Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
I smoke a cigarette outside, ignoring the fact Aaron has called me twice and we are ten minutes late.
Prue hasn’t said much after trying to egg me on in the car and failing. I didn’t really want to confess that I had a thing for her, but whatever. Part of me was hoping she’d get the fucking hint and stop trying to push me away, but I know that’s not going to be the case.
She has herself convinced that she needs to go back to that jerk and now all I can do is try to keep her from doing that, just long enough for her to come to her senses.
Her arms are folded over her chest as she stares everywhere but at me.
My phone buzzes again and I see Wes’s name blink at me this time. I can’t not take his call. After everything he has done for me, I know better than to not answer when he calls. I sigh, hitting answer.
“Hey,” I say into the phone, and Prue finally looks at me.
“Where the fuck are you? Aaron is pissed. He thinks you stood him up,” Wes says.
“I’m outside having a fucking cigarette. Jesus, it’s only like 12:10.”
“Ben, are you trying to break up the band? Is this your way of letting us know that if we don’t play by your terms, you’ll destroy us?”
That is a wild accusation. Insane really.
Why would I want to destroy the band I’m desperately trying to hold on to?
It’s not like I have much else going for me.
My eyes linger on Prue, and I realize that maybe the band not touring for a bit would give me more time with her.
Though if I had to, I’d take her on tour with me.
Drag her across the country so she doesn’t crawl back to hell.
I can’t say that to Wes, at least not right now. Obviously, everyone just thinks I’m acting out. I’m sure there is a secret text chain where they complain about me.
I’ve become the problem child. Always have been, but they no longer enjoy my antics.
“No,” I say firmly. “I’ve just had a long fucking night and I need some god damn nicotine before going to take his verbal lashing.”
Prue’s face drops and I roll my eyes. Mentioning having a long night was the wrong thing to say in front of her. I don’t need her feeling any more guilty than she already does.
“You could’ve answered his calls,” Wes says. “Jesus, Ben. Are you using again? I’m growing more concerned by the day.”
“Funny way of showing it,” I reply before I can stop myself. I do not need to make Wes feel bad for being in love. He has earned himself more happiness than he will ever get.
“Not answering the question isn’t helping your case.”
“I’m not fucking using. Jesus Christ. What about your pretty little girlfriend?
Has she put a needle in her arm recently?
What about her fingers down her throat?” He doesn’t reply, and I’m losing my patience with everything around me, but snapping at Wes is a new low for me.
I’m just angry and tired and in so much pain I kind of wish I was dead.
Not to mention the memories tugging at the back of my head that came from seeing that photo in Prue’s hands.
“I’m sorry, Wes. I’m really sorry, okay?
I might have a mild concussion and broken ribs. It has been a really long 24 hours.”
Prue nods her head with a smug little smile on her face. I wish that smile didn’t make me want to kiss her so fucking bad, but something about the way she looks when copping an attitude makes my insides melt.
When Wes doesn’t reply for a moment, I know what I said must have really hurt him.
He isn’t the kind of guy to snap back, he is more of the type to stew with the anger and come back with a well-adjusted response, which I hate but could really use right now.
He is the last person I want to hurt in the world. I can’t afford to lose him.
“What is going on with you, Ben?” he finally asks.
“Nothing,” I reply. “I’m just an asshole. Sorry you got stuck with me.”
“I didn’t get stuck with you. I picked you,” Wes says. “Saw you getting your ass kicked and decided to take pity on you.” He laughs.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “I’m sorry. I will go in there and make nice.”
“Good. Maybe you can come over for pizza tomorrow. We can talk about music and shit. You can tell me how you got the concussion.”
“Maybe. I’ll text you.”
“I’m still here for you, Ben.”
“I know,” I say, hanging up.
“Abbey does drugs?” Prue asks.
“No. And if you tell a soul anything you just heard…”
“You’ll kill me? Are there some things you hold dear, Ben? Some things you’re too scared to lose?” A sly smile forms over her face, making my cock ache. “Do I now have even more power over you?”
