............ We crossed the street Ben smiled when he saw us coming.
‘We didn’t get you two ice cream yet we didn’t know how long you were going to take” Ben smirked getting up from the seat “Skye Strawberry right” she smiled and nodded.
“So Tess we’ve been dying to ask you” Gabe grinned lifting my hand with the cast on “Just how did this happen there’s all sorts of gossip going round that you stole Ben from Lilly”.
‘Did she tell you that” I smiled.
“Yeah she said you punched her after you told her to stay away from Ben” Darren nodded.
‘You believe her” I asked.
“Hell no we’re just glad the QB is back to his old self we couldn’t stand the way he was when they were together” Gabe laughed. “We know you’ll tell us the truth” Ben came back and handed me and Skye both ice cream.
“I did punch her but only after she slapped me first and yes the fight was about Ben” The guys looked at me then at Ben “But I told her we were pissed with the way she treated him and the rest of his friends and she was basically a slut” they started laughing.
“Nice one Tess” Darren laughed “Dude you have to be happy you have Tess as a friend to make you see sense over Lilly” Ben looked at me and smiled.
“I know” he said holding up his hands Gabe put his arm round my waist.
“I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to the end of year party next week with me” he said. “I was going to ask you but then there was all the Noah stuff going on” I looked at Ben.
“I can’t Gabe” I smiled “Sorry”.
“Oh, someone already asked you”.
“No Dude she has a boyfriend” Ben grinned.
“Oh damn you kept that quiet Tess” Darren said looking at me “is it a kid from off base”.
“Read the shirt” Justin laughed.
“You’re dating a Marine”
“No not yet but he will be one” I smiled.
“Oh for god sake” Skye said grinning “She and Ben are together god have you two taken too many knocks on the head on the football field”?
“You’re kidding you two are an item” Gabe Said Ben nodded putting his arms round my waist from behind “Sorry I asked out your girlfriend Ben”.
‘It’s okay it’s a good job I know you” Ben laughed.
“What do you think Lilly is going to have to say” Darren asked.
“She’s going to hate it” I shrugged “but she’ll get over it”. We all sat talking for another hour Ben nudged me you ready to go home he pointed out to sea where the lightening was streaking across the sky and a low rumble of thunder rolled over head.
“Sure” I nodded feeling the first drops of rain “Guys we’re off Skye call me if you need to talk okay” she nodded as I hugged her.
‘See you Monday” Ben called taking my hand we walked across the street back towards the car. The rain started to get heavier Ben let go of my hand and we both sprinted for the truck diving in both soaked to the skin I looked at him laughing.
‘Looks like you’re going in for a wet t-shirt competition” I giggled as he started the truck and backed out of the parking lot.
The rain got heavier and the wind got up it was all Ben could do to keep the truck on the road finally we reached home; Ben turned and looked at me.
“Ready to run again” he grinned.
“Oh yeah” I grabbed the keys from my bag and opened the door we stood under the front porch while I unlocked the door Ben slid his hands round my waist.
“You need to hurry up I’m freezing my ass off here” he whispered in my ear I started to laugh as the door swung open and we walked inside.
“I’ll go grab some towels” I said running up stairs I pulled off my wet shirt and my skirt and grabbed a towel from the bathroom and wrapped it round me, I picked up my wet clothes and went back down stairs “Here you go” I handed Ben the towel he stripped off his shirt and jeans and wrapped the towel round his waist I picked up his wet things with mine and walked into the laundry and put them in the washer and turned it on, I went back in to the living room Ben was coming from up stairs still wrapped in the towel.
“I had to get off the under wear as well it was soaked” he grinned.
“Yeah and mine but again I can’t unfasten the bra” I moaned.
‘Now that I can help with” he winked I turned round and lowered the towel at the back with one hand and a flick it was undone went into threw laundry and pushed the door closed “Hey can I grab a drink”
“Sure you know where they are” I called back I dropped the towel and pulled of my underwear and put it in the laundry I picked up the towel and wrapped it back round me walking in to the kitchen Ben was bending over looking in the fridge I just couldn’t resist I slapped him across the butt.
“Ow” he said spinning round “That smarts” he rubbed his butt with his hand I was doubled up laughing leaning on the counter. “Oh you think it’s funny do you” he said with a twinkle in his eye I ran from the kitchen only to be tackled on to the couch by Ben I was lay on my stomach laughingas he smacked me across the ass with.
“Hey” I gasped.
“See pay back” he said getting off of me just managing to grab his towel before it fell off.
“Okay Time out” I sighed finally catching my breath I held on to my towel as I got up Ben put his arms round me and pulled me to him he ran his fingers across my collar bone to the necklace,
“I was going back to get that for you” he pouted.
“I’m sorry I saw it tonight and didn’t want someone else ending up with it” I shrugged,
“It matches your cast as well” he grinned running his fingers over the edge of my towel.
