Page 23 of Every Hidden Truth

Honesty. Yeah, that was easier said than done.

Even now, I didn’t tell him about what Boyt had actually said and done that night backstage. I didn’t tell him how close I’d come to having Boyt’s dick in my mouth. And how it would have been done willingly.

No, not willingly. Coercion was just as bad as brute force. But it was a mindfuck all the same.

“Ben, I—”

“I’m not saying you owe me every thought in your head, okay? I know I’m not the best example of transparency, I just…” Ben withdrew until our foreheads met. “If something bothers you, you can tell me. If Thompson’s talking shit, tell me. If you have a nightmare—and I know you still have them—then call me. If Boyt even looks at you funny, then let me help. Let me be here for you. Let me take care of you.”

Slipping my arms around his neck, I rubbed our noses together as my heart writhed. I didn’t need him to take care of me. I just needed him to stay, to stand by me in the face of my demons.

“How about we take care of each other.”

With an exasperated sigh, he nodded. “Okay. It’s a start.”

I laughed humorlessly as I drew him down to kiss me, and he responded immediately. He crushed me to him, his tongue barreling past my lips and plundering my mouth. I tasted his aggression and anger, his frustration and desperation, and I submitted. Moaning into my mouth, he kissed me hard, branding himself on me, and I arched with a gasp as his fingers slid under my shirt.

Hands lowered to my ass then farther, cupping my thighs and hoisting me into the air. With a yelp of surprise, I circled his waist with my legs and clung to his shoulders to keep my balance. Above him now, I smiled and tangled my fingers in his hair, kissing him hard.

It was all tongues and teeth, and then we were moving. My back met a mattress, and I tightened my limbs to keep him on top of me, desperate for connection, for whatever he was willing to give me.

He ground down against my hips, and my head fell back against the mattress as I dug my fingers into his shoulders. Whether to push him away or drag him closer, I didn’t know. My body was a live wire, and I wanted more while simultaneously needing an escape. Because he was heavy, and for a moment, I felt trapped by the weight.

Ben stilled, lifting off me until we weren’t pressed together anymore. I panted into the ceiling as his breath puffed against my neck. Had he noticed my uncertainty or was this for him?

“Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to get carried away.”

“Uh-huh,” I said, trying to calm my racing heart.

Catching his breath, he rolled off me, taking me with him until we faced each other. Our breathing fell into sync as we lay tangled in one another, eyes locked. The silence was expectant, his stare boring into mine until I swore he could see into mysoul. Hopefully he couldn’t see the ugly truths I was trying to hide.

Because Ben was wrong. Some things were better left in the dark.

8

Gay Anime Porn

My phone buzzed inmy cup holder as I pulled Mabel into the school parking lot the next morning. I grinned like an idiot when Ben’s name flashed across my screen. Once I safely parked a few cars down from his Impala, I opened my phone to his text.

Ben: So, boyfriend, are we meeting early to make out before school?

Chuckling, I shot him a reply before exiting my truck and locking it.

Silas: If you wanted to make out before school, you should have texted me sooner. I’m lucky if I make it to my locker before the bell rings.

As I carefully traversed the icy sidewalk, I split my attention betweennotfalling on my ass and my phone.

Ben: We can make time. I’m in C hall by the pool. Where are you?

Silas: On my way.

Shouldering my backpack, I tucked my phone into my pocket and quickened my walk.

A group stood near the lockers where the gym corridor met C hall, and my smile widened when blue eyes met mine. Like he’d been waiting for me, Ben straightened from his slouched position on the wall of lockers and shoved his phone into his pocket.

Nerves exploded in my stomach as I approached the group, unsure exactly how to act, but Ben erased my doubt as he gestured me closer. The moment I stood within reach, the other bodies shuffling to make room, he snagged my sleeve.

“Hey,” he greeted me as he pulled me to stand right next to him. “You’re almost late.”

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