Bennett

“The top speed can reach 189mph with the M driver’s package. 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. Twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. Upholstered leather. This is also the lightest version yet,” Cara said, ducking into the window of the display BMW, sounding exactly like the saleswoman who had been with us moments before.

My hands glided across the steering wheel and over the dash. The brand-new BMW M5. Not even out to the public yet. An itch came from under me. Specifically, my wallet. “I’m not interested in speed. I like to stay alive.”

She grinned. “Right. You seem like that type of person.”

“What type?”

“Both hands on the wheel, eyes on the road…”

“A safe driver?”

She nodded.

I rolled my eyes. “Shouldn’t we all aspire to be one?”

“Didn’t say we shouldn’t. But when you’re on an empty back road where you couldn’t possibly harm anyone else, it’s okay to have a little fun, isn’t it?”

My eyes traveled across her heart-shaped face, bright eyes, little nose, and bow lips, then travelled down to her pastel pink shirt, buttoned all the way up to her neck with a black ribbon tied around the collar. Everything about her screamed safe and innocent. And yet her words told a different story. She was everything opposite of safe and innocent.

“I hope you reach thirty.”

She laughed. “So what do you think? The trade in value of your other BMW is at least 50K. How much are you willing to spend? This baby has three miles on it. That’s it. Only driven in by the sales team.”

I ran my hand over the white, leather-upholstered seats. Of course I wanted it. I didn’t usually drop this much on a car, but this was an offer I couldn’t refuse. Sometimes it was okay to… “treat yourself” as Henley would put it. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to drive around town in a car that stands out a little. Maybe it would impress Henley.

She likes Maseratis, an irritating voice in my head that sounded oddly like my brother’s reminded me.

I hesitated. “…Where is the closest Maserati dealership?”

Cara blinked at me. “What?”

“It’s… no, never mind,” I dismissed. “I have to stay true to myself. I’ll get it. I’m impressive enough as myself.”

“Not sure what that means, but sweet!” Cara beamed. “You want to set up a loan or pay in cash?”

“A loan. So I can keep my credit up,” I explained when she raised an eyebrow. “I’ll put a decent down deposit down so the interest doesn’t wind up being too high.”

Nodding, she waved the saleswoman back over. Upon hearing I was ready to sign the papers, the saleswoman’s polite smile widened considerably. Hopefully she would get a hefty paycheck with this sale.

“Oh, by the way Bennett, I for to introduce you. This is my girlfriend,” Cara threw in casually.

My mouth fell open. How had she failed to mention that? Here I was pretending to be Cara’s boyfriend in front of her without even introducing myself? I scrambled out of the car, trying to smooth my shirt with one hand, while offering the saleswoman— no Cara’s girlfriend— my other. “Why didn’t you say so earlier, Cara? I’m sorry. I’m Bennett.”

The woman took my hand and gripped it securely, her dark brown eyes piercing into mine. She was a little shorter than me, but not by much. “I’m Tala. I didn’t think Cara’s future husband would be so good looking.”

Her words caused my cheeks to grow uncomfortably warm. “We won’t be getting married.”

Tala’s grip tightened. “What? So she’s not good enough for you?”

“No, that’s not what I—”

“Take it easy on him,” Cara interrupted with a giggle. “He’s sensitive.”

Tala finally released my hand and smiled at me, pushing her dark hair behind her ears. “Alright, I’ll stop playing around. It really is nice to meet you. Nice to know you’re not some creep.”

“Tal,” Cara chided.

Tala laughed. “Okay, I’m really done this time. Thanks for helping us out, Bennett. I’m sorry things are so twisted.”

“We’re helping each other out,” I said. “There’s no need to apologize. It’s unfortunate circumstances, but we will have to make the best of it.”

“Tala is the reason I can get sweet hook ups,” Cara mentioned, throwing an arm over the other woman’s shoulder. “Well, her and some persuading from my dad. He has some ins with the Volkswagen Group.”

“So are we signing some papers?” Tala asked.

Nodding, I followed her back to her desk, taking the seat opposite of her. “I’ll be trading in my current car as well.”

“Absolutely. I can have you driving your new baby home today.”

“I like her,” I said to Cara.

Cara beamed. “Me too.”

“Okay, I’m going to go get our team to get an assessment on your old car and give me price for the trade in and I’ll be right back and we can get to the fun stuff,” Tala said, gesturing toward the parking lot. “Could I take your keys?”

I handed them over to her, pausing for a second. “I’ll get to say goodbye, right?”

“Don’t you still have personal items in it? Don’t worry we’re not car-napping it. You don’t even need to hand it over today if you don’t want to. As long as you put a deposit down, we can hold the new one.”

