Chapter 54
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Bennett
“You have a big problem.” Kendall doesn’t even say hello when I pick up the phone. “Like huge.”
“What problem?”
“Oh the fact that Lexi just stopped by acting really strange and when I convinced her to go with me so I could grab something to eat, she cracked. She thinks you are cheating on her.”
“Cheating.” I almost trip over my own feet as I walk up the sidewalk toward Camryn’s school. “Where the hell did she get that? Cheating, are you joking with me right now?”
“You weren’t too good about keeping your stories straight. Nothing has lined up with where you’ve been. You’ve painted your bathroom three times, you’ve been at your parents’ house, but they weren’t home. Adley confirmed you weren’t home even though you told Lex you were. You’ve made a real mess.”
“Shit,” I mumble as the front doors of the school open and several kids come rushing out.
“Shit is right, fella,” she adds. “You better figure out how to fix this and fast, she’s trying to see through the bullshit, but she is slipping fast. Told her to ask you and she said she is too afraid of the truth.”
My chest grows tight.
“Listen Bennett, I know you wanted to surprise them, but I think you need to be honest with her. She’s gonna love the idea that you are doing this either way. You’re so close, but I don’t think you can hold out any longer.”
“Bennett,” Camryn yells barreling toward me.
“You are at the school?”
“Yeah.” Camryn collides with my legs and wraps her arms around them, hugging me tight.
“How was school?”
“Tucker Rhoades ate his glue, Jacob Samuels, he ate his boogers. Both disgusting, and I couldn’t eat lunch after that. Why are boys so gross?” Camryn asks, making me laugh.
“Keep thinking that, sweetheart,” I say with a smile.
“Kendall I’ll take care of it,” I assure her and we say a quick goodbye.
Camryn and I continue to talk about her day and all the gross and fun things she encountered.
I listen, I talk out every scenario with her, but the entire time my chest remains tight, like someone is squeezing me and making it hard to breathe.
When we get to my truck, I buckle Camryn. “What do you think about calling Lexi and asking her how her appointment went?”
“Yeah.” She nods and I dig my phone out of my pocket and she answers on the second ring.
“How did the doctor’s appointment go?”
“It was good,” she says and I can tell she is in her car. “All cleared to go back to work full-time. No more restrictions.
“That’s good,” I tell her and Camryn yells yay from the back seat. “Listen, I’m gonna take little lady here to see my parents and then to get ice cream because I made a promise and we made plans.”
“Okay,” she whispers and it only makes my body ache more.
“But after that we are coming back to your place and after she is settled and occupied, you and me are gonna have a talk.” Lexi grows quiet.
“I love you,” I tell her, needing her to accept that. “Whatever it is you have going on inside that head of yours, it’s gonna be laid to rest, you hear me?”
“I don’t know what—”
“You do know,” I interrupt her. “I would never and could never do you like that. Baby, you and this little girl right here, you are all I want. I’ll be there in a couple hours and we’ll have that talk okay.”
I hear her take a deep breath. “Okay, Bennett.”
“Go home, take a long shower, put on something comfortable, grab a glass of wine, and relax. We’ll bring home dinner.”
“‘Kay.” I hear her sniffle and I have half a mind to go straight to her now.
“Baby, you listening?”
“I’m listening,” she assures me.
“I’ve been lining things up for our future; you, me, and Camryn.
I may have gone about it wrong and not told you from the start, but tonight I’m gonna lay it all out.
There is no other woman, that I promise you.
I’m gonna marry you one day, Lexi James.
” I smile because this time when I hear her sniffle I know it’s not out of sadness.
“We’ll see you soon my beautiful girl, love you.” I end the call.