Chapter 33 Sarah
SARAH
As we walked towards the hotel’s outdoor restaurant area, which was directly on the beach, my heart thundered against my chest.
This was it.
I’d spent so long trying to avoid my sister and my ex and now I was about to see them both.
Yeah, it was great getting one over on Esme earlier, but how was I going to feel when I saw her arms wrapped around him as they snogged each other’s faces off?
Although it may not sound like it, I was over my ex. I was glad that I’d seen his true colours. I’d had a lucky escape. My nervousness wasn’t about that. It was more of an internal thing. That the reason he’d cheated and chosen her was because I wasn’t good enough.
He’d hurt me. He’d cared so little about me that he’d slept with my sister behind my back. He’d made a fool of me.
And as much as I knew I was better off without him, there was still that voice niggling away telling me that I wasn’t worthy of love. That if I couldn’t even get a man as terrible as him to stay, then I had no chance of finding anyone better.
‘You’re shaking,’ Ben whispered in my ear. The feel of his sweet warm breath tickling my skin brought me back to my senses.
‘I’m nervous,’ I replied, ensuring I also kept my voice low.
‘Come here.’ Ben led me to a corner away from the entrance of the outdoor restaurant where dinner was being held.
Once we were alone, he stood in front of me, then spoke.
‘It’s normal that you’re nervous after what they put you through, but remember, you have a secret weapon. Something that neither of them have.’
‘I do?’
‘Of course. You have me. I’m Ben 10, remember?’ He laughed and my face broke out in a smile.
‘I’ve never seen that programme, but I’m guessing that’s a good thing?’
‘Me neither, but I know he’s a superhero. So consider me your own personal knight this weekend. Whatever shit they try and throw at you, I’ll be there holding up a big silver shield to protect you, okay?’
My heart fluttered. He was staring at me with such sincerity that I instantly felt better. This was going to be fine.
‘Okay.’ I inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly before straightening my shoulders. ‘Let’s go.’
Ben moved beside me, then took my hand.
As soon as our palms connected, electricity rocketed through me. His hands were so big, warm and manly. He didn’t even need a shield. Just by holding me, he made me feel safe and protected.
When we stepped out onto the beach where the dinner was being held, Ben turned to me.
‘Did I tell you how fucking beautiful you look tonight?’ he whispered and my insides lit up.
I didn’t even need a mirror to know that I was now smiling like a cat who’d landed tongue first in a cream factory.
When I looked at Ben, I knew it wasn’t an accident that he’d chosen that exact moment to compliment me. He wanted me to walk out here looking and feeling confident and with a grin on my face that would have everyone wondering what he’d just said.
Genius.
‘You did, but feel free to tell me as many times as you like.’ I cocked my head flirtatiously as I felt the tension sliding off my shoulders.
‘There you are!’ My mum appeared in front of me with Dad. I’d been so focused on Ben that I hadn’t even scanned the beach to see who was here.
‘Hi, Mum! Hi, Dad!’ I said. We weren’t a hugging family, but their smiles at least showed that they were happy I was here.
‘Good to see you,’ Dad said.
‘Hello, Mr and Mrs Jeffries,’ Ben said before I’d even got a chance to introduce him. ‘I’m Benjamin. I’ve heard so much about you, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.’ He stretched out his hand.
‘We haven’t heard anything about you.’ Dad raised a cautious brow before shaking Ben’s hand.
‘All good things, I hope!’ Mum added.
‘If you mean the fact that you make the best rice and peas and curried goat this side of Jamaica, then yes.’
‘Oh, stop!’ Mum blushed and I grinned. I loved that he’d remembered the dishes I mentioned she made for Dad. ‘You eat rice and peas?’
‘Love it! I ate so much when I went to Jamaica that I was worried that I wouldn’t fit in my plane seat!’ Ben joked.
‘Give over!’ she scoffed. ‘I doubt that a man like you has an ounce of fat on his body. You look like you’re made of pure muscle.’ Mum grinned.
Oh my God. She was low-key flirting with him.
