Page 37 of Consumed By You

“Except we weren’t on a date,” I reiterate pointedly.

“We could be…if you accepted my invitation for next week.” I find the strength to raise my head off the seat.

“Honestly, I don’t even think I’ll remember this conversation tomorrow. Ask me then.” I open the door.

“I will.”

I wink and shuffle my way back inside the best I can with these monster heels on.

Did I just wink at him?

***

“Where the fuck have you been?”

Startled, I jump at the angry rasp coming from the darkened living room. I throw my room key on the table and pull off my shoes.

“Out.”

The bright light suddenly turning on makes me rush to cover my eyes with my hands. I need sleep.

“Are you drunk?”

I peek through my eyelids at the fuming, god-like specimen in front of me in a t-shirt and blue jeans.

“No.” I miscalculate my steps unfortunately and stumble to the floor. A burst of laughter escapes me and won’t stop.

“Fuck, be careful.” Benjamin lifts me up by my arms and walks me to the kitchen. “Have you drank any water tonight? Or eaten?”

“No and yes.” I sit down on a bar stool. His expression is livid. I guess he doesn’t find this funny like Alex. God, he’s such a grump sometimes.

“This isn’t funny, Darcy. I’ve been worried. Haven’t you gotten any of my calls? My messages?” He pulls a bottled water out of the fridge and breaks the cap, handing it to me.

“No. I haven’t checked my phone, sorry,” I mumble, sipping the water slowly. Why am I apologizing? I’m a free woman—free to do whatever I want. He’s doing it again…acting like he owns me.

He braces himself on the counter. “Damn it, Darcy. I’ve been a mess. Where have you been?”

Shit.Double shit.

I’m scared to tell him and he senses it. His eyes narrow for a moment before he realizes.

“You were with him?” he says accusingly.

“We got fast food.”

“Yeah, I believethat,” he scoffs arrogantly, and storms out, leaving me alone in the kitchen. His bedroom door slams.

I find myself growing angrier and angrier thinking about the nerve this guy has before hopping up. I shouldn’t have gotten up that fast. Lightheaded, I pound on his door.

“What?” he shouts, and I open the door. He’s on the edge of his bed, his fingers rubbing his temples furiously.

Yeah, yeah. You give me a headache too, buddy.

“You’re an asshole!” His head whips up and he looks at me in disbelief, his jaw hanging open. “You are! What, you don’t want me but no one else can have me either? Your brother has been nothing but kind to me, not to mention he actually makes it known he likes me! I can’t figure out which way is up for you! Alex and I were hanging out asfriends. Nothing happened! But for you to yell at me all self-righteously to try and make me feel like I was the one who did something wrong is just bullshit, Benjamin. It really is.”

His hands are clenched together in anger and it’s probably because he’s never been scolded his entire life. Thankfully, the alcohol is giving me courage, so I bravely meet his hostile scowl.

“You know what? I can’t fucking do this.” He throws his hands up in surrender. “For a fleeting fucking moment, I thoughtmaybe,but shit—you drive me insane! I need order in my life and you blow that right out the goddamn window!”