Page 65 of Falling for Him
“Why are you asking me this?”
I lift my gaze to meet Kendall’s once again. “Several nights over the last couple weeks he’s been unreachable. He told me twice last week that he got held up painting the master bathroom at his place, but I know that was done already because he had me help pick out the color for the painters. Then Monday he said he had a headache and was gonna head home, but when I talked to Adley a little after eight she said he wasn’t home yet.”
I can feel tears stinging my eyes as I say it all out loud; it only makes me more nauseous.
“Then last night he showed up after Camryn texted him. It was late and when she asked him where he was he said he was at his parents’ house. But I’d been on the phone with Anita earlier and she and Buck were heading to town to meet friends for dinner. Then after Bennett read to Camryn he came to bed andtold me he’d gotten tied up helping Finn at the store unloading a shipment that arrived late.”
“What did he say when you asked him about all this?”
“I haven’t asked him,’” I confess.
“And why?”
I shrug. “I guess I’m too afraid to hear the truth.”
Kendall once again holds my stare, before reaching out and squeezing my hand. “If you want me to be completely truthful, no I don’t believe Bennett would cheat. He is a lot of things but that is not one of them. Bennett is and has always been loyal, he would never hurt you or Cam that way. He adores the two of you. But I still think you need to talk to him. I am sure there is a good reason behind this.”
“A good enough reason for him to lie about where he’s been?”
“The only reason Bennett would ever lie is if whatever he was doing was benefitting the two of you somehow.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Bennett
“You have a big problem.”Kendall doesn’t even say hello when I pick up the phone. “Like huge.”
“What problem?”
“Oh the fact that Lexi just stopped by acting really strange and when I convinced her to go with me so I could grab something to eat, she cracked. She thinks you are cheating on her.”
“Cheating.” I almost trip over my own feet as I walk up the sidewalk toward Camryn’s school. “Where the hell did she get that? Cheating, are you joking with me right now?”
“You weren’t too good about keeping your stories straight. Nothing has lined up with where you’ve been. You’ve painted your bathroom three times, you’ve been at your parents’ house, but they weren’t home. Adley confirmed you weren’t home even though you told Lex you were. You’ve made a real mess.”
“Shit,” I mumble as the front doors of the school open and several kids come rushing out.
“Shit is right, fella,” she adds. “You better figure out how to fix this and fast, she’s trying to see through the bullshit, but she is slipping fast. Told her to ask you and she said she is too afraid of the truth.”
My chest grows tight.
“Listen Bennett, I know you wanted to surprise them, but I think you need to be honest with her. She’s gonna love the idea that you are doing this either way. You’re so close, but I don’t think you can hold out any longer.”
“Bennett,” Camryn yells barreling toward me.
“You are at the school?”
“Yeah.” Camryn collides with my legs and wraps her arms around them, hugging me tight.
“How was school?”
“Tucker Rhoades ate his glue, Jacob Samuels, he ate his boogers. Both disgusting, and I couldn’t eat lunch after that. Why are boys so gross?” Camryn asks, making me laugh.
“Keep thinking that, sweetheart,” I say with a smile.
“Kendall I’ll take care of it,” I assure her and we say a quick goodbye. Camryn and I continue to talk about her day and all the gross and fun things she encountered. I listen, I talk out every scenario with her, but the entire time my chest remains tight, like someone is squeezing me and making it hard to breathe.
When we get to my truck, I buckle Camryn. “What do you think about calling Lexi and asking her how her appointment went?”
