Page 127 of Smart Ass

What are you up to today?

Not much. Quincy’s at work.

Want to get coffee?

Ben wasn’t quite sure why he was asking. He just… He needed to be out of his apartment. Where Oliver wasn’t being so… so damned thoughtful and perfect all the time.

He waited for Evan’s response.

Sure. We can visit Quincy at work.

Ben wasn’t so confident about that. Actually, could we go somewhere else?

Was Evan going to ask him all sorts of weird questions?

You mean that place by you with the good croissants?

Ben hadn’t, but that was good enough. Yeah.

Cool. See you in twenty.

“Hey, uh, Ma– Oliver?” He still didn’t get the name right every time, but he was getting better.

“Yes?”

“I’m going out.”

“Have a good time.”

That was it? Usually Oliver went with him everywhere.

Usually Ben liked Oliver going with him everywhere.

But he couldn’t just ask Oliver why he wasn’t asking to come along without, like, asking him to come along.

“I’m glad you’re spending some time with your friend,” Oliver commented, out of nowhere.

“Oh, uh, thanks.” Was he that transparent? “Are you going to listen in?”

“Only if you invite me. But you’re allowed to have your own space and friendships, too. Just tell me when you want time on your own.”

Uh, good? That was supposed to be good, right?

Only now Ben was wondering if Oliver didn’t want to come because he needed his own space and didn’t want Ben around all the time…

God, he was a shit show.

“I’ll still be tracking your location on your phone,” Oliver said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Ben nodded. His wrist was still empty. No watch.

No way for Oliver to monitor his pulse and respiration.

He still pathetically missed that watch.

“I’ve got camera access for the cafe, too,” Oliver added.

That shouldn’t have made Ben feel better, but it did. Oliver would still be thinking about him.