“Oh, I’ll be fine after I collect my stuff.”

Tala grinned. “Great. Be right back.”

Cara watched as Tala clicked away in her heels and then focused her attention back to me. “Isn’t she a great saleswoman?”

“She’s very… casual.”

“Right?”

Normally I wouldn’t think that was a good thing, but in my situation, it was nice to have Tala be so laid back with me. I almost felt like I was doing something wrong by pretending to date Cara. It was nice that Tala didn’t hate me.

“How are things with Henley?” Cara inquired, leaning back in her chair. “Is she holding up okay with everything?”

“Things are good. We’re working on it.”

“Yeah, me too. It’s so hard. Why can’t our parents just be happy for us?”

“I don’t know.”

“I mean, we’re full grown adults. We know what we want and we know what is best for ourselves. Some people may not, but not us. We were raised differently. We were raised to be proper adults by age ten. In reality, most people don’t fully mature until after twenty-five. I think we’ve proven we can dictate our own lives, don’t you?”

I found myself mimicking her posture, lounging back in the chair. The lights blinded me from above. “I read online that men don’t mature until they are forty-five.”

“Well… I actually believe that. But does anyone really grow up? When I was twelve I thought eighteen year olds were so mature and then when I was eighteen I thought twenty-five year olds were so mature. And now that I’m twenty-five, I don’t know anymore. I just mean that we know how to live our own lives. We don’t need to be told what to wear, what to eat, who to date, what sexuality to be, etcetera.”

“We don’t need our mothers spying on us through our own security systems.”

“Uhh, what? That’s a thing?”

“Yes.”

“Dude, your mother is crazy. No wonder my parents are so afraid of her.” She sucked in a sharp breath. “Oops. No offense.”

“None taken.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“My brother and I are going to give her a surprise retirement and take over the company.”

Cara shot up in her chair, nearly falling out of it. “Wait, what?”

I straightened up as well. “She has done terrible things, Cara. Once we prove them, we will force her to step down. We just need the evidence.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yes. Hopefully once that happens, your parents will give up on marrying us. Especially if I announce an engagement to Henley.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could even stop to think about what I was saying.

Cara’s eyes bulged. “You’re going to propose to her? Bitch, what?!”

“B-bitch?” I repeated.

“That’s so cute!” she squealed, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me. “Oh my gosh! How long have you two been together?”

“Two months.”

I heard the tires squeaking in her brain as everything came to a halt. She let go of my shoulders, her lips falling into a perfect line, taking a step back. She appraised me for a moment and tutted. “Well…”

“What?”

“You don’t truly know a person after two months. I just think you’re rushing things. I’m not saying there’s like a time limit you have to date before getting married, but you should know what you’re getting into.”

I cleared my throat, finding myself blushing yet again. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t plan on proposing to her any time soon. I don’t even know how long it will take to get my mother off the board. I just mean if things go well and we’re still together and the time feels right, yes, I’ll propose to her, and that will be the end of anyone trying to force their daughters to marry me.”

“Ooh, gotcha. Okay. I was going to say.”

“Although if she asked me to marry her tomorrow, I’d say yes.”

Cara bit back a smile. “Sometimes you just know, huh?”

“Yes, but I still want to take our time.”

“True. Love isn’t in a rush,” she agreed.

“You sound just like my brother.”

“Really? I thought I had a pretty girly voice. Maybe I can pursue my dream of hitting the low notes in You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch after all.”

I blinked at her.

She stared at me. “Don’t tell me you don’t know that movie.”

“Then… I won’t.”

She sucked in a deep breath, ready to go on a rant, but before she could Tala appeared, cars keys in hand. “Ready to buy your new car?”

Two hours later, I was on my way to Henley’s apartment in my new car. My fingers drummed against the steering wheel as I grinned, imaging what she would say when she saw it. What little sarcastic comment she’d make. Or would she surprise me and actually like it? I hoped she did. Change her thinking, show her BMWs were the premier car choice…

The smile slipped off my face when I realized there was no parking spots left for me in the driveway of her apartment. Lee’s Maserati was parked behind Henley’s car on the right side of it and Brandon’s Maserati was parked just far enough back on the left side where I wouldn’t be able to pull in behind it. Which meant I’d have to park my car on the street.

I weighed my options. Endangering my new car or seeing Henley. Endangering my new car or seeing Henley…

Sucking in a deep breath, I pulled up to the curb as close as possible, getting out and making sure there was enough room for cars to go by safely. It wasn’t a main road, but it was still narrow. It would be okay. If not, I bought gap insurance.

After pushing in my mirrors, I headed up to the front door and knocked. When no one appeared after a minute, I tried to open it, nearly falling as it swung inward. Henry steadied me and muttered an apology.

