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Another minute or two passed before my dad spoke again. “Son, I don’t mean to pry or judge, but I have my doubts about those kinds of computer dating things.” Dad leaned against a shelf filled with neatly organized screws and nails. “Genuine relationships are built on mutual understanding and shared experiences, not stuff you type into your phone.”
I looked down at my hands, my fingers instinctively fiddling with a stray bolt I had picked up from the floor. He was wrong—I knew he was wrong. Setting what Ben and I had aside, I could name a dozen friends or acquaintances who were in happy, healthy relationships because of online dating and apps.
But deep down, I wondered if my father’s words held some truth.
Had Ben and I been brought together by something as impersonal as an algorithm? Was our love a product of chance, or was it something deeper?
Dad nodded thoughtfully, his eyes lingering on my face. “Remember your relationship with Leigh?” he continued, his voice gentle but firm. “It might not have been perfect, but it was real. You two built that together, without the help of some app. Maybe you should consider that when evaluating your relationship with Ben.”
My chest tightened at the mention of Leigh, a bittersweet memory from my past. I had genuinely cared for her, but our relationship would never go anywhere. She wasn’t the partner that I needed and never would be.
Still, my father’s words struck a chord within me, amplifying whatever confusion and concern lingered in my thoughts. “Are you saying I shouldn’t be with Ben?” I asked, irritated.
Dad held up his hands defensively. “I’m not saying that, Leo. All I’m saying is that people should be brought together for reasons beyond what an app can predict or understand. You need to figure out whether your connection with Ben is truly genuine, or if it’s just the result of some computer glitch. You were friends for a long time, and you were happy with that. Maybe that’s what’s best for you two.”
I bit my lip, trying to suppress the anger and frustration bubbling within me. My mind raced, torn between my love for Ben and the nagging uncertainty that now haunted me.
Was our love strong enough to withstand the doubts that had been cast upon its foundation?
As I grappled with these thoughts, the storeroom door creaked open, signaling the return of Alex and Max with the newly unloaded boxes. “Alright, Dad, I think you’ve said enough,” Max interjected, his voice firm yet respectful. He glanced at me, his eyes full of empathy and support. “Leo knows how he feels about Ben. It doesn’t matter how they met or what brought them together. What matters is that they make each other happy.”
Dad blinked, surprised that Max was so vocal in his defense of my relationship. “I just don’t want to see Leo or Ben get hurt, son. Genuine relationships take time, not computer matches.” With that, he gave my shoulder a squeeze and left the stockroom.
Well, that wasn’t fun. I sagged against the shelves, struggling to rein in my swirling doubts and the ache of knowing my dad, no matter what he said, just didn’t approve of me and Ben.
My brothers’ voices filtered through, pulling me back to the moment. I turned to find them watching me with concern. Alex stepped forward first, gripping my shoulder. “You okay?”
“Not really,” I said honestly. It felt wrong—I was the big brother who should be there for my younger brothers when they needed help and support. Yet here I was, leaning on them for strength. “I just can’t shake the feeling that what Dad said is right.”
“Forget what Dad says. What does Ben say?” Alex asked.
I sighed again, guilt gnawing at my conscience. “We haven’t talked much since this all happened.” My brothers glanced at each other, worried expressions on their faces, and I loved them so much for that. “Before you ask, it’s me. I’m the one not reaching out this time.”
“You know what’s best for you, Leo. You always taught us to follow our gut.” Max’s expression was serious, but gentle. “Just remember, it’s your happiness that’s important. Don’t let some app or anyone else”—Max nodded in the direction that Dad walked off— “dictate who you should be with. You know yourself better than anyone…except maybe Ben. He might actually know you better than you know yourself.”
That made me laugh. He was right. Deep down, what mattered was that I loved Ben, and no algorithm or scandal could change that. “How’d you get so smart?” I asked, giving my brother a light punch on the shoulder.
Max feigned being injured, then laughed. “We had an outstanding role model growing up. You’re a good man, Leo.”
“You tell Ben that he better treat you right or he’ll have us to deal with,” Alex added, standing next to Max to show their combined physical might.
I grinned. My brothers were awesome people. “I’ll let him know. Speaking of—” I glanced down at my phone for the time. “I should get going.”
“You gonna be okay?” Max asked. “Do you want us to come over later? We can hang out, take your mind off things.”
“No, I...” I sighed. “I promised Ben that we’d talk tonight.” A real talk.
Since the Mangle scandal, those doubts had crept into my thoughts, whispers of what-if. I had to know, one way or the other, if what we had was real.
Max clapped me on the back. “Good. Get your answers, whatever they may be. We’re here for you.”
“Thanks, guys,” I murmured, grateful for my brothers’ unwavering support. “I appreciate you having my back.”
Alex dropped his arm around my shoulder, not something a lot of men were tall enough to do. “Of course, Leo. We’re always here for you, no matter what.”
twenty-five
Ben
