Chapter 16
Tristan
Ben joined me after he’d finished work, holding the doors in place while I fixed the screws to the hinges, the two of us talking about nothing of importance. It was the first time I’d seen him relaxed, and I was really starting to like this version of him.
I couldn’t ignore the warning bells ringing in my head, though.
I knew I couldn’t let myself develop feelings for him, he was still figuring his shit out, and I’d been here before with Jase.
Every time we went through a period where he denied his sexuality, it was me who suffered, and I couldn’t put myself through it again.
But Ben was becoming an addiction. One that I would allow myself to indulge in for a little bit longer, and could only hope that it didn’t result in my heart getting broken.
Closing the front door behind me, I poked my head into the living room, finding my family in their usual positions.
Dad was on the couch, reading a book—no doubt a murder mystery— and mom was next to him as she watched her favorite drama.
The twins lay on their stomachs on the floor, their homework spread out in front of them.
“Hello, family,” I yelled.
Four sets of eyes darted to me, and as Mom and Dad muttered their greetings, the girls scrambled off the floor, racing to see who could get to me first.
“You’re home,” Ivy squealed, throwing her arms around my waist. “You missed dinner again.”
She gave me a disapproving look as I kissed the top of her head. “I know, Jivey Ivy, but I told you, I gotta do some really important work for a friend.”
I hated lying to the twins, but I could hardly tell them the truth. What sort of role model would I have been if I let them think it was acceptable to break into someone’s house because they’d done something you didn’t agree with?
Ivy stepped aside to let Holly hug me, my youngest sister seeming to hold onto me a little tighter than usual.
God, I missed hanging out with them.
“You’ll be there tomorrow, right? You haven’t forgotten about the play?” Holly asked, blinking up at me.
Shit.
I had forgotten.
“Of course I haven’t,” I lied again, kissing her head like I’d done with Ivy. “Remind me what time it starts?”
“Four o’clock.”
“I’ll be there.”
A devious grin spread across Ivy’s face. “Holly’s got a crush on a boy who’s in the play.”
“Shut up, Ivy,” Holly snapped, elbowing her twin. “I don’t like anyone.”
“Yeah, you do. You just won’t admit who he is.”
Holly’s cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson, and I tightened my grasp on her. “And that’s okay. You don’t have to tell us anything until you’re ready.”
Ivy rolled her eyes, muttering something as Holly gave me a shy smile. “Thanks, Tris.”
“You hungry, honey?” Mom said, standing. “I saved you some dinner.”
I followed her into the kitchen, my brain racing with a way I could convince Ben to let me have the afternoon off.
Maybe sexual favors would work.
“Are you okay, honey? You look tired,” Mom said, putting the leftover lasagna in the microwave and starting the timer.
“I’m good.”
Her brows creased. “I’m not sure I believe you. That man is working you too damn hard. You’re not getting enough rest.”
Grabbing her as she moved to pull out the cutlery, I tugged her into my arms. I didn’t know where I got my height from; it wasn’t from Mom, who was barely over 5ft, or my dad, who was no taller than 5ft 6’. Mom’s head reached my chest, and she pressed her cheek against it.
“Don’t sweat it, Mom. I’m fine.”
She sighed. “I worry about you, Tris. I don’t want you getting ill again.”
I kissed the top of her head, squeezing her against me. “I know. But I promise, I’m looking after myself.”
Another lie. I’d noticed my body aching a little bit more over the last few days, and no matter how much sleep I got, I still seemed to be exhausted.
“Okay, honey. I just hate how much that man is taking from this family. He works your dad into the ground, and he’s doing the same to you.”
It was my turn to sigh. Mom had always hated Ben.
“He’s not so bad,” I replied, hiding the affectionate grin that tried to show on my face.
She snorted. “I don’t believe that. That man is bad to the bone.”
Instinctively, I wanted to jump to his defence, but before I could, the microwave binged, and Mom moved from my grasp. She plated up my dinner, oblivious to my jaw clenching.
Once she’d put the plate on the table, she pulled me down to kiss my cheek, telling me she’d leave me to eat in peace. I sat down, and ignoring my food, I grabbed my phone from my pocket, pulling up Ben’s number and hoping I wasn’t about to piss him off.
Me:
Hey, I’m really sorry to ask for another favor, but can I leave early tomorrow? The twins have got their nativity play, and I promised them ages ago that I’d be there.
Too nervous to eat, I waited several minutes for his reply.
Ben:
Yeah, that’s fine.
My jaw almost dropped to the table.
Me:
Are you sure? I’ll need to leave around 2 pm.
Ben:
Yeah, Bug, I’m sure. In fact, take the day off and spend some time with your sisters.
I grinned stupidly at my phone. Mom was wrong. He did have good in him; he just hadn’t been given a chance to show it.
Me:
Thanks, man. I’ll make it up to you.
Ben:
Oh yeah? How do you plan on doing that?
Me:
I can think of a few ways.
Ben:
I look forward to it.