“And now, it’s weird,” he mutters.
16 Pepper
I jerk awake, drool rolling down my face and my laptop still open on my lap. Checking my phone, I see that I have plenty of time before my parents arrive, and I reach up to massage my neck. I must have slept on it funny. This is going to be a long day.
I crawl out of bed and pull on a pair of sweats underneath my long T-shirt. I trudge to the door, leash in hand to take Danger out. I’m not sure when he became my dog, but I don’t really mind.
“Come on, boy,” I whisper, and he trots outside after me. “What do you think about today? Should I come clean?”
Danger looks up at me, his expressive eyes trying to tell me what to do but I just can’t read them.
“Well? The longer I continue this charade, the higher the chance it’s going to come back to bite me in the butt.”
Danger sniffs around and finally does his business, staring me in the eyes the entire time.
“Why do you animals do that? Why do you stare into my soul while using the bathroom?” I mutter, following him back toward the door.
I feel like a crazy person, talking to myself, but I know what Ben would say if I tried to talk to him. He’s the truth police.
Uggghhh.
I haven’t seen Ben this morning. He went out with friends last night, and my guess is, he’s still sleeping off the massive amounts of alcohol he drank. Mason brought him home, hammered, and I’m still thinking about his actions.
Ben walked straight in and wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug before he kissed the top of my head and went to his room, shutting the door. It was strange but also the best moment of my life up until that point, completely replacing the day at his parents’ house when I stripped and jumped into the pond.
As soon as his door shut, I looked at Mason, who was staring at me with his eyes narrowed and an unreadable expression on his face.
“What?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Nothing,” was his gruff reply.
I just shrugged.
Guys are weird.
“Okay, little pupper, you talked me into it. I’m going to tell them,” I say as I come back to the present.
Danger just stares at me, blinking once.
“What? Like you’ve never fibbed … even a little bit? I know you’ve said you finished your meal to get a treat before. Don’t lie,” I say, bending to pat his head, and then I realize I sound a little loony. “Come on. Let’s get back inside.”
I tug on his leash, and we head back in the apartment, running into Ben, who is standing right beside the door.
Oof.
“What are you doing, just chilling in front of the door?” I ask, placing a hand on his chest to push myself back.
“Couldn’t find you or Danger. Was about to check outside.”
“Here we are,” I say with a bright smile. “So, I’ve come to a decision.”
“On what?”
He reaches to shut the door behind me, and I head to the kitchen to whip up some pancakes for my intense day ahead.
“I’m going to tell my parents the truth as soon as they get here.”
“I think that’s great,” Ben says, sitting at the table and leaning back in his chair, hands locked behind his head.
I’m momentarily distracted by his bare arms staring at me, all muscly and beautiful, but then I shake my head, looking back down at the bowl of blueberries I’m washing.
“Set the chair back down. You’ll fall backward and hurt yourself.”
“What are you, my mom?” He sits back down with a chuckle.
In all honesty, I just couldn’t look at him like that and then try to form coherent sentences.
“I’ve got to meet my brother about that money today, but I can be here after that.”
“You don’t have to be here if you don’t want.” I shrug, not looking at him.
“I don’t have anything else going on. I’ll be your support.” He stands and stretches his arms back, letting a sliver of skin show above the sweats he’s wearing.
Gah.
I nod to let him know I heard and continue making pancakes. He shuffles back to his room, leaving me with my dirty thoughts and pounding heart to slowly melt in the kitchen.
My phone dings, and I pick it up, seeing a message from Andi.
Andi: How is Operation Get Pepper Laid going?
Pepper: That’s not a real thing. I don’t need your help.
Andi: You are twenty-three, woman. You need my help.
Pepper: There is nothing wrong with being a virgin at twenty-three.
Andi: Nope, there’s not. And I respect your wishes to remain a virgin. But when you need some help, I’m your girl.
Pepper: What are you, my pimp?
Andi: Has a nice ring to it …
I laugh and stick my phone back in my pocket. I have bigger things to worry about right now. Like telling my parents I’ve been lying to them.
I plate up a few pancakes and go knock on Ben’s door, holding them out when he opens it and shutting my eyes tightly so I can’t see his naked chest.
“What are you doing?”
“Giving you privacy.” I peek one eye open and then quickly close it again.
“You’re so weird.” He chuckles and takes the plate and fork I offered. He digs in, standing in front of me like a caveman. “These are delicious,” he says around a mouthful of food.
I open my eyes, and my entire body warms at the compliment. Warning bells go off in my head.
Walk away now. Run away. Do not lean up and lick the drop of syrup on the corner of his mouth.
I dart across the hallway and into my room, slamming the door behind me before wincing at the sound of his laughter.
“Put a shirt on,” I yell through the door, and his laughter only gets louder.
“You could take yours off, and then we’d be even,” he says.
It takes me a second to comprehend what he
