Page 12 of Powerless

I can feel someone staring at us, and when I look across the room, I see Charli’s eyes glued on us. She looks heartbroken, but also angry.

This is truly the worst possible scenario.

I can’t live with myself knowing Jen is miserable.

“We’ll figure it out,” I repeat and tighten my arms around her quivering shoulders.

But for now, we have to go along with this ridiculous charade.

5

BENNETT

Here we go again. I’m on my way to pick Jen up. I’ve been caught in my own personal turmoil this past week. Stuck between what I should do because it’s right, but also what we have to do.

The limousine pulls up at the Marshall’s, and I quickly make my way up to the door where Mr. Marshall is already waiting for me. “Bennett,” he says and extends his hand.

“Sir,” I say.

“Jennifer won’t be long.”

“I’m here,” she calls from the top of the stairs.

“There’s my princess.” He smiles at her before turning to me and saying, “The same rules apply from last week.”

“Absolutely.” I give him a reassuring nod, then divert my attention to Jen. “Wow,” I say as she makes her way down the staircase. “You’re beautiful.” I step forward and offer her my elbow when she reaches the second to last step.

“Thank you.” She takes my arm and we start heading out toward the limousine.

“Wait, I need photos,” Mrs. Marshall calls.

Jen glances at me as a shared exasperation passes between us. “Of course,” Jen says as she looks over her shoulder at her mother. “Out in the garden?”

“Perfect.” Her mom hurries ahead of us and begins to take photos.

Jen and I look like we’re made for each other, but neither of us are feeling any kind of intimate connection. Jen because she’s gay, and me because all I want is Kathryn. When the photos are done, Mrs. Marshall whispers something in Jen’s ear, then steps back for Mr. Marshall to wrap his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

I wait until Jen is in the car, then slide in beside her. “The all-American perfect family,” Jen says flatly. “But there’s nothing perfect about it.”

“I’ve been thinking about our situation and I think I’ve come up with something.”

The car lunges forward and heads toward my prom. Jen looks at me, then to the driver, and puts the divider up so the driver can’t hear. “What? Let me eat cyanide so all this will be over?”

My brows lift and my lips part. “Well, that was a lot darker than what I was thinking.”

“I was joking,” she says with no humor.

“Aha.” I stare at Jen for a moment. “My proposal is this. Why don’t we get engaged, tell them we want an extended engagement, then at some stage I can cheat on you, which’ll devastate you. But, because I’ve broken your heart, your parents will lay off forcing you to marry someone else for a while. Maybe even for good.”

Jen scrunches her nose as her eyes are fixed on mine. “Wh-what?”

“Don’t make me say it again. Basically—”

She waves her hand at me to stop. “I get what you’re saying, but this will make you the villain, and that’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair is you marrying me when you’re gay. Besides, I need to get used to being called all kinds of names, especially if I’m going to make it as a politician.”

“You’re willing to create a rift with my father, just so I can be happy?” I lift a shoulder. “My father could end your career before it even starts.”

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