‘Ah, you’re too kind. Sarah didn’t tell me that you were beautiful and charming,’ Ben said and I fought the urge to laugh at how smooth he was. Everything just rolled off his tongue so effortlessly.
‘I like him!’ Mum gave me a rare seal of approval. ‘He speaks nicely too.’
‘Make sure you look after her,’ Dad warned.
‘I will, sir,’ Ben said politely as they waved to my auntie who’d just arrived.
‘So?’ Ben asked.
‘You’re freaking amazing!’ I muttered under my breath.
‘Why, thank you! Come on, should we do some more mingling? I’d love to meet your brother.’
‘Okay!’ I said. I felt a million times better than I had ten minutes ago. This fake-dating arrangement was even more successful than I’d hoped. I scanned the gathering and spotted Adrian. He was dressed in a smart navy suit and was chatting to my cousin at a table in the far corner.
I was pleased with the set-up. On the beach about half a dozen circular tables had been arranged with cream tablecloths complete with wine glasses and fancy white plates topped with thick napkins. The wooden chairs had comfy-looking cream seat cushions on top.
Tomorrow it would be a similar style for the reception, but with more flowers decorating the tables and the surrounding areas.
‘I think my brother’s over…’
I didn’t even get to finish my sentence because when I saw Trent and Esme appear with their arms around each other, I stopped in my tracks.
They were heading in our direction.
Esme was in a short, low-cut, bright pink dress that left nothing to the imagination, and Trent was wearing a shiny purple velvet suit with an oversized gold chain dangling around his neck.
His normally pale white skin looked dangerously close to orange, which I assumed was because he’d applied too much fake tan, and his short, dark hair had been slicked back with what looked like a gallon of gel.
Ugh. I couldn’t believe I’d dated such a sleazeball for almost two years.
‘Shit, shit, shit,’ I whispered, plastering a fake smile on my face so that no one would see the turmoil ripping through me right now. ‘Incoming. Incoming.’
‘Relax.’ Ben bent down. ‘You’ve got this,’ he whispered in my ear before taking my hand and squeezing it tight.
‘Sarah? Is that you?’ a squeaky male voice sounded. I knew that it was Trent. God, had his voice always been that annoying?
Ben squeezed my hand again, giving me the strength I needed.
‘Trent, Esme,’ I said curtly.
‘Who’s this?’ Trent said.
‘This is Ben. My boyfriend,’ I said as confidently as I could.
‘Ha!’ Trent laughed. ‘Yeah, right!’
‘There you are!’ Adrian joined us, distracting me from wanting to slap Trent. I knew he wouldn’t believe Ben was my boyfriend, but fuck him.
Ben ground his jaw in frustration. He was shooting Trent a look that was so fuelled with hate and anger, I was worried that he might deck him.
‘Bro, this is Ben,’ I said quickly, trying to reduce the tension.
‘Hey!’ Adrian said enthusiastically before doing that back-slapping thing men do.
‘So great to finally meet you. Sarah didn’t tell me she was dating a male model!
Damn, man. I better hurry up and get my girl down the aisle before she sees you and changes her mind!
’ He laughed, then winced and mouthed ‘sorry’.
I knew Adrian meant well, but I also understood why he’d apologised. He was probably worried that the whole partner stealing joke was too close to the bone given Trent and Esme’s betrayal.
‘Adrian, Esme and Sarah,’ Mum called out. ‘Here a moment, please.’
‘Er, are you gonna be okay?’ I looked at Ben.
‘I’ll be fine.’ He smiled.
‘I’ll be right back and if you need me, I’ll just be over there,’ I reassured him, pointing to where Mum was standing a few feet away. ‘I’ll get you a drink on my way back. Beer, right?’
‘You know me so well.’ Ben replied.
I didn’t like the idea of leaving him alone with Trent. I’d just quickly see what Mum wanted and I’d come straight back.
Here’s hoping Ben doesn’t knock out Trent in the meantime.
Then again, although I knew violence was wrong, part of me thought that maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if he did.