Page 12 of Hot n Bothered

I sobelle could feel her face get so heated, she wouldn’t have been surprised if her hair caught on fire.

Ben had obviously been so disgusted with the state of her room that he’d cleaned it. She was so embarrassed, surely that would be the decider on the whole boyfriend plot. After all his house was always immaculate, that’s why they usually hung out there.

The more she looked around the worse she felt.

Gone were the collection of glasses and mugs she’d intended to take through to the kitchen a million times.

Everything was neat and organised on top of her dresser.

He’d definitely dusted and polished, even her mirror was sparkling. She covered her face with a groan.

“Iz? Ben said you were alright. I knew I shouldn’t have listened to him.”

She leaned her hot forehead on Darren’s shoulder.

“Wow. He really was worried about you.”

“Huh?” She straightened up to frown at him.

He waved his hand at her immaculate room. “You know how he gets when he’s stressed or worried.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean, what do I mean?” Now Darren was frowning at her. “In the eight years you’ve known him, you’re telling me you haven’t figured out that he cleans when he’s stressed.”

“He does?”

“Why do you think his house is spotless? Also why do you think Rich invites him over when he knows something is bugging him.”

“I thought that was because he’s a lazy grub.”

Darren laughed. “Well yeah he is that as well. But he makes an extra effort when it’s needed. Remember the release of the first book? Rich deliberately exploded a beer can in his bathroom. Ben was in his element.”

“But I’m so embarrassed he had to clean.”

Darren looped his arm through hers and dragged her into the living room.

“We’ve all done it over the years. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Isn’t that right Ben?”

“Huh?” Ben looked over at them confused. “Is what right?”

“That we’ve all taken advantage of a Ben stress clean.”

“Oh yeah. Yeah, that’s right.” He looked sheepishly at her. “Sorry, hope I didn’t overstep any boundaries. I was just a little worried and I couldn’t help myself.”

Isobelle turned round, slowly taking in just how clean and tidy everything was. He’d even gotten the cobwebs in the top corners she’d never been able to reach.

“I… um… I didn’t hoover because you were asleep and I didn’t want to wake you. Here.” He passed over a mug of jasmine tea. “How are you feeling?” He brushed her hair over her ear.

“Embarrassed you had to clean all this.” She muttered into her mug, not able to look at him. “I’m sorry I’m such a mess. OW!” She jerked back, spilling her tea down herself, glaring at him. “Stop pinching me dammit.”

“Then stop being mean about yourself. You are not a mess. How many times do I have to tell you?”

“Do you see what he does to me?” She shot at Darren as she wiped her top with her hand, thankfully it hadn't been too hot. “You’ve set your sister up with an abusive boyfriend.”

Darren just grinned, looking far too smug. “What I see is him telling you what I’ve told you for years. Your older brother approves this relationship. Now where’s my tea?”

Ben stopped his smug look at her to frown at Darren. “Huh?”

“Oh, I see, now you have a girlfriend, you don’t even notice I’m here?”

“Did you hear something Belle?” Ben winked at her, easily catching the cushion Darren tossed at him. “Alright, alright, calm your tits. I’ll get you a tea. Will you be joining us for dinner?”

“What is it?”

“Pot luck á la Belle.” Ben said over his shoulder. “Basically what I can rustle up out of the ingredients she has that needs using up before we fly out day after tomorrow.”

Panic froze Isobelle. “Wait… it’s not then is it? It can’t be. I’m not ready. I’ve not packed. I don’t even know where my passport it.” She stared at Darren on the verge of another panic attack. “I’ve not done half of what I’m supposed to.”

She felt a hand on her shoulder, thumb tapping out her breathing.

“Hey, it’s alright. Your passport is right there on top of your carry-on bag.

I’ve put in some blank notepads and a boatload of pens, you just need to add the notebooks you’re currently working on.

” Ben said in her ear. “Your Surface tablet is charging right next to it. As for your other packing. I… um… I might’ve overstepped some more boundaries. ”

“Why?” She turned to look at him, how was him being so close suddenly a comfort to her? She wanted to just lean into him.

