Chapter 19
Easton
“Isn’t it nice to come and watch, with the intention of supporting Bennett, rather than come here to watch his downfall?” Taylor laughs, bumping her shoulder with mine.
“Thanks for reminding me,” I grumble.
“Aw, don’t be so grumpy. We all make mistakes.”
Thinking back, when Bennett and I first became roommates, all I can think is how childish our actions were. Who knew all you needed to do was talk like adults?
I can feel the eyes on us, of the people around us. I know what they’re thinking: if Taylor and I broke up, why are we still always together?
Has anyone not stayed friends with an ex after breaking up? Is it really that hard to believe?
With Taylor and me being together for so long, we knew the quickest way to get the message that we broke up was through social media. All it took was changing our relationship status to single to have people spreading the news.
We made posts saying how much we love each other, but with us graduating and going our separate ways, it was best to break up.
I’m not someone who posts their personal life online. Taylor is more of the social media person, but it was the best way to get the information out fast.
The amount of people who came up to us and said they thought we broke up is starting to get annoying.
It would be easier if we could act the way we want, with the people we’re actually in a relationship with, but sadly, that's not an option. At least not right now.
Taylor’s parents didn’t take the news well. All her mom could do was cry about how she wanted grandkids, and who would support Taylor now.
What pisses me off is how her mom is already trying to set up Taylor with guys from her church.
Taylor and Aria have plans to move away from Silver Valley together. A place to start over, and be together without judgmental people around.
She said she plans on telling her parents as soon as they find a place and are moved in. I told her I’ll be right by her side if she needs me.
I’m proud of her for being brave. I wish that was something I could do. Maybe soon. When I’m gone from here and him.
“They’re doing so damn good!” Aria says excitedly. “Have you seen how Danny is playing?”
“What about Reed? He's killing it.”
“And that shot Lucas took!” Taylor gushes.
“Who?” I pull my attention away from Bennett. He’s on fire tonight. Watching him block those shots with crazy speed? It’s impressive. Reminds me how fast he was the other week on the ice. I wonder if he plans on going pro? It’s not something he’s mentioned yet.
He should. He’s good.
“The other guys on the team.” Taylor laughs. “Do you even know what’s going on?”
“Uh, I know Bennett has blocked every shot,” I say. “That’s all I got.”
“You are so damn cute.” Aria peaks around Taylor. “I’m glad the two of you are on good terms.”
My cheeks pinken. We’ve grown a lot closer since she started hanging out with Taylor. I didn’t realize how much I missed her friendship.
Bennett was always closer to her back when we were kids. I was the one who was jealous because he was splitting his time between us when I wanted all of his time for myself.
I also thought he had a crush on her, and I was going to lose my best friend to a girl. Turns out, I was very wrong. It was me who he had a crush on.
We really were stupid kids sometimes.
By the time the game ends, we win three to one.
“Are we going out to celebrate?” Aria asks. “Bennett mentioned something happening back at the hockey house.”
“I’m down. How about you?” Taylor asks.
“Well, I live there. So I’ll kind of be there anyways.” I grin.
“Yeah, but are you gonna drink?” she asks, reminding me what happened last time I got stupid drunk.
“Yes.” I roll my eyes.
Taylor leans in close. “Good. Aria and I are crashing in your bed tonight. You have to share with your boyfriend.” She says it as if it’s some tragic thing.
“Oh no, the horror,” I mock.
We follow the crowd as they start to make their way out of the stands. My attention drifts to Bennett. He’s still on the ice, while the rest of his team is gone. Two men, along with his dad, are talking to him. From the looks of it, I’m going to say they’re scouts.
He looks good, hair drenched, face dripping with sweat.
As if he can feel my eyes on him, his gaze flicks over to mine, locking eyes with me for a brief second. But I don’t miss the hint of a smile creeping onto his lips as he continues to listen to what the men are saying.
“I gotta head to the bathroom. Be right back.” I leave the girls waiting out front as I head to the bathrooms.
As I pass the locker rooms, the door opens behind me. “Huh?” I turn to see who it is as I’m grabbed by the arm and pulled inside.
“What the fuck,” I shout before a hand is slapped over my mouth.
“Shhh,” Bennett whispers.
“What are you doing?” I ask when he removes his hand.
