Is this Tom?
He’s good-looking, in a polished, clinical sort of way. My stomach twists as he studies Ben in his costume.
Should I save him? I am about to be his fake boyfriend after all. Tonight is supposed to be our Romeo and Juliet moment. Eyes meeting through a fish tank and all that. Now this guy is going to ruin it.
Ben has that look on his face he gets sometimes—tight smile stretched painfully, his throat moving as he swallows.
My brain goes full caveman mode.Mine.Before I can think straight, I march across the kitchen and get between them.
I slip my arm around Ben’s waist—under the robe—his body warm under my hand as I pull him closer to me. A little gasp escapes, and he stiffens.Was this a mistake?He said yes to handholding, no to kissing. But we didn’t discuss Neanderthal-like grabbing-slash-claiming in front of men he had one date with.
But then he softens against me, relaxing.
Tom hesitates before continuing toward us. The expression on his face makes it look like he smelled something rotten.
“Hi, Ben.”
“How are you? Wow, what costume are you wearing?”
Ben’s word vomiting. I have to hold in a snort as I give his hip a squeeze.Relax,I hope the touch conveys.
Tom looks up at me, then back down at Ben.
“Oh, this is Elias, from the tennis team.”
I slip my arm out from under Ben’s robe to shake Tom’s hand. I’m sure I got my point across already.
“Ben, can I speak to you for a moment?” Tom gives me a disdainful glance. “Alone.”
Ben opens his mouth. Nothing comes out.
He doesn’t want to go with this guy, he’s just too nice to say no. I’m not.
“Actually, we were about to dance.”
“We were?”
I pull Ben by the hand, out of the kitchen and into the living room where the speakers are. A few people are bopping along to a playlist someone put on from their phone. I grab Ben and pull him close enough to sway a little. I could be wrong, but he doesn’t strike me as someone who has moves—any that he’d show off in public at least.
I have no idea if I’m being an idiot or a hero right now. Ben is stiff in my arms, not looking at me.
But then he relaxes against my chest and lets out a long sigh.
“Thank you,” he says.
My heart thumps. I wonder if he can feel it.
“You’re welcome.”Boyfriend.
11
BEN
Gosh.
Dancing with Elias was … an experience.
And I think it definitely convinced my brothers that something’s going on.