“Henry? What are doing here?”

“Going to get pizza,” he said, keeping his head down and brushing by me.

“Wait, switch parking spots with me. I just came back from the dealership and— Henry, are you listening? Henry?”

It didn’t even seem like he registered that I was talking to him. His shoulders were hunched as he made his way down the driveway, making him look smaller than usual. I watched as he fumbled with the keys to Lee’s car, dropping them in the process. For a moment he stood there, staring at the ground, before letting out a long sigh and picking them up.

A little miffed, I waited until he’d climbed in the car to go inside, heading directly into the kitchen where I found Henley searching through the cabinets. I grinned a little and watched as she attempted to reach for a cup on the top shelf, but wasn’t quite tall enough to get it. Just as I went over to help, she smacked it so it fell off the shelf, barely managing to catch it before it hit the counter top.

Hearing my footsteps, she turned her head to the side. “Lee you shouldn’t be walking— oh!” She nearly dropped the cup again when her gaze landed on me, her eyes widening. “Bennett! You scared me. When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, fiddling with the cup in her hands.

The question caused my heart to sink a little. Why did it sound like she didn’t want me here? I studied her as she chewed on her bottom lip. Something was off about the situation. She stood stiffly, avoiding my gaze. “What did you say when you thought I was Lee?”

“Oh, uh. Nothing?”

“No, you said he shouldn’t be walking. Did he hurt himself?” I asked, a sense of dread creeping up my spine. The excitement about showing Henley my new car vanished. “Where is he?”

Henley’s eyes flickered toward the living room. “Well… Actually.” Visibly swallowing, she took a step toward me, looking toward the front door. “We need to talk—”

“Bennett?” came Lee’s voice from the living room. “Is that you?”

Henley grimaced and I frowned, grabbing her hand and guiding her into the living room with me. Lee waved a hand at me from where he lay reclining on the couch, a quilt thrown over his long body.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, my hand tightening over Henley’s.

“Nothing serious,” Lee assured me. “I twisted my ankle a bit, that’s all. Not used to being on my feet all day at work yet, I guess. Why do you look like that? I’m fine. Don’t go freaking out.”

I shuffled my feet. “I’m not.”

“You sure look like you are. Come on, Ben. Don’t do that.”

I set my jaw. “I apologize for being worried.”

“You can be worried, but just don’t overthink it. Henley has already fixed me up, anyway. Your girlfriend is a keeper. Beautiful and smart,” Lee said, wagging his eyebrows.

Pink dusted across Henley’s cheeks and she ducked her head.

“What’s wrong with Henry, then?” I questioned, unable to shake the unnerving feeling. No matter what Lee said, something didn’t feel right. Henry’s behavior went past strange.

“What about him?”

“He ignored me completely earlier. He’s never done that before.”

“Really? You’d think tuning you out would be the first thing he’d master when starting to work for you.”

I gave him a flat look.

He grinned. “Just kidding. I think he and Henley got into it. Although neither of them would tell me what it’s about.”

Henley tensed beside me. “You know… it was whatever. Nothing really.”

“You and Henry got into a fight?” I said dubiously. “You? And Henry?”

“I know, I’m surprised too,” Lee threw in, eyes glinting in amusement. “Henry has never fought with anyone. Although I can see Henley being the type to argue a decent amount.”

Henley pouted at him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re feisty.”

“Thanks?”

“You and Henry seriously got in a fight?” I repeated.

“Yes?”

“Why do you sound so unsure?”

“It wasn’t really a fight. Just um, an issue, maybe.” She grimaced again, shoving her hands into her jean pockets. “Forget it. We’re fine now. I upset him, that’s all. Said he didn’t have a life because he’s too busy catering to you two all the time.”

I didn’t buy it. Not even for a second. However, since Lee didn’t seem too concerned, I could let it slide. Henley would tell me if it was important. We’d made it clear not to hide things from each other anymore.

“How was the dealership? And Cara?” Henley asked and I got the feeling she was jumping on the opportunity to change the subject.

A smart move. Henley knew what she was doing. I’d take the bait. “It was great. Cara’s connections proved beneficial. I got a new car.”

“Huh? The one you took the picture in?”

“Yes, it’s parked outside. Would you like to see it?”

Something in her expression told me she didn’t really want to, but she still nodded, pulling on my arm. “Definitely.”

Yes, this was true love.

“It’s not released to the public yet. It won’t be available until next year,” I told her, the elation returning to me.

“Oh yeah? That’s awesome! How dark is that black? I can barely see it on the road,” she commented, pulling me down the driveway. “It’s very sleek. You’ll be getting stares when you drive by.”

