Page 80 of Every Hidden Truth

I patted his side, breathing in his spring soap and chlorine. “It’s fine, Ben. We were horsing around. It happens.”

“No, I should use my brain, especially when I know what triggers you. I’m so sorry.”

Knowing he’d never stop with the self-flagellation, I pressed a firm kiss to his cheek and said, “I forgive you. I’m not mad, okay? And I’m fine. See?” I forced him to look at me, so he could see with his own eyes that I wasn’t lying. “I’m okay, Ben. I’m not that breakable.”

He smiled sheepishly. “I know that.”

“Okay, so kiss me.”

When he hesitated, I glared.

“Kiss me,” I ordered firmly, and he did.

It was hesitant and cautious, and I grunted in irritation, pushing against him until he fell back on the bed. I ignored his half-hearted protests as I kissed my way down his chest, shoving his shirt aside so I could rub my nose against his happy trail.

“Si, you don’t have to prove anything to me,” he said gently, fingers working through my hair.

“I know,” I said, even though a part of mewastrying to prove something. Maybe not to him. Maybe I was simply proving something to myself. “Now just lie back and relax, love.”

Ben’s breathy laugh choked off as I freed him from his pants and lowered my head. “Oh, fuck.”

I chuckled, loving the way he sounded when I made him feel good. I took my time, wanting him absolutely desperate before I drove him over the edge. Eventually, his fingers tightened in myhair as he gasped out a warning. I hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t stop.

As he trembled with aftershocks, I swiped the back of my hand across my mouth and sat up, thoroughly pleased with myself. He blinked up at the ceiling, a goofy grin on his face. I tucked him away, then crawled up his body to kiss him.

He groaned as he tasted himself on my tongue. “I think you broke my brain.”

I smiled against his lips. “Goddamn right.”

23

Slumber Party

The swimming pool—pardon me,theaquatic center—of Central was double the size of ours, with rows upon rows of bleachers on both sides of the pool. A separate diving pool sat at the end of the lanes, the two pools separated by a three-foot-wide walkway. Teammates working as lap counters sat along the walkway, waving their numbered boards underneath the surface as the long-distance swimmers raced. The entire room echoed with the shouts of cheering parents and coaches.

As I entered the room, the humidity smothered me like a thick, wet blanket. I shrugged out of my winter coat to alleviate the uncomfortable heat. I searched the bleachers for purple streaked hair but couldn’t see a damn thing through the crowd.

Since Central was our rival school, the turn out for the meet was larger than normal. Parents donned our school colors of red and gold as Central supporters wore blue and silver. I didn’t care much for competition between the two schools; I was only here to support Ben.

Awkwardly stumbling through the bleachers filled with red and gold clothing, I avoided squashing the toes of strangers as I fought to gain Ben’s attention. He was focused on the 500-meter race taking place and didn’t see me.

My phone buzzed in my hand, and I read the text from Esther.

Esther: Three rows behind you.

Spinning on my heels, I grinned as Esther stood on the seat of a bleacher, waving her arms. Even though she attended Central, she wore our colors to support Ronnie. I climbed over disgruntled adults to reach her.

“Hey.” I stole a quick hug. “I was hoping you hadn’t abandoned me.”

She knocked my torso with her shoulder. “I told you I’d come.”

“Well, thanks for saving me a seat. What’s the score?”

We sat down as Esther pointed to the board. “We’re winning.”

“We, Central? Or we—”

“We, as in, the team we are both rooting for.”

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