Slugger (Sequel to 'The Jet') Benny Rodriguez

Chapter 37

The day Benny officially stopped smoking would not be one you soon forgot, and the way he did it wouldn't be forgotten either.

Early in the morning, before the kids woke up for school, Benny brought you into the kitchen, unaware of how sleepy you still were.

He scooped you up and sat you on the counter, wrapping his arms around you for a tight hug. He tried to pull away for a second only ri realize you'd nearly passed out on his shoulder.

"My love, wake up I wanna show you something...."

You groaned into his chest as he pushed himself away from the counter, trying to keep you upwards. You heaved a heavy sigh, squinting your eyes as they opened against the bright light of the kitchen window. You rolled your shoulders back and stretched your arms behind you.

Benny had a cute little grin on his face. You always woke up the same way you had since the first time you'd slept over at his mom's place. He grew fond of the little morning grunts you'd make to alert him of your need to stay in bed, or the little scrunches of you nose when the alarm went off.

"Ben... it's really early." You looked over and saw how the sun was barelt over the mountains outside, the light coming throught the glass in straight beams of light that reflected off the both of you.

"I know, I just wanted to do this before the little ones woke up." He said, opening the cabinet behind me and reaching inside.

He pulled out a pack of Marlboros and  took your hand in his, placing the pack in your hands and closing your fingers around it.

"I'm done.... I don't need them." He said, his tone soft and a little somber. You took a moment to actually process the words in full, trying ti contemplate what he was really doing by putting that pack in your hands.

"Benny," you looked up at him with glossy eyes, the sweet gesture sent an elated feeling to your heart, spreading through your chest. "I'm so proud of you."

He leaned in and hugged you more, and you wrapped your arms around his neck like before, keeping him close so you could inhale his scent. He always smelled good in the morning, and his warmth was addictive.

"Thank you for being patient with me... I know it was hard for you." He whispered quietly into your ear, his voice cracking just a bit as he exhaled into your hair.

This man was truly the purest being you'd ever had the pleasure of experiencing for the years that you'd known him. The best friend you'd ever had, and the love of your life. No one ever came close to that of Benny Rodriguez. This was the man you were going to grow old with.

"You've been right by me this whole time... I don't deserve you." He muttered, squeezing you tighter as if he were afraid to let you go.

"Yes you do. You know you do." You replied with a smile. Of course he deserved you. There wasn't another soul on this earth that could ever need you like he did, and he was perfectly deserving to have you in every aspect.

"I know, it just doesn't feel like it sometimes." He chuckled, his laugh was breathy and soft, tickling your ear as it passed by.

"Tell me when it doesn't feel like it, and I'll remind you." You said, pulling away from the embrace to gaze into his tired eyes. Those damn eyes. Those gorgeous hazel brown eyes with the green flecks in the middle. Never changing from the day you met him.

"Yeah? How you gonna do that?" He leaned in dangerously close, and immediately both of us knew how this would end.

You didn't even repsond, just took initiative in leaning the extra dustance to close the gap, connecting your lips in a gentle and intricate kiss. It was so specific the way you kissed him, because you were trying to convey to him a certaim feeling. The feeling that made him feel as though he not only deserved you, but that you needed him. You need him like you needed air to breathe.