Page 41 of Loved By The Bad Boy

“Even if it’s something awful?”

“I’ll try to convince you,” he replies with a grin. “And if I can’t change your mind, then maybe.”

“Benjamin!” Mom thunders.

Ben jumps out of the bed. I hurry to adjust my nightgown over my thighs. Mom’s eyes are heavy with disappointment as she takes in my position, and the tent in Ben’s shorts doesn’t help matters.

She points to the door. “Get out.” Talking will make it worst, so I shut it. Ben opens his mouth to speak, but she cuts him off. “The next time I see you around my daughter, I will call the police.”

“Mom!” I toss her a pleading look, but her finger points to the door. Ben offers me a sad smile and starts for the door. “Benny, wait. Please.” But he hesitates for a second and leaves. I turn to my mom, my fists clenched at my sides as I yell, “We were just talking, okay? Talking, Mom.”

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me, young lady. That wasn’t talking. That was something…” My chest heaves, and I stomp my feet on the floor. Parents are so annoying. Mom’s hand sweeps over my outfit, and her annoyance becomes more obvious. “You were talking dressed like this?”

My nipples are large beady dots poking the fabric of my nightgown, but I still say, “We were not doing anything, I swear. Even if we were, Ben wasn’t doing anything I didn’t want him to do.”

“Stop talking, Tessa.”

“Why? Kids my age are having sex.” Mom blanches. I’m not the type to talk back at my mother, so she’s stunned speechless, but I have more to say. “You and Dad were having sex at my age.”

“We are leaving,” Mom all but growls at me. Storming to the door, she opens and slams it shut.

Seventeen

I am grounded.I didn’t spend a full day in the new house before they grounded me. I would flout their orders, but where can I go? I don’t know a single soul around here and am not in the mood to make new friends. Without my phone, I can’t do shit. Dad took it the moment we got here. I guess that’s what happens when your parents buy your gadgets. On the plus side, my room is big.

It’s Sunday evening, and I am slowly losing it. I pace the room. A few seconds later, I return to lying face down on my bed. I hate this punishment. I’m allowed to leave the room, but when all I will receive are judgmental stares from Mom and Dad, I would rather be in here and bored out of my mind.

My eyes close. The next thing I’m waking up to is Mom at the door. She’s not smiling. Well, I’m not happy with her either. Teenagers do stupid things all the time. I should be allowed to be silly this once. Light filters in through the open windows, and I rub my hand against my eyes.

Today is Monday. Monday is school. I will have to deal with a brooding Calum.

“Tessa, you will be late. Your dad’s ready.”

I groan into the pillow and kick the air once the door closes. Thinking about Ben brings a smile to my lips. We get to kiss again. My lips tingle at the thought. I am smiling as I take my bath and prepare for school. Was Mom serious about the police? They can’t keep us from each other.

When I’m done, I hurry downstairs. Dad is eating alone at the table. Eating breakfast with him was strange initially, but I quickly got used to it. Dad looks up without a word and resumes spreading butter over his toast. He’s still mad. He was furious when I joined them in the car.

“Dad.” I make a sound to catch his attention, but he doesn’t even look up. Moving closer to his chair, I throw my arms around his chest and put the weeks of acting into practice. “I’m sorry.”

I don’t want to be grounded again. I want to be able to see Ben without Dad’s gaze growing darker at the mention of his name. He pries my arms off him and pushes a plate to my front.

This is tough. I’ll take being scolded over this silent treatment from them. My eyes scan the place. Where’s Mom? I’m such an idiot. I should have apologized when she came to my room.

“But I thought I was your favorite daughter,” I grumble.

Dad laughs. He picks a toast from my plate and spreads some butter. “You still are.”

“Then don’t be mad at her anymore.”

“You’re still grounded.”

“Fine, I agree. I’m grounded.” He doesn’t smile. I sink into the seat beside him and pour myself a cup of orange juice. “Dad? Can I please have my phone back? People from school might call.”

Last year, that statement might have sounded funny or come across as a lie. The only person who might have called was Maria, and if I didn’t answer, she would have found her way to the house. But now I have actual friends. Though they have the weirdest personalities, they are chill.

“Can I still go for band rehearsals?” There’s no rehearsal until next week. His mouth opens, but I beat him to it. “I’ll be back by 9. Okay, 8 pm.” He shakes his head. “But we were only talking.”

“Theresa, grounded is grounded.”

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