Page 89 of Beyond the Lines
eighteen
DECLAN
Ben Mitchell is afuckingdead man.
The thought explodes through my mind like napalm, burning away everything else—the party, the music, the scattered cards on the floor, and everything except Lea sitting there in her underwear as BenfuckingMitchell stares at her with the smuggest grin I’ve ever seen.
I’d been having a good night until ten seconds ago. Pizza with Linc and Maine, then pool at O’Neil’s where I ran the table three games straight. I was headed home when Linc convinced me to swing by this party so he could “accidentally” bump into some girl from his math class.
“Come on,” he’d said. “Thirty minutes, tops.”
Now here I am, frozen in the doorway while my vision narrows to a tunnel focused entirely on Lea. The rational part of my brain is desperately trying to understand what I’m seeing. I know Lea doesn’t do this kind of thing. But it’s happening, right in front of me, and I can’t process it.
I knowexactlywho Ben Mitchell is. Everyone on campus knows Ben Mitchell. Senior on the swim team with more redflags than a Chinese Communist Party parade. Keeps a literal tally of freshmen conquests in his dorm room—a fact that’s somehow become a twisted point of pride rather than the disgusting behavior it actually is.
I’ve had a good week since that moment in the bathroom—worked out some things in my head, gotten my game back on track on the ice, and even managed a breakthrough with one of my paintings.
I even thought I had a handle on this whole Lea situation. I’ve given her space, because she needed it, but also texted her to tell her I’m free and willing to talk whenever she’s ready—either at our project meet-up tomorrow, or sooner.
I’ve even planned exactly what I wanted to say when the time is right.
But seeing her like this with him changes everything.
Ben finally notices me, his eyes meeting mine over Lea’s head. There’s a flash of recognition, then satisfaction. Like he’s won something. He actually has the nerve to smirk at me, then lean in closer to Lea, who still hasn’t turned around.
That’s when Lea finally turns, her eyes widening as she sees me. For a split second, something like panic flashes across her face before it hardens into defiance, a look I’ve seen a few times from her in the past few weeks.
My throat goes dry. Even as anger churns through me like acid, I can’t tear my eyes away from her. She locks eyes with Ben, unhooks her bra, and exposes her chest to him and everybody else.
She tilts her chin up, shoulders back, and refuses to cover herself even as he—and I—stare at her. She’s beautiful—all smooth olive skin and perfect curves—and the sight of her hits me like a punch to the solar plexus.
“See something you like, Andrews?” Ben calls out, and I swear I almost black out from rage.
I take a step forward, not entirely sure what I’m planning to do but knowing it involves Ben’s face and my fist in very close proximity. Thankfully, Em jumps up between us, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around Lea.
“OK!” she announces, way too brightly. “I think we’re about done with cards for tonight!”
Lea clutches the blanket around herself, but finally she turns to look at me, eyes blazing. Suddenly, the girl I’d planned to lay out my feelings to is glaring at me like I did something wrong. Like I’m interrupting her good time.
And maybe I am.
But I wantherto choose.
To be with me, or not. But she shouldn’t have the choice made for her by a douchebag who’s clearly plied her withwaytoo much booze, to the point where even her friend Em is clearly worried about her.
Fury bubbling in the pit of my stomach, I shoot a glance at Linc that says ‘cover me’, and he nods back. I know he’s got my back if anyone tries to interfere, and with that confidence I stride over to the sofa that Ben and Lea are sitting on.
Ben stands up, stepping protectively in front of Lea. Like he has any right to protect her from anything. “You got something to say, Andrews?”
“I do.” I take another step forward. “How about you pick on someone your age for once?”
“Jealous?” Ben laughs.
“Of you?” I scoff. “You know she’s Mike’s sister, right?”
His eyes narrow and he backs up a step. “Oh, shit…”
“I can make my own decisions.” Lea snaps, standing. Theblanket is wrapped around her like a towel, but it doesn’t hide the angry flush on her chest and neck.
