Page 89 of Rebellious

He bows his head. “No, we won’t, but that doesn’t mean I will ever stop loving you. No matter where you go, Aspen Von Bremen, I will always be there for you. You’re my girl.”

His girl… the one he can’t have.

“But I’m leaving,” I argue. “How can you be there for me when I’m miles away?”

He leans in, threading his hands through my hair. “No matter where you go, I’ll always follow you.”

I startle awake, the sky dark outside the window. After a round of gentle sex, I fell asleep in Bennett’s arms. I hadn’t thought of that night in years.

Bennett kept his promise to me even then, following me to the same college, even though it didn’t have the best football program. He’s always sacrificing for others.

Sure, the rules suck a major butthole, but they kept us together.

And that was fine with me. I learned my way around them, creating exception after exception. Bennett and I made many memories with those damn rules in play. Memories I wouldn’t trade for anything. All his highs… all my lows… all our firsts… There’s something to say about that kind of connection with someone.

But what kind of friend would I be if I allowed him to, yet again, make another exception for me? Would I really be giving him the opportunity to grow? To be the NFL quarterback I know he’s destined to be? Or will our relationship confine him to a life of mediocrity where his tallest football trophy will be from a high school coaching position?

And we’ll sacrifice all this for what? Playing grown up BFFs.

Maybe we could move away. Moving to Boston would give him the distance he needs from our parents. Maybe then he would give up his rules for good.

What happens when we go home for the holidays, though?

“Hey,” his gravelly voice pulls me from my panic. “You okay?”

I ease back into the sheets, curling up around him. “Yeah, it was just a dream.”

A dream that told me it was time I looked after Bennett—and make the decision he won’t.

Where you go, I go

Bennett

“Bennett? Are you okay?”

Aspen might look small but when she’s asleep and draped over me, it feels like you’re moving a Kia off your chest.

“Yeah,” I whisper into the phone, answering Mom’s question as carefully as I can without waking Aspen. “I’m just getting up.” Tucking a pillow in place of my body, I cover Aspen with the blanket and slip out of the bedroom quietly.

“It’s noon,” my mother notes. “Guess you’ve been taking advantage of the summer.” Yep. Especially the past two weeks where I’ve done nothing but worship Aspen’s body.

“Yeah,” I chuckle, padding to the kitchen where I find it empty. “I’ve been a little lax with early morning runs.”

Filling the coffeepot with water, I put the phone on speaker. “Yeah.”

I can hear the smile in Mom’s voice. “Good. I’m glad you’re taking the time to just enjoy.” I can hear the smile in Mom’s voice. “So, I just wanted to check on everyone since I haven’t heard from any of you.”

I frown. “I’m sorry,” I admit. “We should have called.”

Mom scoffs, a hint of laughter in her voice. “Bennett, I didn’t expect you to carve out time to call your mama, I just…”

I know that soft, concerned tone. “What’s the matter? Is Dad okay?”

“Oh yeah,” she says, nearly cutting me off. “Well…”

“Mom.” My tone brooks no bullshit.

“Your father is fine,” she says hesitantly. “At least Theo says he’s okay.”

---