Page 24 of Falling for the Forbidden
“But why doesn’t he want you staying there—”
I watch as the penny suddenly drops.
“Lauren, who’s the boy you’ve met?”
Staring at her, I bite down on the inside of my lip. Once I say his name, I’m not going to be able to take it back. I’m terrified that Mum will think less of me, or won’t approve—or worse, have the same opinion as Dad about Ben.
“It’s…”
“It’s…” she prompts, her eyebrows almost at her hairline.
“Ben,” I whisper, looking down at the floor and cringing as I wait for her reaction.
“Jesus, Lauren,” she breathes. When I look up, she’s swallowing a giant gulp of wine. Her eyes find mine and I’m surprised when I see them crinkle with amusement at the sides. “NowI see your issue. Does your father know?”
“No. He already hates Ben. I overheard an argument between the two of them last night. I’ve never heard Dad like that before. He threatened to kill him if he so much as touched me.”
Mum slouches back in her chair as she digests all this information and takes another sip of wine before she speaks. “Lauren, you’re a bright young woman. I know you didn’t come here for me to give you the ‘but he’s your stepbrother’ speech. I have every confidence that you’ve considered every angle of this situation and don’t need a lecture from me. Having said that—” I can’t help the groan that falls from my lips. “Are you sure he’s worth it? Because I can guarantee you that when this gets out—and it will, you mark my words—all hell’s going to break loose. I’ve no idea the goings-on in that house or their relationship, because I’ve tried my best to take a huge step back, but I do know there are issues, and I’ve no doubt your Dad’s controlling streak is probably to blame. He wants what’s best for you, and he’s not afraid to bulldoze his way through others to make that happen.” Mum’s face saddens and I know all too well that she’s talking from experience. “So, I’ll ask again: Is he really worth the consequences of what happens when your father finds out what’s been going on under his own roof?”
The silence stretches out between us as images of our time together run through my head. My insides flutter as I remember how he makes me feel when we’re together, when he touches me. “Yes,” I state. “He is.”
“I remember what it was like to be young and in love,” Mum says with a dreamy look on her face.
“I never said I was in love with him.”
“No, but you’re my daughter through and through, and looking into your eyes right now, it’s like staring into a mirror and seeing the eighteen-year-old version of myself.”
“What would you say to her now?” I ask, knowing exactly what happened with the man she fell in love with at only eighteen.
She chuckles to herself before trying to form her answer. “I’d love to tell her that she’s young, foolish, and doesn’t know what love is. But, in reality, your heart doesn’t care how old you are, and it also doesn’t have a crystal ball. So, the man I thought was my knight in shining armour turned out to be a cheating control freak, but I know plenty of people who are still very happily married to those they met as a teenager. My first love might not have turned out to be the man of my dreams, but he gave me many things, one of which I could never ever regret.” Taking my hand, she stares at me through teary eyes. “If I had my time again, I think my advice would be to love as hard and as much as you can while you have it. Life is unpredictable and you never know when it might be taken away from you. You have to trust what your heart’s telling you, Lauren. If you don’t, you risk making a mistake you could regret for the rest of your life.”
Chapter Eight
Mum’s wordsrun through my head all evening. It’s almost a distraction from the fact that I know I’m not going to see Ben tonight. He told me earlier that he was going to stay away, and I’ve no reason to think he’s changed his mind, as much as I might want him to.
After unpacking everything I bought earlier in the day, I run myself a bath, pour in the luxury bubbles I picked up, cover my face in a mask, and try to relax. Ben never said the words, but I’m assuming he’s intending to go all the way this weekend, and I want to be as prepared as possible.
I scrub every inch of my body, shave and wax every hair I can find, and spend forever perfecting my eyebrows and nails. If I had more time, I’d get them done professionally, but this weekend has been kind of sprung on me so this will have to do.
It’s long past midnight when I eventually get into bed. Just thinking about having a whole weekend alone with him has my heart pounding and excitement coursing through my veins.
I lie there, tossing and turning, but the anticipation of what the next few days might hold, plus listening for him to come home, stops any sleep I was hoping to get from coming. So much for being rejuvenated for tomorrow.
My body must have given up at some point because, when my alarm goes off the next morning, I almost jump out of bed in fright. I’m usually awake before it, so this is unusual.
It’s not until I sit up that everything comes back to me. Butterflies take flight as I try to imagine what it’s going to be like…Just the two of us doing whatever we want to do.
I sit there for way too long. I can’t believe what time it is once I come back to myself, and I end up rushing around as I get ready to leave for work. It’s only early, but already the heat of the summer morning has me melting as I run around, trying not to be late.
Dad’s car has already gone when I look out the window. I debate driving myself so I can be home faster, but if I can’t get parked, it’ll be a nightmare. Deciding the best thing to do would be to get the tube, I slide on a pair of ballet pumps, pull my bag over my shoulder, and set about leaving the house. The next time I’m here, it’s just going to be the two of us.
I get a knowing smile from Erica when I make it to the office, but thankfully the day passes without her saying anything. Dad spends a few hours locked away in his office before making a show of packing up while everyone else is busy. He can be a real arsehole when he wants to be. I’ve often wondered what my mum saw in him when she was only eighteen. Whatever it was, she clearly fell fast and hard if her words to me last night are anything to go by.
“Are you all set for the weekend?” he asks when he stops by my desk on the way out.
“Sure am.” I smile sweetly at him, hoping it’s enough to convince him that I won’t be spending the weekend doing unspeakable things with his stepson. The reality of it almost has me laughing, but I manage to keep a lid on my emotions.
“I fully intend to check in with your mother later today to make sure.”
