Chapter Eleven #3
“Don’t worry—after I win and we place a new bet your betrayal will be long forgotten.”
“Oh great.” His response is bland and I laugh at him some more, leaning back up to sit.
Felix is walking back with the notebook, leaving behind a grinning Amber and a stern-looking Aaron who has his arms crossed tightly. Felix starts to count the votes.
“What the fuck.” Felix states, not as a question but as an expression of his distaste. “All three of you traitors voted for Bear?”
“That can’t be proven—it's anonymous.” Amber says, snarky and defiant as she crosses her arms to match Aaron. He has yet to speak.
“Dude. I saw the sheet when I wrote Drew’s vote. And now there are two more tallies under the ‘yes’ column." He’s giving her a blank stare, unimpressed. Amber purses her lips for a moment before leaning over slightly and saying,
“Aaron, babe, he’s got a pretty solid case.
I think he’s onto us.” I stare at Aaron and his stupid dark sunglasses.
He could be looking at me, or he could have decided to take a nap.
They both voted for me? Why? I mean, Amber—I can understand.
She loves stirring up trouble and has always told me how cute I am.
But Aaron? He rejected me, is a dick most of the time, and Felix is his baby brother on top of all of those already valid reasons to not vote for me in a vanity contest.
“You think?” Felix asks, trying to hide his grin and failing majorly. “Whatever, assholes. Let me count my side.”
I look down at Drew. He’s looking up at me curiously and I realize I might have been staring at Aaron for a moment there.
My cheeks flush slightly and I poke his forehead with the heel of my foot.
The blue of his eyes matches the chlorine pool water so closely—he kind of looks like a water nymph from a storybook.
His hair is wet and pushed back like a surfer from a 2000’s romcom.
He raises a brow at my staring, so I give him a lazy smile.
A long, dramatic sigh leaves Fe’s mouth.
Oh, yeahhh. “Bear won. Whatever. It seems that no matter how old we get, Bear’s beauty will always be appreciated more than mine.
” I grin up at him as he shakes his head with a sigh of fake disappointment.
Drew grabs my thigh for leverage and pulls himself close to me.
“So then, what did you win?”
“A ticket to poundtown.” Felix jokes.
“Huh?” Drew looks between the two of us.
“Oh! No, not with me. A girl.”
“It’s just her phone number.” I say, looking down at him.
I hear Aaron clear his throat loudly from where he sits but I don’t bother looking up.
I’m not using Drew as a tool to piss him off, but I won’t reject Drew's innocent affection to appease him either. It’s only a bonus that it pisses him off.
Felix jumps back into the pool in a cannon ball. Drew pulls himself out again, choking on the cannon ball waves. I help him up to where he sits next to me, patting his back. Our feet dangle in the water and Felix winces when he swims up to us.
“Oopsies.” He says, giving Drew a shy smile.
“No worries.” Drew grimaces, his coughing fit subsiding. I rub his back for a bit longer, then leave him be.
The sun is beating down on us so nicely.
I lean back on my palms and close my eyes, letting my face turn to the sky.
Nothing else gets to exist now. No dads that hit you.
No childhood friends who don’t want you.
No suicidal thoughts. Just a calm afternoon, the sound of the water hitting the concrete, the familiar voices of my friends talking to each other. Just… warmth. My skin buzzes with it.
I get a few minutes of that bliss before Drew tugs at the bottom of my swim trunks, knuckles grazing my upper thigh. I jolt at the unexpected touch, opening my eyes to see him peering at me.
“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 my face. 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 is seething. “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 because what 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 back is 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. I loved hearing 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 for two fucking seconds is 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 even want.
And yet you—you who has been so present to me for so long—you can’t even ask me what I think 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’s constantly looking 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.
“I don’t understand.” I admit.
“Just please be careful. Be wary of him and keep an eye out. I don’t want him trying something or hurting you when your guard is down. He wants you bad, Button.” No longer pacing, I slowly pull my hands out of my hair and turn to face him.
“What?” Aaron takes a step back.
“You know, like don’t change in front of him or—”
“I’m sorry,” I raise a hand to stop him, laughing calmly. “You’re assuming literally just because you want to, that I would consider Drew wanting me a threat?” Aaron looks like I just slapped him.
“Do you… do you not? You want that?” I throw my hands out at my sides.
“I actually hadn’t considered that, Aaron.
But who knows—at least he’d ask me how I’m feeling.
And he’s handsome enough.” I shrug. “I like feeling like I mean something to someone, so the only person Drew is a threat to is you. You don’t like him because in your mind, he’s taking something that belongs to you. ”
“Benjamin, you don’t want him.”
“You don’t know what I want! Why? Because you never fucking ask!
You just make decision after decision because you know everything and I have to just accept it.
Whatever, Aaron.” I roll my eyes, my arms falling back to my sides as my breathing calms. I can’t seem to get through to him—he never truly hears me.
Aaron advances on me quickly, so close that if I inched forward, I’d press against him.
His bare chest is sending heat straight into mine, the muscles in his arms trembling.
I look up to his face and find him staring down at me.
He’s glaring, but there's so much heat there that a whimper slips free before I can stop it. Aaron’s eyes flare.
“Every single thing I’ve done has been because of how much I care about you.”
“I wish it felt like that.”
“God, Benjamin, you make my blood fucking boil.” He’s leaned in a bit more—so fucking close.
“I really want to kiss you.” I whisper, sharing a shameful secret. He sucks in a breath.
“Can I? I want to touch you.”
“No.” Aaron doesn’t move away, doesn’t even breathe.
I bring a hand up and drag a finger across his bottom lip, feeling when he starts to breathe again through his parted lips, my finger hot and wet from the force of it.
“You smell so good…like your bedroom. Like your pillows.” He groans against my finger and I close my eyes.
Okay, too much. I’ve played with him enough. If we keep this up, I’ll end up letting him bend me over one of these shelves and his predictions will come true—I’ll be screwed.
“Did you know,” he says, breathless. “That you smell slightly of citrus?” I shake my head. “The first time I ever put your come in my mouth, I could taste it too. You were so sweet on my tongue.” I’m shaking so hard, vibrating in front of him.
“Aaron, please.” He licks his lips, avoiding where my finger lies.
“What, baby? What do you want?” Oh, God. I might come on my own at this rate.
“We need to knock it off. You made this rule, didn’t you?” Aaron pulls away from me suddenly, clearing his throat as the heat drains from his eyes, adjusting his hard dick in his swim trunks. Another moment of my life given to him—another moment over far too soon.
“Yes, you’re right. Sorry.” I take a deep breath and look away, regaining my bearings and sorting my thoughts. “But Benjamin. If he is… if he is what you want, then okay. But if he’s not what you want, be careful.”
“I don’t need you to get involved in my love life, Aaron.” Irritation boils up inside of me once again. Everything with Aaron is so hot and cold.
“I’m trying to help you. No need to pop an attitude.” I scoff.
“Aren't you supposed to be leaving for college?” He glares at me, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Trying to push me out early, Benjamin?”
“It couldn’t hurt.”
“You’re so fucking mean.” I raise my brows, mouth dropping open for a moment.
“Me? I’m mean? You marked me, all but told me I can never be touched by anyone else, then turned around and tossed me aside—but I’m mean?
Okay. I’ll just leave you to it, Aaron.” I turn to leave, only to flip back around again.
“Oh, and maybe next time you want to fuck someone, don’t become their God before you decide if they’re worth anything to you. ”