Chapter 32
THIRTY-TWO
She blocked my number, moved out of Cameron’s and told him to tell me to leave her alone. She also happens to be under her father’s roof, while back together with Charles. These thoughts swirl around my head for the rest of the day as I pace my condo, trying to figure out my next move.
I debate going to her parents’, but I doubt that will go over well. I’d probably end up arrested, and she’d end up beaten. So, I can’t very well do that.
I have to think. Have to be smarter. Plot better, but I refuse to let her stay there. I will do whatever it takes to get her out of this.
The next morning, I tuck myself into a chair in the corner of the coffee shop by her college the minute it opens. Sitting, I hope she stops in here before class.
It takes two hours, but she finally walks in. Two girls stand on either side of her. Some blonde in Uggs and a short brunette in pink sweatpants.
They talk to each other while Prue just nods along. She is wearing a light blue turtleneck and jeans. My stomach knots, scared there might be new bruises for her to cover.
They order and she turns, resting on the wall by the pickup counter.
She still just nods along to whatever the other two are babbling about.
Clearly, she is trying to seem interested, but her face tells me she is miles away.
She glances around. Her eyes skim over me, dart away, then come back to me.
I watch as her face drops and eyes widen.
I offer her a smile, beckoning her to me with my finger. She shakes her head, quickly looking at the girls beside her. That’s how she stays until their drinks are ready and they disappear out the door.
I shouldn’t be surprised she couldn’t get away to talk to me, but it still makes me mad. If her father and Charles think they can keep me from her, they are wrong. I’m not letting them control her fate. That should belong to her.
So, plan B it is.
I sit in my mother’s office, waiting for her to finish up her next class. I eye the picture frames on the wall. So many of her with my father and with me. And of course, her sister, my Aunt Martha.
Judging by how few of these pictures are of me older than the age of 10, I know I should be a better son. I should spend more time with her, but she should’ve picked up on the fact that once I hit eleven, I suddenly wanted nothing to do with the family. That didn’t just happen for no reason.
I glare at the copy of the photo I have in my apartment. Knowing that is the reason makes me sick.
“Ben,” my mother says when she walks in. “It’s good to see you.”
“I need a favor,” I blurt out, turning toward her.
“What kind of favor?” She studies me. Her eyes take in the bruise on my cheek, but she won’t ask.
“I need you to find out what classes Prue Ward has and have one of her teachers ask her to stay after class.” Her face scrunches up as she tries to make sense of what I’m asking. “Then I need to use that time to talk to her.”
“I don’t understand,” she says. “You want me to get a teacher to keep some girl after class just so you can talk to her? Why?”
“Because it’s the only way, I can be alone with her that doesn’t end up with a dead body.”
“A dead body?” My mother gasps. Her concern is apparent. I’ve done my best to keep her out of the dark parts of my life, unfortunately for the both of us that ends now. “What is going on, Benjamin? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“No more than usual.” I shrug. “Though I did spend the weekend in jail.”
“Jail?” She is stunned, shocked, terrified. “For what?”
“Don’t worry about it. The charges were dropped.”
“What is happening?” She sits back on her office chair. “You weren’t always this wild.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “You should ask Aunt Martha about that. I’d be curious what she has to say about my wild behavior.” Her name feels like poison on my tongue, but I’m in too much agony to care right now.
“What does she have to do with this?”
“Good question. Ask her that too.”
“Ben,” my mother says, staring me in the eyes. “Just tell me what’s going on, please?”
“I met a girl who has an abusive ex, who I happened to beat up, with or without a deadly weapon, and this girl decided to trade her freedom for mine. That doesn’t sit right with me, so I need to talk to her, without her prick of a soon-to-be fiancé finding out so he can’t hurt her before I have the chance to end his miserable existence. ”
She sighs, her eyes dropping to a picture frame on her desk.
“I can’t help you,” she says, glancing back up.
“You had me for a moment until the last part. I’m proud that I raised you to take care of people in need, but I can’t let you kill a man to protect her.
I won’t help you if it puts you at risk of ending up hurt.
As your mother, I just can’t do that, Ben.
I won’t fail to protect you, even if that means someone else’s daughter has to suffer.
That will be my burden to live with, but I won’t fail you. ”
“Already have, Mom,” I say, walking to the door. “Ask Aunt Martha about that too. Or don’t. She probably wouldn’t tell you about it anyways, but I would like her to know I haven’t forgotten. Can’t forget.”
