Chapter 23
Ben pulls into the inn”s lot 30 minutes before my curfew. Mom has never really stuck to a curfew before, and as cool as she has been about the whole Ben thing, I think it was just her way of playing Mom a little. We sit silently in the truck. Up until now, I’ve never stared at my front porch longer. Finally, Ben breaks the silence.
“Tonight was fun,” he says.
“It was.” Not really clear of what to do, I move to open my door.
“Wait,” Ben stops me and turns. “I mean, tonight was fun, but I don’t really want it to be over yet.”
“I agree,” I blush.
His full body relaxes. “Maybe I can walk you inside?”
“Yeah, you can walk me inside.” He is quick to exit the truck and run around to open my door. Once we make it up the steps, I don’t hesitate in opening the door so we can enter the lobby. Inside, Ben asks, “We can hang out here or...” then it hits him. “Where do you stay?”
“Mom and I have a private apartment up the stairs, but actually, I have a better idea.” Taking his hand, I lead him to the back porch.
I stop immediately because on the swing sits Tyler. Ben bumps into me and then moves his hands on both sides of me to steady me. “You okay?” he asks. I don’t have time to respond before Tyler stands up to approach us.
“It’s true. You moved on?” he spits. Tyler is tall but not as tall as Ben. His blonde hair is cut short. He’s lankier than Ben too.
“Tyler, what are you doing here?” his entire presence irritates me.
“Ian texted me that you’re on a date,” he approaches us, and Ben pulls me next to him. Tyler stops. “I just thought it was kind of funny when you told me that you didn’t want to date to focus on school.”
“Maybe she just didn’t want to date you,” Ben has had time to fully assess the situation and looks beyond angry.
“I didn’t ask you,” Tyler snaps. Tyler doesn’t realize that addressing Ben probably isn’t good for his health.
“Okay. Stop.” I say. “Both of you.” I place a hand on Ben’s arm, then nod to him that I am fine. He looks down at me and relaxes but only a little.
“Tyler, you and I both know I didn’t break up with you just because I was going to Briarwood. You were the one that couldn’t handle that.”
“Come on Mia. I said I was sorry. I overreacted. I promised I wouldn’t pressure you anymore” Tyler tries to come closer, and I think Ben does actually growl. I hold my hand up.
“No. We have had this conversation. You didn’t respect me or any boundaries I set. Then you used me leaving for school to try to get me to waiver. When it didn’t work, we broke up,” as I speak, I can feel Ben tense next to me. No one has a good reaction to the reason for our breakup. However, Ben has a bit of a protective side and I need to get him calm.
“So what? You just replace me with this guy? You think some rich kid from Briarwood is going to treat you better than me?” he says exasperated.
Ben must be exercising some serious self-control because he lets me answer. “This is Ben. Ben is my-“
“Boyfriend,” I choke at his words, but I don’t correct him. He takes my hand and pulls me behind him. “And I don’t really like the idea of some guy showing up on my girlfriend’s porch, especially since it’s clear he isn’t wanted.”
“Look man, maybe you can take a step back. Amelia and I have known each other for a while.” Tyler says stepping forward.
“Yeah, and clearly you left a bad taste.” Ben doesn’t let up. Instead he meets Tyler and towers over him. As Ben glares down at Tyler, I feel the heat roll off of him. When he clenches his fists, I step in between them.
“Enough. Leave Tyler.” I demand. I’ve had enough.
“Fine. I’ll go.” Tyler walks to the door then turns to say “Call me when you realize that he only wants one thing.” Ben goes to follow him, but I grab his hand pulling him back. Tyler leaves tail tucked. I have to lean on the wall next to me. Ben comes to stand in front of me and rubs his hands up and down my arms.
“I’m sorry if I overstepped” he says then takes a deep breathe. I look up at him shocked.
“Wait. What?” I look into his stormy eyes “My ex shows up and tries to ruin the end of our date, and you’re apologizing to me?”
“Amelia, you didn’t ask him here. It was clear you didn’t want him here. You have nothing to be sorry about,” it breaks me. Here is this guy who I have spent almost every day with, being polite, and asking to hold my hand, and handling my ex showing up better than anyone in history probably would, and being perfect, and I lose all sense.
I lean up on my tiptoes, surprising Ben and myself, and I kiss him. I have to steady myself by placing a hand on his shoulder, but the moment my lips touch his, he grabs my waist, holding me in place. It lasts only a moment, then I lower down and stare up at him.
“Thank you,” I blush.
“You’re welcome.” He releases me. “Anyway, before we were interrupted, you had an idea.”
“Yeah, I, um, well, I wanted to sit on the swing with you and watch for fireflies. It’s rare this time of year, but sometimes they are still out, but it feels kind of tainted now.”
“I understand. Do you want me to go?”
“No, but maybe we can sit in the sunroom instead.” I pause before we head in. “Ben, why did you tell Tyler you were my boyfriend?”
“Honestly, he didn’t seem like he would back off if I didn’t.”
“Oh, okay.” I start toward the door, but he catches my hand.
“I mean, as far as I’m concerned, he can keep thinking it. Other people can think it too,” his face is earnest. He’s asking without asking and I can’t breathe.
“Other people?” I ask.
“All the people” he looks at me sheepishly.
“Okay.” I leave him speechless on the porch and walk inside. I appear more confident than I am because on the inside, I’m freaking out. I think I just agreed to be Ben’s girlfriend.