Enemies With Benefits

10- Gates of Hell

I was impatiently waiting on Talia's bed, thinking that if I stared at the door long enough she would burst through the door.

After our outburst with Justina and Logan, the school bell rang and Talia sprinted away as quickly as she could. She even refused to ride with me from school, assuring me she already had one.

She never hides things from you, maybe her little boy toy is Logan.

For some reason, I got angry at that thought.

She would never. She hates Logan.

No honey, you hate Logan. She avoids him for your sake. Maybe she got tired of it.

Talia never gets tired. She has unlimited stamina.

My guess is that she put that stamina to good use.

The door suddenly opened, revealing Talia and interrupting my thoughts. She looked shocked to see me but that soon was replaced with a confused expression when she saw my angry one.

"Okay before you-" She started, but I cut her off.

"Are you sleeping with Logan? Is that what you've been doing sneaking around?" I said, getting up when she walked inside the room.

"-jump to any conclusions... Is what I was going to say before you literally jumped to conclusions and interrupted me. I'm not sleeping with Logan you dumbass. In fact, I'm not sleeping with anyone. Even if I was, it would not be with Logan." She said and I looked at her, extremely skeptical of the accuracy in that sentence.

But for some reason I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Because you want Logan.

Why would I EVER want-

Don't argue with me when you know I'm right.

You're literally me. We're the same fucking person how could I-

"Hello?? Earth to Zo." Tal said, waving her hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, what do you mean you're not sleeping with anyone? You never waste your time on someone who you think doesn't want you." I said curiously.

"But this is different, it feels so different," she said, plopping on the bed. "He like, actually cares about me and wants to get to know me as a person and not just for one night. He listens when I talk and doesn't dismiss me when I say something. He doesn't want to move too fast so he hasn't pushed me to do anything and always stops me when I push him. I've just never felt this way for someone before." she had a look in her eye, the same look that my dad used to get whenever he talked about my mom. That immediately scared me and pushed away any dream I had of Logan being anything like the guy Talia was describing.

"Who is he? Tell me more."

"That guy at the party, the one that didn't want to do anything more than make-out. His names Jack, and he's the sweetest guy ever."

"Do you even know if he's being genuine? What if he's just trying to mess with you." She scoffed at me.

"Just because someone actually showed interest in me doesn't mean they're out to get me. You have serious trust issues but you don't need to put it on me and the people in my life. What happened freshman year isn't going to happen with every guy I meet, Zoey." She said, her defensiveness coming out strong.

Freshman year, some asshole senior played with her heart and took her virginity as a bet. She was crushed and I've been protective over her ever since. I was taken back by her aggressiveness, but Talia always puts up walls when people try to control her choices. She likes her freedom but can be extremely stupid with it sometimes.

"Chill out. I just worry about you sometimes and you know I'm protective over you."

"You're not my mom and you don't need to be. I know how to take care of myself." She scoffed, rolling her eyes at me.

"Well seeing as you're in my house, living in my guest room, eating my food that my dad makes while your mom is out doing who knows what, I think I'm doing a lot more than she is." I yelled, my anger coming out of no where.

This is what happens when you think about Logan, you just snapped at your best friend who has done nothing but be there for you. You're angry because she found someone genuine when all you can think about is an asshole who you hate. He's a bad influence on you.

Talia looked hurt by my words and I was immediately filled with guilt. Talia hates any mention of her mom, she feels abandoned by her and tries to pretend like it doesn't hurt her. "Talia I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm happy for you I swear I just don't want to see you hurt again. I'm just worried."

"Stop worrying. I know what I'm doing." She said, acting cold towards me.

She never acts cold to me. I really hurt her didn't I?

All because you're jealous. See what he does to you?

"Zoey, honey! Get ready we have to leave soon!" My dad yelled from downstairs. I got up, still looking at Talia waiting for her to look back at me. She avoided eye contact and refused to match my gaze.

"I'm sorry Talia." I said as I was walking out. She said nothing back as I shut the door behind me.

"Fuck." I whispered to myself. I hate hurting Talia. She's been through a lot with boys and I should have just been supportive when she finally found a good guy, even though I still had my suspicions.

Something inside of me told me to be weary of him, I just didn't know what it was yet.

As I was getting ready, my mind was only on Logan even though I just pissed off my best friend. How could I ever think of anyone but Talia right now?

Because you're crushing on him.

No, no way in hell.

Thats where you're going after what you two did at that party.

Well I'll see him there regardless so that doesn't solve my problem now does it?

"Are you ready to go sweetie?" my dad said, knocking on my door and opening it slightly. I sighed loudly and looked at him with puppy dog eyes.

"Do I have to go Dad? Last chance to just let me stay home." I begged, but he didn't budge. He stood tall with his arms crossed and his face stern.

"Last chance to get in the car before I take yours away. Lets go." He said, putting a hand on my shoulder and lightly pushing me as I stomped on the floor like a child.

I huffed and finally agreed, walking out the door. I waited for Talia to say goodbye, but she never did. I really hurt her, I have to make it up to her soon.

The car ride was short, we arrived to my Dad's potential business partner's house within minutes. I could easily. see how lavish their mansion through the gate of the house.

Damn, how rich are they?

"Remember what I said honey? Keep a classy behavior. They're extremely wealthy and could really turn our lives around. They have a son too, so please be nice." My dad said and I rolled my eyes.

"Great. I have to deal with a snotty rich kid trying to hit on me for 10 minutes straight or I'm here to babysit. This shit never goes well Dad." I said and he glared at me for cursing.

"Watch your mouth young lady. He is your age and goes to your school so you might know him. You better be respectful, you know I don't tolerate disrespect." He said, scolding me.

I looked at my dad in disbelief. I could have sworn my jaw fell all the way to the floor, finally realizing whose house this was.

Let's see if you can guess first. I'll give you a hint. Theres only one certain snotty rich boy at my school with a house that big and enough money to change my dad and I's life.

Logan fucking Carter.

And I'm right outside his house with his gigantic house gate opening for us.

Wow, the Gates of Hell sure do look rich.