Page 52 of Loved By The Bad Boy

“Don’t even talk about it,” I murmur. Ben’s grin becomes wider. “Don’t even think about it.”

I snatch the envelope. It’s bulky. What could he have written? The only person I ever exchanged letters with was Noah. Noah hasn’t called or texted to wish me a happy birthday. I can’t say I’m bothered since our communication over the last few weeks has been shitty. The letters brought us together. Now that we don’t have them anymore, there’s really nothing for us to discuss.

“Is this it?” I ask, and Ben nods. “What’s in there?”

“Open it yourself.” A moment of hesitation passes between us. Ben guides me to the bed, and we sit side by side, our backs against the headboard. “I really hope you like my gift, Gracie.”

“I’m sure I will.” I turn the envelope over. There’s nothing to indicate what might be inside except the words written on it:To Gracie. I take a deep breath and rip it open.

Twenty-Two

Ben got into SAS.Benjamin Carter got into SAS. A scream burst out of my lips. The excitement is too much for me to contain. I jump on the bed while Ben tries convincing me tobehave. I don’t think he understands. We fought over this. He didn’t want to attend college. Not only will he be attending one now, but he will also do so on a full scholarship ride. It’s huge. He should be jumping.

“Gracie, stop,” he says for the umpteenth time.

I stop long enough for him to carry me into his arms. My lips are on his in seconds, pouring out the words I couldn’t say. I didn’t know he applied to SAS. “I’m so proud of you, Benny. I am.”

“Are you happy?” he asks.

“Why won’t I be?”

“It’s in San Francisco, Gracie.”

My lips touch his nose in the briefest kiss. “I don’t care, Benny. We will make it work, right?”

Something falls out of the torn envelope while I am trying to tuck in his acceptance letter. I hold the charm to my eyes, and an instant grin breaks out on my lips. Without being told, I know the NYU charm is for my memory bracelet. More memories. We will create new and better college memories. There’s something else in the envelope. I pull out two tickets and yell like a banshee.

Ben slaps a hand over my mouth. “Jesus Christ, Gracie.”

I lick Ben’s palm, and he lets go. Why won’t I panic? He got us two tickets to a live Broadway show in NYC. This boy. I smack his face with the tickets. We will watch actors perform live.

“You are…” I trail off because I can’t find the right words. “We will make it work, Benny.”

I grow comfortable on his lap because there’s no other place I would rather be. This is officially the best birthday ever. Ben smiles. The school’s location bothers me, but we can tackle that later.

“We will make it work,” Ben says. “I promise.”

My forehead meets his. “Good, or I’ll kick your ass again.”

Ben laughs and sobers up almost immediately. I’m still smiling. Nothing can ruin my mood after hearing this great news. If he’s going to college, it means he has resolved the issues with Josef or is planning to do so. Given my relationship with my parents, I can’t wait for him to be on grand terms with his mom and stepfather so he can fully experience the same warmth and support I do.

“I have to tell you something. You have to promise to still like me after you hear it, okay?” Ben says. The only emotion I can feel for him is love and more love. I nod twice. “Is it okay if I lock the door?”

Mom will be pissed, but what Ben has to say seems so important. The sound of the door locking breaks the quiet. My boyfriend doesn’t carry me when he returns to the bed. We sit cross-legged on the bed, and nervousness crawls up on me. Why is he fidgety? I don’t care about the distance to SAS. Well, I do care, but it’s not something I want to think about right now or anytime soon.

Ben leaves a small distance between us. Behind my boyfriend, I can see the poster on my door. It’s not a fighter this time. It’s my school. NYU. I would have to add a picture of his college.

I hug myself when he clears his throat a second time. My mind wanders to many places, mostly Olivia’s case, but I can’t figure out why he is acting this way. “Benny?” The amount of pain in his eyes makes me recoil. I am not nervous. I am scared. “Do… do you want me to hold you?”

“Not yet.”

Tucking my hands between my legs doesn’t help. I count backward while staring at the walls of my room as Ben gathers his thoughts. They are painted a cream color with a splash of chocolate.

Ben is still quiet. I push myself closer to him. Our knees touch, and he offers me a half-smile. It’s just enough contact for him to know I’m here for him. Nothing he says will change my mind.

“You remember when you came to watch Asher’s game?” Ben winces as if asking that causes him pain. I squeeze his hand. That day is associated with so many memories. Good and bad. I focus on the good, our kiss. “Then I panicked because I saw her car in the parking lot. Tessa.”

“Tessa?” I point at my chest, and he shakes his head. Oh, right. I’m his Gracie. “Who is Tessa?”

---