Page 65 of Broken By the Bad Boy

Thirty-One

Ben is still not answeringmy calls.

My mood is not any better as I flip the pancakes. I want to march to his house, pull him by his ear, and kiss him after shouting at him for putting me through this torture. I dish the pancakes into two plates, squirt some syrup on my plate, and add blueberries to the side. Mom likes hers plain.

The bell rings as I set the kettle to boil. Mom’s head pokes into the kitchen. She mouths, “Get the door.”

She disappears before I reply. We have been busy sorting out our boxes, some of which we are yet to unpack because no one wants to go through the stress of repacking when it’s time to leave.

I grab a carton of fruit juice from the fridge and set it on the tray I carry to the dining room. I am famished. I need strength for the conversation I will have with Ben. After breakfast, my next stop is his house. The bell rings a third time. I wrench the door open, and my breath slams into my chest.

He came.

“Benny.”

The miniature Ben beside him screams, “Tessa!”

Asher launches himself into my arms, and I stagger. My eyes remain on the handsome boy at the door. Ben doesn’t return my smile, but I’m too glad about his presence to be bothered by his attitude.

Ben enters. I hold my breath as he looks around the living room. There are some boxes yet to be taken up. Mom will do it herself. He passes me one glance and looks away to Asher, who clings to me. I run my hand through Asher’s hair. At least one of the Carter brothers still loves me.

“Hey, Champ.”

“Hey, Tessa.” He bats his long lashes, and I giggle. He’s so innocent.

The corners of his beautiful eyes crinkle as his lips spread into a smile. Why can’t Ben smile at me like this? I guide Asher to the couch and sit beside him. Ben may have been here a couple of times, but this is Asher’s first day in my house. We hear Mom’s voice from upstairs. She has been on that phone call since I got out of bed, and I am almost sorry the plans didn’t work out.

“Benny said you’re traveling,” Asher tells me.

I glance at Ben. He’s staring at his feet, but I know he can hear us. I palm Asher’s cheeks and wiggle my brows. “Yeah. But there has been a change of plans.” His eyes light up with interest, and Ben shoots me a look as my lips lower to his younger brother’s ear. “I’m not leaving today.”

Asher’s eyes widen. I slap a hand over his mouth so he doesn’t spill our new secret. “Don’t tell Ben,” I whisper. He nods and makes a crisscross sign across his heart. I notice his outfit for the first time. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Yeah. Two of us. We are going to Josef’s house.” Asher spares his big brother a glance, but Ben doesn’t hide the fact he is glaring at us. If Asher likes Josef, maybe their stepfather isn’t as evil as Ben claims he is. “Do you want to come with us? Mommy wants to meet Benny’s girlfriend.”

Ben scoots to his feet. “No. Mommy never said that,” he says as he drags Asher away from me. He looks everywhere but at me. “We wanted to wish you a safe journey. Have a nice flight, Gracie.”

His thoughtfulness renders me speechless. It’s the little things like this that make me fight so hard for us to be together. The anger building inside me crumples, and I force myself to my feet.

“Wait,” I call out to him when he takes the first step toward the door. He stops. Asher throws me a wary look over his shoulder, and I flash him a reassuring smile. I slide my hands over my face. I’m freaking out here. I bridge the gap, leaving only an inch of space between us. “Can we talk?”

Ben shakes his head. “Please,” I add.

Asher retracts his hand from his brother’s, and I give him a thumbs up. I love that guy.

“Benny.” I stop in front of Ben and curl a finger under his jaw. His dark circles are too telling. He allows me to hold him, and I slide my arms around him in a hug. “You didn’t pick up my calls.”

Still rigid in my embrace, he answers, “I was upset.”

From my peripheral view, I see Mom coming down the stairs. She sees both of us and pauses. I flash her a grateful smile when she takes Asher with her to give us privacy. My boyfriend is not leaving without getting a proper explanation from me. Plus, I want to meet his mom and Josef.

Holding him at arm’s length, I pout. His stoic expression doesn’t change, and I almost laugh.

“You promised you wouldn’t be mad.”

Ben frowns. “That was an impossible promise, Gracie.” He holds my gaze captive, and guilt rolls down my body. I fucked up. He backs away from me to sit on the couch I vacated. “You tricked me.”

I follow behind to sit on the armrest. “Are you still mad?” Ben’s chest heaves. He runs his hands over his knees and shrugs. I lower myself to the couch and take his hand. Tears crowd my eyes without falling. “Benny. Please, don’t be mad at your Gracie. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

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