Chapter 25 #2
I press the intercom button. “Mom. Prue is here,” I announce myself.
“We are in the den, dear.” My mother’s voice carries over the speakers.
I grab Ben’s hand, leading him through the maze of hallways. The den is my parents’ favorite place to gather.
He locks our fingers as I lead him. I can’t look at him right now, not while my fate is hanging in the balance. The outcome of this is going to change everything. I don’t need my feelings for him swaying my decision.
When we enter the den, I drop Ben’s hand. My mother lounges on the couch, feet tucked under her knees. Her blonde hair draped over the arm of the chair. She is high on one prescription pill or maybe two, who knows these days.
My father sits by the fireplace, a whiskey glass in hand. The flames from the raging fire make shadows dance over his clean-shaven face. His face looks nothing like Cameron’s or mine. Sharp, where ours is round. Hard, while ours are soft.
The TV is on, but his eyes have been on me since the moment we entered the room. I feel myself straighten up, like I always do under his gaze. The need to impress him crawls up my spine. His expectations are like a weight around my neck.
“Hello.” I force myself to speak, stretching a smile across my face.
“Prue, dear, you didn’t mention you brought your brother along,” my mother says, sitting up slightly. Leave it to her to not be able to tell the difference between a stranger and her own child.
“That’s not Cameron,” my father says. His voice is loud, as if he needs to assert dominance. I’ve never been on the other side of that voice. He reserves it for Cameron and people who he wants to put fear in.
“Oh. I just saw the shaggy hair and tattoos.” my mother says.
“This is Ben. He’s a friend.”
“Of yours? Or is Cameron in some kind of trouble?” Mother asks, with a sigh. “That boy is nothing but trouble.”
“He is a friend of both of ours.”
“I didn’t know you two shared any friends.” My mother’s eyes zero in on me. The look on her face is sharp enough to kill. Clearly, she is conveying that sharing friends with my brother is not acceptable.
“Hello,” my father says, stepping toward Ben. He extends his hand and I watch as Ben grasps it back. “I’m Calvin Ward, and this is my wife, Betty. Ben, was it?”
“Yes. Ben Parker.” Ben nods, shaking his hand for a moment before dropping it. My father stares at his hand. No one has ever let go of his hand first. Ben might as well have slapped him across the face.
“Nice bruise you got there, kid. Should I see the other guy?” my father asks, trying to save face.
“If you find him, please let me know,” Ben replies with a grin.
“Ha,” my father says, sitting back down. “Sit you two.”
I slide into the loveseat across from my mother. Ben drops down beside me. I shift so we aren’t touching. The more space between us the better. My parents might be acting nice, but it’s all fake. They aren’t happy with me. I can feel the tension in the air. Sense their disappointment in my gut.
“What brings you here, Prue? I thought you were enjoying being at your brother’s. Have you finally grown tired of that dump?” my mother says, tucking her hair behind her ears, and shooting me another pointed look.
“No. We were just in the neighborhood. I thought I’d show Ben where I grew up.”
“Why would that matter to him?”
“Obviously, Ben must mean something to our little girl,” my father replies. He eyes me as he speaks. “She clearly wanted to show off for him.”
“Prue has no need to show off for me,” Ben says. “Not a damn thing about this place could impress me, more than she, herself, does.”
“Do you fancy my daughter?” My father laughs. It’s clearly a fake laugh. To him, the idea of Ben liking me must be the most amusing thing he has ever heard. “Because you should know she is already off the market.”
“Dad,” I say softly, “I told you. Char—” Ben’s hand touches my thigh, squeezing it. “We broke up.”
“Prue, sweetie, kids do impulsive things. I’m sure you two will patch it up in no time.
You know your absence at the Hilton last night sure made a fuss, but I know Mr. Davenport is willing to ignore that.
Headaches happen, but you do have an obligation to attend these things.
Especially when a man like Charles invites you.
” My mother uses her lecturing voice as she speaks.
Ben’s fingers dig into my thigh at the mention of Charles’ name, but his face doesn’t change. A polite smile is spread across it, but his eyes dance with rage.
“I didn’t have a headache,” I snap. Ben’s rage is fueling my own.
My parents don’t care about me, but I have someone who literally took a fist to the face for me. He is sitting right beside me, ready to go toe to toe with the people who should love me more than anything. It hurts and feels good at the same time.
“Prue, dear, don’t raise your voice. It’s rude, especially in front of guests,” my mother says. “Even if they are your brother’s friend.” Her eyes glance over him for a moment, before turning back to glare at me.
