“Hey.” I startle. His hand still rests where he’s holding my shorts. I don’t seem to mind that it’s there, now that I’ve adjusted to the weight.
“Hey. You okay? I know what happened yesterday was probably really scary, and you’re taking it well. It’s okay not to, you know. You’re strong, but you don’t always have to be.” Looking into his eyes, looking at the sincerity, the concern, I feel this overwhelming sense of affection. Like he cares about me. Like he really wants me around.
Drew tugs my shorts again and I realize I’ve been staring at him. Again.
“Yeah, right. Thank you for that. I needed to hear it.” I smile at him. And for the first time in my entire life, one of my genuine, full blown, one-hundred-percent genuine Benjamin smiles spread across my face for someone outside of the Archer family. Drew blushes, eyes hopping all over my face, as if he’s taking me in.
“Benjamin,” He starts, a little wobbly. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re very pretty? Like, for a boy you’re extraordinarily pretty.” His brow is furrowed, eyes narrowed as he searches myface. I laugh, finding this whole conversation a bit odd but not bad at all.
“I have been told I’m pretty before, yes.” He shakes his head.
“Don’t give him a bigger head, Drew! He’ll be insufferable!” Felix complains, poking my feet.
“I can’t believe someone would hit this face.” Drew’s frowning now, reaching a hand out to touch my cheek. And I’ll let him, because why not? Plus, his hands are soft.
“Benjamin.” Aaron’s voice is angry and impatient as he stands over me and Drew. He’s ditched his sunglasses and his eyes are bouncing between Drew’s hand up my thigh and the other hovering over my cheek.
“Yes?” I use my innocent voice, the one that says I did absolutely nothing wrong.
“Can I speak to you? Alone?” His eyes move to meet mine, swimming with anger and possessiveness. And they’re pleading, but I’m not sure what for.
I can deny him. That would be the most hurtful thing to do. Would probably be best for my heart too. But then Felix would think something's up and Drew might find this all very awkward. I sigh.
“Drew,” I say, grabbing his hand that’s by my cheek and sitting it in his lap. “I’ll be right back, okay? So hold that thought.”
“The one about how pretty you are?” He says with a brow raised, clearly judging me for enjoying and even more than that wanting to continue the conversation. I chuckle.
“Yes, that one.” I look up at Aaron who isseething. “I think I’m about to get grounded.”
I get up before he can speak, his hand falling away from my thigh. I follow Aaron as he leads me to the pool house. At first I want to refuse becausewhat the fuck? But then I realize that unless we want to go up to one of the bedrooms, the pool house is the only place someone else won’t bother to go. He walks in ahead of me and I shut the door. When I turn back around, he’s standing a few feet in front of me by the shelves, turned away. His bare backis expanding and retracting heavily, over and over like an angry bull. Fists clenched at his sides.
“Aaron?” I question impatiently. “What’s up? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”
He spins around so fast I think he might fall over. He doesn’t. Aaron’s expression tells me he feels betrayed, which is laughable. He’s also angry and jealous.
“We’re all boys? Yeah, Button?” I blush, looking at the floor out of habit. I don’t regret saying it—in fact I’m proud of that comeback. But it still has implications that are awkward to talk about with Aaron. So, instead of responding, I shrug and pick at the seam of my shorts where Drew had earlier.
That seems to piss Aaron off as he snaps, “Stop that.”
“Why?” It’s out of my mouth before I can stop it. It’s a valid question, but I also don’t care that much—not really. I just want to get a rise out of him.
“Oh, you know why. That guy had his hand all up in that part of your shorts and now you’re rubbing up on it.” He’s seething, a step closer now but still maintaining a healthy distance.
“Aaron.” He meets my eyes, waiting. “Before Drew ever said anything about me being pretty, want to know what he said?”
“Oh, I heard. I could hear every—”
“He told me that I was strong, and that I could break down if I needed to. I didn’t have to always be okay.” Aaron stares at me, eyes manic. “You have never once told me I’m strong. But I’d look damn good wrapped around your cock, huh?”
“Benjamin! That’s not fair! You liked hearing that.”
“Absolutely. Ilovedhearing it, when I thought it also meant you cared enough about me to tell me that I’m wanted and worthy and that being weak fortwo fucking secondsis okay.” I’m panting, glaring with everything in me, trying to drown out the screaming in my head. “I spend every day of my life proving that I deserve to be here, that I’m worth living a life I don’t evenwant. And yetyou—you who has been so present to me for so long—you can’t even ask me whatIthink of our situation.Or ask me how I’m feeling. You can’t tell me anything that makes it feel like you care about me, not when what you really want is to possess me.” Aaron’s eyes are wide, shocked. “But Drew—” The shock is wiped clean, replaced with the anger.
“Benjamin, listen to me.” So, I do. “Whatever's happening between us aside, as a bystander to the afternoon you’ve had, I can tell you this Drew guy wants to fuck you.” A surprised laugh jolts out of me. Shoving my hands into my hair I pace the small space around me.
“Oh my God.”
“Listen, I’m being serious. He’sconstantlylooking at or for you. His hands are on you as soon as he can get there. The way he looks at you… it’s so obvious. You say one nice thing to him, and he blushes like you just said you want to blow him. I can see the hunger in his eyes.” I’m trying to comprehend what Aaron is trying to achieve. He’s rambling, pleading for me to listen to him, but I’m not understanding a single word.
