The screen flashes with an incoming call from ‘not so tiny dickhead.’
I pause. I told him to never contact me again just a few hours ago, and one text has him calling me. Given the circumstances, I shouldn’t be fighting back a smile, but I am. It’s nice to know my outburst didn’t entirely turn him off.
I answer it, unsure what to say though, I don’t speak for a moment.
“Hello? Prue?”
“What are you doing tonight?” I blurt out.
He laughs on the other side of the phone. “You are fucking crazy.”
“You are so mean,” I groan.
“Yes, and yet you messaged me.”
“You called me last night,” I counter. This was a terrible idea. He is so frustrating.
“I was drunk. What’s your excuse?”
“I can’t stay in this apartment,” I say softly.
“Your brother annoying you or something?”
“No. He is out of town.”
“Are you scared of being alone?” he asks, genuine concern laces his voice, for the second time in less than 24 hours. The thought of how pathetic I must seem to him makes my stomach tense for a moment. “Are you okay?” he asks after a moment. The layer of concern in his voice doubles, making my throat tighten. He doesn’t really care, does he?
“No,” I snap. “Just… never mind. Forget I called.”
“Prue. Wait. Just tell me what’s going on, okay? I know I’m an asshole, but if you need something…” His voice trails off like he doesn’t know how to finish that statement.
“My ex asked me to go to this thing with him tonight. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Now he is coming here at 7 to pick me up. I can’t be here when he shows up and Cameron is out of town. If I’m home, I don’t think things will end well for…”
“Text me your address. I’ll pick you up, but there are conditions.”
“Conditions?” Leave it to Ben to save me on his terms.
“You have to go out with me.”
“Out? Like a date.”
“It will look like a date,” he says. “Put on your best turtleneck and a cute little skirt. We are going to grab some food and drinks while we make all kinds of headlines.”
“He won’t like that.”
“Prue, do you think I give two shits what he likes?”
“No. But…”
“And I know you don’t think very highly of me, but do you think for one second I’d let him hurt you?”
“After you’re gone…”
“Never,” he says plainly. “If I grow bored of you and think he is still a threat to your safety I will end him.”
I don’t exactly know how Ben plans on ending him, but the idea stirs more emotions in me than I expect. He sounds willing to do more to protect me than my own parents. That hurts, but fills me with an excitement I can’t explain.
“Okay.”