“Yes, Mom,” I say back softly.
“You know the Davenports are hosting brunch tomorrow. I think that’s the perfect place for Charles and you to patch things up,” my mother adds.
My mouth opens to speak, ready to agree to go and drag Ben out of here. There is no sense in trying to reason with them. It’s best to just agree to their terms, and not follow through. Before I can speak, Ben’s hand flattens against my thigh.
“I’m afraid I can’t let that happen,” he says, patting my thigh.
“Excuse me?” My father’s voice is laced with shock.
I glance up at Ben, who smiles at me. “I told you, I’d be the wrecking ball.”
My eyes roll the way only he seems to be able to make them, but I smile too. He warned me and I still brought him here. Maybe I knew my choice this whole time. Maybe this is what I needed. Let Ben destroy my life for me. Then I’ll have no choice but to become someone new.
“You can’t let that happen? Why do you think you have any say in this?” My father’s voice grows louder, much like his heartbeat must have since he saw me walk in with Ben by my side.
“I’m bound by the morals bestowed upon me, of not being an abusive prick to stop your daughter from getting back with that piece of shit.”
“What filthy language.” My mother gasps. “Extremely rude.”
“Oh, right. I forgot this is the upper class where we ignore bruises and force our daughters to do our bidding. I’m so fucking sorry.” Ben scoffs.
“Young man.” My father jumps to his feet. Ben rises too, staring at him. “You need to leave right this minute.”
“Gladly,” Ben says, holding his hand out to me. “Prue.”
“She’s not going with you,” my father snaps. My eyes dart to him. He glares at Ben, threateningly. When I look back at Ben, his eyes are on me.
“Come on, Prue,” he says.
“What has gotten into you?” My mother shakes her head. “This behavior is so unbecoming. We raised you to be better than this. Given you everything you could’ve wanted. Promised you a good life, and you decide to act out with this boy.”
My eyes drop to the ground. I don’t know what to do. Leaving with Ben will destroy my whole life, but if I stay, I’ll end up back with Charles, who will be far too happy to cause me pain and misery.
“I’m sorry,” I say after a moment.
“Don’t apologize to them,” Ben says.
“Not them. You,” I say, looking back up at him. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. You should go.”
“Not without you,” he says, reaching his hand toward me.
“Do not touch her,” my father snaps, taking a step closer to him. “You are to never go near my daughter again. What you do with Cameron is one thing, but you won’t soil my daughter.”
“Ha.” Ben laughs. “Should I tell them it’s a little too late for that, or do you want to?” My face turns red, as does my father’s, but for two separate reasons. “Prue. I’m like a minute away from getting my ass kicked, once again, for your honor. Can we please go?”
I stand up without putting much thought in it. Ben has proven he cares more about me than anyone else I’ve met. I’m not letting him get hurt over me again. I can’t. So, if leaving here with him keeps him from harm, I’ll go, but I’m not sure I won’t come back.
I don’t trust my father not to destroy Ben’s career just to hurt me.
My father steps between us, blocking me from Ben.
“You will not go with him, Prue. Do you hear me?” he shouts in my face. “You will fix things with Charles, marry him, pop out a few kids and fulfill your duties to this family. Let’s hope Charles never finds out about what you did with this boy. God help us if he does.”
“Oh. He knows. I made sure of it last night when I kicked his ass,” Ben chimes in.
My father raises his arm, and for a moment I think he is going to hit me. My heart skips a beat as I wait for him to strike, but he turns, slapping Ben across the face.
Ben laughs, openly laughs, rubbing his cheek. My mother gasps. I blink back tears.
“You vile little shit.” My father grabs at Ben’s shirt, yanking him forward. “If you ruined the business deal of a century for me, I will cut off your tiny dick and feed it to you for dinner.”
“I see where Prue got that insult from.” Ben chuckles, shoving my father back and breaking free from his hold. “But I gladly proved to her my cock is big enough to feed a family of six.”
My father shakes with anger, balling up his fists. “Get out now!” he shouts.
“Prue?” Ben says, ducking his head to the side to look at me. “Hey, baby, it’s okay. Let’s just go, okay?”
“She isn’t going with you. I’ll call the cops. They will be here before you make it down the driveway.”
“And what will you tell them, Calvin? That the man you assaulted took your bargaining chip away? Have some class. Don’t make a scene. Wouldn’t want anyone thinking you’re anything like me.” Ben smirks. “Prue.”
“Excuse me, Dad,” I say, trying to get by him.
