Page 24 of Hot n Bothered

B en didn’t say anything as she went through what was said to her.

He didn’t interrupt, not like Darren did, with his exclamations of annoyance and arguments against what they said.

While appreciated it put her off and she missed telling him everything.

Ben just let her talk. She even explained how it made her feel and why she started to believe it.

By the time she was finished he had washed and dried everything and scrubbed the counter tops. He was right, it did help her feel better. When it was clear she had done talking he turned, leaning against the counter, arms folded.

“Darren never told you when we first met, about what I was like did he?” He said.

“You mean you both getting so drunk and crying over your broken hearts?”

“Yeah. Did he tell you about Alison? What she was like?”

“No. You know he wouldn’t, not his story to tell.”

“Well she was toxic. So manipulative. So much so it was an abusive relationship, but I never saw it as that. Darren was the one to open my eyes to it.” He gave a sheepish grin. “My entire family had all been saying the same thing, but I just couldn’t hear them.”

“You mean he didn’t stop nagging you about it.”

He gave a chuckle. “Actually on this no. He just looked me dead in the eye and said ‘that is so fucked up. You need to get the Hell away from her.’ When I started to try and excuse her behaviour, he asked how I would react if someone was treating my sister that way. That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks.

He gave me the insight and the courage to walk away and sever all ties. ”

“I didn’t know. Was it bad?”

He nodded and lifted his shirt to show the lines of scars on his side covered by his tattoos.

They’d always been there since she’d known him, seven long thin lines running parallel to each other.

She’d always wondered where they’d come from, but it wasn’t her place to demand the story, he’d tell it when he was good and ready.

“Bad enough that she manipulated me into doing these to myself. They’re the reason for my ink, I didn’t want to be reminded of a time when I was made to feel that way.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“So when I tell you I recognise toxic, manipulative behaviour you’ll know I really do.

Because everything they said to you is exactly that.

It’s all calculated to make you feel inferior to them.

So you doubt yourself and what’s even worse, is they do it using them being fucking family .

And they are not Belle. I’m not going to force this onto you, but I want you to think about it. ”

He leaned over and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Think about what our group would say if they knew how they spoke to you. We’re more your family than these people are.”

Isobelle’s mind was racing. Was that right? Okay, yes there had been a lot of times when out with the group that she had thought this was what a real family was like. But still. It was hard to take all this in.

“It’s because they care for me…”

“And they’re oh so worried.” Ben interrupted sarcastically.

“Manipulation 101. Did you ever get round to telling your father that yes, you’ve told me all about your depression and anxiety?

Which are not issues . They’re just part of who you are.

And yes, I know exactly how you can get when you need a helping hand.

And I will always be there for you picking you up, not dragging you down. ”

“I… I…”

He was right. Her father had talked over her, assumed she’d hidden it away as though embarrassed by it. She remembered the day when she’d spoken about it to the group. None of them had ever made her feel as though she should be embarrassed about it, nor hide it away.

In fact she remembered hugging Katie because she’d gotten so emotional about not only the strength she said Isobelle had in telling them, but the trust she had with them.

She chewed on her nail as she thought. It was such a lot to take in. Yes Darren had talked of cutting them off, saying it would be better for them both if they did. But she couldn’t get past that they were family and that she owed it to them to try and change for them.

But then she realised that no one else wanted her to change.

That all the things their group did was not because she was so annoying, but it was because they accepted her as who she was.

The always having pens. Having a place for her to go to write, so she could stay with them instead of going home.

Even when they went out, she was always in the middle of them so they could give her the space she needed in crowds.

Her eyes filled with tears again as it really hit her at how at home she really did feel with them. She stepped close to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. Immediately his arms were around her holding her close.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry again Belle.” He murmured in her hair. “But if you need to go right ahead. I have plenty of tops.”

She laughed, putting her arms around his waist. “These are happy tears.”

“Oh?”

“I just realised something that you’ll call me an idiot for not knowing sooner.”

“I might not. So what have you realised?”

“That you guys like me as I am. I don’t need to change or get better for you. And more importantly I’m not a burden. I’m not just Darren’s crazy sister who can’t make friends of her own. You’re actually my friends and don’t allow me to tag along out of pity.”

He sighed. “Dammit. Why do you have to be right? Yes, you’re an idiot for ever thinking that. Was that why you used to be so reluctant to accept our invitations?”

She nodded. “I thought Darren was making you invite me.”

He gave a snort. “Are you kidding? No, it was us pestering him. He used to tell all these stories about this amazing sister and we wanted to meet you. In case you’re not aware of it Belle, you’re a bloody good person to know.

If anything, we just keep Darren around because he’s your brother.

Otherwise, we would’ve trimmed his dead weight years ago. ”

She burst out laughing. “How do you do that?” She asked looking up at him.

“Do what?”

“Make me laugh so much.” She pulled herself out of his arms as his mouth was much too close, too much of a temptation. “You’re so much better at cheering me up than Darren.”

His grin was blinding. “So we can finally ditch him?”

She laughed. “But then you’d need to be around me more.”

“I can’t see an issue with that.” He nodded to her bag still on the table. “So do you want to write now?”

“Actually no. But not because of them. Well it might actually be a little them because I’m not quite in the head space for my characters nor any of the new ones I’m thinking of so I don’t want to rewrite any of them when I am in the right head space.

Which I am on the way to getting there and I’m thinking I would love to be able to enjoy the pool without all the snide comments and you’re not stopping me babbling Ben. ”

“And I never will. I told you it’s adorable.”

“Annoying more like. Don’t you dare!” She snapped running around to the other side of the table when he stepped towards her hand raised in a pinching posture.

“At least you recognise you deserved a pinch for that.” He grinned. “I was thinking about doing us some cocktails. But I need supplies. I saw a supermarket down the street. Do you want to come with? Or is the pool too tempting?”

“I’ll come with, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind. I wouldn’t ask you if I minded.”

He held her hand as they walked as though it was the most natural thing in the world. And it was. It just felt so natural and right.

“Tomorrow I’m going to insist we have a day to ourselves.” He said. “My followers have suggested some cafes to try. Then I have a favour to ask.”

“What kind of favour?” She eyed him suspiciously. “No pictures.”

“No photos. Just a video.” He flashed her a grin.

“Ben.” She glared at him. “If I don’t want photos taking, exactly why would I say yes to a video?”

It was like he knew that grin of his was enough to make her melt. He wielded it like a weapon and dammit if it wasn’t working.

“Please, its your fault I need to anyway.”

“Really.” She had no clue what he was talking about.

“Your gorgeous chili and garlic quinoa. I’ve tried replicating it based on what you told me, but no matter what it just doesn’t taste the same. I want to video you so I can see what you’re doing. I can beg if you’d like.”

Urgh, that puppy dog look will be the death of her.

“Fine.” She sighed. “But send it to the group and I will kill you.”

“I promise to not send it to the group.”

“You know what pairs perfectly with that.” She grinned up at him.

He laughed. “Yes, yes I know. I’ll look at the steaks here. But I’m only making them for you.”

“So if that’s tomorrow, what’s the plan for dinner tonight?”

“Won’t your parents have something planned?”

That made her pause. “Honestly I don’t know.” She chewed on her nail. “I… I just feel right now that whatever I do or say will be wrong.” He squeezed her hand, and she suddenly had a thought. “Actually, I have an idea on how to get around that.”