Page 22 of Hold On Me

Work. I’ll fucking bury myself with work, prepare for tonight’s game, and hopefully I’ll come up with a plan on how to fix this shitshow and get some caffeine later.

13

BEN

It’s later, Precisely four hours later and I have no plan. I’m screwed. Not only am I still uncaffeinated, but I’ve also not eaten anything since yesterday. My stomach's growling and I’m too worried to leave my office.

I own the fucking building,

I’m a multi-billionaire.

I’ve squared off against the world’s most influential and powerful businessmen.

But I’m fucking terrified of my assistant/crush outside.

Pathetic.

A knock on the door whips my head up as a grinning Jenson enters, carrying takeout from the Nelson’s bistro. I could bloody kiss him.

“I came to check in on Buttercup, but she's not here, soyouhave the pleasure of my company. I hope you like grilled cheese, cause that’s what you got.” He plops the bag on my desk and slumps himself into the sofa behind me.

“We call them cheese toasties in the UK, and I’m more than fine with them. I’m starving.” I rip open the bag, dig out the sandwich, and take a bite. As the melted cheese hits my tastebuds, I groan in pleasure.

“Yo, dude, don’t make sex noises when we’re in here together. If I get caught slumming it with you I’d look bad. Plus, if Angie hears any rumours about us, I think she’d try and get me to act them out. And you know I can’t say no to my kitten.” His grin is wide as he waggles his brows at me suggestively, but I ignore him, swiping his drink off the coffee table and taking a sip. “Hey, that’s mine. You have boundary issues.”

I splutter the water all over myself and him as I laugh incredulously. “Ihave boundary issues? You practically kidnapped me and forced me to agree to come to Brady family poker night or else. You’ve invaded my personal space on numerous occasions, and you thinkIhave boundary issues for taking your drink? I’m thirsty and haven’t been able to leave my office all morning.” I sigh and lean back in my seat, taking another bite of my sandwich.

“Why not? And you have a cup of tea right there. Drink that.” Jenson narrows his eyes at me and places his now empty container down. The man inhales his food, but what do I expect? He grew up in a household with two brothers and Penelope. I’m assuming it was a fight for survival when they were younger.

“I can’t. Penelope made it for me.”

“Is this because of your weird British rules about how to make tea? Because, dude, I swear it tastes the same even if the water is microwaved.” He rolls his eyes and lets his head drop to the back of the sofa.

“No, it’s got nothing to do with that. But who the fuck microwaves water for tea? And why? Surely Angie doesn’t let you get away with that shit?”

His head shoots up to look at me. “Angie drinks coffee. Edie and Jaxson had this argument, so I tested the theory for them. I was trying to be a peacemaker, but it tastes the same. Edie refused to believe me and said I was siding with Jaxson becausehe’s my brother, which is stupid because I’d rather side withherto drivehimcrazy.”

He shrugs his shoulders, staring into my eyes, daring me to challenge him. Jenson is a formidable man, and when he puts his quarterback glare into place, he can be very intimidating. But it doesn’t work with me. I’ve seen him drunk and singing Tay Tay songs while wearing a Swiftie top. The man’s a giant pussy cat, but luckily for me and the Spartans, the other teams don’t know that.

“You know that’s bollocks right? I’m tempted to get Edie’s number off Angie to let her know you’re all nuts.” I finish the last bite of my food and take another large gulp of his water before throwing the paper sandwich wrapper into the rubbish bin.

“Whatever dude. Why didn’t you drink the tea then?” he asks after a couple seconds of silence.

“She made it after I pissed her off,” I offer as a means of an explanation.

Thankfully I don’t need to elaborate as he laughs loudly. “Oh fuck. You’re in so much trouble. But also, what did you do to piss her off?”

“Like I’d tell you.” I scoff and fold my arms over my chest, glaring daggers at the tea cup.

“I might be able to help. I mean, I’ve only known her my whole life.” He shrugs casually and I wish I could strangle him just once.

“I accused her of flirting her way through the office.” I wince slightly as he sucks in air through his teeth.

“Why did you do that?” His normally playful tone is gone, replaced by a menacing big brother one.

“I, erm, may have been a little jealous.” My chin drops to my chest as I admit the feelings I don’t want to say out loud but know I have to.

“I don’t care whether you were jealous or not, that’s not okay. I should bitch slap you all over this office.” He stands up and towers over my head as I settle back in my chair to accept my fate. “I won’t because I like you. But don’t do it again.”

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