On Purpose

Prologue

———James———

Friday, June 7th, 2019

"I can't believe it's really Ben," Marcus said in wonderment as he peered through the curtains at Anthony climbing into Ben's truck. I sighed as I watched Anthony square his shoulders with obvious tension the moment the truck door shut. I really did owe him for this.

"Since when has that been a thing?" Marcus said, turning to me. My heart did a full summersault as he looked at me, which was an extreme escalation from the little flutters that I'd been experiencing the past few weeks.

"Since the second day he was home," I said as I looked away with an uncharacteristic amount of bashfulness. "That's kind of why I came up here, for emotional support."

"Fuck, really? I can't believe I had no idea," Marcus replied with one last look out the window as Ben pulled away, seemingly oblivious to my newfound nervousness. "Well, I'm glad you did," he added and stepped toward me. I let out a shaky laugh as he took my hand.

"Really?" I asked skeptically. My stomach sank as I looked away from him.

"What do you mean?" Marcus replied with a frown.

"I mean— having a female mate would probably be easier, and— fuck, I am really sorry about the gym, I totally outed you, which was not cool. Plus, my family is going to be really awful, and—"

Marcus cut me off by pulling me into a gentle kiss, and— holy fuck; I understand why Anthony was so undone after his first date with Ben now. It felt electric, like... well, like fireworks. My knees literally went weak.

"Fuck, I have wanted to do that for weeks," Marcus said softly as he pulled back. "It'll all be ok, James. I promise. I'm happy."

"I... uh, wow, ok. Can we sit?" I said a little breathlessly. Marcus laughed and nodded. I followed him in a haze to the living room. Marcus sat down next to me, and it felt like sparks were flying off my skin wherever he touched me.

"Sorry, this is, uh... intense," I said with a shaky laugh. "I don't understand how Anthony managed to shut the door in Ben's face when he first showed up."

"He shut the— Gods, that is so on brand," Marcus said exasperatedly. "It seems like it's working out now, though?"

"Uh, I mean, I think so. I don't think it's a fully realized bond, though, and Ant... spooks easy," I said, trying to explain without revealing anything Anthony would want me to keep confidential, which was essentially everything. Marcus nodded, seemingly understanding of my Herculean plight.

"I, um... I really am sorry. About the gym. I didn't— I wasn't thinking," I said as I averted my gaze again. "I didn't mean to out you in front of your friends."

"I mean, yeah, it wasn't ideal, but at least it saves me the hassle of figuring out how to tell them," Marcus said with a shrug. "The guys are cool, and Kevin's already sent me three congratulation texts." I must have looked unassured by that because Marcus squeezed my hand and added, "It's ok, really. The, uh... the pull of the bond is pretty potent. So, I get it."

"Yeah, it is," I agreed with another shaky laugh. "I still feel really embarrassed, though."

"I mean, I told you I stole your jacket," Marcus reminded me. "Gods, you have no idea how freaked I was at first when Ant showed up wearing it. I thought the smell was him for a second."

"Gross," I said, wrinkling my nose.

"Tell me about it," Marcus said with a laugh. I averted my gaze again as I cleared my throat.