My heart clenched happily. She was too cute. I loved how she was still excited for me even though she didn’t care for the car. I loved it. Unable to help myself, I pulled her into a tight hug, crushing her. “You’re so lovable.”

“Thanks,” came her muffled reply.

I let her go, grinning widely. “Check out the inside. I bet you’ll like it more than a Maserati.”

“Doubt it. However, I’ll like it for the fact that you like it. And I’ll admit, it looks pretty sweet from the outside.”

“Sweet on the outside, sexy on the inside. Like me.”

She snorted. “Shouldn’t that be the other way around?” Opening the door, she climbed into the passenger’s side. “Oh. Nice seats.”

I stood next to the door, observing her. “The leather has sun reflective qualities so it won’t get as hot as leather seats usually do.”

She poked at the overhead light until it came on. “Very useful. Does Cara have this car, too?”

“A different color, but yes.”

“You guys are taking couple outfits to the next level.”

My arms folded over my chest. “The only person I want to wear couple outfits with is you, Henley.”

She raised an eyebrow at me. “It’s just a joke.”

“Are you still okay with the fact that I am meeting with her?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“You still look upset. I appreciate you being excited for me, but you’re acting out of character.”

Her lips drew together and she clicked off the light, turning in the seat so she faced me. “I’m not upset about that. I’m happy that you two are getting along, too. It makes things easier with us.”

“Then your fight with Henry?”

“We didn’t fight,” she muttered. “It’s just. Well, he told me not to tell you. And I’m trying to decide whether to break his trust in me, or keep this from you.”

I took a step closer to the car, my knees bumping against Henley’s, the tightness in my chest returning. “Why? What is it about?”

“Lee… and you. This whole problem.”

“Then I should know.”

“Henry doesn’t want you to know.”

“I’ll make him tell me.”

“No,” she said sharply. “Don’t bring this up to him. I mean it.”

I drew back at the sound of her voice. “What in the world is he so upset about? We’re trying to fix the situation.”

“Yeah, but, ugh,” she complained, dropping her head in her hands. “I know I should tell you. But he begged me not to.”

I placed my hand on her shoulder, gripping it gently. “Don’t tell me.”

Her head poked back up. “Huh?”

“It’s obviously causing both of you distress. You don’t have to tell me. I know it must be important, but I trust you. I trust both of you. You’ll tell me when I need to know, won’t you?”

“Yes,” she said immediately. “Of course.”

“Then that’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Tell Henry not to overstress about it either. Is it something you two can solve?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But we’ll try. You and Lee and Sebastian have so much on your plates. Henry and I have to do something, too.”

“If you need help, don’t forget I’ll be there for you. No matter what. Don’t be scared about what my reaction might be. It’ll be okay.” I ran my hand through her hair, doing my best to put her mind at ease, even if I myself felt sick with nerves. Whatever it really got to Henry. I’d never seen him like that before.

As if sensing my anxiety, Henley caught my hand mid-pet and squeezed it. “You, too. I’m here for you. And your new car. I’m not lying— it is pretty cool.”

Tightening my grip on her hand, I tugged her out of the car, moving her against the back door as I shut the passenger door. “Mm. Have I told you I loved you?”

“Maybe once or twice.”

I pressed my lips to hers. “Well, I love you.”

“More than your new car?”

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself. We’ve only known each other for a few months.”

She wrinkled her nose cutely and I pressed a couple of kisses to it until it she pulled me to her lips. “Your kisses make me feel better,” she said.

“That’s good. I have plenty of them. Free of charge.”

“As much as I’d like to stand out here and make out with you, I don’t want Henry to come back and be traumatized. Are you going to stay for pizza? We got enough for everyone.”

I nodded. “I’ll stay. I don’t think I’ll stay over though. I have to meet Sebastian early tomorrow.”

“What are you two doing?”

“His parents are on vacation, so we’re going to see if we can find any more evidence in his father’s files.”

“He has access to them?”

I smirked. “Oh, Sebastian has his ways. He comes from a cunning family, after all.”

“I’m not sure if want to know what those ways are.”

“Nothing too illegal, don’t worry. Are you working tomorrow? I could drop by when we’re done.”

“Oh, I’m not. My boss asked me to come in, but Lee is sleeping over and Brandon has work early in the morning, so I said no so I could be here with him.”

I paused. “Did you say Lee is sleeping over?”

“Oh. Yeah. He is.”

“For what reason?”

“To hang out with Brandon,” she said easily, but once again avoided my eyes. “They want to play videogames or whatever grown adult men do.”

Apprehension arose. Henley tried to play it off with a roll of her eyes, but it was too late. Whatever it was that was happening that I wasn’t aware of was something big. I just had to trust that Henley and Henry would be able to handle it