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Obviously Ben wouldn’t want that either, and now he could see the logic

Brad motioned with his hands in the way he always had when he was passionate about so it’s not too late Damn it, you’re not dead! We’re not that old yet Find joy, Ben Be a father Go after it! You’re thesorry for yourself and grab your future by the horns What are you waiting for?”

Ben opened and closed his ood answer

Hands falling to his sides, Brad said, “I don’t want us to pretend to be friends We shared our lives for twenty years I don’t want there to be nothing left of that I realize that’s easy for me to say at this point But I’ll always care about you and want you to be happy”

Jerking his head in a nod, Ben sed hard

Brad’s cheeks puffed as he blew out a long breath and tapped his phone again “Okay, I just have to ask you some questions Ready?”

Ben thought of Jason down the hall His sweet smile with a dimple in one cheek, and the way his hair curled at the ends His utter dedication to Maggie, the loyal, beautiful love filling Jason’s heart

“Ready”

Ben bolted up, staring around at the hotel roo sun He’d only stretched out on the bed for a , a towel around him Had there been a knock, or was it in his dream?

No, there it was again, insistent Rap-rap-rap He flew out of bed and tossed the towel, stepping into the loose boxers before unlocking the door and flinging it open Jason stood there with his fist raised to knock again

“Oh, thank God You weren’t answering your phone I just…” Jason shook his head “Shit, I’ you I’ll let you sleep”

“No, no I’ie okay?”

“Yes She’s fine Playing games with another kid on the ward I didn’t want to leave her, but when you didn’t answer… I don’t even knohy I orried” Jason looked down at the phone clutched in his hand “She insisted I go, and I don’t want to sht? They proet back”

“Come in for a minute” Ben stepped back and ushered Jason inside “I’m sorry to worry you I must have been passed out hard” He strode to the bedside table and grabbed his phone “Or er and then didn’t actually plug the charger into the outlet Not htest move I’m sorry”