CHAPTER 32 KAYLEE
“Benjamin Olson, where the hell are you?” Ellie screams from the front door.
Anger courses through my veins, only I’m not quite sure who I’m angry at just yet. I know he didn’t do this. Deep down, I know this. He’s a good man. Solid. Kind. Gentle…for the most part, when I want him to be.
He would never hurt someone the way that woman is saying he did. Never. He has been nothing but respectful to me and every other woman he’s been around.
I know him well enough to know that.
But still, the accusations she’s making are both hurtful and embarrassing.
Ben appears at the top of the stairs, and he starts down them. He looks rough—like he has a bit of a hangover, sure, but his hair is a mess and he looks like he just rolled out of bed and tossed on sweatpants and a t-shirt.
“It’s a bunch of fucking lies,” he hisses as he moves down the stairs.
“I know,” Ellie says. “I know it is. But I still need the full story. What happened?”
“I left Jack and Luke’s poker game a little after midnight.
We went to Honeys. I got there, Kitty tossed her arms around me from behind and offered me a private performance, which I declined.
She asked why not, I told her I was engaged now, she claimed to be shocked, and I told her when you know, you know.
Eric moved in on her then and I excused myself and left. ”
“And that’s it?” Ellie presses.
I stand by watching their conversation as I try to figure out what the hell to say to any of that.
He nods, and I realize now he doesn’t look rough so much as tired. “That is absolutely it. No threats. I didn’t lay a goddamn finger on her.” He motions toward the kitchen. “Come on in.”
“You have a history with her?” Ellie asks as we both follow. We slide onto stools at the counter.
“Yes,” he admits, grabbing an energy drink from the fridge.
He holds it up as if to offer one to each of us, and we both shake our heads.
“When I was nearly arrested for indecent exposure, it was with her. I’ve slept with her maybe a total of four times, and the last time was a few months ago. I haven’t spoken to her since.”
“Did she feel jilted in any way?” Ellie asks. “Did she want more?”
“Initially, yes, she did. I told her I didn’t really do more.”
“And it was always consensual,” she adds flatly, even though it’s sort of a question.
Ben tilts his head and gives her a look like he’s out of patience for stupid questions. “Of course it was.”
Ellie sighs. “Can anyone corroborate what happened last night?”
“A bunch of the guys were there—Cory, Jaxon, Chris, a couple other guys,” he says. He chugs down half the can then leans his elbows down on the counter. “But Eric Scott is probably the only one who heard the entire exchange between Kitty and me.”
“Are there cameras there that can prove you didn’t touch her?” Ellie asks.
He shrugs. “They have cameras, but they’re aimed at the stage, not the entry. But we can ask.”
“Call Eric,” Ellie says. “Ask him to go to the press with the truth.”
Ben pulls out his phone and dials up Eric. He puts the call on speaker so we can listen in.
“Olson!” he answers. His tone is so damn joyful that my guess is he hasn’t heard the news yet.
“Can you do me a favor?” Ben asks.
“Depends what it is.”
“Kitty’s claiming harassment, but you saw the whole thing. There was no harassment, right?” Ben asks.
“Nope,” Eric confirms. “You ducked out early.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. I knew it in my heart, but it still feels like a relief to hear the confirmation.
“Can you just do me a solid and make a statement that she’s lying?” Ben asks.
Eric pauses. “Now why would I want to do that?”
“To help out a pal?” Ben says, confusion evident in his tone.
“Right…” Eric says, trailing off the word.
“But the problem is that this is one of those situations that Bennett will surely call you in for, and you’ll easily make the top of his shit list. And if you are on the top of his shit list, then that could mean bench time for you.
Any guesses who Coach will have to start if you’re riding the pine because of behavior issues reflecting poorly on micromanager Bennett’s team? ”
“You motherfucker,” Ben mutters. “You set me up.”
“I can’t believe you’d accuse me of such a terrible thing.” He laughs, and it’s got a wicked little ring to it. “Guess it’s just more naughty behavior on the part of the big Aces star. I don’t look like such a tool for name dropping now, do I? Gotta run.” He cuts the call.
“Fuck,” Ben says, and then he yells, “Fuck!” as he slams a palm down on the kitchen counter. I’ve never seen him like this, and all I can think of is how I want to stand by his side and support him.
He doesn’t deserve this.
I just don’t know what to do to fix it.
“Has Calvin called you in?” Ellie asks.
“Yeah,” Ben says, shaking out his hand. “He wants me there at noon.”
“Have him call in Eric, too,” she says. “He won’t be able to lie to Calvin’s face.”
“He won’t go. Besides, men don’t tattle on their teammates.”
“He’s not acting like a man,” I argue. I can’t believe he’s going to just sit back and take Eric’s shit. “He’s not even acting like a teammate. I can’t believe what an asshole he is.” If he won’t stand up for himself…someone has to.
Maybe it needs to be me.
My chest twists with fear at what that might mean for him, for me…for us.
“I’ll tell on his ass if you won’t,” Ellie says. “Who else was there again?”
Ben ticks off the names of each guy.
“Call every single one of them,” Ellie says.
“Right now. Confirm what they heard or didn’t hear, and get them to back you up at Calvin’s later today.
You’re innocent, and I knew that before you called Eric.
This is utter and complete bullshit, and I am not letting you go down without a massive fight. ”
Ben shoots her a grateful look, and then he turns to me. “I’m so sorry.”
I shake my head. “You didn’t do anything wrong…well, except stepping into that club. But we can’t change it. We can only move forward from here.”
I just hope I can keep moving forward by his side.
The world is trying awfully damn hard to tear us apart, and I’m terrified all the signs are telling me that we should probably start listening.
Except I can’t.
It might all be unraveling, but at the core of this thing…I’ve fallen for him, and my heart races as I think about what sorts of ripple effects might come from this accusation.
“This is good,” Ellie says, looking between the two of us. She’s calm while I’m barely holding it together. “You standing by his side would make quite the statement in the face of this scandal.”
“Thanks for believing in me.” His voice is raspy and full of emotion he wouldn’t normally show in front of Ellie. His eyes move to mine. “Think it’s time to actually get married?”
I’m wearing his ring. He says it’s genuine.
But we weren’t planning to rush into anything. He’s terrified of marriage…or at least he was until a scandal hit us.
The world stops spinning at his words. Is he serious?
TO BE CONTINUED IN BOOK 4, TIGHT LACED