Page 136 of Crimson Promises
“What are you doing here, man? Did our workout this morning not tire you out enough?” I teased.
“Pfft, I handled your workout this morning with ease,” he said. “I had to come by to talk to Sully. I’m thinking of competing. I could use the extra cash.” He puffed his chest out slightly as he stared over my shoulder at Aurora.
I followed his gaze. She had turned around entirely now with a quizzical expression.
“I see why she’s had you tied up in knots,” he winked at me.
I was going to bludgeon him. Mat talks were supposed to be kept private. First, he spilled my secrets to Sully, and now he was showing my cards in front of Aurora that I wasn’t quite sure I was ready for her to see. Let alone what I felt. Wait until the gym heard about the night that he woke up cuddled with a sex doll on the fraternity’s back lawn.
He raised his eyebrows at my sudden smile. Sweet, sweet revenge.
I gave him a thumbs up in response.
Connor bypasses me to stand in front of Aurora, “I must apologize for the oaf's extreme rudeness. We haven’t had the pleasure of meeting before. I’m Connor, resident heartthrob of Arch Cape University and Epsilon Tau Sigma rivals of Alpha Phi Alpha.” He extended his hand towards her.
“Aurora James, it's a pleasure to meet you.” She responded with a firm handshake of her own. “I knew you looked familiar. Were you playing beer pong at the house party a few weeks ago?”
Connor sunk into a deep bow. “I sure did, milady. Though, you seemed to have my friend's attention enraptured from then onwards.”
I punched him in the balls. I hated his ridiculous attempt to speak like he was from the Middle Ages.
“Ben,” Aurora chided.
“Oh, my manhood,” Connor groaned. “What was that for?!”
“I think you know.” I placed my hands on my hips.
“So, how do the two of you know each other?” Aurora flicked her hand between the two of us.
“We met at the very house party you mentioned. He was my beer pong partner. Now I know what you thinking: that dark, broody, and dangerous man looks like he would rather crack the table in half and eat it rather than have the nimble abilities and finesse to sink the ball in the cup. But, let me assure you, we had a clean sweep against the campus’ golden boy, Riley, and his nefarious companion Derek.”
“I see, I was there?—”
“After that fateful night, a friendship as strong as the pyramids of Giza was formed. We were forever champions of the ancient and respected art of beer pong. Fate continued to shine on us as we once again found each other at Sully’s gym. Since then, Ben has used his superior muscles and boxing techniques to make me the Jedi to his Yoda and the Karate Kid to Mister Miyagi. It’s a relationship for the ages. You are a lucky gal to have caught the eye of my brother-in-arms.”
Kill. Me. Now.
“I know how lucky I am,” she had the gall to wink at me when Connor was grandly gesturing to the gym. Droning on about how our bond was further forged within these walls.
I shoved Aurora towards the door before Connor could notice.
The guy was like a wind-up toy. Once he started, you just needed to let him go until he sputtered out.
She crossed her arms over her chest and vehemently shook her head. Behind us, I could hear the steady thrum of the other boxers on the speed bag. It sounded eerily similar to war drums.
If it were up to me, we would have high-tailed it out of here by now. I retreated back a few steps and leaned against a pole. Might as well be comfortable. “This could take a while,” I mouthed to her.
Aurora shrugged her shoulders in response as if to say what can we do.
Connor clapped his hands like a teacher trying to get their class's attention. “My only ask of you, fair Aurora James, is you treasure and guard Bennett’s fragile heart. He hides it behind one-syllable words and intimidating stares, but he is a kind and gentle soul that needs love.”
“I don’t, Con," I grumbled.
He pushed his index finger against my lips. “Shh. I know you have been through much heartache, but this is your chance at happiness. I will not have you squander it by your refusal to be honest with yourself. As your best friend and companion through life’s journey, it is my duty to look out for you.”
I blinked repeatedly. It had been a long time since I had any sort of friend.
“Fair, Aurora, is that in agreeing to care for him, you must not return to the evil Riley. It causes my dear friend much anguish, and while he only wants your happiness. I can speak from many a year of witnessing his philandering ways. He does not deserve your hand nor, your heart, or other body parts. He sees you as a conquest to claim.”