Tossing my cigarette to the ground, I press her against the wall she is leaning against, ignoring the pain that shoots through my body. Shifting so my leg is wedged between her thighs, I cup her face.
“I won’t kill you. Just myself,” I say softly, letting my leg nudge the front of her jeans. “And then you’ll never get to feel my cock splitting you open again.”
Her eyes light up, as if the memory of me inside her still lingers in her mind.
“The only way your cock ever goes back inside me, is if you get on your knees and beg,” she says, ripping her face from my hands.
The cute little demanding voice she speaks with makes my dick throb, and if my whole fucking career wasn’t riding on going into this stupid restaurant and making nice with Aaron, I’d drop to my knees and beg right here.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, pulling away from her body. “Can you just play nice for me right now? Just help me survive this lunch and I will gladly beg when it’s over.”
“Fine.” Her blue eyes spin. “But only because I like your band and would hate for it not to exist anymore.”
“You like my band?”
“I might own a shirt or two.” She shrugs, following me to the door.
“That’s hot. Can I fuck you while you wear one?” I ask, pulling the door open for her.
“God, all you talk about is sex now. It’s like you’re addicted to my pussy,” she whispers as we step inside the restaurant.
“Maybe I am,” I whisper into her ear. “It might be the best thing I ever tasted.”
I spot Aaron and Stacy in a corner booth and grab Prue’s hand, pulling her through the maze of tables. I slide in the booth across from Aaron who glares at me, seeming unaware I brought a girl along or that I have a busted cheek, or maybe he just doesn’t care. Hard to tell these days.
“Hello,” I say, placing my palms on the table, as Prue slides in beside me. “Did you order already?”
“No,” Aaron snaps. “Wasn’t sure you were going to show.”
“You know me.” I grin. “Couldn’t be on time if my life depended on it.”
“Hi,” Stacy cuts in before Aaron can reply. “I’m Stacy and this is Aaron. I’m sure you know this already, but Ben is too rude to do introductions.” She smiles at Prue and I kind of regret ruining her surprise, because she is making this a lot smoother for me.
“Too rude to do a lot of things.” Prue laughs. “I’m Prue. It’s nice to meet you.”
Aaron looks her over, studying her before turning back to me. “You’re fifteen minutes late and you brought a date?”
“A friend,” I correct. “I’m babysitting.” Prue’s mouth drops open as she shoots me a death glare. “She’s Cameron Ward’s twin sister. You remember Cam from that band we toured with last summer.”
“Great Falls,” Prue adds. “His band is Great Falls, you asshole.”
Aaron laughs. “I like her. Did she give you that?” He nods to my cheek.
“No,” I say firmly.
“In a way I did,” Prue says, with a smug smile. I know she is trying to push me to snap.
“No, you didn’t. Do not take responsibility for that prick’s crime,” I say, trying to keep my voice low. “And I thought you were going to behave.”
“You said play nice.” She rolls her eyes. “Maybe my nice is different than yours.”
“Oh, this is interesting.” Aaron sits back, taking a sip from his beer. “A girl who seems unfazed by you.” He laughs. “Never thought I’d see the day where you couldn’t charm the pants off a girl.”
“You’d be surprised.” I shrug, biting my cheek to keep from groaning in pain. “You have no idea how unfazed she is by me. Utterly unimpressed.”
“Not utterly unimpressed,” Prue says. “You are good at some things.”
“Like?” Aaron asks. “What can you possibly find impressive about his sorry ass?”
Part of me knows he is just playing around. Poking fun at me because of what I did the other night, but part of me knows he does think less of me. I’m the odd one out. They are all my friends, but only because of Wes and the music we make. If it wasn’t for Wes, we would’ve never become friends.
“He knows how to play guitar,” Prue replies. “Probably better than anyone else.”
“Including me?” Aaron raises an eyebrow.