“Needed to kiss you.” He grins before crashing his mouth down on mine. I can hear a few people behind him, somewhere in the locker room, so he quickly pulls back. “Tonight, you’re mine.” He grins before opening the door and shoving me out.
I can’t help but laugh. This man. This crazy, stubborn, and incredibly sexy man. I can’t believe he’s mine.
All fucking mine.
For the rest of the night, Bennett and I drink. We hang out with the girls, other people on his team, and even some of the guys on my team.
I’m not too happy with the fact that Roland is here, but I’m glad that his attention isn’t on Bennett. I guess he really isn’t too upset over losing Bennett.
Liam, on the other hand, has been watching Bennett with a pissed-off look on his face all night. As long as he doesn’t come over here and bother him, he can stay over there.
The night goes by, and for the first time in a long time, I really relax and enjoy myself.
There’s no putting on an act with Taylor, so people don’t ask questions about why we’re not affectionate when we’re dating. Plus, I’m not watching Bennett all over another guy, making me jealous as hell.
The only thing that could make this night better was if Bennett were in my lap, my arms wrapped around him like I’ve been wanting all night.
He looks over at me, his eyes glazed over. We’re both pretty drunk, but feeling good.
His lip curves into a smile, our eyes lock together in a heated moment before he looks away.
My body floods with arousal as I remember his words from before. I’m his tonight.
I shift in my seat, trying to hide the fact that my cock is not behaving.
“Hey.” Taylor gets my attention. “We’re gonna head upstairs, okay? Aria is pretty much passing out.”
I look at Aria and see her head resting against Taylor’s arm, eyes closed.
“Okay.” I nod. “Need any help?”
“I’m good,” she tells me.
When the two of them leave, Bennett and I stay outside for another hour, talking and drinking before we decide to call it a night.
“I want to fuck you,” he groans in my ear as we head up the stairs.
“Not happening tonight,” I tell him, but my body shivers at the thought. Fuck. I want that so damn badly. “The girls are in my bed.”
“Damn it.” He groans.
Chuckling, I help him to the room. “Shh,” I remind him as we get undressed and ready for bed.
Once we’re under the blanket, Bennett is at my back, his body curving into mine.
“Mhhmm,” he hums in my ear. “I love the way you feel against me.”
His hand starts to roam down my body, and my eyes flutter shut.
“No sex,” I remind him.
“We’re not having sex.” He bites my shoulder, making me have to smother a moan as my cock twitches to life.
“Then why is your hand down my boxers?” I grunt when he wraps his hand around my cock, giving it a stroke.
“Just playing.” He chuckles quietly.
With his other hand, he pulls my boxers down, then his. I know I should stop him, the girls are sleeping right next to us.
But when I feel the length of his hard cock slide between my cheeks, as he rolls his hips, I forget about everything. All I can think about is my man naked against me, pleasuring me as he rolls his hips, letting out a sexy little moan.
We’re technically not fucking, right?
I bite my pillow, keeping myself from making too much noise as Bennett thrusts his cock between my cheeks, using them to get off as he jerks me off.
It feels good, too fucking good. It doesn’t take long before I’m shuddering, cum spurting free, and coating his hand.
He follows after me, moaning as he bites down on my shoulder, body shaking against mine as his hot cum coats my inner thighs.
“Now I can sleep,” he whispers, both of us panting heavily. I look over my shoulder, and Bennett is licking my cum off his fingers. Fuck, why is that so hot?
“I could have gone my whole life not knowing what Bennett sounded like when he came.” Aria’s sleepy voice sounds, and we both freeze.
“Oh fuck.” I groan.
“You already did that.” Taylor giggles.
“We didn’t have sex,” I defend.
“Sure sounded like it,” Taylor says.
A big snoring sound next to my ear has me startling.
“Oh my god, is he sleeping?” Taylor asks with a laugh.
“Yeah, he passes out hard when he’s drunk.” Aria yawns.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “Would you believe me if I said he started it?”
“You’re fine.” Taylor laughs. “It’s our fault for staying over. We should have known you two couldn’t keep your hands off one another.”
I mean, she’s not wrong.
The next morning, I wake up before everyone else. Aria and Taylor are still passed out in my bed while Bennett sleeps soundly next to me.
