Chapter Twenty-Five Bennett
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: BENNETT
A s I sat wedged beside Vivian on her parents’ couch, I couldn’t remember a better time on Christmas Eve. Probably not since my grandfather had passed away when I was fifteen. After that, my mom’s siblings hadn’t gotten together as one big family again. Then two years later, my dad had thrown me out and banned me from attending our family Christmases.
If it hadn’t been for the goodness and tolerance of my mother’s sister, I would’ve been alone on Christmas for years. Although I was always welcome at her house during the holidays, it wasn’t the same as being able to go home to be with my mom and sisters.
But tonight made up for the last shitty years. After spending just a little time with Vivian’s family, I could see why she was the warm, compassionate, and empathetic person that she was. She’d been blessed with two of the best parents possible.
Her extended family was the best as well. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so much.
Of course, things had been pretty dicey for a bit when Laura outed Vivian’s pregnancy. To my surprise, everyone took it well. I knew the baby was going to be surrounded by love.
When everyone had left and it was just Vivian’s brother and his family, Laura came across the room to sit beside me. “Did Vivian tell you about our Christmas breakfast tradition?”
As Vivian tensed beside me, I replied honestly, “No, ma’am, she didn’t.”
Laura tsked. “I’m not surprised. Well, anyway, we have breakfast here at nine. Walker and his family aren’t able to come anymore because they go to Josie’s family. For the last couple of years, it’s just been Miles and I and Vivian.”
“Mom, it’s already been a big evening. I’m not sure I want to overload Bennett on my family.”
I gave Vivian a genuine smile. “I don’t mind at all.”
She blinked at me in surprise. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I’d love to come to breakfast.”
Laura clapped her hands together with glee. “And I’m sure you bring a hearty appetite, don’t you?”
With a laugh, I replied, “Yes, ma’am, I certainly do.”
“Oh good. We always have too many leftovers.”
Grinning, Vivian elbowed me playfully. “We’ll have to make sure you wear your stretchy pants tomorrow.”
“I have just the pair.”
As the enormous clock over the mantle dinged ten o’clock, Vivian rose off the couch. “If we’re coming back for breakfast, we better go home.”
“Why don’t you two spend the night? Then you won’t have to get up so early to come back for breakfast,” Laura suggested earnestly.
Her genuine invitation sent my chest clenching. I’d never imagined such acceptance from Vivian’s parents. Especially not after allegedly knocking her up. But here was her mother rolling out the red carpet for me.
Desperate to chase that feeling, I blurted, “That would be amazing.”
Laura beamed. “Really? Vivian never wants to stay.”
“It’s not because I don’t want to, Mom. I have to feed my cats,” Vivian argued.
Her mother waved a dismissive hand. “They won’t starve overnight.”
Miles chuckled. “Especially not that extra chunky one.”
Vivian huffed indignantly. “Gybbs has food insecurity from being rescued out of a hoarder situation.”
“He’s a fat bastard,” Walker mused from the doorway.
“Don’t you start!” Vivian warned as she wagged her finger at her brother.
As Laura began saying goodbye to her grandchildren, Vivian turned to me. “Are you sure about staying?” she questioned under her breath.
“Absolutely.”
“You don’t sound sure.”
With a laugh, I replied, “It’s more I’m in shock than anything. I mean, if we were at my house, hell would freeze over before my mother would offer for the two of us to share a bed when we’re not married.”
“Just don’t mention it in front of my grandmother. If anyone is going to freak out about our sinful cohabitation, it would be her. I’m thankful for the small mercies of both her forgetfulness and her hearing aids going in and out because I don’t think she realized we weren’t married.
“Seriously?”
“Sadly, yes.”
“It’ll be our little secret.“
We ended up staying up and talking to Vivian’s parents until almost midnight. By the time we fell into bed, I was too exhausted to move. But when Vivian snuggled against my side, my cock made it plain that he was up for some action.
