Derailed (Clayton Falls #1)(32)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

I forced a smile. “I’ve got plans with Kelly.”

“Oh, cool.” He looked disappointed. “I thought I’d have better luck with a last minute invitation. You know, if I gave you less of a chance to come up with excuses.”

“Gavin, I really don’t want to lead you on. You get that nothing is going to happen between us, right?” I needed to clear my conscience, whether it made interacting with Gavin incredibly awkward or not.

“I understand nothing’s going to happen right now. That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends until you’re ready for us to be more.”

“And what if I’m never ready for us to be more?”

He shot me a confident smile. “You will be. Bye, Molly.” He walked out, forgetting his empty coffee cup on the table.

***

Kelly called to cancel our plans when something came up with her mom, so I went ahead and made some calls and sent out a batch of emails about the party. I knew that Ben was the next one to invite. I doubted he wanted to go to a party at Gavin’s, but with his whole exclusive declaration, he might make himself go.

I decided to ask Ben in person. I thought about calling, but figured that he surprised me enough; it couldn’t hurt to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Ben opened the door shirtless again. This time he was wearing only gym shorts and was sweaty rather than clean.

“Hey, this is a nice surprise.” He ushered me in, careful not to touch me and get me sweaty.

“You can finish what you were doing. I just had something to ask you.”

“You’re not in a rush, are you? If you can wait, I’ll just finish and shower real quick if that’s okay.”

“Not a problem.”

“Okay, cool.” He took off down the hall.

I settled down on the couch for all of ten minutes before my curiosity got the best of me, and I went to see exactly what he was finishing. I followed the music downstairs to an unfinished basement where he had a bit of a home gym set up. He had never been that into working out when I knew him. It kind of surprised me—but it shouldn’t have considering the incredible shape he was in.

I surveyed the equipment until my eyes settled on Ben, who was bench pressing.

He finished the set of reps and sat up, his face slowly turning into a pleased smile as he caught me ogling him. “Couldn’t resist taking a look, huh?”

“Do you really mind?” I figured there was no reason to explain myself.

“Not in the slightest.” He grinned.

“You have a nice set up here. I’m kind of jealous.”

“You are more than welcome to come over and use any equipment you want. No membership fees. Just do me a favor and stay over once in a while.” Ben was getting really good at finding ways to ask me to stay the night.

“Isn’t there a reduced fee if I only want to use free weights? I’m kind of missing the gym at school. I don’t want to lose what I’ve got.” I flexed a bicep. I was proud of my arms. I’d been a total weakling in high school. I was thin, but with no muscle or anything. I’d made it a goal to get stronger when I went away to school. I wanted to be able to take care of myself the best I could. I didn’t want to ask boys to do any menial things for me. I met Becca in a kickboxing class freshman year. We ended up going to the gym together three or four times a week all though college.

“Damn, someone’s been working out.”

“Yeah, I know.”

He stood up, toweling off before heading my way. “Nuh uh, get in the shower, mister.”

“You’re no fun.”

“I’m clean.”

“You could just shower with me…” He gave me his mischievous grin.

“Get in the shower, Ben.”

“Okay, I’m going.” He followed me up the stairs. “If you want to take a look again, feel free. You know where the bathroom is.”

I laughed. “I’ll be in the living room.”

Ten minutes later, Ben slid onto the couch next to me. “So what’s this thing you had to ask me? Or was it just an excuse to visit?”

“I didn’t think I needed an excuse.”

“You don’t, but maybe you were trying to save face or something.”

“Nope, but good try. I’m actually here to invite you to a party.”

He slung an arm around my shoulder. “Ohh, is this an actual date?”

“No. It’s just a party I’m attending—or really co-hosting—that I thought you might want an invite to.” I leaned into him instinctively. He smelled like soap and fresh laundry.

“Co-hosting? Who’s the other host, or should I not ask?”

“Gavin, but before you get upset, it’s a joint bachelor-bachelorette party.”

“And where is this party?” He turned to look at me.

“At Gavin’s.”

“When? Not only will I be there, but I’d be happy to drive you.”

“I have to get there early to set up.”

“Because he needs help setting up booze?” he asked skeptically.

“Yeah, I guess.” I tried to suppress a smile.

“Well, I’ll just come early with you. If he needs your help, he won’t mind an extra set of hands.”

I was sure Gavin would mind a lot, and as much as I would have loved to see the look on his face, I didn’t want to stir up trouble at Kelly’s party.

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Ben got ready to argue, but I held up a finger to silence him. “But if you keep your mouth shut and don’t argue, you can take me home.”

“Deal.” He held out his hand as if he wanted to shake on it.

I gave him my hand, which he only used as an excuse to pull me onto his lap to straddle him. He grinned. “I prefer this to a handshake.”

Chapter Fifteen

Gavin picked me up right from work. In the end, that had seemed like the best option. I had to work until eight anyway, and I didn’t want to have to worry about getting my car home. I changed into a deep purple halter dress, leaving my other clothes at Marney’s. I didn’t want to think about how my clothes being at Gavin’s house could be construed.

I had just locked up when Gavin pulled up out front.

He parked, walking to meet me even though most people would have just waited in the driver’s seat. “You look gorgeous.” He didn’t conceal his assessment, and I tried to hide my discomfort. It was as if Gavin had turned things up. Gestures that I could have written off as friendly at one point seemed like too much—like his hand on the small of my back as I took the few steps to his passenger seat.