Page 40 of Hot n Bothered

T here was just something about Ben that was comforting that meant it was easy to relax around him.

So much so Isobelle once again fell asleep on him. Once in the car, she’d leant her head against his shoulder closing her eyes for a moment. Next thing she knew they were at the new place.

She was so drained she didn’t really pay that much attention to the tour they were given. Granted it was only lunchtime, but she had been through a lot emotionally. On paper it looked like the easiest thing in the world to do. Dump the toxic people and skip off happily into the sunset.

But people didn’t work that way. Yes she’d finally cut that cord that was dragging her down.

But that didn’t mean that it wasn’t still all tangled up and a mess.

Ben was right in saying her depression was on their side.

It was throwing up so much guilt right now, it was trying to make her second guess her decision.

Right now, she just needed to escape from too much thinking and that meant sleep. Ben seemed to understand, after the rep showing them around left he drew the blinds in what looked like the master bedroom. He lifted the sheets and took her shoes off when she sat heavily on the bed.

“Take as long as you need.” He said pressing a kiss to her forehead and removing her glasses. “I’m just going out to get supplies.”

She really did shut down. She didn’t even dream. It was only a raging thirst and a full bladder that had her stirring. Ben had left a glass of water by the bed for her that she gulped down in one go.

After she drained her bladder, she went in search of him. The villa was huge. Three double bedrooms with ensuites on the top floor alone. She wondered why he got one with so many since it was just the two of them.

Then it hit her.

They were no longer with her family. There was no need to pretend anymore. So of course he’d want to have his own bedroom.

She bit back a sob as her stupid brain started to compile plans of how she could apologise to her parents. How she could somehow undo what she’d just done. She could deal with all the toxicity if it meant she had a few more days where Ben was still hers.

“Belle?” He was there gently folding her into his embrace. “I should say don’t bother wasting a single tear on them, they aren’t worth it. But you do what you need to ok? You can cry if you want to cry.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and just sobbed into his chest. She wasn’t even sure what she was crying for. The past twenty-nine years of shit she’d had to deal with? The fact it took her so long to break free? Or was it the thought of losing what she had with Ben these past eleven days?

Whatever it was it needed to be out. His arms were a safe cocoon around her, one hand cradling her head. He rested his cheek on her head patiently waiting for her to finish.

That was until he suddenly froze and pulled back.

“Shit! I’m not leaving you, I just…” And off he dashed downstairs, leaving her blinking after him in confusion.

She wiped her face and decided to follow him as she cleaned her now fogged up glasses. Only then did she notice the delicious smells wafting through the air. She followed them to the kitchen where Ben was putting several cakes on a cooling rack.

“What’s this?”

He looked up with a smile. “Just what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t make my girlfriend a birthday cake?” He grinned. “Got them before they went over so crisis averted.”

“Huh? What?”

She was confused again. Why did he say that?

They didn’t need to pretend anymore. Unless it was force of habit?

If so should she remind him? Would he want her to?

Did she want to? Would it be better if she did?

Would he hate her if she didn't? Damn her stupid overthinking brain, she was now locked up from all the questions flying around her head.

Not just the questions either, she was imagining so many different scenarios. None of them good.

“Not awake yet? Here, looks like you need this.” He place a mug of coffee on the counter in front of her. “And I need this.”

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. One of those perfect, just because kisses and she shoved aside all her questions and worrying. If Ben was going to continue to do that she was not going to question or argue it.

She knew it was pure cowardice to not ask, to not get him to define what this was. But it was also protecting herself. Every scenario she went through in her head had him laughing at her and turning away. Leaving her alone and broken hearted.

His smile was so wide when he pulled back.

“What?” She asked.

He just shrugged. “Nothing. Here’s your coffee. I’m going to be busy in here a little longer. But it will be worth it I promise. I set up your writing stuff at the table through there if you’re getting the urge. Or you can explore, it’s up to you.”

“What if I want to watch you instead?”

“Cool, you could film it and then I’ll film your reactions and…”

“Nope! No thank you. I’ll explore, ooh look is that a pool?”

His laughter followed her outside. The pool area was much larger and had a more natural feel to it.

The steps leading down into it were made to look like natural stone and led down to the bottom.

It was a larger pool as well with a natural looking waterfall that filled the air with its soothing sounds.

She sat at the edge dangling her feet in the pool just enjoying the moment and lack of sound. At the other place, because it was in the city it was always noisy. Here there was hardly any background noise, just birds and the breeze through the trees. It was perfect.

Her phone buzzed, checking it to see who it was spiked her anxiety, her heart thumped hard in her chest. She braced herself for what it might be, knowing that if it was too much Ben would be there for her.

That gave her the strength to look at the screen, her entire body relaxing to see it was just Darren.

You ready to chat?

On here. Yeah

First things first. Block their numbers. Not mute BLOCK. Do it now

Have you done it?

All of them remember

Well?

Calm your tits. Give me a sec

Ben is a bad influence

She chuckled as she worked through figuring out how the Hell to block numbers. Why was none of this logical? After going round the houses a few times she finally managed it.

Well that was a total ball ache

Good

The blocking thing not the ball ache. I’ve done the same after dad tried to rope me into making you feel bad

He did?

Totally refuses to believe they’ve done anything wrong. I told him we were both cutting them out of our lives so not to bother. I said we both deserved so much better than them

Is he really mad?

Meltdown mad. Although I might’ve triggered that

How?

I told him he’d need to look elsewhere to find victims he can abuse so he can feel good about himself

Did he start blustering?

So much. I wish it was a video, I bet his face was so red

I have done the right thing haven’t I?

Do you feel better for it?

If I ignore all the overthinking and guilt. Yeah, deep down I feel better

Then there’s your answer. You 100% did the right thing. I wasn’t lying when I said you deserve way better than them

Was Ben telling the truth? Was it all you?

Yeah. I mean having him there probably helped give me the courage

How are things going with you two?

Iz?

It’s good

You know we always get on

Yeah you two are so good together. Is he spoiling you?

She sent him a picture of her feet in the pool.

This place is gorgeous and really quiet, I love it. He’s in the kitchen making me a birthday cake

So you’re smiling?

For once she actually felt good enough to snap a selfie of her smiling and sent it to him without a single hang up about it.