Page 56 of Rebellious

“You better take that to a car before Theo sees,” he adds, chuckling. “I’m not in the mood for a funeral.”

I clear my throat, ignoring Aspen’s frown. “I was just leaving.”

No walking away

Bennett

Afucking kissing booth.

Wasn’t it just last night I said I would never make another mistake again? For years, I’ve followed the rules—resisted her temptation at every turn, and in a matter of days, I’ve broken most all the rules that mattered.

We won’t come back from this.

Kissing Aspen after all this time… after the years I spent ignoring the tension between us, I break with one exception. A transaction.

And a threat. Let’s not forget that tidbit of coercion.

I don’t know what I expect to happen once she moves, living in the same city as Liam. Will I be able to focus and play football in Georgia? Or will I drive myself insane and transfer schools, giving up an important year to play football?

My mind is a jumbled mess. Clearly, since I promised her twenty-four hours of no rules…

But that kiss…

“I will slit your tires, Bennett Jameson! Don’t you dare get in that car.”

My head falls against the window. “Go back to the carnival, Aspen.” I sigh. “They’ll be looking for you.”

And then they’ll be looking for me.

“No,” she says, slightly winded. “You don’t get to shut down again. Broody Bennett time is over.”

I’m not surprised by her words. I deserve them. Last night, after the incident in the pool, I made sure she couldn’t come talk to me—to convince me what we’d done was okay.

“I’m not shutting down,” I clarify. “I’m simply removing myself from the situation.” I glance down at her swollen lips. “I think that’s best, don’t you?”

She cocks a hip. “Uh, no. What’s best is us banging it out in the backseat.”

My cock stirs.

“But I’m guessing you’ll pass on that suggestion.”

I fake a bored look. “You would be correct.”

She rolls her eyes, reaching into her back pocket for a piece of gum. “Shocker.” She sighs. “Look, Bennett—I’m sorry, okay?”

I’m an asshole. A good man wouldn’t allow the woman he loves to believe she’s the reason he’s upset.

“Don’t say you’re sorry,” I bark, my tone harsher than I mean.

She waves me off, the bite of my words not affecting her at all. “No, I shouldn’t have taken advantage of the situation.” Her gaze lowers to the ground. “I used Liam against you.”

Pulling in a breath, I close my eyes and come to terms with my decision. For years, I’ve made decisions that hurt Aspen repeatedly. And every day she shows up with a smile and a bigger attitude than the day before. She never allows my shit to stop her.

I don’t want to be the guy she remembers as causing her pain.

Because that’s all we’ll have after this summer.

A memory.

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