Page 39 of More With You

“That’s the one thing they care about,” I insist, wriggling out from under him. “Hop in. We’ve got a date with Bug-Eye Malone and the Mellow Mellows.”

Ben picks me up and carries me around to the passenger side. “I’m driving. You’ve had a shock, so you’re in no state to drive.” He winks and takes my keys, opening up the door to let me in. “Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on her.”

“Next, you’ll be telling me I’m too dainty to carry my own groceries,” I tease, deciding it might be nice to just sit back and relax while he chauffeurs me to the Quarter Mile.

“Don’t you be carryin’ any of them sacks of taters or buckets of corn by yourself, little miss. Don’t want you gettin’ too big and strong to need a feller around, now, do we?” He grins and closes the door behind me, before running around to the driver’s side.

A minute later, once he’s figured out how to coax the rusty old car into life, we’re out of the casino and heading into the night. With the windows down and his hand holding mine, while a woman on the radio reads out the weather forecast, I don’t think I’ve ever been more at peace somewhere. Maybe, this place really is the home I’ve been looking for. Maybe, it’s Ben.

* * *

“Whisky sour?” Ben flashes one of his best smiles. The kind that makes me do a double-take to be sure he’s real.

I smile back. “Really sour.”

“Noted.” He ducks in for a kiss, letting it linger on my lips, soft as satin. Then, he’s gone, weaving through the packed bar. I’m not sure how he got us a table, but there’s no one in this town that Ben doesn’t know.

It’s a good spot, too, right by the window. Twisting around, I train my appreciative gaze on the row of spiny bushes that form a patchy barrier between the parking lot and the beach beyond. In the tangled gaps, I see the water glimmer silver in the moonlight, reminding me of that fateful first meeting with Ben.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel, being back here. My heart rate jumped when we turned down the dusty trail that leads to this hidden watering hole, dreading the possibility of seeing Levi lurking in the dark. But Ben must’ve known I’d be on my guard. He’d come around to open the door, and hadn’t left my side until just now, to get the drinks. His arm around my shoulders, as we walked up to the rickety veranda and the Will-o-the-Wisp-like lights of the Quarter Mile, was my natural Valium, calming my nerves.

“This seat taken?” The voice is muffled by the strike of fingertips on a guitar, sound-checking.

Assuming it’s Ben with my extra-sour Whisky sour, I turn with a smile. It freezes on my lips instantly, pulling my cheeks too tight. It’s not Ben.

Levi slides onto the repurposed pew, etched with the names of countless couples who’ve sat here before me and Ben. “It’s been too long, Summer. Where’ve you been hiding, huh?”

“Fuck off, Levi.”

“That’s no way to treat an old buddy.” He smirks, glancing furtively toward the crowd. Watching for Ben. “Did the casino kick you out or something? I haven’t seen you lately. Must be why you’re stuck to old Benny’s hip. Those bills won’t pay themselves, am I right? Damn, I knew you were offering that kind of service, so why didn’t you go for the highest bidder?”

I glare at him, hating every open pore on his face that oozed his greasy arrogance. “Green isn’t a good color on you, Levi.”

“Don’t know what you mean.” He sprawls across the pew, swallowing it up with his cheap-looking suit. His thigh nudges mine and I recoil like a cobra, shuffling as far up the bench as I can get.

“You’re envious of him,” I say, recovering some courage. He’s not going to try anything in here, with so many witnesses. That’s not a coward’s style. “He’s got the filthy rich family, but he’s not trying to suck them dry. I bet you can’t get your tiny mind around that, can you? You probably can’t get your lizard brain around why I don’t want a cent of it, either, since all you give a shit about is money. The money you don’t have.”

His jaw drops. “What the fuck did you say to me?”

“It is a bit loud. Should I repeat it?”

His expression darkens and he leans over, his face so close that I can smell the sharp scent of booze on his breath. “I’m not jealous of him or his cheap slut, since you’ll rinse him for all he’s worth once those bills keep rising. You can act all high and mighty now, but let’s see how your tune changes when the chips come crashing down.”

“I’m starting to think you might be the gold-digger.” I don’t back down. “Why don’t you just go to the DuCates and beg them to adopt you. It’s clearly what you want.”

He smiles, but his eyes don’t crinkle. It’s not meant to be friendly. “You don’t know the first thing about me or Ben. People like me and him.” He brushes his lower lip with his thumb, turning my stomach. “I bet he’s promised you the world, right? He’s told you he doesn’t care where you’re from or what your bank account is like, and he’ll defend you from his family. Am I close?”

I say nothing.

“He’s always had charm, Summer.” Levi’s eyes glint with cold amusement. “You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. Ever wondered why he’s a thirty-six-year-old bachelor who’s never had a relationship that lasts longer than six months? He’s the tortured artist, and you’re just his latest muse. When he’s had enough, he’ll set you adrift, like he’s done with the rest of them. At least Lyndsey was clever enough to get knocked up first.”

Anger flares in my stomach, rushing like liquid fire through my veins. “You think this is going to work, don’t you? It’s good you’ve got mommy and daddy to pay your way, because you’re not going to get anywhere with your smarts.”

“I’m just giving a friendly warning,” Levi replies, but I can see him floundering. He was so sure that was going to work on me. “Let me guess, he’s taken you out on a romantic sunset cruise and he’s invited you to his fancy gallery in New Orleans? Has he done the private dinner at his bungalow yet?”

I roll my eyes. “Are you spying on us? Have you honestly not got anything better to do?”

“You just wait. I’ve seen it so many times. The cruise, the gallery invite, the private dinner, the motorcycle ride, the thoughtful gifts that he’s just picked up because they made him think of you. Ha, don’t make me laugh.” He snorts. “When he gives you a nude portrait of yourself, that’s when you know you’ve got about a month left, so you better get knocked up quick to keep the money cow mooing.”

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