“Forget what, Ben?”
I glance back at her as I open the door. Her face is etched in worry, and a kind of love only a mother could have. She deserves a better son, one who doesn’t stress her out. One who isn’t about to destroy her whole world like I am.
“That she is a fucking rapist.” I shrug, turning and walking out of the room.
She didn’t deserve to find out like that, but if I’m going to start pouring gasoline on everything I love, why not start at the top?
I stalk Prue for two days from afar. I lurk the hallways of her college, hang out in corners while she is in class. How I don’t go insane anytime Charles is near her, touches her, or plants a stupid little kiss on her cheek, is a miracle.
I keep telling myself I need to keep my anger in check for her safety, for my plan to work.
Wes is not thrilled with my plan. Less thrilled about keeping things from my mother. He is a mommy’s boy. She called him after our little chat, asking him questions. Lying to her will probably haunt him for the rest of his life, but what are brothers for?
She is deeply concerned, as is he. Only difference is he knows he would go to the same length as I am for his girl.
I’m surprised when Prue takes a seat outside my mother’s office. Waiting for my mother to finish up with the student she is talking to. Her eyes dart around the hallway. I’m glad she can’t see me from where I lurk.
When the student exits and my mom steps into the hallways, spotting Prue, she sighs.
“Prue.”
“Hello, Mrs. Parker,” Prue says, standing up.
“You’re not in my class this year.” My mother holds the door open, ushering Prue inside.
The minute the door shuts I walk over, standing to the side of the small window, I press my ear to the side of the door, hoping to hear their conversation.
“What brings you here?” my mother asks.
“Ben.”
“Yeah. I figured as much, though he made it seem like getting you alone would be much more difficult.”
“No one knows you’re his mother. I told them I was asking about a TA spot for next semester.”
“And what’s the real reason?”
“I need you to tell Ben to leave me alone.”
My mom laughs lightly. “Do you not know Ben? He doesn’t listen to anyone, least of all me. I didn’t understand why that was, but I’m starting to piece it together.” She sighs.
“I just need you to convince him to stay away. I made my decision. This is what I want. Tell him that. Tell him I’m okay and that I want this.”
“I’m not lying to my son. You don’t want this. Don’t get me wrong, as his mother I’m very thankful you saved him from a prison sentence, but as a woman, you don’t want this.”
It would be wishful thinking to think my mother could convince Prue to give up her plan. I know Prue better than that.
“It was the only way.”
“No. It wasn’t. Ben would’ve spent a lifetime behind bars for you.
He still might. If you think me lying to him on your behalf has any barring, I hate to disappoint.
He has always done what he wants, regardless of the consequences.
He never listens to reason, and I think when it comes to you, it’s ten times worse.
I’ve never seen him care about anyone like he cares about you.
He has no problem getting his hands dirty, but for you, I think he’d burn the whole world down. ”
“Please,” Prue pleads. “I just need him to know I’ll be okay. If he does anything, he will only make things worse for both of us.”
“I know that. Wes knows that and deep down, so does Ben. The problem is, I don’t think he cares.”
Prue sighs, like she knows this has become a lost cause. “Who’s the other woman?” she asks, and I can only assume she is asking about my aunt.
“That’s my sister. Martha.”
“Is she still alive?”
“Yes,” my mother says. “She spends a lot of time with us.”
“Next time you see her, tell her I hope she dies,” Prue snaps, turning toward the door.
I move, knowing I have one shot at this. I duck into the janitor closet, keeping the door cracked to wait for her to walk by.
Prue marches out of my mom’s office, turning toward where I stand. She strolls toward me and just when she steps in front of the door, I yank her inside with me, clasping my hand over her mouth.
She jerks against my hold, squirming and kicking at my shins. Her teeth bite into my palm and I hiss. My cock stiffens despite the fact this shouldn’t be hot.
“Stop. It’s just me,” I say into her ear, holding her tightly against me. She relaxes into my embrace. “You went to see my mom?” She nods, and I release my hold on her. She turns, facing me. “Why?”
“To tell her to make you leave me alone,” she snaps. “Ben, are you crazy? You need to stop. Just let me go. I made my decision.”
“It was a stupid fucking decision,” I say. “I’m not letting you sell your soul for me. Trust me, I’m not worth that much.”