He grabs my arm tightly, yanking me back. His grip hurts my arm. The very act of him yanking me floods my mind with memories of Charles, the very man he wants me to marry.
“Let her go,” Ben snaps, taking a step forward. “Because if you don’t, I’ll have no choice but to do something drastic, like I did with Charles last night.”
“Please, Dad.” I look up at him, tears in my eyes. “I can’t marry Charles. He hurt me. I’ll do anything else you want, just don’t make me marry him. Please.”
“He wouldn’t have hurt you if you just looked the other way, dear,” my mother says. “Men have affairs, you just have them buy you something expensive and move on.”
“God that is disgusting,” Ben groans. “Let. Her. Go.”
My father tightens his grip on my arm, and I wince. Ben’s eyes widen as if the sight of me in pain makes his anger double. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the pocketknife from last night.
I shake my head, pleading for him not to do anything to make this situation worse.
My father laughs when he sees it. “Going to stab me, kid? Jail is a better cage than you deserve.”
“Oh no. I’m not going to stab you. That would be counterproductive.
” I watch as Ben unfolds the blade, pressing it to his shoulder.
“Buddy, just because I fucked your daughter, doesn’t mean you have to stab me.
” Ben presses the blade until it cuts through his hoodie, and keeps pressing, until I see him bite his lip. His eyes never leave my father’s face.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Me?” Ben questions, as the blade slips deeper into his flesh. “This is all you.”
“No one will buy it. I have witnesses,” my father counters.
“Prue won’t defend either of us, and I’m willing to bet your wife’s medicine cabinet has plenty of reasons to make her an incredible witness.
Regardless, it’s not really the court of law I care about, but the court of public opinion.
I don’t think it looks very becoming of the CEO of some huge company knifing some guy. ”
Ben pulls the blade back. It’s coated in blood.
He presses it back in. My body jerks forward to stop him, but my father keeps me in place.
Ben is insane, and it’s kind of hot. “And who would think I’d stab myself?
That’s such a crazy thing to do. In my guitar holding arm, nonetheless?
That’s just fucking insane. Now. Let Prue go. ”
I squirm against my father, trying to break free of his hold. Ben stares at him, letting the blade pierce through his shoulder. A wet spot is forming through his hoodie.
My father releases me, shoving me forward. Ben’s hand flies out to steady me. Tears fill my eyes, and Ben pulls me against him.
“Are you happy, Prue? Going to destroy the family business all because some trashy rock star has you convinced his dick is enough to keep you warm at night.”
“I’m not good enough for your daughter. I don’t think that at all. She is far better than anything I could ever have. I’m just brave enough to show her that,” Ben snaps back.
I reach up, pulling the knife from his shoulder.
“Fucking have her. Take the slut. I never want to see her again.”
I wince at my father’s words but keep my eyes on Ben. He takes the knife from me, folding it shut.
“Come on, baby. Let’s go.”
I’m quiet as Ben drives. I have no idea where we are going, and I don’t care. My whole life has just fallen apart. I knew I was nothing more than a pawn to my parents, but this confirms it.
My eyes dart to Ben. The sleeve of his hoodie is wet and getting more so by the minute. The hand that grips the steering wheel has blood on it.
“You need stitches,” I say, and he glances at me. “You’re still bleeding.”
“It will stop.”
“Or you’ll bleed to death.”
“I didn’t go that deep.” He shrugs.
“You stabbed yourself for me. Are you fucking insane?”
“Obviously. I kind of thought you figured that out the night we met.” He laughs. “But I had no idea you’d turn out to be a bigger mess than me.”
“My father almost killed you!”
“Eh.” He shrugs again, wincing. “He wouldn’t be the first to try. Though he’d find out I’m awfully hard to kill. Trust me, if a needle didn’t get the job done or a razor blade for that matter, I don’t think he could.”
“Ben! My parents just disowned me. I’m disowned. Tomorrow all my accounts will be frozen. They will cancel my college fund. I’ll have nothing.”
“What about Cameron?”
“Cameron can barely take care of himself. I’ve been helping him stay afloat for years. Oh God. I just ruined both our lives. You have to take me back. I have to fix this.”
“Over my dead body,” Ben says. “I can help. I have more money than I know what to do with. And Cameron is a big boy. Now that I know your father has been cock blocking his band, I can solve that problem for him.”
“I can’t take your money.”
“Just until you get your feet on the ground. Let me help you, Prue.” His hand touches my thigh. “We’re friends after all.”
“We can’t be friends if I’m indebted to you.”
“Marry me then.”