𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 | 𝐁𝐗𝐁

ＴＨＩＲＴＹ ＳＩＸ

"Oh my god Ben, this is a really cool scarf!"

Remember when I thought it was a bad idea to take Matt along when I was picking out a gift for Kate? The bastard must be good at this. Kate loved her gift, but buying an expensive Rolex from her in exchange for a small scarf literally embarrassed me. Although I loved how much she cared about me, this gift involved a significant amount of money and I didn't want her to go through any trouble for me.

"This is so expensive, Kate..." I said, looking at the watch on my wrist. "You didn't have to do this."

"Of course I had to, this is our first year!" She sat back in the restaurant to take a sip of her wine.

Meanwhile, I examined the watch on my wrist. It had a brown leather strap and a large silver dial. Something that screams how expensive it is in every way. I loved it, but I was sure I'd never seen it for as much money as Kate paid.

As my eyes focused on what time it was, I shifted uneasily in my seat. One hand caught Kate's hand, which was grazing on the table, and I took it in, kissed it, and grinned, "If you don't mind, I want to go for a run tonight. When we get home."

"Are you going for a run?" Kate looked at me like I was a creature from outer space, "Ben, you don't work out. What's wrong with you?"

"Just..." I leaned back, averted my eyes as I played with my napkin, and grumbled, "A little health never hurt anyone. And look at you, you're the fittest woman I've ever seen. I want to look good next to you, honey."

Pig. You're a big liar, Ben. You are a terrible person. You're sitting here with your own girlfriend, counting the minutes until you throw yourself into the arms of your sister's boyfriend. What kind of person does this make you? I was also in love with Kate. I should be. I think I am. I mean, I love her... So why am I so impatient to leave her at home and run to another man on our first year?

I realized that I was freaking out because there was some truth to Matt's theory on this. Am I in love with Matt? Don't be ridiculous, Ben!

Meanwhile, I was startled by the phone vibrating in my pocket and got up from the table and said something to Kate that I needed to go to the toilet urgently. As I expected, when I walked in I saw that it was Matt. Thank goodness I managed to get myself to the toilet before he called. Kate didn't have a weird habit of checking my phones, but still... 

I replied quietly, "What happened, Matt?"

"Wow, I missed you too," he quipped, "That was a really warm welcome. Anyway, I'm calling to see if you're coming for a run tonight."

Something in his voice immediately softened me. I leaned my back against the wall as a wide smile spread across my face, "Of course I'm coming."

"This is great." There was a brief pause, during which I could hear him giggling with delight, "God, I missed you. I... I don't want to insist, but have you been able to talk to Kate about the Vermont thing?"

I had completely forgotten about this. Wait, do I want to be at a cabin in Vermont with Matt? With my sister and girlfriend around? It is already impossible for us to spend time alone there. But on the other hand, my heart was beating so fast every time I thought about it. Spending time with him... There were many things we could do, like fishing, chopping wood, or going for a run. Then no one will suspect us. 

And god, being alone with Matt... I can't wait to jump on him. Moreover, the good thing was that no one could pressure each other. Matt continues to date my sister, I continue to date Kate, and that puts us both on equal footing. If one of us burns, the other follows him to hell. So, what's there to lose?