Page 9 of New Neighbor

“Yeah. I’m good.”

Just as Mac grabbed the knob, guys’ night popped into his rattled mind. “Oh wait.”

Mac paused and turned to stare.

“My friends and I are doing a guys’ night on Friday. Dinner and then we’re headed out to Jackson Street for a few drinks.”

Mac smiled. “Jackson Street?”

“There’s a couple of blocks of bars, clubs, and pubs… a little this and that for everyone. They even have the streets blocked off, so we can roam back and forth with no traffic.”

“Sure. I’m game.”

“We can share a Lyft over?”

Mac nodded. “Yeah. What time?”

“Dinner’s likely around eight… so ready to leave about seven-thirty?”

“I’ll be ready. Just knock when you are,” Mac said before grinning and heading out.

Benji stared down at his hand, turning off the water.

Unable to stop smiling.

A date.

That’s not a date.

* * * *

Friday night…

“How’s the hand?”

Benji turned to look at Mac’s face from the backseat of the Lyft. He lifted his hand a moment. “All healed up, thanks.”

“Good.”

“How was the appointment with your new boss?”

“It was nerve-wracking,” Mac admitted. “The superintendent’s office hired me… so I had no idea how I’d fit in the school or with the principal.”

“It was good?”

“I think so. The principal was military herself. Army, but I can forgive her that. Next comes the kiddos. Hopefully I survive them.”

Benji grinned. “Sounds like you need a night out to celebrate before facing the enemy.”

Mac chuckled. “The enemy? That’s not intimidating. Not at all.”

“Most of the kids are pretty easy, especially at that age. Although you always get a little asshole here and there.”

Mac laughed out loud. “I’m sure.”

Benji turned, staring at Mac’s profile. He could listen to that laugh every day for the rest of his life. He swallowed back some of the desire racing through his veins and turned away as Mac’s head spun in his direction.

“And what do you teach?”

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