Page 204 of Burn Bright

Charlie rubs his temple with two fingers. “You don’t think you have an issue?”

“I’m not denying that I’m fucked up like you said.”

Beckett cuts Charlie a piercing look. “You need to be careful what you say to his girlfriend.” It still floats my body every time I hear them refer to me as Ben’s girlfriend, even if it might not beentirelyaccurate. I’m pretending it is. “He will lay you out on the floor.”

“You and Eliot should just let him.”

“No,” Beckett says firmly. He must know Ben hates violence, and to inflict pain upon his older brother would hurt him beyond measure.

I shift my weight, the urge to pee escalating. “I can’t accept your money,” I tell Beckett. “I’m not sure I’m ready for counseling.” I’m barely used tooneperson being up in my business. Just havingthembe overly involved in my life is bewildering, but the pushy, forceful care seems to be what they extend to each other. I’m in more disbelief it’s being given to me. “But I would like some TP.”

He grants me my wish. Thank God.

On Friday, I spend the night again, and I learn that Ben isstrong. Made evident by the steamy minutes in the bathroom where he bounces me on his dick. While standing. A climax ripples through my whole body. I see stars. And I discover that our first time wasn’t a fluke. Sex with Ben is an emotional, physical, mental exhilaration I can’t fathom might end.

I stop believing it will.

On Saturday, I’m seriously buzzing when he invites me to his placeagain. Even after our long shift at the End of the World, I want nothing more than to curl into Ben’s embrace. I’ve noticed his brothers are big night owls. Charlie, Beckett, and Tom are up and wired at 3 a.m. while I’m about to pass out.

So I vaguely listen to their conversation while I lie against Ben, his hand stroking my hair. That coupled with the lights they dimmed in the living room are lulling me to sleep. They’ve congregated around the pull-out, nursing waters since they all drank tonight except Ben.

Beckett and Charlie are on the swivel chairs. And Tom—he’s lying on the bottom of the mattress like he’s about to be fed grapes. Thankfully I’m short enough that he’s not fucking with my feet. I’m pretty sure I hear Ben warn him not to mess with me.

They’re discussing what to get for their niece’s first birthday.

“I vote we let Beckett Joyce pick out the gifts,” Tom says.

It’s the last thing I hear before I doze off. Then I’m startled awake to a heavy slam. I jolt against Ben. He holds me tighter, his hand cupping my head.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs against my ear. “You’re okay. Eliot just came home.”

I swallow the brief surge of alarm, but I don’t untense. Ben’s muscles contract in taut bands. As I register my surroundings, I realize Charlie and Beckett are still awake.

They’re on their feet when Eliot stumbles into the apartment, his arm slung around agorgeousbrunette. “Brooothers!” Eliot grins a magnetic, wily grin.

“Baby,” the girl coos to him. “I want to see your room.”

He pays less attention to her as he walks farther inside. His playful behavior contains extra flair as he bops Charlie and Beckett on the nose back and forth. “Fancy. Seeing. You. Here.” Charlie smacks his hand away.

“You smell like a distillery,” Beckett says.

“The distillery smells like me,” Eliot bops him again.

He’s not slurring, but by Beckett and Charlie’s unamused demeanor, this must be Eliot very, very drunk.Even Ben shifts to an upright sitting position.

“We’re just going to bed,” the girl says, maintaining effortless balance in her four-inch heels. “We’ll be out of your way. Come on, baby.” She tugs him in the wrong direction of his room. Which means she’s never been here before.

My sleepy haze totally wears off when Beckett says, “He’s going to bed alone. We’ll call you a cab?—”

“Uh, no,no.Baby.” She squeezes Eliot’s hand. He’s gripping onto the kitchen island like he might keel over without the support. “I’ll put him to bed.”

“You’re not staying,” Charlie sneers, taking a much meaner approach. “Leave.”

She scoffs. “You have to be joking.” Her gaze roams the apartment and lands on…me? “Oh so she can stay but I can’t?”

I recoil with a glare. Leave me out of this. A weird feeling tosses my stomach until Ben tucks me closer to his chest.

“There are things called boundaries. And doors.” Charlie points to the exit. “Do yourself a favor and walk out of it.”