Page 150 of The Perfect Spiral
“I think you should. It might give a certain someone a push to ask you out too....” Hannah smirks. I lean back against the cold toilet, running my hand through my hair. This is not why I’m going out with Wes.
“I think you should. Wes is a great guy. But... I do have my money on someone else...” Sam trails off, biting her finger to suppress a grin.
I stand up and walk over to the counter to confront her. “You guys are betting on me?” I grit out, anger seeping into my voice. She grins back at me, as if she’s done nothing wrong.
“What? It’s just me, Max, Cole, Ty, Mom, and Eric. And maybe Delilah and Ace....” she rattles off, especially rushing through the last part.
“Ugh! I don’t want to know, Sam! Fucking hell! You all have a gambling problem! You bet on anything!” I groan, throwing my hands up in frustration.
“Ugh, I need a drink,” I declare, striding out of the bathroom with my friends trailing behind me.
Chapter 49
I swing open my door to find Knox, Kyle, Wes, Tyson, Tyler, and Brett huddled near my door, clearly trying to eavesdrop.
I turn to Andy, “Told you.” I brush past the boys, snagging Ben’s arm as he’s making his way up the stairs.
I lead him down to the kitchen, pulling out shot glasses for me and the girls. “You want one?” I ask him, shaking a glass enticingly.
He grins and nods, making his way over to me and reaching behind me to grab the bottle of whiskey.
“Good choice!” I beam up at him. He pours five shots of whiskey just as the three girls saunter in, the boys trailing behind them.
They rush over, each grabbing a glass, and we toast before knocking back our shots. I pour myself another, feeling Ben’s hand rest on mine.
“Ease up there, sweet cheeks. I don’t want you getting me drunk so you can take advantage of me,” he teases.
I roll my eyes and knock back the shot, pouring another. “You don’t have to join me, Hendrix,” I retort, pouring one last shot.
We lock eyes, silently challenging each other. He raises an eyebrow at me, silently telling me this is the last one.
“It’s the last one, I promise, mom,” I tease, pinching his cheeks.
He grabs hold of my arm. “Let’s talk,” he suggests, nodding towards the back door. We walk out together, not before I catch Knox and Wes watching my every move.
Ben settles onto the sofa, stretching his legs out along the corner. He pats the cream material, inviting me to sit next to him.
I do, and he pulls me close, his arm draped over my shoulder. I rest my head on his shoulder, listening to the sound of the waves crashing in the distance.
“Talk dirty to me,” Ben whispers in my ear, making me laugh and sit up straight.
“Oh Ben, you sure know how to get a girl wet, don’t you?” “It’s a gift, sweet cheeks. So tell me, what’s up with the three shots? What are you running from now? Wes or Carter? Or both?”
“You know me too well, Hendrix. It’s both, well, this whole dating thing is causing a little more—”
“Tension than before?” He turns to me, locking his eyes with mine. I nod. I close my eyes and sigh, still feeling his gaze on me.
“I just don’t get it? Why is there so much tension between the two of them? They’re best friends, I - I’m - ahhhhh! They’re so frustrating! I hate boys!”
“Woah! Easy there, I’m pretty sure I’m the best thing that’s walked into your life. And as for those two boys, they both really like you, they’re fighting for you. Literally.”
“I’m sorry, not you, you’re one of the good ones, Ben,” I wrap my arms tight around him. He’s such a good friend, I don’t know what I’d do without him.
“I really don’t think they do, I mean Wes said he did earlier today but Knox, I’m not his type. Never have been, never will be.”
“No - ugh I don’t know. I think I just like his company, not him. But I don’t know anymore. I just think he likes messing with me but ....”
“Look, you know him better than I do but I can guess that I’m not the only one telling you he likes you? All I’m saying is, keep your options open.