“I never did thank you did I” I said tilting my head to the side he shook his head I put my arms round his neck and kissed him he pulled me closer to him as the kiss became deeper and more intense Ben stopped and took a step back.
“I think I should go get some clothes on” he said stroking the side of my face I nodded I could feel my heart racing and every part of me was tingling “You think I could borrow one of your Dad’s t-shirts”. I nodded I headed for the stairs Ben followed me I went in to Mom and Dad’s room and over to the closet Ben stood looking at the photos on the wall and the dresser “I love the picture from their wedding” I said coming up behind him pointing to the picture of Mom being lifted up by all the Marines at the wedding and Dad on one knee in front of her. He turned and looked at me as I handed him a T-shirt.
“Thanks” he nodded looking back to the pictures. “I’ve never seen you in a red bikini” he pointed to a picture.
“That’s because that’s not me” I smiled walking out of the room and into mine he picked up the frame and looked closer, he put it back down and pulled on the t-shirt he went into Nicks room and took off the towel and put on his shorts he walked across to my room I was brushing my hair as he came in and lay on the bed.
“I really thought that was you” he smiled. “but you don’t have a scar on your side do you” I lifted the bottom of my tank and shook my head I pulled my hair back into a bun and got on the bed next to him he laid his head on his hand propping himself up on his elbow “What happened was it an operation”.
“She was stabbed when she was 17” I sighed Ben’s eyes grew wide.
‘As in someone with a knife” I nodded.
‘It was her boyfriend at the time” I said “he used to beat her up if she talked to her friends and he really, really hated how close Mom and Adam were so he’d waited for Uncle Toby and Grandpa Jack to be deployed to Iraq and one night when Mom Saw Rylan and Dawn out he took her into an Alley and beat her then stabbed her leaving her to bleed to death” I looked at Ben he was listening with a WTF type of expression on his face. “But Dawn and Rylan found her and called 911” I sighed “She was in a coma for 6 days”.
“Did your Uncle and your Grandpa get leave” I nodded. “Wow I knew your mom wasn’t someone to get on the wrong side of but now I can see why if she’s been through stuff like that”.
“Now you know the reason I have so many overprotective guys around me, they never want me to go through what Mom did” I shrugged.
“They have a point now I see why they moved they way they did when Noah was doing the creepy stuff” I lay down next to him he put his arm over me and kissed my neck “You can add one more guy to the over protective list”. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows. “Okay I know you can kick ass when you need to and I guess I’ve always been a little that way anyway”.
“Exactly” I smiled he moved my shirt and played with the bulldog charm now hanging from my belly ring.
‘Why had Skye been crying when you came over to us earlier” he asked.
‘She thinks her Mom is moving her to Florida” I said looking at him.
‘What about her Dad”.
‘She says her Mom is done”.
“Oh shit”. Ben said rolling back on to his back. “You think Justin knows” I shrugged.
“You’ll all be together on the Island if she does move”
“Why”
“She’s decided to become a Marine” I said getting off the bed and taking off my necklace and earrings.
“Oh god help the drill instructors” Ben laughed sitting up as there was a huge clap of thunder and a flash of lightening and the lights flickered before going out altogether. “And here we go” I heard my phone start to ring I picked it up from the dresser.
Me * hello.
Toby * hey Tess where are you.
Me * I’m home.
Toby * good you want me to come get you.
Me * no Ben’s here.
Toby * okay.
Me * Uncle T we’ve been through this once today and you ended up getting more stressed than anything else.
Toby * I know honey.
Me * and I’ve already spoken to dad and told him that I’m dating Ben so relax a little please.
Toby * okay call if you need anything Tess.
Me * I will I promise Love you guys.
Toby * love you too honey
I hung up the phone using the light from it to make my way back to my bed Ben pulled me next to him.
“You never said you’d spoke to your Dad” he said nuzzling my neck kissing along my jaw bone making me shudder.
“I forgot” I sighed closing my eyes as his kisses ran under my ear I let out a slight moan he stopped and looked at me, “What” I asked
“You know I’ve been to bed with Lilly don’t you” he said I sighed “and I’m not just trying to get you to sleep with me”.
“I know” I nodded “I don’t like the fact you two have slept together but there isn’t much I can do about it is there, and I trust you and know you won’t push anything”.
‘It’s just that” he let out a breath “I want you so much I want to touch you and I have for so long…” I cut him off by bringing my face to his and kissing him.
“When I’m ready, you’ll be the first to know” I smiled making him laugh.
“Make sure I’m on speed dial” he smirked pulling me into his arms and covering us with the blanket.
“Don’t worry you already are” I giggled snuggling into his chest. He trailed his fingers up and down my arm.
“I’m so in love with you Tess” he said kissing the top of my head I wanted to open the window and tell the world how I felt at this moment in time.
‘It’s a good job I love you as well then isn’t it” I sighed hugging him tighter before we both fell asleep………………………………………
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