He rubbed his hand through his hair. “I… um… folded and stacked clothes I thought would be suitable and put them on top of your suitcase. I figured you could pack while I cooked.” He looked unsure. “I didn’t touch your underwear so don’t worry about that.”

Was he blushing?

“Well that’s good because I’d hate to beat your arse for disrespecting my sister like that.” Darren said.

Both Isobelle and Ben looked at him before bursting out laughing. Darren was three inches smaller than Ben and while fit, had nowhere near the amount of muscles Ben did.

“Hey! I can take you.” He exclaimed, making them laugh again. He scowled. “I can destroy you with just a few words.”

“I broke your phone?” Isobelle laughed, she turned to see Ben glaring at Darren.

Properly glaring, as in say one wrong word and I’ll rip your head off glaring. What was wrong with him? She was about to shove him and say it was just a joke, when Darren said.

“This tastes so bland.”

Relief shot across Ben’s face before he hammed up being hurt. Hand over his heart.

“Right in the feels mate. That’s too cruel.” He grinned down at her. “Aren’t you going to defend your boyfriend’s honour?”

She pretended to think about it, giggling when he mock scowled at her.

“Go on you heartless wench. Go get your packing sorted so we can relax tomorrow.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before walking back to her kitchen. “I’m getting your tea.” He shouted back to Darren.

“Need help?” He asked her.

Isobelle nodded gratefully, she could not pack at all. Three t-shirts and a pair of shorts would fill her suitcase, the way she did it. Darren on the other hand had a magical gift of fitting an entire wardrobe into a backpack.

“So what set today off?” He asked folding the clothes she picked from the pile Ben had put aside.

She passed her phone over to him so he could read all the messages from their mother.

“Fuck’s sake.” He huffed. “Do you want me to answer them?”

She nodded, she couldn’t face dealing with them right now.

The anxiety of knowing that she would be seeing them and not knowing just what part of her or her life wouldn’t measure up this time was getting to her.

It was always like this before any family gathering, she was always so on edge, all her feelings brittle.

This usually meant that she would overreact to something they say and cause a scene.

Of course, knowing that would happen further spiked her anxiety.

“Actually, if it’s alright with you, I think Ben should answer them.”

“Why? That’s ridiculous. Why would he answer my texts on my phone?”

Darren rolled his eyes at her. “Because he’s your boyfriend. You two are in love, you guys trust each other. It makes sense, if you are busy why wouldn’t he answer for you?”

“Really? If you think so.”

“That’s what Cat and Bianca do all the time. Same with Richie and Katie. Plus, this will show Ben just how bad she can be.” He looked to the bedroom door, “Did he take proper care of you today? Honestly Iz. Not your usual placating answer.”

She raised her eyebrows at him. “Wow placating. Big word for you and you used it correctly. I’m impressed.” She smiled at him sticking his tongue out at her. “No. He did. He helped a lot, and I’m not just talking about the cleaning either.”

“Good. Can’t have my favourite person be with someone who didn’t take care of you as you deserve.”

“You make it sound like this is real.”

“Well, it is for now at least. Now underwear, remember how I taught you to fold them? Good.” He said at her nod.

“Because I’d rather not handle my baby sister’s knickers.

They should fit in this bag, which will fit in this gap.

I’m going to get your boyfriend to respond to these.

Once you’re done with those, toiletries. ”

“Yes boss.” She snapped him a salute.

He ruffled her hair as he got up before shouting. “Oy, Wallace. Where’s my bloody tea?”

She was glad he left because his words hit her hard. Someone to take care of her. That’s what he thought she needed. Most normal adults needed or wanted someone to make them happy or someone who loved them.

But she wasn’t normal was she? Her own brother didn’t think she could take care of herself. He thought that she had to have someone to take care of her and she had to admit that he was right.

Just packing a suitcase and a few texts had sent her into a panic attack when normal people just got on with it.

If ever there was proof that no relationship would work, especially with someone as put together as Ben, that was it.

She wished she was strong enough to say she didn’t need him for this holiday.

But the cold hard truth was, she wasn’t.