Page 104 of Give My Everything
They stay on me.
“It just…all seems rather quick, and I’d hate for you and Ben to face something difficult that makes your relationship feel like you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into.”
I nod, trying to stay neutral but wishing desperately that Calvin would lean the other direction, or just get off the couch and go away.
“It has been fast,” I say, and then from across the room, Ben catches my eye. Just like that, something settles in my chest. “But when you know, you know. Isn’t that what they say?”
I watch as Ben rounds the bed and walks toward us, his eyes staying on mine until he’s right in front of us.
Only then does he look at his father.
“Excuse us, dad. We’ll be heading out.”
Calvin stands, still wearing his suit from the day and looking completely unrumpled. Unlike most fathers who’d look like they’re falling apart as they wait to get news on their sick daughters, Calvin looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Happy, even.
He places a hand on Ben’s shoulder.
“Make sure you answer next time I call you, hmm? We have something important to discuss.”
And then he grins at me, the deceptive glint in his eye enough to make me wish I could sink into the couch to escape from him. He turns and strolls from the room, not acknowledging anybody else before he goes.
Not even his daughter, who’s lying sick in the hospital bed.
Ben watches as his father leaves, but then he returns his attention to me. He drops down so he’s squatting in front of me, placing his hands on my knees.
“Are you ready to go?”
I shake my head. “Don’t feel like you have to leave because of me. Stay as long as you want. I can stay too, or I can go. Just tell me what you need.”
He stays where he rests in front of me, his eyes searching mine with a soft expression before he surprises me by leaning forward and placing a kiss on my lips.
Unlike our previous kisses, this one isn’t lustful or needy. It isn’t wrapped up in the hope that something sexual is coming down the line.
This kiss is intimate and affectionate, and it squeezes at my heart in the best kind of way.
“Ivy’s good for now. Let’s go home, get some food, and rest, and then we’ll come back tomorrow.”
I squeeze his hand. “If that’s what you want.”
We both stand and walk over to Ivy’s bed, Ben slipping between her and their mother to lean over and kiss her forehead goodbye.
He signs something and she furrows her brow, looking over at me then back to Ben.
When she says something in response, everyone laughs.
“What’s happening?” I ask, keeping a smile on my face.
“Ben said you’re here with him,” Hannah answers, “and Ivy asked if you and Lucas finally realized you don’t belong together.”
I laugh, looking at Ivy, who is now looking at me. “You’re perceptive,” I say out loud, watching her eyes dip to my mouth as she reads my lips. “It’s good to see you, Ivy, though I wish you were feeling better.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything, and I take that as my cue to leave the family behind.
I wave my goodbyes, not wanting to draw anyone’s attention, and then slip out the door, waiting for Ben to say his own goodbyes and join me.
As I stand in the hallway, my mind falls back to what Calvin said to me before Ben walked up to us, about me not knowing what I’m getting into.
It’s left me feeling unsettled.
