Page 52 of The Fine Line
“Bennett,” Dad says, instantly smoothing his tone. “Good to see you, son. How are you?”
Bennett doesn’t answer. His eyes stay locked on me. I can’t meet them.
“There a problem here?” he asks.
“Course not,” Dad says, patting my shoulder before letting go.
I blink and swipe the back of my hand across my face. Didn’t even realize there were tears.
“That was a good game you played tonight, son,” Dad adds.
Bennett looks at him. “I’m not your son, Mr. Sutton,” he says quietly. “But Rhett is. And he played a good game too. You’re lucky you got to see it.”
Dad stares for a beat before his lips curl into a tight smile. His phone buzzes—some woman’s name flashing across the screen. He doesn’t bother hiding it.
“Excuse me,” he says, and walks inside without a glance back.
I stare after him, already knowing I won’t see or hear from him again before he leaves.
“Hey,” Bennett says softly. “You good?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
I force a smile. He sees through it, but he doesn’t push.
“I’m gonna head home,” he says. “Want to come?”
I want to say yes. But I know when we get there he’ll just go into his room and call Julia. And that’s fine.
But I don’t want to be alone right now.
“No. I think I’ll stay awhile.”
Bennett frowns but nods. He knows.
“Alright. Call if you need a ride.”
“I will.”
I won’t.
I hit the bar as soon as he leaves. Drink until my thoughts blur. Flirt. Joke. Pretend I’m fine.
But within the hour, it all crashes back—harder.
I stumble to the balcony, phone in hand. Scroll until I find her name.
It rings. About to give up when?—
“Hello?”
“Baby,” I murmur, smiling faintly.
“Um… what? Hello?” Carly shouts over noise. “Sorry—one sec.” A door slams. “Sutty?”
“Hi.”
“Hi… what’s going on?”