After resting her head on my chest, Vivian peered up at me. “Can I ask you something?”
“As long as it isn’t anything remotely sexual.” After she tilted her head up and peered curiously at me, I grinned. “I’m trying everythin’ within me not to ravish you under your parents’ roof.”
She laughed. “You’re noble to a fault.”
“Don’t knock me for tryin’ to stay on your parents’ good side.”
“You’re in luck because my question isn’t sexual.” Wrinkling her nose, she said, “Okay, maybe a little bit.”
With a groan, I replied, “You’re killin’ me smalls.”
After propping her head on her hand, Vivian’s expression became serious. “How long have you been in love with Theo?”
Every molecule in my body shuddered to a stop at her question. Oh God. How the hell was I supposed to answer that question? Could I even answer it? I mean, I didn’t want to fuck things up with Vivian, and I was pretty sure confirming the guy she had feelings for actually had feelings for another guy wasn’t solidifying in a relationship.
The fakest laugh I could muster bubbled from my lips. “What are you talking about? I’m not in love with Theo anymore than I am with Grayson.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Don’t lie to me, Bennett.”
Since I hated lying to her and myself, I replied, “Jesus, is it that obvious?”
“Only to me.”
“Was it something I said to him?”
“It’s the way you look at him,” she replied softly.
My eyes bulged in horror. “Fuck. Do you think anyone else ever noticed?”
She shook her head. “It’s something only a woman would notice.”
“I hope you’re right.”
As Vivian traced the tattoo over my heart, she once again asked, “How long have you been in love with him?”
“It feels like forever,” I choked out.
“Unrequited love can feel that way.”
Panic swirled within me that I hadn't guarded my emotions. “When did you see me give him a look?”
“When the two of you were…” A red flush entered her cheeks.
“Fucking you?”
Vivian smacked my arm playfully. “Don’t say it like that.”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
She gave me a look. “When the three of us were together, you kissed him.”
“Considering you’d just come, I didn’t think you’d notice.”
“Oh, I did.” She smiled. “And I also noticed he kissed you back.”
With a sigh, I replied, “I know.”
“Have you ever told him how you feel?”
I barked out a mirthless laugh. “Profess my love to Mr. Hetero Manwhore Novak?” Shaking my head, I replied, “I’d have to be fucking insane to do that.”
“Maybe he’s confused and waiting on you to make the move?”
“Or maybe he just kissed me because he was high on sexual energy.”
“Grayson didn’t kiss you.”
I rubbed my hand over my face. “I’m aware of that.”
“You need to talk to him.”
Shaking my head, I replied, “I would rather keep things as they are than say something and spook him.” When Vivian opened her mouth to argue, I said, “I don’t want to jeopardize what we have.”
“How could it do that?”
“If he freaked out, so could Grayson. Then where would our quadruple be?”
“Grayson isn’t a homophobe, so I can’t see it being an issue.”
“You don’t think he would have an issue with Theo topping me?”
“As long as he’s getting his cock wet, I doubt he would care.”
I laughed. “I’m serious, Viv.”
“So am I.”
“Speaking of you, are you telling me you wouldn’t care?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t.”
“Leaving the sex out of it, you don’t care that I would be loving someone else when I was loving you.”
“You already do love Theo, so what would be different? I mean, you three already share my love. I’d be a hypocrite if I couldn’t share yours and Theo’s love?”
Grabbing the back of her head, I brought her lips to mine, giving her a tender kiss. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you are not like any other woman I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you, Bennett,” she murmured against my lips.
Since I wanted to put an end to the talk of me and Theo, I thrust my tongue into her mouth. As Vivian moaned, I rolled her onto her back before climbing on top of her. When I thrust my hardened cock against her core, she tore her lips from mine.
“What happened to trying to be on my parents’ good side?” she panted.
“Since I’ve already knocked you up and they don’t hate me, what’s a little Christmas fuckery?”