Page 29 of Every Hidden Truth

Ben guided me behind him, taking a protective stance in front, and I huffed in annoyance as I shoved him out of the way. I stepped up beside him and planted my feet in a wide stance with arms crossed over my chest. If a fight erupted, I would be throwing punches alongside him. I wouldn’t let him battle alone.

Reading my thoughts, he sighed quietly before facing off with Thing One and Two. “I suggest you get out of the way,” he said, voice carefully controlled.

Thing One grinned maliciously. “How about you keep your mouth shut and stop with the suggestions.”

Ben shrugged and cocked his head to the side, slipping his hands into his pockets in a casual stance like there was nowhere he’d rather be than here. “The suggestion was for your benefit, not mine. Now get out of our way before I make you.”

Thing One scowled at the threat while Ratatouille sniggered in delight. Thing Two seemed slightly confused over why we were having this altercation in the first place, but he was going along with it either way.

“I’m going to tell you one more time”—Ben’s voice dropped to subzero temperatures—“get the fuck out of our way.”

His use of the curse threw out any doubt I had over his current mood. He’d flipped his switch. He was no longer my Ben, my cute, occasionally infuriating boyfriend. No, he was now Void Ben, cold, detached, and maybe a little violent.

We were so getting expelled.

It was technically four to two, even if Eric hadn’t made himself a threat quite yet. Ratatouille was bigger than me, but I could probably take him. But that left Ben to face off with Thing One and Two.

Not good odds, even for him.

Unconcerned at being outnumbered, Ben stepped nose-to-nose with Thing One. The bastard swallowed thickly in trepidation at the fury in my boyfriend’s eyes. I didn’t blame him. Ben could be terrifying when he wanted to be.

“Last chance. Move.”

“Boys, boys.” Eric pushed off the wall.

He smirked as he approached, and my stomach heaved when he winked. From the growl rumbling in Ben’s chest, he’d seen it too. His body coiled.

I reached out and wrapped my fingers around his wrist to stop him from charging.

Tracking my movement, Eric’s eyes glazed over coolly. “Take a breath, Blondie. All you have to do is say please.”

“Beg me.”The memory filtered through my mind, and I ground my teeth. He was baiting us—baiting me. And I knew it. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to punch that smug expression off his face.

“Fuck you, Boyt. Call off your dogs.” Revulsion dripped from every word as Ben addressed my assailant.

Eric’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think you’re in any position to be making demands, pretty boy.”

An evil smile slid over Ben’s face as his posture relaxed. “Keep calling me pretty, and I’m gonna start thinking you like me.”

I choked, and Eric bared his teeth. Cool as a cucumber, Ben sent Eric a slow wink. I almost peed my pants from a confusing mix of amusement and fright.

Eric shoved Thing One and Thing Two out of his way, and I reacted on instinct. I shielded Ben with my body, my hearthammering inside my chest like a bass drum. Ben grabbed my arms roughly to yank me out of the way, but I stood my ground, refusing to be unseated.

The tension stretched as Eric stopped inches from us and glared first at me, then at Ben.

We waited, no one wanting to make the first move. Eric’s backup watched him for direction, and Ben shook behind me as he held himself back from laying into Eric with everything he had. He hated him as much as I did, maybe more.

Glowering at Ben, Eric broke the silent standoff. “You sure have a big mouth, Blondie. Almost as big as your little twink boyfriend.” He sent me a gleeful smirk, and my stomach filled with lead. “I have a feeling both are gonna get you into a lot of trouble one day.”

Righteous anger boiled inside me at the threat until it burned away my fear. I’d told him to leave Ben out of this! He could play with me all he wanted, but I would not let him go after what was mine.

“Threaten him again, and I’ll carve your fucking heart out,” I seethed, ignoring Ben’s warning pinch on my biceps, and Eric’s eyes flared.

Thing Two finally grew a pair and cleared his throat. “Guys, we’re gonna be late for practice again, and Coach will have our asses. Let’s just go.”

Eric and Ben glared at each other for another moment, and I grew impatient. “If you two are done comparing dick sizes, can we go?” I gave Eric a sugar-sweet smile. “Hate to break it to you, honey, but he’s bigger than you are.”

Another sigh from Ben. Eric swelled. The air charged.

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