Chapter 3

HARRISON

There's something different about Benny today. He seems … distracted. Normally he's super invested in class, and I have to ask him to break things down for me, but today, his brain is elsewhere. I only met him at the start of the semester, but he's been a savior in wrapping my head around this class. I originally took it in freshman year, and considering I need to take advanced stats soon, I decided to audit this one as a refresher, which is lucky because I hadn't realized how much I'd forgotten.

Benny's also never been interested in hanging out before. I've asked once if he wanted to grab lunch, but after it was clear he was only interested in small talk and statistics, I let him be. There was no hesitation today though. British sitcoms really can win anyone over.

"Okay." He drops his bag under the table, then grabs a chair that he flips around and straddles. "Do your best."

"Because I really love a free lunch, we're going to skip the sitcoms and go straight to a comedy panel that will have you dying."

"You're totally overhyping it."

"Benny-boy, let me introduce you to Would I Lie to You?"

He just stares at me. Benny is an interesting guy to look at. He has this young face, big lips, but eyes that give off the feeling they've seen too much. And those eyes couldn't hold more skepticism if they tried.

"You'll be eating your words," I promise him.

"There you go assuming I have a sense of humor again."

I like this version of Benny. Hell, he's cool otherwise, but this is the first time I've seen him so relaxed. Because I'm determined to win and only have half an hour to do it in, I go right for one of the funniest episodes I've seen lately and click on it to start.

The first couple of minutes, he keeps shooting me confused looks. Then when they get into the game, I catch him smiling a time or two. One of the stories a guest tells has me hunched over, trying to catch my breath, even though I've heard it all before, but when I peek up at Benny … his eyes aren't even on the screen.

He's watching me—but at least he looks close to amusement this time.

"There's something wrong with you," I say when I catch my breath.

"They're funny, just not …" He waves his hand over me. "You looked like you were about to suffocate."

"Because that's how normal people react to comedy."

"You are not a cute laugher, FYI. I recommend you never use this as a date suggestion."

I twist my cap forward, then backward again. "Noted."

The show wraps up, and a smug look crosses Benny's face. "I guess I win."

"Did you? I think enjoying myself makes me the real winner."

"A prize makes you a real winner. Enjoying yourself is a given when you hang out with me."

"Suddenly so confident."

"As the youngest of seven, I needed something to make me stand out from the others. Confidence is my thing."

"Aren't youngest siblings supposed to be all … neglected and spoiled at the same time?"

"Eh, maybe if they have parents."

My eyebrows shoot up. "Shit, I'm?—"

"Don't say sorry. It's cool. They died a long time ago, and I remember less of them than I'd like, but I have my siblings and their partners. Still lots of love going around the Dalton household."

"Yeah, fuck. Hard to know what to say about all that."

"Most people want to know how it happened—they hit a moose, never came home, that kind of thing." Benny is talking like he's completely disconnected from the situation.

"A moose? Fuck. We don't have those where I come from."

"Where do you live?"

I frown because I could have sworn we'd covered this. "Florida."

"Ah. So, if we lived there, maybe they would have been eaten by an alligator instead."

"Should we be joking about your dead parents?"

"Would you rather I cried about it?"

I laugh, tugging my hat off with one hand and dragging my hand through my hair with the other. "Do you want to cry about it?"

"Not really. Like I said, it was forever ago. I remember being sad for a long time, and then I just wasn't."

"Still. Wish you'd never had to go through that."

"Thanks. So do I."

The conversation has taken a fast turn, and I'm not sure how we get back to the joking side. Not that I don't like Benny actually sharing something for a change, but … well, apparently, I'm not great when it comes to sympathy.

He looks me square in the eyes, lips tilting up on one side. "So. I take it your parents aren't dead?"

And there's something about the way he says it that has me laughing again. I can't tell if I'm amused or uncomfortable though.

"I don't think you get to tell people what's funny anymore," he says. "Apparently, you'll just lose it at anything."

"That show is funny. Wanna double or nothing our wager?" I suggest. There's still just enough time to sneak in another episode.

