Page 51 of Ruined Promises

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

My ass is going numb sitting out here. “Hey, I gotta go. Thanks for the heads-up.”

“Sorry it wasn’t better news.”

I shrug as if she could actually see me. “Love you.”

“Love you, too,” she says softly.

I hang up the phone and stare at the ground, trying to gather my thoughts. I am so focused on the pebbled stone that I don’t notice the front door to Ben’s town house open.

“Hey, what are you doing out here,” he asks from behind me, startling the shit out of me.

I clutch my chest. “Fuck, you scared me.” Ben helps me up and places a quick kiss to my lips.

“I’m sorry. I saw you through the glass and was wondering what you were doing sitting out here.”

“Oh, Brynn called while I was walking up the stairs, and I guess I just got distracted for a moment.” He leans in for a second kiss; when I turn, my nose brushes against his skin, and he jumps back.

“Holy shit, your nose is cold. What do you say we get you inside and warm? Dinner is almost ready.”

“So, where’s Asher tonight?” I take a seat at the island stool, and Ben pulls our dinner out of the oven.

“I don’t know. Out with friends, supposedly. He was gone before I got home from work.”

“Have you met any of his friends?”

Ben eyes me curiously as he plates the enchiladas. “Come to think of it, no I haven’t. They don’t spend time here. Mainly out other places.”

An o forms on my lips.

“Why so curious?”

“No reason.” I shrug nonchalantly, hoping that he buys it. “He just never seems to be around.”

“Yeah.” He leans over on the counter. “Sometimes I wish that he had the same drive as you for being so young—that he could focus on preparing himself for the future and not focus on where he’s going to party next or who will spread their legs for him.”

Ben and I both wince. That was definitely more information then I needed, but I see a change in Ben’s stance and behavior as he continues.

“I don’t know. I know that being raised by your brother and not your parents would have its ramifications, I just hope that I wasn’t too hard on him or not hard enough on him. There wasn’t a fucking manual handed when I became his guardian.”

I’m off my chair so fast, I wonder how it didn’t fall. I spin Ben in my arms and for once cage him in. Of course, our sizes are so different that it’s not the same effect as when he does this. “Hey, you did a great job given the hand you were dealt. No one asks for that. You did the best you could. Maybe one day, Asher will realize it, too.”

“How did I get such a brilliant girlfriend?” He makes a quick move of swapping our positions.

“You’re just lucky, I guess,” I respond with the cheesiest smile on my face.

* * *

I’m walking back to my office when I spot Asher walking toward the elevator. He must have stopped by to talk to Ben. Had Brynn and Cal actually seen him with Dominic?Maybe they just saw him with someone who looks just like him. By the time I get to the elevators, the door has already closed.Fuck.I decide to take the stairs, nearly tripping on my way down. I follow them down to the underground parking garage. When I reach the door, I yank it open, partially out of breath. I see Asher is walking towards his Audi.

“Asher,” I shout.Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Well, if it isn’t my brother’s little woman.” He leans against the car, crossing his ankles and arms. “What can I do for you?”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, my dick is bigger than my brother’s.”

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