“You’re on thin ice… but yes. I forgive you.” He pulls my hand to his lips and presses a soft kiss into my palm, smiling. It always went like this; Will being an asshat, me getting pissed off at his behavior, us having a heated argument, and ultimately, me forgiving him. “This could’ve waited until later, though.”
His brows furrow in confusion, so I clarify. “You said youneededto see me. Seemed urgent,” I add, now also confused.
“Oh. Yeah I, uh, wanted to talk to you about my brother.” He says this with a grimace, like bad news is on the horizon, and I brace myself while fighting the urge to pick a fight. I fail.
“The brother I just met this morning? After two years of dating, younowneed to urgently talk to me about your brother?”
His eyes burn with irritation, his tongue sliding against his teeth as I watch him bite back a reply. “Liv I already told you, we’re not close. I’m assuming you’re smart enough to realize that it’s for a good reason.”
I bite the inside of my cheek trying to temper my own anger. “What does that even mean?” I ask, frustrated by his obtuseness.
“He’s just… I wouldn’t say he’s the best guy. He kind of abandoned his team. I mean, if he thinks he’s going to waltz back in there and pick up where he left off?—”
“Will,” I interrupt him, refocusing our conversation. “That seems rash. If you’re not close, like you claim, then he’s probably different than you remember.” He scoffs, crossing his arm.
“Nah, Liv. We might not be close, but I know who Ben is. He doesn’t give a fuck about the people around him, whether it’s his family, his friends— especially not women. I just…” he shakes his head, not finishing his thought. I raise my brows, urging him to continue. “I just need you to keep your distance from him. I don’t know why he’s back, but I don’t need him worming his way into my life. Intoourlife.” He emphasizes ‘our,’ like Ben poses some existential threat.
A laugh escapes me, slightly more intense than I intend. “Worming his way into our life? You make him sound parasitic.”
“I’m serious, babe. He’s a shameless flirt and?—”
“Oh! Must be a family trait,” I cut him off, irritated by this sudden bravado and possessiveness.
“Olivia,” he says, his jaw grinding in frustration. “Just… tell me you won’t go out of your way to know him. If I wanted you to know my family, believe me, you would’ve met them by now.” He says this like it perfectly explains his response to all of this, but I feel his words like a knife to the gut.
“No can do, Will,” I answer, my voice seething, feeling burned by his reminder. “Ian just gave me a new story. Ben’s the subject.”
His nostril’s flare and he tilts his head back, running his hands through his hair. He sighs visibly, his head leveling back so that he’s looking me right in the eye. “Un-fucking-believable.”
“I didn’tchoosethis story. Believe me, I’m the last person who wants to get to know your brother.”
His gaze narrows on me for a long second, like he’s deciphering something.
“Just be careful, Liv,” he says gently, sincerely, his earlier frustration replaced now by obvious worry. And as much as I’d like to say I have no idea what he’s even worrying about, I know that would be a lie.
“If it makes you feel better, I’ll be extra super careful,” I tell him, saccharine sweet, as we both move to leave the table, reaching for each other's hand. I spin to face him once we’re outside the cafe. “I need to go home and shower before dinner tonight. This humidity is ruining me.”
Will grabs my wrist and pulls me in, wrapping his arms low around my waist. He gives me a quick kiss on the lips, then leaves a trail of brief, wet kisses down both sides of my neck. He returns his soft lips to mine and gives me one last kiss, this one deep and full of apology and promise.
“Wear something pretty for me,” he says. Warmth creeps from my neck to my cheeks and while I’m sure desire is painted on my face, guilt settles in my chest as I walk away from campus and toward my apartment.
I don’t want to do this story, but I’m also not going to sabotage my own work and as Ian very blatantly pointed out that’s been a habit of mine when it comes to Will. I’m committed to producing this piece for Ian, and moving on as quickly as possible. If what Will said is true, then some well deployedcharm on my part might be all I need to get this story done and dusted. Besides, what’s a little bit of innocent flirting if it means I get the answers I’m looking for? It’s not like Will has any room to judge. He’s constantly deploying his charm to get what he wants.
What Will doesn’t know won’t hurt him. And besides, I think he’d rather I move on from this story quickly than get mired by it. Regardless of my methods, I think to myself, realizing my bottom lip is beginning to feel swollen from my unconscious biting.
Something continues to eat at me, and I see Will’s worried face in my mind’s eye. He can’t know what I’ve been thinking, but his vocalized insecurities make me feel like I’ve done something wrong anyway.
Ben is already starting to feel like the bane of my existence.
6
Ben
If there’s one thing the elite group of students at Astor Hill College hold a flame for it’s the state championship winning basketball team, the Astor Lions. Even now, two years later, I’m stalked in the hallway by classmates that could easily be confused for adoring fans. When I was at the height of my game, I hated the attention I got for being the team's captain. There was always a spotlight shining on me and being 6'4” it was hard to duck out of. Even now, I pass by a group of snickering freshman girls whispering amongst each other.
“Oh my god look, it's Will’s brother.” They try and fail to sneakily look at me.
“Okay you were right, he’s definitely hotter. How is that even possible?”
