Benn There, Done That

We pulled up to my place and I instantly ducked in my seat.

“Fuck, keep driving.” Jamie did as I asked without question, parking around the block and turning to face me. “Tyler and Jesse were outside.” Jamie still looked confused.

“And? I drop you off all the time.”

“I know, but as far as they know, you gave me a ride home last night.” He instantly remembered and sighed, nodding his head in realization.

“Shit, that’s right. Damn, guess I’m not as sober as I thought.”

“Or your just an idiot all the time.” He jokingly pushed me.

“Yeah, right.” I thought for another moment about a plan of attack.

“Well, who’s to say I didn’t go home last night, and you’re just dropping me off because we went somewhere this morning? That’s not out of the ordinary!”

“Eh, wouldn’t be too sure of that. I texted Ty about an hour ago telling him I had just gotten out of bed.” Typical.

“Dammit, Jamie. You two and your bromance. Can’t go one minute without talking, huh?” He raised his hands in defense. Unlocking my phone, I dialed Tyler’s number and held it up to my ear, holding my finger out to silence Jamie as Tyler picked up.

“Good morning, sunshine. What’s up?”

“Morning! Just out for a walk and was wondering what your plans were today.”

“I’m actually at Jesse’s right now! We, uh, were up late talking so I crashed here. Good thing you told me you were out, because I was gonna come over and knock on your door.”

“Ha, yeah, good call I guess. And I’m glad you guys spent some time ‘talking’.” I made air quotes because I knew damn well their mouths were moving for different reasons. Jamie stifled a laugh.

“Somehow I don’t buy that. Oh well. I think I’m gonna swing by my place and then head over to Chubbs’ place in a minute or two, but I’ll text you later.” Jamie swore and slowly started rounding the block again.

“Sounds good. Bye, Ty.” I hung up the phone and tapped my fingers on the dashboard. “Stop here.” Jamie hit the brakes at the stop sign at the start of my street. He gave me another odd stare, which disappeared when he noticed the cab passing us. We watched from afar as Tyler waved, presumably to Jesse, and then climbed in. After a safe waiting period, I opened the door and hopped out, purse in hand.

“Y’know, I can drop you off in front of your house.”

“I’m on a walk, remember?” Jamie remembered and nodded.

“So wise. Okay well, uh, see you later?” I smiled wide and cocked a brow.

“Bye, best friend.” Jamie laughed.

“Bye, buddy”, he responded winking and laughing as I closed the door and he drove away.

I started walking towards my place, which was honestly only about 150 feet away, and started up the stairs. I headed to my door and walked inside, instantly beginning to shed my clothes in preparation for a shower. I was interrupted by a knock on the door. I grabbed a sweatshirt that I had thankfully left on the counter and scampered over, looking through the peephole to see Jesse, standing very close to the door.

“Hey Jess!” I welcomed her inside, where she immediately hopped onto the couch, sitting cross-legged. I took her lead and sat on the other end of the couch, mirroring her position. “What’s up?” She yawned, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts.

“Sorry, I didn’t sleep much. Anyway, I dunno, just wanted to come say hi!” I sighed, remembering what Tyler had told me.

“Ohhhh, that’s right, a little birdie told me you were up last night ‘talking’ to Tyler.” She rolled her eyes.

“That’s right, I forgot he was on the phone with you. Lucky I caught you here I guess, as well, cuz he mentioned you were on a walk.” I nodded and told her it had been a short walk, so she continued. “But, seriously, we did actually talk. JUST talk.”

“You sure?”

“Ugh, yes Cory, I’m sure.” She brushed her hair out of her face and shrugged, looking equally frustrated and relieved. “It was good, though.”

“Good! I’m glad.”

“Yeah, it was nice. We kinda talked about our history and stuff. After a lot of thought, we both agreed to give being just friends for awhile a try.” I was genuinely shocked that she had said that, since she and Tyler had been on and off since before I had even moved to Dallas. They had gone from a couple, to acting like strangers, and everywhere in-between. “I don’t know, I guess we both just really agreed this whole weird, unsolidified ‘friends with benefits’ situation wasn’t working. Never really does, y’know?” I bit the inside of my cheek to avoid laughing. What perfect fucking timing. I nodded supportively.

“Totally. But, that’s great! I’m glad that you guys decided to put all of that aside. I think it’ll really be good for you.” She smiled, agreeing.

“Yeah, I do, too! I mean, I told him that I had been thinking about asking this guy from work out, and he had mentioned wanting to continue pursuing his options, so it was really a good conversation! I mean, it just makes sense. It’s just not possible to maintain the whole ‘physical stuff only’ situation, and we both finally agreed we should stop trying.”

“Mhmm, totally.” I appeared calm and supportive on the outside, but I was dying internally. What perfect fucking timing. Serendipitous, really. Here I was, freshly established as a fuck buddy to one of my best friends, sitting talking to another one of my best friends about how stupid those arrangements were.

“Well, anyway, I’m gonna head home and take a nap. My shift doesn’t start until 5:00, but I wanna try to get a little sleep.” Jesse was a nurse at the local hospital, and I knew damn well she would still be tired after taking what little nap she could, but I didn’t want to keep her, regardless.

“Good luck!” She left my apartment and I flopped back onto my couch, bursting out into laughter like a damn psychopath.

How picture perfect. Of course, the topic of “friends with benefits” would come up, not even an hour after Jamie and I had decided to become just that. And, of course Tyler and her would explicitly agree that the idea was stupid.

But, Tyler and Jesse’s situation was very different than Jamie and mine. Tyler had met Jesse at a bar after a game. He was relatively new to Dallas and she had been out with friends. One thing led to another, and he took her home. That led to a series of hook ups, dates, fights, reunions, etc.

Jamie and I had been friends for years. We knew everything about each other. Sure, he was a professional hockey player and a good-looking guy. But, neither of us had ever considered each other more than friends in any way, same with Tyler and I.

This arrangement would work out. I knew that I was definitely physically compatible with Jamie, if that was even the right word. I knew that he could make me feel things I wanted to feel again… and again. I knew that we were both mature enough to handle a situation like this and not make it weird.

I shook my head and stood up, shaking away the conversation I was having with myself and heading to the bathroom. I stripped and hopped in the shower, my mind quickly drifting to the “things” Jamie had made me feel, and my hands drifting south.

Notes