Page 33 of Loved By The Bad Boy

My flask crashes to the floor.

In the silence, the sound of my flask meeting the staircase is louder than ever. My embarrassment grows as the flask rolls down the stairs. They pause. I pause. It’s official. I want to be buried alive. We stare at each other like deers caught in the headlights, and I manage an awkward wave.

This was not the plan.

Going after the flask means greeting the whole family. I don’t like that option, so I create one on the spot. Escape. I make a fast turn, all plans to explore totally forgotten as I race up the stairs.

A familiar voice calls out to me. “Tessa.”

Instead of turning around to confront my fears, I make a dash for my room. Fuck this.

“Tessa, stop running. I miss you.”

Damn you, Asher.

Because Asher is cute and doesn’t deserve to be punished for his big brother’s sins, I stop at the curve of the stairs with my back to him. That poses no problem for the little man. He slows down in front of me and climbs one step forward, so we are almost at the same height. It takes seconds for him to catch his breath, but a smile remains on his lips like a plague. My heart skips when he hugs me. I am reluctant to wrap my arms around him. What are they doing here in New York?

Asher looks up at me when I don’t return his hug. “You don’t like me again. Why?”

“Of course not. I still like you, Champ.” Because you are not Ben. He grins, and my arms go around his back. When I let go, he slides his hand into mine. No, please. “I’ll always like you.”

“What about Benny? Do you still like him?” My shoulder lifts and falls. “You don’t like him again?”

This is why kids should never be allowed to host any show. They are too forward.

“Maybe.” He gasps, and I quickly add, “How’s your girlfriend?”

“She’s fine. We didn’t do our double date again. Are you coming back with us?”

I look over my shoulder, wishing Ben will come save me from his brother. My hesitance returns when Asher attempts to drag me down the stairs. I don’t want to meet the rest of the family. The last time I saw them, I was Ben’s girlfriend, now I’m not. I don’t want any of that awkwardness, but Asher doesn’t seem to get the memo. He pulls me down two stairs before I force him to stop.

The Carter family appears in my line of view. I gulp hard when I catch the whole family trying to act like they haven’t seen me. Josef and Maddie do a better job of pretending to talk to the receptionist, but Ben is full-on staring. Our eyes meet, and he snaps out of his trance. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something to me, but I avert my gaze, and he takes that as a sign to walk up to me. My heart beats faster with each step he takes forward. I need to leave.

“Gracie.” His sneakers are the first things I see before my gaze sweeps up to his face. My flask is in his hand. I accept it with a grim smile, and a thick wave of nervousness rolls over us. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he bounces on his heels. “Hi, Gracie.”

“Hi, Ben,” I reply.

“Nice top,” he says.

It’s a crop top and can’t go past my bellybutton, but I still tug it down. What’s wrong with me? We have been around each other for over two weeks now, and I have never been this nervous.

Asher looks at me, then at Ben. “Benny, she still likes you.” That was not what I said. Grinning, he takes my hand, and I ball it into a fist to avoid him linking my fingers with Ben’s. He groans, stomping his foot like the kid he is. Ben doesn’t interfere. “Stop fighting already and makeup.”

What does he know? I don’t want to be with someone who considers me a second option.

“Champ,” I start. “I need to—”

“I miss you,” he cuts in. “I miss Benessa. Ben and Tessa, get it?”

No. I refuse to get it. Ben spares me another long glance. His brother hugs me tight one last time and runs off, leaving us to settle our differences. But I don’t want to settle. I want to move on.

Throwing one look in his parents’ direction as if expecting them to join him, Ben says, “We are going out to eat in a few minutes. Do you want to join us?” I am about to shake my head when he murmurs, “My mom keeps asking about you, Gracie. Even Josef. They miss you. We all do.”

He should have thought about that before picking Olivia. They can eat with her. They did it once and can do it again. She’s already friends with his entire family. “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”

A sigh escapes Ben, and my gaze drops to my feet. Eventually, he will take the hint and leave me the hell alone. Seconds roll by, but none of that happens. He is still here. The distance between us evaporates when he steps closer. My breathing grows ragged, and a soft gasp leaves my lips as my back connects to the wall. I don’t want to be affected by his presence, but my toes curl when he licks his lips. My hands flatten on his chest to push him away, but they remain there.

“Ben, I don’t want to join you.” My voice is shaky. His lips are so close to mine, and his breath fans my face. Panic seeps in. My eyes dart everywhere. “I’m not hungry, Ben. Just step back.”

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