Page 51 of Rebellious

I march around the table and yank my chair out, throwing myself down. This carnival can’t be over fast enough.I need to speak with Aspen. I shouldn’t have locked the window. It was stupid and immature. But honestly, I couldn’t face her. Not after what we did in the pool—what I agreed to. What was I thinking? Twenty-four hours of no rules? Clearly, Iwasn’tthinking. I reacted selfishly. For once, I thought about what I wanted.

Her.

The first wave of families funnels down the drive. My mother smiles as I take the entry fee, mumbling a “thank you” when she elbows me in the ribs. Soon, the metal box is overflowing with donations, and mom’s hand cramps.“I think we might need to switch,” she tells me.

I push the box across the table and take the receipt book.

“Bennett. Ms. Jameson.”

A voice I recognize pulls my head up.

“Liam.” I sound unimpressed, and that’s exactly how I intended to come across.

“It’s good to see you both again.” Liam holds up the line with meaningless conversation. “Anniston insisted I stop by before I caught my flight back home.”

How hospitable of Anniston.

I nod. “It’s a fundraiser. I’m sure they have those in Barnesville.”

He flinches, missing the fact I didn’t like him on our first encounter.

“Boston,” he corrects. “I’m from Boston.”

I smile and it’s full of irrational hatred. “Good for you.”

Feeling the tension, he nods curtly and hands over a twenty-dollar bill. Immediately, I hand it over to mom. “Do you want a receipt?” I ask and it couldn’t sound shittier.

He waves me off. “No, thanks.”

“Cool. Have—”

“Don’t forget to stop by the ticket booth,” my mom adds. “You can say hi to Drew and Cade.”

Liam nods. “And Aspen is over at the kissing booth. I’m sure she’d like to see you before you go.”

My heart stops, and I whip my head over to the Judas next to me.

“Absolutely.” Liam is already stepping away from the table. “I’ll definitely stop by. Thanks.”

He turns and damn near sprints to the ticket booth. “Are you serious?” I don’t even try to keep the fury out of my voice. “Now he’s buying a ticket to kiss her. Are you not considerate of Theo’s feelings?”

Mom laughs, throwing her head back. “Bennett,” she says after a round of giggles. “Someone can clear their throat in Aspen’s direction and piss off Theo.”

I give her a bored look. “Liam will be her boss.”

My mom shrugs. “He’s not her boss yet.”

Heaven fucking help me.

First it was Dad, now my mother is giving me fits.

“I can’t believe you sent him to her,” I mumble, watching as Liam pushes through the crowd, heading for Aspen.

“It’s for the foundation, Bennett. He’s harmless.” She pats me on the shoulder. I’m tense and ignoring the next person in line. “I’m so sorry,” I hear my mother apologize. “Have a great time.”

After a minute of staring after Liam, who is no longer visible, my mom sighs. “Why don’t you take a break? Maybe do a sweep of the property and make sure everyone is behaving?”

Music to my fucking ears.

---