Again

Chapter 02

The bar of the venue was dim, cloaked in the soft glow of hanging lanterns, their golden light reflecting off the dark wooden surface. Soft, melancholic jazz drifted through the room, and couples swayed on the small dance floor, lost in the slow rhythm. Wayne and Ben sat side by side, their drinks placed carefully in front of them.

Wayne swirled the ice in his glass, glancing over at Ben. "So, how've you been?" he asked, curiosity tinged with something deeper—an ache for the connection they once had.

Ben smiled softly; his eyes warm. "I'm good. Better now that I've seen you. I missed you, Wayne."

"I missed you too," Wayne replied, his voice barely above a whisper. A short silence fell between them, punctuated only by the soft clinking of ice. Then Wayne, anxious to keep the conversation going, asked, "So, how's work been?"

Ben leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "I've been with this corporation for years now. It's steady, I guess."

Wayne forced a smile. "That's really great to hear—successful, as always." But inside, a gnawing insecurity twisted at his gut. "Why did I ask him that?" he thought, suddenly feeling small in comparison.

Ben studied Wayne for a moment, sensing the shift. "How about you? How's work going?"

Wayne hesitated, taking a long sip of his gin and tonic, feeling the bitterness spread across his tongue. "I'm in engineering... for this crappy clothing brand," he said, setting the glass down a little harder than he meant to. "Pay's lousy, and the work environment... well, it's toxic." His voice was bitter, a hint of resentment creeping in.

Ben raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you hate it."

Wayne let out a frustrated laugh. "I do. But I stick with it, you know? It was the only place that gave me a chance when I started out. But lately, there's been talk of layoffs. The company's going under. Bankruptcy."

Ben's eyes softened with empathy. "Look, if they shut down, you should come work with us. I could refer you."

The offer hit Wayne like a lifeline. His heart swelled with relief. "Really?" he asked, his voice brighter for the first time that night.

Ben nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Of course."

"Thank you... you're really my best friend." Wayne's gratitude overflowed, and before he could stop himself, he reached out and hugged Ben tightly. The suddenness of the gesture caught Ben by surprise, but he hugged back, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips.

Wayne pulled away, embarrassed but beaming. "Sorry, I'm just... I've been stuck for so long. It feels like I'm finally getting out."

Ben smiled but didn't say anything for a moment, watching Wayne with a tenderness that made the air between them feel warmer, more intimate. Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

Wayne blinked, caught off guard by the question. He shook his head, laughing softly. "Look at me," he said, his tone self-deprecating.

"I am looking at you," Ben replied, his voice low and sincere.

Wayne met his gaze, the tension in the air shifting slightly. "No woman wants to be with a plain, boring guy like me," he said, his tone casual but loaded with something deeper. "Except maybe Rhea and Esther, but they're just friends. Even my grandma wouldn't want to see me, and, well... she's dead."

The words slipped out carelessly, but the laughter that followed was hollow, a poor attempt to mask the growing unease. He took another sip of his drink, letting the burn of alcohol drown the lump in his throat. Ben watched him, his expression soft, concerned, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't the answer Wayne needed.