Page 123 of Daring You

32

Astor

When I leaveYang’s office, I expect to go straight to Ben, blubber the great news, go have fantastic sex somewhere semi-public—since we seem to like doing that—and then go break the news to our friends that we’re an item.

A busy day, but nothing we can’t handle. At least for now, the danger meter pointing toward Ben is at an orange. Which, he’s the first to admit, has been his constant state of alert since his Ryan counterpart was given a voice.

As such, great news should be celebrated with great sex.

We’re okay, Ben. Holy shit, we’re okay.

Too bad for me, I forgot in order to get to Ben, I’d have to pass Mike.

He shoots up from his cubicle like a tailored weed, and it’s all I can do to keep my heart from ramming against my ribcage a second time.

“Jesus, Mike.”

“Enjoyed that, did you?” he says. Despite the chest-high fabric wall of the cubicle between us, he leans in close.

I sigh. “Enjoy what, Mike? Didn’t you hear the reaming out I got from Yang?”

“You set me up,” he spits. So violently, I take a step back.

“I didn’t do any such thing.”

“Leaving that kind of paper trail on your computer, pointing it straight at your fuckboy. That was your last ditch effort at humiliating me, huh? So I’d bring it to Yang and what? Look like a retard? You fucking bitch.”

Next door, Taryn turns, but I hold a hand up. I got this.

“Listen, you dickless prick. I’ve been done with you the minute I kicked you out of our apartment. The last thing I’d do is expend any effort on making you look bad.” I pause to look him up and down. “I worked hard for that information, which was farther than you ever got. And yeah, I was wrong. And rather than make it out as a set-up, how about you just admit the fact that even while making mistakes, I’m still smarter than you.”

The sound of Taryn’s claps make Mike go red in the face. “I am so glad I—”

“Oh, I know, Mike. You’re so glad you realized your ways and didn’t marry a dried-up hag of a woman who, even with a cold vagina, could still make you come hard. And fast.”

He peels back his lips.

“Looks like we both come out winners,” I say. “Goodbye, Mike.”

It’s hard to believe I settled for him, believing I couldn’t do better. That he’s what I deserved. It feels good to face him down one final time.

Taryn lets out a little whoop! But I’m already striding away, so she can’t see my smile.

“At least I don’t run back to a dude who could only fuck me on a dare!” Mike shouts.

I hitch my stride. Don’t turn around. Don’t give him the pleasure—

“What do you think he’s getting out of it now, huh? Gotta be something, to have a stiff like you wrapped around his finger. If it’s not to protect his identity, then what?”

The prickle of anger spreads at the corner of my eyes. Don’t turn around.

“Have a nice, empty life, Astor.”

His voice fades, but not his words. They sink into my conscious as a stark reminder that yes, Ben could be using me to keep himself safe.

Could I blame him? It’s his life, after all. His family.

I scrunch my eyes shut and breathe out before I hit the lobby. Despite the painful, possible truth, I won’t give Mike any clue of just how close he’s coming to a spiteful reveal of Ben’s secret past, even now.

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