Page 8 of Every Hidden Truth

Which was the nicest, most ridiculous thing he could have said.

“I break things, Ben,” I confessed. “It’s all I know how to do.”

He looked inexplicably sad as he said, “I don’t believe that, and I think the only person who does is you.”

It was too much, whatever this was between us. The truth, the vulnerability, it was stifling. I was suffocating, drowning in a toxic sea of emotion I was in no way equipped to deal with.

The porch light flickered to life, and we both startled. I stepped away from Ben, and he dropped his hands to his sides as we both turned toward the house.

“Shit. My dad’s home.”

“Is that a bad thing?” he asked, and I nodded, then shook my head.

“I dunno. I just—oh my God.” I grabbed Ben’s arm and dragged him to hide behind Mabel as a dark silhouette filled one of the windows. The blinds parted, like Dad was peeking out, and I ducked down.

“What are we doing?” Ben whisper-laughed as we cowered behind my truck.

“We’re hiding from my dad’s nosiness,” I said, tugging on his hand. “Come on. Follow me.”

We shuffled down the driveway, bent at the waists to remain hidden for as long as possible before I broke into a run. Giggling like a little kid about to get caught with his hand in the cookiejar, Ben followed. We sprinted down the sidewalk away from my house, the icy air freezing in my lungs as my exhales clouded around my mouth.

When we were far enough away that I was confident Dad couldn’t see us, I slowed, rubbing at a stitch in my side. Ben was laughing so hard he could barely stand up straight, and I grinned.

“Why are we hiding from your dad?”

“I don’t know! He was spying like a weirdo. Didn’t you see him?”

Wiping at his eyes, Ben said, tone overflowing with fondness, “You’re the weirdo.”

As he fell into step beside me, his elbow brushed mine at even intervals, and a comfortable quiet settled over us. A lot could be said with silence, and Ben spoke the most when he wasn’t saying anything at all. I liked hearing what he wanted to say when he had no words to say it.

It didn’t take long for us to reach the park at the end of the block where Will had told me about my mom, where we’d played together as kids, where I’d told my mom I liked boys. My feet faltered, and Ben slowed, sensing my hesitation.

“What’s this?” he asked, and I shrugged.

“Will and I played here when we were little.” I pointed to the castle. “Dragons and Knights was our favorite.”

“Were you the damsel in distress?” he teased, and Ithrew my head back, laughing into the dark sky.

“I was the dragon, I’ll have you know,” I said, mist swirling around my face.

Ben grinned. “Figures.”

Wood chips crunched underfoot as I backed away, a mischievous smile curving over my face. “Catch me if you can.”

Turning on my heels, I sprinted away, releasing a cry of alarm when Ben gave chase. I headed to the castle to take refuge underits roof as he quickly gained on me. He was naturally faster, but he took his time catching me. A part of me couldn’t wait to see what happened when he finally did.

Weaving and ducking through the castle, I laughed and laughed until my chest ached from it. I felt carefree and wild, like I was twelve years old again. And Ben, laughing right along with me as he reached for me again and again, fingers just shy of touching.

When I was out of breath, I climbed to the farthest tower and stumbled inside. I backed away from the doorway, trying to look alluring as I leaned back on the windowsill, elbows propped on the ledge.

Ben stopped on the threshold, watching me with a dark heat in his eyes that made my stomach tremble. “Now that I’ve caught you, what’s my prize?”

“What do you want?” I said, hating how weak my voice sounded.

“That’s a dangerous question,” he said in lieu of an answer. “I happen to want a lot of things.”

“Sometimes,” I whispered as he crossed the tower, “all you have to do is ask.”

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