All or nothing (Love in chaos #1) - Missy Johnson Page 0,47
the door, I hear his voice.
“… if you knew how close I was to marrying your sister, you wouldn’t be so cocky.” Ben growls. “We’ve been getting very close. I guess history is repeating itself, huh Jake?”
I stand there, frozen against his door. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My biggest fear was that he was just using me to win the bet, and hearing him speak this way to Jake confirms it. I want to storm in there and confront him, see the blood drain from his face when he puts together that I overheard him, but I can’t. I clutch my stomach, feeling sick. When the tears begin to sting my eyes, threatening to fall, I do the only thing I can think of. I run.
I can’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me upset.
Back in my room. I sit down on my bed and wipe away the tears. Thank God Tara isn’t here, because I’m too embarrassed to tell anyone about this. Fuck Ben. I’m so angry at him for using me, but I’m angrier at myself for letting him. I never should have let my guard down, because I knew I was going to end up hurt.
My phone rings. I shudder when I see Jake’s name, because I know exactly why he’s calling. I swallow my tears and force myself to sound as normal as I can.
“Jake,” I say calmly. “I was just about to call you.”
“To tell me you’ve been sleeping with Ben?” he snaps. I wince at the accusation in his voice. “Jesus, Liv. What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he bellows. “Can’t you see that he’s just using you?” He sighs, quiet for a minute, like he’s trying to control his anger. When he speaks again, his voice is softer. “I told you to be careful, because I didn’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Shut up for five seconds and listen to me,” I command. There’s only one way to get him off my back. Make him think I meant for this to happen. “He was closing in on Tara, so I did what I had to. It’s all part of my plan.”
“Your plan?” He doesn’t sound convinced.
“You want to win, right?” I say it like I’m talking to a five-year-old. “I’m going to say yes to marrying Ben, then I’ll stand him up at the courthouse, and his company is as good as yours.”
“That’s your plan?” Jake’s quiet for a moment, then he laughs. “That’s actually pretty good.”
“I know.” Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back.
“Just do me one thing?”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Next time let me know?”
“Fine. I have to go. See you tomorrow.”
I toss my phone across the floor and lie back on my bed, my stomach in knots. All I can think about is Ben and how he lied to me. I really thought he liked me, but I was just a means to an end, a way of winning his stupid bet. The fact that it was me, Jake’s little sister, was just an added bonus. I just wish I hadn’t told Jake my plan was to string Ben along, because now I’m trapped. As much as I want to confront him, I can’t. I have to pretend like everything is fine, when nothing is.
My whole world is falling apart.
Chapter 15
BEN
I never thought I’d say it—but I can’t believe this cruise is almost over.
After my conversation last night with Jake, I realized something. I don’t care about any of it anymore. I feel such a connection with Liv that the last thing I want to do is jeopardize that. If that means letting Jake win the bet and fighting him in court, then that’s what I’ll do. The most important thing right now is making sure Liv knows that.
I sent Liv a text telling her I’ll meet her for breakfast, but she didn’t reply, so when I walk into the hall and see her standing in line, I frown, a strange feeling of angst filling me. Something’s not right, I’m just not sure what it is. She looks up, our eyes meeting. I smile. When she returns it, some of the tension eases from my chest.
Relax, you’re just overreacting.
“You didn’t get my text?” I ask, joining her in line.
“Busy morning,” she explains. “I was packing and then my phone went flat. Did you sleep well?”
“I would’ve slept better with you by my side,” I murmur. I lean in for a kiss, but she shies away.