Page 39 of How We Loved

Once we’re in and buckled, I pull up Instagram and post the picture Dad took.

“Look how cute we are.” I hold the phone out to Ben.

He gives me the stink eye. “Better if we matched.”

“Yeah, well, you can find yourself a girlfriend next year to match because I’m taken.” I do a little dance and give him a cheesy grin, to which he sighs and turns his attention back to the road.

We pull up to the party, but before I get out of the truck, my phone dings with a text from Trevor.

Please don’t post pics with other guys.

My heart sinks as I stare at his words. I never thought about that, but he’s right. Ben’s not my boyfriend. Trevor is.

I text back.

Sorry. You’re right. I won’t do it again. Old habits. ;-)

“What’s that about?” Ben asks.

I quickly swipe up my Messages app and put my phone back in my purse. “Oh, nothing.” I put on a happy grin. “We going in or what?”

He narrows his eyes, then huffs as he gets out of the truck. I do the same and head straight into the party that’s being held at a fellow classmate’s house instead of waiting for him to come around the truck to greet me. I figure I probably shouldn’t be seen entering with him, too, for the same reason I shouldn’t be posting pictures of us together anymore.

“Maya!” Natalie yells as I enter, and I head straight for where our crew is hanging. “Where’s Ben?”

“You mean Waldo?” I tease as he comes up behind me.

“Why did you take off like that?” Ben asks me before he slaps hands with the guys in their way of saying hello.

I shrug, acting like it’s not a big deal. “I’m supposed to find you, remember?”

Marcus calls Ben’s attention to something else, so I go sit with Natalie, Susie, and Ashley.

It’s not long before Ben comes back up to us, picks me up, and places me on his lap, like he’s done a thousand times before. Only this time, I hop up just as quickly as he maneuvered us.

“No, Ben. I can’t do that anymore,” I state.

He holds out his hands to the sides with a confused expression covering his face. “Do what?”

“Sit on your lap like that. I have a boyfriend now.”

“You’re joking, right?”

I glance around to the other girls to gauge their reactions.

Thankfully, Natalie speaks up. “She’s right. How would Dalton feel if I sat on your lap right now?”

“But you’re you, and she’s Maya. This is what we always do. That’s the difference,” Ben says, defending himself.

“Not anymore,” I state with my hands on my hips. “And I haven’t always. When you dated Michelle, I didn’t sit on your lap. She did.”

He gets up with a huff. “Whatever.” He shakes his head. “Here, give me your jacket, and I’ll put it in the bedroom so it doesn’t get lost.”

I close it tight over me. “It’s fine. I’ll keep it on. Thanks though.”

“And not show off that costume you’re so proud of?” he asks, knowing me all too well.

“I’m cold. Don’t worry about it.” I grin, hoping he believes me even though it’s getting pretty hot in here with how many people are packed in this place.

---