Page 644 of End Game

For half a second, I see the familiar defensiveness rise.

Then he swallows it.

“Yeah.”

That isn’t enough, but it matters.

The waitress brings my tea. I unwrap the bag, set it in the water, and wait.

Ben stares at the table another few seconds. “I backed her into a corner.”

My fingers still on the string.

“I put my hand on her.”

“Yes.”

“I said something sexual to her because she has multiple partners and I decided that meant I could.”

There is no but.

That matters more.

“When she was obviously uncomfortable, I kept going. Then when you walked in, I called it a joke because admitting what I was actually doing would've made me look like an asshole.”

“You were an asshole.”

“Yeah.” The word comes quieter this time.

I pull the tea bag from my cup and place it on the saucer.

Ben takes a breath. “I am sorry.”

I study him.

He doesn't look away. “I'm sorry for what I did to her. I'm sorry I made your family situation harder. And I'm sorry I spent months acting like you were the one creating problems because you wouldn't pretend it didn't happen.”

Something in my chest shifts.

Not forgiveness.

Certainly not trust.

But the conversation becomes easier to remain inside.

“Tori said this isn't the first time.”

His face tightens. “No.”

“I remember what she said that night.”

Why is it you think every woman on the planet owes you something?

He nods slowly. “There have been other things. Nothing like…” He stops himself. “No. That's bullshit.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“I was going to say nothing like what happened with Cami, but that's me grading my own behavior again.”