, I was curious to see what was in the box.

“I just wanted to let you know that he knows you’re here.” Samuel nervously said.

“Why did you tell him?”

The last thing I wanted right now was to see Nate.

“I didn’t but I am pretty sure he knows you’re here.” Samuel looked at the box. “I told

him that you want some space. He said he wouldn’t come here.”

Like hell, he’ll listen. Knowing him, he’ll probably end up showing his face around here before the end of this week.

“Mmm-hmm. I don’t trust him.” I blurted out.

“Okay. Believe what you want.”

He went toward the bathroom. His apartment was half the size of Nate’s, but it was still big for just one person. It looked like Nate’s apartment, which makes sense since he designed both. Luckily, he had an extra room where I could crash for a few weeks.

My phone buzzed.

It wasn’t Nate since I blocked him. It was Mindy.

Hey, Lil. Change in plans. I can’t make it tomorrow but I can come over on Friday. Can’t wait to see Nate ;)

SHIT!

I forgot that Mindy was supposed to come to Chicago. I can’t ask Samuel if Mindy can stay over. I already feel bad for crashing at his place. He probably didn’t want me here in the first place. But I guess there is no harm in asking.

I looked over at the green box. My heart raced.

What did he get me?

I started to peel the corner of the box. NO. I’m angry at him. Fuck his present. He’s just trying to win me back with it. I was still picking at the corner trying to figure out what was in it.

“Just open it!” Samuel peaked out of the hallway.

“Holy Shit!” I jumped. He scared the crap out of me.

He was so quiet. He laughed and sat down on the couch next to the green box. “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. Do you know what it is?” Samuel took a seat on the couch.

I shook my head.

“Well just open it. It’s not going to bite.”

I picked at the corner.

“If you’re not going to open it, I will. I tried to figure out what was in the box but I have no fucking clue.”

“Fine, I’ll open it.” I grabbed the box and started to unwrap it.

“A new phone?” Samuel hummed. “Boring. I thought it was going to be something more special.”

I put the box to the side.

“So why did he get you a pho-” Samuel asked.

“Can we talk about anything other than Nate.”

“Fine.” Samuel understood my frustration. “Pick a topic.”

He turned on the TV.

“Your new boyfriend,” I said with a grin.

“What about him.” Samuel looked at me.

“All I know is that you went out yesterday with him but nothing else. What’s his name? What does he do?”

“Beefy Ben. Chef.” He got straight to the point.

“His name is Beefy Ben?”

“It’s just Ben but I like calling him Beefy Ben because, well, he’s beefy.”

“Is that your type?”

“Yep.”

“And he’s a chef?”

“Yep.” He replied again. I noticed that he wasn’t much of a talker. He liked to scold and tell you that you did something wrong, but other than that he was a mystery.

“How did you meet him?”

“We actually met at the bar where Nate and Mike got wasted. I mistook him for a waiter and then we just hit it off.”

“So, you’ve only dated a few weeks then.”

He nodded as he tried to find something to watch.

“Do you like him?”

“I guess. Yeah.” He started to blush.

This was one of the rare moments where I’ve seen Samuel have any facial expression.

“Ohh, you really like him.” I started to tease him.

He smiled while rolling his eyes. I’m glad he’s warming up to me.

My phone buzzed.

“Is that Nate?” Samuel asked.

I let out a light snuff. “No. I blocked him.”

Samuel looked sad when I said that.

“It’s my friend Mindy.” I started to feel nervous because this seemed like the best time for me to ask if she could stay over for a few weeks.

“College friend?”

“Yeah.” I should ask him. “I was wondering if- She’s coming to Chicago on Friday and I was wondering if she can stay. Here.”

“Sure.”

“Really?” Well, that was a lot easier than I thought.

“Yeah, but you are going to have to share the room and clean up after yourself.”

“Okay. Yes, obviously!” I was still shocked. “Thanks!”

He got up from the couch and headed toward the bathroom again. I heard the shower start up.

I watched TV, but the box that held my new phone caught my eye. I picked up the box and looked at the phone brand. It was basically my phone but the newest version.

I opened the box up and a note fell out of it.I opened the note. It was Nate’s handwriting.

Hello, Lilypad. I figured it is time for an upgrade. You can’t be three years behind in technology. Now go ahead and take some crisp clear pictures. Maybe of my ass. -Nate.

I let an uncontrollable laugh. Even when he wasn’t here with me he still knew how to make me laugh. My tiny dose of happiness turned into a tear rolling down my cheek.

I picked up the phone and turned it around. I placed it in the box and set it on the table. He can’t just buy my forgiveness.