Page 24 of Becoming His

I shook my head in disbelief.

"Please, leave me alone. I don't ever want to speak to you again."

"Anna—"

"It's fuckingAnnabelle, Bailey,Annabelle. Not that I will need to correct you anymore."

Twelve

Trust You?

"Are you ok?"

I had walked so far away from the party I was surprised to hear anyone speaking to me, let alone Reuben bloody Fenton. He was sitting on a rock, swigging from a whiskey bottle.

"Oh, just your brother treating me like a fucking toy. Urgh, why is he such a prick?" I snapped as I sat down on the sand, uncaring that my shorts were now wet from the water beneath me.

"Ah. The brother that is a better kisser than me, right?" He teased, and I groaned, my head in my hands.

"I'm sorry. I just liked Bailey, I guess. Stupid girl."

He came and sat beside me, the overpowering scent of whiskey making me almost gag. He offered the bottle to me, and I grimaced as I took a swig, the liquid burning my throat and making me cough.

"Christ. First time drinking? Sorry. Maybe whiskey isn't the best introduction." He shrugged, and I stared at the ocean, wondering how I had managed to fall for Bailey's shit. I reached for the whiskey again, and Reuben raised his eyebrows as I gulped some more, detesting the taste but wanting to feel numb to the day's pain.

"Look, don't take it personally. He is an asshole with girls. I haven't seen him that competitive over one before, though." He smiled as he took the whiskey bottle back from me, our hands accidentally brushing. I blushed, and he chuckled.

"You're very innocent, aren't you? I can't say I am much better than Bailey with girls, so I would avoid both of us if I were you. We're both suckers for pretty girls."

I couldn't fault his honesty, so I nodded.

"Ok, don't kiss me again then. It makes things difficult."

He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye, and I realized why he was so popular with the women; his charm oozed from every pore.

"Alright, Annabelle. Maybe you should stop drinking whiskey with a stranger on a beach."

"Maybe you should speak to my friend, Ray," I shot back, and he nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah, probably. I just didn't want her falling for me or anything. I'm not the commitment type."

I rolled my eyes as I stole more whiskey, and he shook his head in proud disbelief.

"For what it's worth." He began, taking the bottle from me. "I think hedoeslike you." He pushed my shoulder with his, and I giggled, aware the whiskey must be taking effect. I felt calmer and not as upset, yet I also felt quite lightheaded.

"There you are—" Ray called, stopping mid-sentence when she noticed Reuben. Bailey stood beside her, eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.

"Don't kill me, little brother. I haven't done anything. But, Ray, I may owe you an apology. Us Fentons can be absolute dicks." Reuben winked at me.

Ray glanced at Bailey. "Don't fucking upset her anymore, or Iwillkill you." Ray hissed as she strolled over, joining us by the shoreline.

"Please, can I talk to you?" Bailey asked, and a shoulder bumped against mine.

"Hear him out," Reuben whispered.

I took another swig from the whiskey, and he sighed.Maybe he's right.I stood to face Bailey, the breath leaving my body at the vision that stood before me.

"So talk."