Page 25 of Rebellious

She turns back to the mirror. “I’m fine, just tired.”

And lying. I can always tell when Aspen Von Bremen lies; she can never make eye contact. “I don’t believe you.”

My words snap her head up, her somber mood turning aggressive. “I don’t care what you believe, Bennett.” She strides forward and knocks into my shoulder. “Let’s go, Vee. See you at home, Bennett.”

If I thought consoling her was how this night would end, I was sadly mistaken. I grab her elbow and yank her to me. “You’re not leaving without telling me what’s wrong.”

She tries to snatch her arm back, but it goes nowhere.

“Let me go,” she grits.

“Not until you tell me what upset you.”

A slow, malicious smile tightens her lips. “I’ll tell the truth when you do.”

With that, she pulls from my grasp. “Come on, Vee. Let’s get out of here.”

Vee closes the door behind them, pausing only a second to mouth, “Sorry.”

Drew and Fenn are waiting with my car keys when I get back to the table. Our parents are still eating, laughing, and enjoying the meal, but Aspen and Vee are noticeably missing.

“What’d you do in there? Powder your nose?”

I tear my gaze away from Aspen’s empty chair and roll my eyes at Fenn. “I’m not in the mood,” I threaten.

“You’re never in the mood.” He shrugs. “Does that ever stop me?”

True.

“Say goodbye quickly.” He shoves me toward the table. “Drew and I are ready to go.”

Clearly.

“You leaving?” My mom says as I approach, standing on her tiptoes and wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Thank God,” Theo cuts in. “Take the two demons with you.”

My mother chuckles but then pulls my head down so she can whisper in my ear. “You can’t make everyone happy, Bennett. That’s not your responsibility.”

I don’t know if she means my brother and Fenn and their need for beer and tits or if she’s talking about my football career and the many opinions. Regardless, now is not the time to ask her.

I kiss her cheek. “I’m fine. I’ll see you later at the house.”

My stomach churns with the lie. I agreed to take part in this party scheme because I feel the need to go next door and adjust Aspen’s attitude. Also, another night with her in my arms would be a welcome distraction from the constant stress plaguing me.

“Okay,” my mom pulls back, looking me in the eye, “be safe and text me when you’re on the way.”

I nod. “I will.”

“I love you.”

Stepping back, I nod to my father before returning, “I love you too.”

“Fuck!”

I hurl the insulin syringe and watch it bounce off the mirror, landing somewhere on the floor where I don’t give a fuck to look.

“Ben?” My brother’s voice pitches. “You alright in there?”

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