Page 3 of Beautifully Damaged

“Hey, Ben.” Charlie’s voice boomed like always. “It’s been a million years.”

Charlie had always loved to exaggerate. Ben had learned a long time ago to just roll with it. “It has. How have you been?”

“Good. Good,” he repeated like he didn’t know what else to say. “So, Ben. I need a favor.”

Ben bit back a groan. No one ever called out of the blue just to talk. They always wanted something, and it was never good. “What’s that?”

“I guess you probably heard the news about Joey.”

Even though Charlie couldn’t see him, Ben nodded. “I just saw the story.”

Charlie chuckled. “Well, you know Joey. He’s always been passionate.”

Ben swallowed a lecture about how grown people didn’t destroy hotel rooms. Stating his opinion would be pointless. He was no one. Instead, he went with a different truth. “I’m aware.”

Ben’s words were met with an uncomfortable silence. They both knew why he had quit. What Ben didn’t know was why Charlie had called.

Ben cleared his throat. “You said you needed a favor.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” Ben rolled his eyes at Charlie, repeating himself again, but he didn’t interrupt. Charlie cleared his throat. It was an uncomfortable sound. “I need a favor.” Ben’s eyes fell closed. In his heart, he knew this would be bad. No good could come of this much hesitating. Charlie cleared his throat again. “I guess there’s nothing for it but to say it. Joey needs a place to lie low.”

“No.” The word popped out with all the malice in his heart and before Ben could stop it from happening.

“It’s just for a bit,” Charlie said, pressing on as if Ben hadn’t already answered. “You know how the media can be. He’s got reporters camped outside every house and apartment he owns. People are doing whatever it takes to get a shot at him.”

“No.”

Charlie ignored him. “You’re in Colorado now. No one knows about your connection to him. He can sneak to your place with no one the wiser and just keep his head down. You know, get out of L.A. for a while.”

“No.”

“The pay would be good.”

Ben pinched the spot between his eyes. He couldn’t believe this was happening. Fuck. Funds had been running a little lower than he’d hoped since he ran for his life three years ago. He still had a year of school left. If he had to get a job during the school year, his grades would suffer. “How long?”

“Two weeks max.” The triumph in Charlie’s voice made Ben’s stomach churn.

With his eyes squeezed closed, Ben counted to ten in his head. Then he took a calming breath. “When will he be here?”

A heartbeat passed. “He’s waiting outside your door.”

Ben’s temper exploded. “Son of a… I fucking knew it. Every time. I get sucked into his bullshit every goddamn time.” Mid rant, Ben stormed toward the door. He yanked it open with so much force, he was surprised when it stayed on the hinges.

Baby blue eyes waited for him on the other side. “Hey, cookie.”

Ben hung up the phone. Joey sure as hell didn’t look like he had shown up on the news only minutes earlier, destroying a hotel room. He looked like he had stepped off a goddamn runway with his heavily painted eyes and multi-colored hair.

“Don’t call me that.”

Joey’s mouth lifted in one corner in a shy smile. “Do I get to stay?”

Ben had never hated anyone more.

The rage flashingat Joey from light green eyes was as familiar to Joey as his reflection. He saw those in each dream he had. For three long years, every time he closed his eyes, Joey remembered this exact look from Ben. It was pure hatred. Joey deserved every ounce of it.

For a moment, Ben stared at him in silence, openly fuming. Joey wondered if Ben would slam the door in his face. Finally, Ben turned away, leaving the door open behind him. Joey took it as an invitation. As he stepped inside the apartment, he tried to look anywhere other than the gorgeous backside leading him inside.

Ben headed straight for the kitchen and a coffee cup on the counter. When Ben didn’t toss the cup at Joey’s head, Joey stole a moment to check out the place. It was smaller than what he pictured Ben living in the past three years. There was a tiny living room with only a short wall separating the space from a minuscule kitchen. He could see inside the one bedroom from where they stood in the kitchen. The bed was unmade. Joey tore his gaze away from the sight and focused on Ben. That wasn’t a better choice. He still took up too much space. Ben’s wide shoulders and scruff-covered chin had Joey pressing a hand to his stomach. He wanted to run his fingers through Ben’s dark hair. Then those sexy green eyes moved Joey’s way again. The loathing was still there.

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