Page 15 of Break Me
Four
These condos are expensive.I know because my dad offered to pay rent for six months if I wanted one but warned me I’d have to put in my part after that because of how ridiculously priced they are.
But they’re nice.
I sweep my eyes over the foyer with marble floors, the plush cream carpet beyond, everything neat and tidy. And it smells new in here. This is Riley’s place, Benji had said. How the hell does she afford this?
She leads me into the kitchen, more marble floors, black appliances and cabinets, a large island with bar seats. She nods to one, indicating I should sit. I put my purse on the floor and hop up on the seat, drumming my fingers on the table, wondering where Benji is.
“One vodka soda with a dash of cranberry juice,” Riley announces, pushing the drink toward me, then turning to put the cranberry juice back in the fridge.
“Thanks,” I say, taking a sip and wincing. I don’t drink much, not since drinking was part of the reason I failed last semester. Okay, maybe all of the reason but whatever.
Riley comes around to sit beside me, picking her own drink back up from the counter. It’s dark, whatever it is.
“This is a nice place,” I say, looking around, taking another sip.
“Thanks.” Riley glances down and tosses back her drink. She looks embarrassed for some reason. I’m still not so sure there isn’t more going on between her and Benji than either of them let on.
And as if he’s reading my mind, I hear footsteps behind us and I turn, seeing Benji walk in from the open plan living room. He nods in my direction, heads for the fridge and opens it, pulling a can of beer out. He snaps the top, closes the fridge door with his back. I see Riley glaring at him. For a second, everything feels…weird. I wonder what I would’ve walked in on if I had slipped in here.
I feel my phone vibrate in my dress pocket as Benji turns around, resting his elbows on the island, across from me and Riley.
“Sorry,” I mumble, pulling my phone out and checking the name. I’m not exactly attached to my phone, but with Mom not doing well, I never want to miss anything.
But it’s not from Dad.
It’s Dumont.
Coming?
We’d never finalized any plans back in his classroom, after he told me the news about his divorce. And I’m still not sure how to feel about it, so I don’t answer, just slip my phone back in my pocket.
When I look up, Benji is smirking at me.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he says. “Care to share with the group?”
Riley smacks her hand on the island. “Don’t mind him,” she says, sounding pissed. “He isn’t trained yet.”
I flash a grateful smile to Riley and pick up my drink. “Are you two roommates?” I ask, gesturing between them.
Riley snorts, and she’s looking at Benji with a wicked smile. “No,” she answers me, gaze slowly turning to meet mine. “Benji lives across the hall.”
“Been friends a while?” I venture in between sips of my drink. Tess was annoyed I cancelled our gym session, but when I told her it was to meet Riley and Benji, and not Dumont, she perked up about it. I kind of wish now I’d asked her to come here, but Benji didn’t indicate this was a party, and, well, it’s not.
Benji takes a pull from his beer and straightens, his palms flat on the marble island. I see a rosary tattooed around his forearm. Nothing unique, but it’s kind of…dark. There are what look like bones where the beads should be.
“She’s engaged to my best friend,” Benji answers. “And,” he cocks his head, looking at Riley, “she’s grudgingly become my best friend, too.”
“Aw,” I tease them, “so sweet.” I glance at Riley’s hand and realize I missed the big ass black diamond on her ring finger. Now that I’m staring at it, I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. “Holy shit,” I say, whistling. “Can I see that?” I’m only good with clothes, but even I know this must have cost a fortune.
Riley smiles and lifts up her hand, and I take it in mine, setting my drink down.
“That’s beautiful,” I murmur. I wonder how her fiancé feels about her hanging out with his bestie, but it’s not really my place to ask.
“Thank you,” Riley answers, putting her hand back in her lap. “What about you?” she asks. “Do you live on campus? What’s your major?”
“I live with my parents,” I say carefully, glancing up at Benji to see his reaction. He just stares back at me, impassive. “I’m uh…General Studies.” I drum my fingers on the island. “I was supposed to graduate last semester,” I blurt out, “but…” I shrug. “I didn’t.”
