"If that gets you to stick around, by all means. Chase sure isn't using the home gym we got installed."
"Excuse you!" he sasses.
"I don't even mind sleeping among the dumbbells. I don't need a lot of room."
"You're telling me being in the arms of that hunk isn't good enough?"
Benny has a point, and I was hopeful the conversation wouldn't turn to this.
"How do you know we're sleeping together?" I question.
"You live across the hall from each other, how could you not?"
"He's a rebound, that's it. He can't be anything more than that."
"Why not?" Chase is asking the hard questions, and Benny claps for his courage.
"He's my stepbrother," I remind them.
"You didn't even grow up together!" Benny's voice blasts through the air and scares away a seagull perched on his roof. "You're acting like you grew up together since diapers. Honey, you are a grown-ass woman. If he is who you want, go for it."
"Okay, let's say Theo and I tell our parents we have hypothetical feelings for each other andmaybewe want to see where it goes. I'd send my dad to an early grave with the heart attack he'd be hit with. He'd keel over at the thought. I already promised him I wouldn't be doing exactly what we've been doing."
"Promises are meant to be broken." Benny's eyeballs are locked with mine as he sips his mimosa.
"The dynamics are already delicate as is. You don't find this too taboo?" I look at Chase for his opinion.
"No. You already spent ten years ignoring each other. If you decided to give this a chance and ultimately broke up, you're both familiar with leaving each other behind. It'd be awkward for your parents, sure, but what if you were each other's soulmates? You'd never know without giving him a chance."
"You don't think your dad would want you happy?" Benny gulps the rest of his mimosa.
"I'd be happier in LA."
They are both silent, and I hate having to defend my stance. Maybe this is my cue to leave.
"I need to get going," I tell them.
"No, you're mad. Don't go," Benny pleads.
"I need to pick up some things for the event on Friday. I want it to be perfect."
"It will be perfect. Don't leave mad. Please."
"I'm not mad, I'm frustrated."
"That's the same thing," Benny laughs.
"I'll be okay. Thanks for listening to my problems, you guys. I'll see you soon."
"Anytime, love."
Onceagain,I'mavoidinggoing home. I don't want to see my dad and hear his cheerleader attitude and how I'll find something better.
I'm sure Molly would be the same, but worse. I don't want optimism right now. I want realism, and maybe a crystal ball so I can see into the future. I can't be at Roasted forever.
The event is in a few days, and it's the only thing keeping me from quitting and truly returning to my teenage ways of sleeping all day and ignoring my responsibilities.
I'm one stubbed toe away from losing it and unleashing hell.
