Ben stirred as he heard his name called.
"Benny?"
Ray's voice again. Ben opened his eyes, but Ray wasn't where Ben was expecting him to be. Instead of lying next to him, Ray was kneeling beside the bed.
As Ben's eyes focused he could see that Ray was fully dressed. "What's going on, Ray?"
"I just got a call from the task team coordinator. The drugs are being moved from the warehouse, so it looks like the bust is going down."
Ben looked at the clock. It was only a little after 3:00 a.m. "Now?"
"Yeah. I guess drug dealers don't keep office hours."
"All right. You get them, Ray."
"That's the plan." Ray started to rise, but Ben grabbed his arm.
"Ray. Be careful."
"I will Benny; I promise."
"Okay," Ben smiled up at him.
Ray ran a hand over Ben's hair and gave him a kiss. "Go back to sleep now, baby. I'll call you later."
"All right, Ray. I love you."
"I love you too, Benny."
Ben watched Ray leave the apartment, then rolled over onto his back with a sigh. It was funny how empty a bed could feel. And how lonely.
Ben ran his leg over the mattress next to him. Ray's side of the bed was still warm. Ben lay there for a minute, gently stroking the mattress; then he rolled over.
As his head hit Ray's pillow, Ben paused. The pillow was still warm, too; and Ray's scent clung to it.
Pressing his face more closely into the pillow, Benny fell back to sleep, a soft smile on his face.
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