"Sorry, I would, but I really like winning. That, and I need to duck home to drop something off. Here." He hands over his unlocked phone. "Put your number in there, and I'll text you the party details."

I do as he says and hand the phone back. "Can't wait."

"Yeah." He holds my eyes again. "Me too."

Unknown:

Where are you?

I stare at my phone,wondering who the hell is after me. Just about everyone I know would assume I'm in class or studying.

Me:

Class

Unknown:

Yeah, but WHERE, dummy?

I chokea laugh at the tone, suspicion sneaking in about who it could be.

Me:

That depends. If this is Benny, I'm in the science block. If it's a stalker who's going to kidnap me and demand a ransom: I'm way too poor for that, man. Give up now.

Unknown:

Guess you'll find out soon enough.

"Soon enough"is exactly fifteen minutes later when I step out of class and find Benny leaning against the wall opposite my classroom. He has a takeout bag in one hand and is thumbing through his phone with the other.

"Tell me there's a cheeseburger in there for me, and I'll come to all of your frat parties."

"You sure you wanna be making me promises like that?" He smugly pulls out a burger that he tosses to me. "We throw a lot of parties."

"You got me lunch."

"Yep."

"But I lost."

Benny shrugs his slim shoulders. He's not a small guy, more … streamlined. Like he's built for running rather than taking on a football team. "You pointed out how much you really love a free lunch, and I just couldn't disappoint you like that. Besides, you did make me laugh. At you. That was valuable entertainment."

"I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to tell people you're laughing at them." We walk side by side, heading for the exit doors.

"Hey, don't blame me. I grew up with no parents, remember? How am I supposed to know those things?"

"And now I get the feeling you're fucking with me."

"Good. You're a fast learner."

I tear open the cheeseburger as we walk across the grounds. "Goddamn, I'm glad I made a wager today."

"Bet you're glad you switched seats too."

"Duh. I watched you walk right by me, and I was like, nope. I need to sit next to you."

For some reason, that surprises him. It's not like I've made a secret about needing that extra nudge for statistics, and he's always been happy to give it. Maybe Benny's one of those guys who likes when people need him. He clearly didn't see me this morning, and I wasn't letting him get away that easily.

"Well, I'm glad you did."

The sentence hangs between us for a second because it's an odd response. Like we don't always sit together.

We reach a bench seat, and I drop onto it to finish scarfing down my burger before making a dent in the fries Benny bought me.

"You want some money for these?"

"You keep that money for a future ransom. You might need it if you have that many anonymous people messaging you."

"In my defense, you literally just asked my location. Who does that?"

"A dude who wanted to surprise you with lunch." He tilts his head. "Next time, if you'd rather be kidnapped, just let me know though. I'm not going to kink shame."

"Not my kink, but good to know there'll be a next time." I stuff a fistful of fries into my mouth. "Damn, I love a free lunch."

"You have sauce all around your mouth," he points out.

Instead of putting down my food, I lean over and wipe my mouth on the shoulder of his T-shirt. "Gone?"

"You're an animal." He shoves me off, then checks the shirt like I've somehow stained the black material with ketchup. Judging by the way he's holding back a laugh, he's not too bothered about it. "I can't believe you just wiped your face on me."

"You pointed out I was a mess. I got self-conscious."

"Yeah." Benny drags the word out. "I doubt a guy like you has ever felt self-conscious in his life."

He's got me there. I might not be at the same level of snarky confidence that Benny is, but I'm … settled in who I am.

Benny inviting me to his frat party reminds me that I haven't been out since I got back. Haven't slutted it up, haven't got drunk, just sat around the house playing video games with Marshall.

Dammit. Am I … maturing?

I shudder the responsibility off me and put it down to moving away from Liberty Court. There was always a party or casual drinks going on over there.

"Shit," I say, catching sight of the time. "I've gotta run. Text me the party details, okay? Is it cool if I bring a friend or two with me?"

"What kind of friend?" he asks, head tilted to the side.

"Just my roommates."

"Yeah, they're cool, then."

What, was he expecting me to bring my bible group or something?

"I'll see you then."

Benny's smile stretches wide. "Can't wait."