“Only a few times.” I mutter and the girl grins.
“That’s so hot.”
“Right!” Ignoring Amber and her freaky fangirl, I watch Jess approach where Benjamin is getting a free drink from the lovestruck bartender.
She taps his shoulder—tucking her hands behind her back and sticking out her breasts when he turns around and looks down at her. She is quite beautiful. Long black hair, pretty brown eyes.
“She’s using her favorite tactic.Please teach me. We find what they’re good at—request a tutor, then secure the bag.” Her friend is smiling like a proud mother, and I can’t help but respect the hustle of college women.
Jess points to the stage, leaning over to speak into Benjamin’s ear over the stereo. I see his subtle flinch—the falter in his smile. He recovers quickly, laughing at whatever she’s saying.
He says something back to her and she nods, walking back to us.
Benjamin turns back to the bar.
“So?!” Her friend asks. Jess rolls her eyes.
“Gay. This sucks—he smelledso good.And he’s prettier the closer you get. I think his tongue is pierced.” Amber chokes on her rum and Coke. I close my eyes and even consider taking a seat right here on the fucking ground.
“Fuck—sorry Jess.” She shrugs.
“He touched my shoulder, so I’ll take what I can get.” They giggle some more, rushing off to find their friends.
“It’s like he’s fucking famous.” I say, and Amber pats my shoulder.
“I told you way back when, A. He can makeanyonefall in love with him.”
I watch Benjamin for a bit longer as he takes and chugs two whole drinks before turning and heading to the back.
“Ready to go?” I ask Amber, but she shakes her head—nodding behind me.
Felix appears—a big smile on his face, his black curls pulled half up behind his head.
“Aaron! You came. What did you think of Phoebe?” I hug him—relish in the way he smells, the way he laughs against me.
“You guys were amazing.” He pulls back, hands on my shoulders.
“Thanks, Bub. I’m really happy you came.” I can see in his familiar green eyes that something’s wrong but he’s smiling and nodding at me like I can’t tell.
“Fe, what’s up?” After a moment of staring at me—as if he’s wondering if he’ll bother telling me—Felix sighs.
“Bear’s pretty fucked up. Would you take him to the apartment?” You’ve got to be kidding me. He’s lost his damn mind. I can tell that he knows how ridiculous this request is.
“No.” It’s a stern response.
“Aaron! I have to take Kayla home, she’s pretty drunk too. Take him to our place—he won’t do well waking up at yours.” God—he’s talking like I already agreed.
“Felix, I said no. I’ll take Kayla.”
“Listen to me,” His eyes narrow in a way I’ve never seen directed at me before. “You’re going to take him home.” Felix is using our eyes against me—the green that peers into your soul, sees right through you. Almost as if he’s hand-picking through all of my and Benjamin’s moments together—reading my heart. “Aaron—I know you love him. Stop hiding like this.”
It’s like a bucket of cold water is dumped over my head. Amber whistles lowly from beside me.
“What?”
“Don’t try to lie to me. I know you went to Drew’s dorm when we found Benjamin’s stash.” Ah, shit. “He told me. I don’t blame you—in fact,thank you. But you can’t hide it anymore. Not with the way you watch over him from afar. This is far more than a casual attraction.”
We have a grade-A Archer staring contest. Green on green—all glares and narrowed eyes. I crack. Because yeah—I love him. He lives inside of me.
