Page 65 of Spurred On

“That’s not a fair question.”

“It’s the only question. If you knew that Cody had real feelings for you, would that make a difference?”

She’d never allowed herself to contemplate it. It was far too frightening. Too . . . exhilarating. “I don’t know.”

“I think you do.”

“Quit being so fucking empathic.”

“It’s a gift.” He grinned. “I really like you Sidney. I want you to be happy.”

“I appreciate that, but I don’t think Cody is capable of real feelings.”

“And I think you’re letting your past own you.”

“What?” The. Actual. Fuck?

“You know it’s true. Sure, he hurt you back then. Pretty bad. It was a shitty thing he did. But everyone has reasons for their actions, even if they’re fucked up. Have you ever asked him why?”

Yes.No. Maybe.

“Because I am pretty sure he’s crazy about you now.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t think I can let it go.”

He sat back and nodded. “Okay. Then you need to be prepared to live with your choice. But between you, me, and the lamppost, holding grudges only wounds you deeper.”

She hated when he got all philosophical. Also, “There’s no lamppost in my apartment.”

“Just sayin’. If it were me, and I still had feelings for someone, feelings I couldn’t release, I’d want to explore them.”

“We did explore them. At Hanna’s bachelorette party.”

“And?”

Aside from her pushing back, it had been amazing.

She didn’t need to say anything. Ben apparently read it on her face. He nodded. “I’ll ask him how he feels about you.”

Seriously? How humiliating would that be? “Ben, he knows you and I dated.”

“Right.” He grinned. “But you never dated Brandon.”

Her brow wrinkled. “What does Brandon have to do with anything?”

Ben sighed. “Silly rabbit. Can’t you figure it out? Ben can’t ask him and get a straight answer, but Brandon can.”

“Oooh.” No wonder he was such an imp. He and his twin had been causing havoc all their lives. “That is wicked. And if he says he likes me, for real?”

“Then we make him jealous.”

Oh, please.“What would that accomplish?”

Ben shrugged. “I don’t know. But at least it’d be fun.” He smiled again, and warmth swelled within her chest.

Damn, it was awesome having a troublemaker on her team.