Page 8 of The Gaybor War

He brightens. "I’m Benji."

Benji? Isn’t that name reserved for dogs and Broadway dancers?

"Nice to meet you, Benji. I’m Carter." I nod once and go back inside before my face betrays me.

The house is still half boxes and echoes. I step around the clutter, open the fridge, and grab a cold drink.

"Benji," I mutter. "The guy who thinks a hose to the balls counts as an introduction."

I’m not convinced it wasn’t intentional.

I open another box, find my coffee maker, and take inventory.

My new neighbor is exhausting.

The HOA already feels… attentive.

And I’ve somehow become a topic of conversation.

Perfect.

If this is Morningwood Estates’ idea of a warm welcome, I’m going to need caffeine before I participate.

By eight o’clock that night, I'd unpacked exactly three boxes, eaten cold Chinese takeout standing over the counter, and discovered that my Wi-Fi doesn’t work unless I sit in the hallway and hold the router like a communion wafer.

I’m halfway through debating whether to shower or just burn my clothes when my phone dings with a message from an unknown number.

Welcome to the Morningwood Minute!

Where neighbors become friends, friends become family, and nobody’s business stays private for long!

I stare at the screen, unblinking. I didn’t sign up for this.

Within seconds, my phone buzzes again, and then it’s nonstop.

Shania: Ladies!! Carter’s here! The new guy!!

Candace: Is he the one who got baptized by Benji?

Malia: LMAOOO poor guy didn’t even make it a day.

Kiki: Someone should check if he survived.

I scroll through the barrage, every new message a little worse than the last.

Shania: @Benji, has he said hi yet???

Benji: Sure. He’s shy, though. Also drenched.

I rub my face and exhale through my nose. "Shy," I mutter. "Sure. That’s the word."

The group chat explodes again.

Candace: We love a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc

Malia: Call Netflix.

Benji: Excuse me, I don’t do enemies-to-lovers. I do enemies-to-I-win.