Page 92 of Just Enough

Once we hung up, I stood and went in search of Dad. It was a slow day at the dealership, so it was just him and me working. I found him on the phone with the bank trying to get this family approved for the SUV they wanted.

When he ended the call, he plopped down in his seat looking through the papers he held in his hand. “What’s up?” he asked me.

“Mom said you had something to tell me?”

He looked up at me and nodded. “Yeah, been meaning to talk to you about it.” I walked toward his desk and sat down in the chair in front of it. “You know the big dealership we have in Charleston?” he asked me.

I nodded. “Yeah, isn’t that actually our biggest besides this one?”

“It is. As of last week, it’s been without any management. The guy quit, and I sent Tom up there for now, but I plan on going up there and staying until I can get some help.”

“Okay…?”

“I wouldn’t have to do that if you’d take it off my shoulders.”

“You mean permanently?” I asked, surprised. “That’s two hours away or more.”

“You have no kids or responsibility right now, Benjamin. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to find a home and get out from underneath my thumb.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his stomach. “You and Emily can pack up and leave and start a life together.”

His words sent spasms to my heart. I couldn’t fathom the fun it would be to take Emily and see how much more we could be together. At the same time, I was uneasy because I couldn’t see Emily picking up and just leaving with me. Her dad was the first thing that entered my head. She already hated him living alone. How could I ask her to leave him and move across the state with me?

“We’ve only been together two weeks,” I managed to get out. “How could I even ask her? Besides, the fall semester is about to start for her.”

“Junior, you two were living together before you even got together. You’ve always been close with Emily.” He got me there, but it didn’t make me feel any easier about it. “Just talk to her about it. For now, I’ll go up there and stay. I’ll be back the weekend after this one since your mom wants me home for my birthday.” He smiled warmly. “But, that will give you both time to think about it. If not, then I’ll start looking for someone else.”

“Thanks,” I replied.

“She’ll want to go.” He was trying to assure me.

I still didn’t feel any better because I made a trip to the hospital once I got off work and confronted Roger about leaving Emily alone. I had a feeling he would this time. I wasn’t sure what Emily would think about me going to visit him, but I couldn’t handle the idea of him aggravating her any longer. Even before she was mine, I always ended up doing things like this because of her. She depended on me then, so hopefully, she’d let me take care of her now.

Besides, there were coincidences and there was asking for trouble. He was trying to steal her back. Like I’d let that happen.

Chapter 34

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Emily

Something was wrong.I knew Benjamin like I knew myself. Since I came home from work last night, he was quiet and wrapped within himself. Whatever it was, had him trapped inside his head and it bothered me. He had brushed it off when I had asked him what was wrong.

I wondered if maybe his mom brought up Roger being at Crash’s.

One thing was for sure, he kept me in his arms regardless of what was bothering him. He cocooned me with his masculine scent and warmth and laid with me all night, not even budging his arms to give me room to breathe. And when morning came, he didn’t let me out of bed until I was underneath him, writhing and pulsing around his rigid length before he left for work, delving his tongue so far into my mouth as a goodbye, as if to make sure I’d miss him more than I already did when we were apart.

I went to the bathroom and cleaned myself up before I laid back down once he was gone. I told myself I’d lie around a little longer before I headed to the college to sign up for my classes.

I swore, I stayed so blissed out on Benjamin that I couldn’t remember what life was like between us before two weeks ago, before we were sharing our bodies. I couldn’t imagine the devastation of never having him like I do now. Just thinking about it made me want to tear up.

I kept him in a place he shouldn’t have stayed in. With me, beneath me, above me, or inside me, those were all places he belonged. As my best friend and my lover.

The fierceness in the way I loved him frightened me. I loved Benjamin for so long until one day it was a new love—an earth-shattering, soul-crushing one.

We loved each other in every way.

So why did he not want to tell me what was wrong?

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