I carefully get out of bed and grab some clean clothes before my shower. But as I dig through my drawers, I realize I don’t have anything nice to wear.
Bennett and I are supposed to be going on a date. Fuck. I can’t wear my everyday clothes. I mean, I could, but shouldn’t this be special or something?
If I take a quick shower now, I could head down to the mall.
Deciding that was what I was going to do, I grab something to wear for now and quickly go shower.
Once I’m done, I head out and start walking downtown.
It’s a nice day today. A little chilly, but nothing my hoodie can’t handle. I have a smile on my face and a pep in my step for the first time in a long time.
I’m excited, but also nervous. This is Bennett we’re talking about. I used to hang out with him all the time. But this is different. He’s not my best friend anymore, he’s my boyfriend.
As if the universe can sniff out my happiness, I get a call. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I frown when I see the number on the screen.
“Mom?” I answer.
“Easton!” She sounds way too cheerful, acting as if this wasn’t the first time we talked in months. “How's my baby boy?”
Baby boy? Really? Since when did she care?
“I’m fine. Why? What's up?”
“Can’t a mother just call her son?” she asks, sounding hurt.
Yes. Mothers call their sons all the time. Mine, however, does not. Something is either wrong or she needs something.
“Yes. I guess.”
“How’s school? I heard you had a new job?”
I come to a stop, brows furrowing. “How did you know about that?”
“Oh, you know, some of your father’s friends saw you there.”
Of course they did.
“It’s a good job,” I tell her.
“Wonderful!” she says. “I’m so happy.”
Yeah. I'm so happy.
“What’s really going on, Mom?”
She’s quiet on the phone for a moment. “You see, your father lost his job again.”
My shoulders slump as I close my eyes, letting out a defeated breath. “How much?”
“It’s not much.”
“How much, Mom?” Anger and frustration fill me.
This is a game we’ve played before. This isn’t the first time my parents, the ones who were supposed to be taking care of me, came to me to get them out of a bind.
Where do you think most of my paychecks from the job I had in high school went?
Dad would either smoke, drink, or gamble all the rent and bill money away.
“He’s been very down about it, not handling it very well.”
“So, rent and bills. Got it.” Fuck. That’s at least three grand. I’ve only been working for two months. I don’t even have that much in my bank. “I don’t have enough. My job is part-time, and I only work a few hours a week. I’ve got like, maybe two grand in the bank.”
“Oh, that would be perfect! Between that and my check, we would have just enough!”
That’s everything I have. All of it. All my money.
I could tell her no, that it’s not my problem. And I should. “Mom. I don’t know,” I say warily.
“Please,” she begs me. “If we’re late with rent, he’s going to get so mad.”
And I know what happens when he gets angry. Like he has any fucking reason to get upset when he’s the one putting them in that position.
“I’ll transfer it over,” I say with a sigh of defeat.
No matter how much I hate my mom for not leaving my dad, for not getting us out of that situation, for not putting me first, I still love her. She’s still my mom.
And the idea of my dad taking his anger out on her makes me sick.
“Thank you, baby, thank you so much. I’ll pay you back.”
No, she won’t. She never has.
“Whatever,” I mutter, hanging up on her. I open my bank app, and with a twisted feeling in my stomach, I transfer every penny over to her.
At least it’s to her and not my dad, and I know it will go toward bills. If my father got his hands on it, it would be gone by the end of the day.
Realizing I’m now fucking broke, the option for new clothes for our date is gone.
Feeling like a failure, I take a seat on a nearby bench, my face in my hands, as shame and embarrassment take over me.
Fuck him. Fuck her. Fuck them both.
I hate them. I can’t wait to get the hell out of this town and start over. To never have to worry about money again.
I sit for a little while, debating whether I should just go home or not.
“Screw it,” I mutter to myself. “It wouldn't hurt to check.”
Getting to my feet, I start in the direction of the donation bins. It’s nearly Christmas. It’s the time of year when all the rich people clean out their closets to make space for new clothes in the new year.
I’m bound to find something nice to wear, right?
If I go now, I can find something, bring it home, and wash it before anyone has a clue what I’m doing, or where the clothes came from.
I wonder if Bennett would still love me if he knew just how sad my life really was.