Page 76 of Broken By the Bad Boy

A ringtone cuts through the air. We share a glance when Olivia’s name pops up on his screen. The atmosphere gradually shifts, and I chew on the inside of my lips when Ben refuses to pick up the phone.

The call ends, and the phone rings almost immediately. “It might be important,” I hear someone say. Me. Ben lifts uncertain eyes to mine. He doesn’t want to upset me. “Just pick up already. Get it over with.”

Thirty-Six

I am pissed.

I text Mom to inform her I’ll be home later than usual. Ben is silent as I pull out into the streets. He has been quiet since Olivia called while crying on the phone. I don’t buy her fake tears one bit.

“She’s using you,” I tell Ben. I press the horn when the car in front of me doesn’t move. He sits up without a word. I know what he’s thinking, but I don’t want him to think that. She needs to stay away. “Are you not going to say anything?” He does that half-shrug thing, and I blurt out, “I don’t want you to go.”

“Don’t do that, Gracie.”

I punch the steering. “Don’t do what?”

The low growl that escapes him annoys me. I understand they might be friends, but someone needs to put Olivia in her place. If he won’t do it, I’ll have to. Why didn’t she call one of her dumb minions for help?

“She’s my friend,” he grits out.

“I’m your girlfriend.”

“Stop the car.” I step on the accelerator, pushing the car past its speed limit. “Gracie, stop the car.”

His voice holds no laughter. My chest deflates, and I take my foot off the pedal. My car slows to a stop by the roadside. Cars breeze past us as I roll down the window, and my fists clench and unclench.

I hate this.

I don’t want him to go to her house, and I only volunteered to drive because I don’t trust her.

Ben unfastens his seatbelt. He adjusts so he can face me, and I look out the window to avoid his gaze. The evening breeze caresses my face, sending my hair flying in all directions. There’s a tug on my shirt, and it grows urgent when I don’t turn. I slap Ben’s hands off me, and he plucks me out of my seat.

I bury my face in his chest, and my body sags in tiredness and frustration. My voice is a whisper. “When Olivia and Hayden were still dating.” Ben stiffens. Many people aren’t aware they dated. They met through me. “She cheated on him. I told him, and she got mad at me. Really mad. That’s why we don’t talk.”

According to Olivia, I should have confronted her first before reporting to my brother. As in, it’s what the girl code states. Her tears would have fooled me if I hadn’t caught her pants down with another boy. Hayden believed me because I was his sister, and then she confirmed it herself.

Ben tucks his hand under my jaw. My eyes are bright with tears that don’t fall, and his are big with concern. “I don’t think she’s lying this time,” he says. “Things have changed since then. She’s a better person now.”

“I don’t think so,” I reply and break away from the trance his eyes have pulled me into.

Ben fingers my hair. “People change, Gracie. Everyone deserves a second chance.” I hum in response. If he’s convinced she’s an angel, there’s no point in arguing with him. He hugs me. “Her parents are getting a divorce. It’s very messy, and she doesn’t want anyone to know.”

“Then why did she tell you?”

Ben is my boyfriend, not hers. She shouldn’t tell him stuff like that if she can’t tell everyone.

“Because I have experienced it. And it’s not something I would wish for anyone.” My heart softens a little. When he says it like this, it would be selfish of me to discourage him. “Please, let me go to her.”

Questions flit through my mind. I trust Ben. But I don’t trust Olivia around Ben. Once a cheat, always a cheat. She might try something funny with him. Ben’s sad gaze has me nodding in approval.

“Okay,” I whisper.

His lips collide with mine as soon as the reply is out of my mouth. He pours his appreciation into the kiss. I do well to match his energy, but I’m not fully present. If Olivia had called him in the middle of our date, would he have left? I push the thought out of my mind. He’s being a friend.

We resume the journey to her house. Once the car stops, Ben hurries to the entrance. He doesn’t need to knock because the door opens, and Olivia launches herself into his arms. His head subtly turns my way as if to seek my approval before his arms wrap around her. I think she’s crying.

I don’t realize I’m biting hard on my lips until the coppery taste of blood settles on my tongue. I lick my lips and press the horn. They jump apart. Olivia throws my car a look, then sends Ben a questioning glance. She’s about to walk back into the house when he drags her. He shouldn’t have.

Ungrateful bitch.

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