Page 89 of Enemies with Benefits

“Nope! I told him they looked exactly like the ones I saw in health class. Then I told him it’s a sign he has too much estrogen, and he’s going to grow breasts.”

Bridget chokes on her seltzer. Hannah almost falls off her lawn chair. “He was so mad, he put his shirt back on. It didn’t help that all the guys chimed in. Eventually, Ben left, and it was alongtime before he took his shirt off again.”

“Aw, poor Benny,” Stacey says.

“No ‘poor Benny.’ He was horrible to Mak.”

Stacey looks over at me, sympathy in her gaze. “I know. I remember a few times. Those boys.”

Yeah. . . those boys. It doesn’t shock me they’ve all stayed so close this long. I always admired their devotion to one another. Strong bonds. Forever friendships.

I bring my focus back to the pool. As I search out Ben, he raises in the water, his pecs flexing as he reaches out and palms the volleyball over the net. He truly is a beautiful man. I think back to the comment he made before ditching me behind the shed.Good thing you love me that way.I was thankful he turned around quickly and didn’t catch my deer-in-headlights expression. Was I that obvious? These feelings have been brewing for some time now. I wonder if they’ve been simmering since I was thirteen.

Watching him maneuver in the water only validates my feelings. His tanned chest is on full display. His chiseled jaw accentuates his perfect smile. And those eyes. They alone have me crossing my legs to squeeze my thighs together. What’s scary about this all is he’s right. And I’m not sure how to process that information.

Parched, I take a sip of water and set my glass next to my chair. “I’m going to head to the bathroom. Anyone need anything?”

“No. I’m gonna get in the water. Come in when you get back.”

I lift my bandages. “Can’t. Restricted. But I think I can take most of the bandages off and get in on some Band-Aid action soon.” Hannah frowns. I wave her off and get up. I steal one last look at Ben, but he’s already staring at me. My breath hitches at the way his heated gaze sears through me. I’m ashamed to admit my nipples poke at my thin dress. Before I make a scene, I break eye contact and hurry into the house.

* * *

Ben

I spike another volley over the net, which lands between Levi and Kip. God, I’m awesome at this game. “Last point and you pansies lose,” I holler as Levi tosses the ball over to me. I can’t help but steal glances at Makayla. I know she’s teasing me with her dress hiked up all the way. Every time I look over, she lifts her legs, giving me a peepshow of her pink panties. I really hope she knows what kind of game she’s playing. When I get her home, she’s going to get a thousand times more than she’s bargaining for.

My eyes drift to her again. She’s staring back, but her smile isn’t fully reaching her eyes. “Heads up!” I holler, palming another ball over the net. Levi dives for it, volleying it back to me. I sail it over, and Kip lands a solid spike. The ball soars over the net. I dive for it and miss.

“Point this!” Levi yells.

“Dude, you have one job—to win this for us,” Chase mumbles and snatches the ball, tossing it to Kip to serve. I aim my attention at Mak. She smiles, but something’s off.

“Coming your way, fire boy,” Kip yells as he serves. I hardly have time to set myself before the ball cannons over. When Chase barely moves, I dive again and miss it.

“Dude! What are you doing?” Chase gripes. I can’t keep my eyes off Mak. “We literally had this game!”

“Timeout,” I say, then swim to the edge. I lift myself up along the edge of the pool. “Hey, you good?”

Her face is suddenly pale. “Yeah, fine. You suck, by the way.” Her jab is barely audible.

“Ball!” Chase yells, and the volleyball lands in Makayla’s lap, knocking the water out of her hand.

“I said fucking timeout!” I yell. I turn back and climb out as she grabs her stomach. “Hey, you okay?”

“Fine—”

Turning, she leans over the chair and vomits. “Mak.” I race over to her. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t feel—”

She pulls away, her chest heaving with another round of convulsions.

“Oh my god! What’s wrong?” Hannah runs over.

“Makayla.” Jenny is down next to me. “Here. Give her some water.” She tries holding the water up to her lips, but Makayla knocks it out of her hand. “Honey, the water will make your stomach feel better.”

“No, no water. I just need to—”

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