Page 11 of Broken By the Bad Boy

“Sounded? I’m a wise man, babe.” I arch a brow and open my locker door. Ben crowds into my space, his head poking into my locker. “An erudite. A sage. The most sagacious human present.”

He sounds like a magician casting spells for a bad luck potion.

Armed with the books for the day, I shove them into my backpack. We head to Ben’s locker as the first bell rings. I continue like we never left off. “Stringing big words together doesn’t make you wise, Benjamin.”

The front of Ben’s locker is not as plain as mine. There are logos of the school team plastered on the door. He leans on the door without opening it, and a dark look shadows his face. I prepare.

“Who’s disputing my wisdom, you? What do you know?”

My jaw slacks. I wasn’t prepared for that. “You… you expired coupon.”

“What?” Ben roars with laughter. My grin is automatic. I rub his belly, and my hands slide up to touch his pecs. I love it when he laughs like this. “Where did you get that one? Did you have to Google it?”

No. We had some at home, and I had to toss them in the trashcan. “Maybe? Not really, no.”

He steals a kiss from me. “What other ones have you got?”

“Wet sock. Pillock. Used condom. Spider.” I really hate those creatures. I list random insults off my head while Ben watches like I’m the sage. “Oversized sweater. Potato. Unripe pineapples.”

“I kind of like expired coupon more. And if you intend to render me speechless, that will work.”

“Okay, my expired coupon.”

Ben gives me a thumbs up, his lips flashing in the briefest of smiles. Yeah, my boyfriend is perfect. He shuts his door, and I jump back. Olivia stands on the other side. How long has she been there? She glares at me. I glare back.

“Benny? Can I talk to you?” Olivia says. Her eyes drop to his midriff, and she scoffs. I’m not sure what comes over me, but I fold the hem of my shirt twice to reveal only a peek of skin. Her finely carved eyebrow lifts. I expect a retort, but she’s quick to mask her annoyance. “Benny?”

“Hey. Liv,” he says. “Ben. You know it’s Ben. Call me Ben unless you are Gracie.”

I have no control over the smile that flies to my lips. Ben motions for Olivia to speak up. I take a step back and stick out my tongue at her. Yes, I’m seventeen and childish. Sue me.

“Okay,Ben. Benjamin, can I talk to you in private?” she whispers. She tries to touch him, but he jerks out of reach. I place a hand on Ben’s lower back, and my fingers drum on his skin. I will be late for class. I swallow my gaze once Olivia’s head turns to me. Does she know we are official?

“Like now?” Ben replies. She nods. “It can’t wait? I’ve got to take Gracie to class.” After that, he has to get to his own class. Why can’t she talk to Noah or whoever she is currently shagging secretly? Still talking, he places his hands on my shoulders and nudges me forward. “Maybe later?”

We walk away without waiting for her reply. When we are alone in the hallway, I stop.

“Why do you always hang out with her?” I ask.

I count four doors away from my class.

“Liv?” Ben says. I school my features into a mask before turning. Arms crossed on my chest, I nod slowly. Ben smiles. “Liv is chill. She’s like that annoying little sister who never goes away.”

A sister he kissed in front of everyone.

“Gracie,” he says. His fingers sweep under my jaw, tipping my head back. His blue eyes pierce into my browns. I didn’t realize I said that out loud, but I won’t take it back. “That was then.”

“I’m just saying,” I mutter.

His thumb traces the curve of my upper lip, and he sighs. “Liv won’t be bothering you.”

“She had better not, or I’ll slap her with a wet sock.”

Ben barks out a laugh. Even after we part, his laughter continues to ring out in my head.

Five

BEN

---