“Including you.” She nods. Something inside me swells. I don’t need Prue to think highly of me. I accepted that she thinks I’m an asshole from night one, but it’s nice to hear her stick up for me.
“When he isn’t drunk as a skunk, I guess.” Aaron laughs. “Or being a giant asshole.”
“He isn’t wrong.” I shrug.
When the waiter comes to take our orders, Prue orders a salad and I fight the urge to order her something with some fucking iron. The girl is far too pale and skinny, but I know better than to push her right now. My future is in her hands.
“So, Ben tells me you’re pregnant,” Prue says to Stacy. “Says he ruined the surprise.”
“We were going to tell everyone after dinner, but yes, he just had to ruin the moment.” Stacy laughs.
“Well, you know Ben, always causing a scene.” Prue smiles at me, and I know whatever she is about to say next is not going to be good for me. “Congratulations. I’m destined for motherhood too. Though probably not for a few years. Charles will want to get settled into the family business first.”
“Charles?” Stacy asks, glancing between the both of us. Curiosity rests in Aaron’s face now and I hate it.
I grip the booth tightly, trying not to react. She is just trying to get me to snap. She knows how much is riding on this lunch going well, and she thinks if she pushes me now, that I’ll walk away from her. Let her go back to him. But that isn’t happening.
“He is my fiancé, well… will be soon.”
“Prue,” I say, my voice filled with warning.
“And he is fine with you hanging out with Ben?” Stacy laughs. “Must be a very healthy relationship. I’m not even sure I trust Aaron around him.”
“It has its moments, but I think we are determined to make it last.” Prue smiles outwardly, but I can see behind her eyes that the words are starting to sink in.
She wants to paint it out to be some kind of fairytale, but inside it’s killing her to say out loud.
“He is a great guy. Truly, just top notch. He is going into finance and once we are married our families’ firms will merge, creating a wonderful empire.
He will take good care of me. I’m going to be a great wife. ”
“I’ll kill him before I let that fucking happen,” I snap.
“I swear to God, Prue. I will end his fucking life before I let you marry that fucking piece of shit.” Stacy flinches as my voice raises, and Aaron just stares at me.
“You really said all that with a straight face?” I say, turning toward her.
“Really? You called him a great guy? A great guy, Prue? Really?” Her eyes drop to the table.
“Tell me, Prue. If he is so fucking great, why the hell did I have to hold a knife to his fucking neck to make him leave you alone last night? Huh? Explain that to them.”
“Ben,” Aaron says. “I don’t think making a scene is going to make her feel any better about the situation.”
“I don’t give two shits if she feels better about it.
I want her to feel bad about it. I need her to hear how fucking silly her words sound.
Think them over, Prue. Really hear what you just said.
You want to make Mommy and Daddy happy at any fucking cost, huh?
Who gives a shit if you’re happy as long as everyone else is, right?
Don’t give a fuck about your wellbeing because it’s easier to cover bruises than hit back.
” I push at her to slide out of the booth.
She goes easily, standing up and looking at the ground.
“It sounds fucking ridiculous. And I’m not letting it happen, okay?
” I push myself to my feet, too angry to feel any pain.
“Even if I have to glue myself to your fucking side, I am not letting you end up with him.”
I take a few steps toward the exit, ready to be out of the cage that is this fucking fancy restaurant. Leave it to Aaron and Stacy to pick a rich place to make me beg for their forgiveness.
Prue doesn’t move when I take a step. I groan, ready to rip my hair out.
“We are leaving,” I say, grabbing her arm. “I’m not in the mood to grovel for them.”
She looks up at me. Tears threatening to spill from her eyes, as she glares at me. “Why should I go anywhere with you ever again?”
“Because.” I pause. God, this girl is going to be the fucking death of me. I swear she is going to drive me insane. When she is all better, when she no longer needs me anymore, there is going to be nothing left of me.
And I’m perfectly okay with that.