Page 55 of Off Script
“I’m sorry about that.”
“If you told them we were more than friends, Kelsey may back off and not flirt with you.”
“Believe me, she’d flirt even more, and she’d be even ruder to you. If I give her any clue that there’s something romantic between us, she’ll feel threatened and lash out. I know it sucks, but it’s safer to keep up the pretense that we’re friends while we’re around my family. The less knowledge Kelsey has regarding my private life, the less power she has over us. I know it didn't seem like I was standing up for you, but I really was trying to protect you.”
“I really hate that bitch,” I mutter through gritted teeth, earning me another chuckle from Ben.
“You know, we’ve never really discussed past relationships before.” Ben’s eyes hold mine, his vulnerability close to the surface after sharing his pain with me. “Tell me about yours.”
“My past is pretty typical." I shrug. "I had a few high school boyfriends, only one of them was serious. We broke up when we went to different colleges. Then at Ole Miss, I met Matt the first week of my freshman year, and we dated for two years. We were in love, and everything was great between us while life was smooth sailing. But we were young and immature. It was hard on our relationship when I had to deal with my mom’s illness and death and then when I caught my dad cheating—"
Ben interrupts me, his brow furrowing. “Wait, you caught your dad cheating?”
I pause to draw a breath and nod slowly. “Yeah. I walked in on him and Monica having sex one day while my mom was at chemo. Instead of accompanying my mom to the hospital, my dad invited his mistress over so he could fuck her on my mom’s living room couch. And then after I saw them, my dad coerced me into keeping his affair a secret from my mom.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I wish. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to lie to my mom, but it would have crushed her if she’d found out." I glance up at Ben timidly, fearful that he may judge me, like I judge myself, for not being honest with my mom. I still feel an exorbitant amount of guilt about it. But when my gaze flicks to his, I see only compassion reflected in them. "It was wrong to conceal the truth, but I did it for the right reasons. I didn’t do it to protect my dad, I did it to protect my mom. She died just a few months later. I hate myself for keeping his secret, but what good would have come from me telling my mom?”
“You were put in an impossible situation, Carlisle.” The kindness and concern in his words brings tears to my eyes, but I quickly blink them away. “God, you were just a kid. What kind of father does that to his child?”
“A shitty one,” I murmur. “Anyway, Matt supported me and loved me through all that, but I was pretty much a mess, especially when I found out that my dad was marrying his mistress because she was pregnant. It was too much for Matt to handle and by the beginning of our junior year, we’d drifted apart. When I discovered that he was seeing someone else, I wasn’t shocked, but I was disheartened that he opted to cheat on me rather than just breaking up.” I shrug to downplay the feelings of loss and betrayal that these memories still bring up. “After that, I’ve dated here and there, but nothing serious.”
“I’m sorry, babe.” Ben scoots closer to me on the bed, pulling me into his chest. “You went through so much in such a short period of time.”
"You did too, by the sounds of it."
"Another thing we have in common."
Before he can continue, there’s a knock on the guest room door and Ben releases me and springs up from the bed. Hastily, I sit up too, grateful for the reprieve from the emotional conversation.
The door swings open and a tall, strapping man walks through it. I can see exactly where Ben gets his good looks. While his mom is fair and tiny, his dad is tall and muscular with the same olive complexion as Ben. The family resemblance is undeniable between father and son.
“Dad, hey.” Ben embraces his dad in the typical man hug—a hard embrace followed by a single clap on the back before quickly releasing their holds on one another.
“You’ve made your mom happier than a tick on a hemorrhoid by coming home. I know the shit hit the fan between you and Cole, but you can’t stay away like that again.” Switching his focus to me, he holds out his large hand to shake mine. “You must be Carlisle. I hear that I have you to thank for getting my son back to Texas.”
I smile politely. “I think you’re overstating the power I have over your son, sir.”
“Regardless, we’re mighty glad you’re both here.” He huffs out a short sigh. “Sorry about the She-Devil. Heard you already had a run-in with her.”
Ben’s dad’s gruff, upfront demeanor is endearing, and I have a very difficult time suppressing the urge to laugh at his frank, open dislike for his daughter-in-law. Especially since I share his opinion. Instead, I smash my lips together and merely nod. Ben catches my eye and cracks a lopsided grin.
“You’re right, Dad. And I’m sorry that I don’t visit often. I thought I was doing everyone a favor by staying gone, but being back, I already realize how much I missed y’all.” Ben hesitates a few seconds before clarifying, “Or at least you and Mom.”
“Damn straight, son. Now get cleaned up and go downstairs. Your mom’s expecting you to help her prepare the food for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow now that you know how to cook. What was that awful movie you made called again?”
Rolling his eyes, Ben mutters, “The Family Kitchen.”
Snapping his fingers and pointing at Ben, his dad continues, “That’s the one. Terrible movie, son, but at least you learned how to cook.”
I can’t hold in my laughter anymore. It just rolls out of me. “It really wasn’t Ben’s best work, was it, Mr. Sutton?”
Ben narrows his eyes at me. “Seriously, how much time have you been spending with Jo?” He throws up his hands. “Shut it both of you. It wasn’t that bad.”
“You know I don’t pussyfoot around, son. You’re a few beans short of a bean burrito if you don’t believe it was a shit movie. Now get downstairs and help your mother.”
With that, Ben’s dad turns and leaves us alone again. As soon as the door shuts behind him, I whirl towards Ben with a big smile on my face. “Umm, is it weird if I tell you that I really like your dad? He’s hilarious.” I pause, chuckling, “I mean, happier than a tick on a hemorrhoid. A few beans short of a bean burrito. Who says those things?”
