Page 27 of Because of You
Before I can think any more about it, a voice comes over the PA system inviting us all into the main ballroom for dinner and dancing. As I turn to go, I feel a hand on my lower back. I look up to see Ben next to me. He catches my eye and winks at me before guiding me into the ballroom and following our friends toward our table. My entire body flushes with heat, and my breath backs up in my lungs.
No, but seriously,what the fuck is happening?
The walk into the ballroom feels like it is ten miles long, with Ben’s hand on my back and my breathing shallow. When we get to our table, Ben drops his hand, pulls out a chair for me to sit in, and plops down in the one next to me. I stutter out a breath and mutter something about the bathroom before I turn on my heel and make a quick escape.
I push my way into the women's room and lean against the sink, staring at my flushed face in the mirror and giving myself a little talking to. “This is Ben. Julie’s brother, Ben. Friend Ben. Best friend Ben. We do not get heated for best friend Ben. Get a grip girl.”I’m more off than I think after the last few weeks of worry and little sleep and too much caffeine. I’m not my normal self right now. That’s all this is. I wet a paper towel and press it against my neck and take a couple of deep breaths. The cool towel does the trick, and, steadier, I walk back to the ballroom.
The party is in full swing. Dinner is amazing, as always, and the music is rocking the ballroom. Everyone at our table is happy, buzzed, and loud. I’m sitting on one side of the table with Julie, Emma, Molly, and Allie, and we are doing the thing you do when you are in a room full of professional athletes. Discussing their butts. Specifically, which sport provides its players with the best ones.
“It has to be the hockey players,” says Allie. “All that skating makes their butts so high and bubbly. It’s so fucking hot. Something to grab onto, you know?”
“Hey, now,” says Jordan from the other side of Allie. “Don’t be grabbing any butt except for mine, baby girl.”
“Don’t worry, hon,” Allie says, dropping a kiss on his lips. “You know yours is the only ass I want to grab.” Before she can turn back to us, Jordan grabs her face and kisses her with purpose, one hand cupping her cheek and the other tangling in her hair. He tips her head back to deepen the kiss before breaking it and staring into her eyes for a second, then dropping his hands.
“Fucking right it is,” he says, looking satisfied.
Allie turns back around to where we are all laughing. She has a slightly dazed expression on her face, like she isn’t quite sure where she is.
“Damn, girl,” says Julie.
“I think I had a tiny orgasm just watching that,” Molly pipes in.
“How do you find a guy who can kiss like that?” asks Emma.
I stay quiet, replaying the kiss I just witnessed. My eyes have a mind of their own tonight because they drift to Ben. He is looking directly back at me with the same expression I saw earlier. Dark and penetrating and full of something I can’t name. What is up with tonight?
“Um, I think I need to get out of here,” Allie says. “Like, right now.” She stands, pulling Jordan up with her. “Come on, Jord. We’re having dessert at home.”
Jordan stands and smirks. “We’re out of here. Say goodbye to Jer for us. See you at the lake.” He wraps an arm around Allie’s waist, and they walk away side-by-side, Jordan’s hand straying to Allie’s ass as they go.
“Should we place bets on whether they have sex in the car before they get home?” asks Molly. “That kiss was capital H Hot.”
“I bet they stop in the bathroom before they even leave the hotel,” says Julie.
“What Jules said,” Ben adds. I snort, and he grins at me. Whatever is going on with Ben tonight is giving me whiplash. From the dark and intense looks I can’t read and don’t understand, to the fun and playful Ben that I know so well, the whole thing is confusing as fuck. And the weirdest part is that no one seems to notice but me.
“Hey, best pals,” a voice calls out. I look over and see Jeremy walking up to us with our quarterback photographer by his side.
“Hey, Jer. Congratulations on a great night,” says Ben, standing up to give Jeremy a real hug. Not a one-armed, slap you on the back man hug, but an actual, arms around each other hug. I adore their friendship. I don’t know much about Jeremy’s backstory, but from the little that Ben has said, I know he didn’t have the easiest childhood, and then he got injured and had to leave the NHL. Ben has been with him through a lot. They arefriends and business partners, but really, where it counts, they’re brothers.
“Thanks, man. Have you guys met Asher Hansley?” he asks. “He’s going to be doing some work with the foundation.”
“I met these lovely ladies outside earlier.” Asher aims that killer smile right at Julie. “They drafted me to be their photographer.”
“Great, well, Asher, this is Hallie, Emma, Molly, and Julie.” He gestures to each of us, then to Ben. “And Ben, one of my best friends. And wait, where’s Jordan?”
“Having sex,” Julie and Molly say together.
Asher grins. “I think you all are my people.”
We all chat for a few more minutes and then the music, which has been loud and upbeat all night, changes to something softer and slower.
Asher holds his hand out to Julie. “Want to dance, blondie?’
“What the hell,” says Julie, taking his hand and letting him pull her up.
“Well, if we’re dancing now, I’m going to hunt me down an athlete.” Molly grins and stands up.
