Page 138 of His Reckless Freshman

“He told me the truth.” I give her a pointed look. “Something you should have done months ago.”

“Your parents didn’t want me to.”

“Since when has that ever stopped you? You used to tell me everything, and you should have told me about this too.”

Caroline’s face flushes and she crosses her arms, snipping, “I am not doing this with you right now. The point is, you shouldn’t be dating Ben.”

“I don’t see any good reason why I shouldn’t be,” I snap. “He’s the nicest guy I know, and you should be happy that my boyfriend is a sweetheart!” Leaning forward, I growl at her. “You need to get used to this, because I’m not breaking up with him just because you don’t like it.”

“Oh really?” Caroline barks back. “I’m sure your parents would have some interesting things to say if they knew what you’d been getting up to with him! Do they even know he exists?”

A flush of panic rushes through me.

I haven’t told my parents about him yet. I’ve been trying to figure out how.

They’re always so strict about things to do with the opposite sex, and I don’t want to ruin what I have with him. How’s he going to cope with my family?

“She’ll tell them when she’s ready,” Ben calmly interjects, and I glance up with a grateful smile. I love how cool and collected he is. His long fingers curl around my waist, and he tugs me to his side. “I don’t mean to be rude, but you really don’t have a say here, Caroline. This isn’t your business.”

“She’s my cousin. That makes it my business! I’m supposed to be keeping an eye on her.”

Ben frowns. “She’s not five. And she doesn’t need you bossing her around.” Caroline opens her mouths to complain, but my boyfriend keeps talking before she can. “I understand that this might be awkward for you, but you can’t dictate what Jolie wants. I get that you care about her, but so do I. And we’re a couple now, so you’re just going to have to deal with it.”

Caroline lets out a disgusted scoff and looks to me for support… like I’m going to give it to her. I’m siding with Ben on this. He’s my boyfriend, and she really doesn’t have a say.

I hate that she’s unhappy with me, but I’m not about to break up with the guy for her sake.

Giving her a sad smile, I tug on Ben’s hand, indicating that we should go.

I can’t stand here taking any more of Caroline’s crap, not when I’ve got that other stuff to deal with as well. I thought I was capturing a moment of thoughtless bliss, but since when has life ever been that easy?

Pulling Ben away from my irate cousin, I head for the door, passing Casey near the entrance. He smiles at me, then notices who I’m with, frowning when Ben pulls me close, wrapping his arm around my waist.

Caroline’s boyfriend immediately starts looking for her, and I wish him a silent good luck, feeling just a little bad that he’s going to have to deal with her angst now.

But that’s not my fault, right?

Guilt singes me as I stand beside Ben while he says goodbye to his roommates. They seem fine with Ubering home, probably because they can see my face and how upset I am.

Ugh. I don’t want to be, but I’m annoyed with Caroline for trying to boss me around. And I’m annoyed that my little moment with Ben was shattered, because rushing into that quiet space is all the stuff I was trying to forget.

I can’t just let this stuff with Kieran slide.

I can’t do nothing, but I told Ben I’d give him a few days to think.

I’m desperate for a solution.

For action.

For justice.

And I’m determined to get it, with or without my boyfriend’s blessing.

46

BEN

Jolie stays the night.