Page 18 of Falling for the Forbidden
Chapter Six
My mind racesand my heart pounds as I wait to hear Ben come home. Dad crashed his way up to bed not so long ago; he’s probably passed out by now, so I know the coast is clear.
Grabbing my phone, I quickly type him a message.
Come back. Please. It’s safe.
I stare at the screen for ages, but it never shows that the message has been read and I get no response.
Breathing out a frustrated sigh, I turn over once again, trying to figure out what the hell my dad’s issue with him is. As far as I’m concerned, Ben’s done nothing wrong since the day they were first introduced, but then I’m always kept in the dark. Even living here, I feel like everything important is discussed when I’m out of earshot. It’s frustrating as hell.
I’ve almost given up hope that he’s going to reappear when I hear his footsteps creaking on the stairs. Holding my breath, I wait, hoping he’ll come to me like he did last time. But when a door clicks open, it’s not mine.
I force myself to wait a whole minute before throwing my legs over the side of the bed and getting up.
I knock on his door just to be polite, because what I really want to do is storm in and demand some answers.
When he doesn’t answer, I push the handle down and invite myself in. The second my eyes land on him, I panic. He’s too focused on filling a bag full of his stuff to notice my arrival. My heart picks up pace at the thought of him leaving.
Wasting no time, I race over and place my hand on his forearm. He flinches before dragging his eyes over to me. He looks exhausted, the deep frown line between his brows showing how much of a toll my dad’s putting on his life.
“Ben, I—”
“I can’t do this, Lauren. Just walk back out and pretend you didn’t see this.”
The sadness in his voice guts me.
“No. No way. I won’t let him push you away like this. This is your home. It’s where you belong. Your business is where you belong.”
He casts his eyes over my shoulder, his expression dropping even more, if that’s possible. “This isn’t my home. It’s just a place I stay to try to protect those I love. The business hasn’t been mine in a long time. It never will be. It’s time I accepted my life for what it is and try to do something about it.”
“No, please,” I beg, ducking under his arm that’s still holding on to the bag on his bed. I slide up his body, and the spark that I’m becoming to expect when we’re together crackles between us. “You’re better than just running from this. You’ve got more here than you think. Can’t you feel that?” I ask, my heart pounding with fear that I’m the only one with these crazy feelings.
His eyes flash with awareness and an acceptance that, even if he opens his mouth and denies it, I know he’d be lying.
“I can’t, Lauren. You deserve so much better than what I can offer you.”
“Bullshit,” I bark. “Do not believe any of the crap my dad tells you. You are so much more than he thinks. Don’t run from him. Prove who you are.”
“Don’t you think I’ve tried? I have, time and time again. I’ve done everything I thought was expected of me, but still…he’s taken everything and turned everyone against me.”
“No one’s against you.” I think of Jenny and everyone at work. Sure, they don’t all sing about how wonderful he is, but they certainly like him well enough.
“You so sure about that?”
“Yeah, and my dad…he’s just being protective.”
Anger fills his eyes. “I told you to shut yourself in your room tonight.”
“I don’t always do what I’m told, Ben. It’s time people started learning that I’m an adult who can make my own decisions. As soon as Dad’s sobered up, I’m going to talk to him about tonight. I’m—”
“Don’t even think about it. You coming to my defence isn’t going to help my case.”
“But—”
“There are no buts here, Lauren. He won’t accept this.” His eyes drop to where we’re still pressed up against one another. “He’ll never accept this.”
“So, who gives a fuck what he thinks? Who made him God?”
