The Boyfriend Series Box Set (Books 1-6): YA Contemporary Romance Novels

by Christina Benjamin

  Cody was wrong. He was worth saving. But what could she do? He wasn’t hers to save. Hannah trudged to her car and drove home in echoing silence, with only her melancholy thoughts to keep her company.

  24

  When Hannah arrived back home her dad was waiting and he didn’t look happy.

  “Were you driving a Range Rover when you left?”

  “Yes. It’s Cody’s.”

  “I don’t want you driving someone else’s vehicle, Hannah.”

  “He doesn’t have a license, Dad.”

  Hannah’s father looked perplexed. “Do I even want to know?”

  She hated lying to her father. It was their one rule. He was analytical and never really overreacted or got upset about things. He just wanted to be accurately informed.

  “Dad, do you remember hearing about Cody Matthews in the news?”

  He shook his head.

  “He got in that car accident . . . and his girlfriend died.”

  Her father’s eyes grew with recognition. “They were students at your school.”

  “Yes. Cody still is.”

  “Hannah, I don’t like this.”

  “Dad, it’s not a big deal. We’re working on a project together for school and I’ve offered to give him rides since he can’t drive. We took his car today, but I won’t do it again if you don’t want me to.”

  Her father cut his eyes suspiciously at her. “And what about, H?” he asked. “Is he part of this school project?”

  “H?”

  Her father picked up a white box that Hannah missed amongst the daily clutter of items waiting to be carried up the stairs. It was a Macbook Air, with red handwriting scrawled across the top of the box. Problem solved. Call me if you need anything else – H. A phone number was scribbled beneath the note along with a tiny heart.

  Hannah looked at her father’s suspicious glare and groaned. This was precisely why she’d asked Harrison NOT to send her a laptop.

  “Dad, I told him I didn’t need it.”

  “Who’s it from?”

  “Harrison Cohl.”

  That was a name he did know. Hannah’s father provided the Cohl’s security software for their computer. Well at least he used to, before they’d been elected to government positions. Losing their account had been a big hit to his business.

  “Is he mocking your computer?” he asked in astonishment. “Because I can tell you right now, it’s far superior to this toy!” he muttered waving the Macbook around.

  “No! Dad. I bumped into Harrison in the parking lot today and dropped my laptop. The screen smashed and he feels like it was his fault so he offered to get me a new one. I told him it wasn’t necessary,” Hannah replied trying to soothe her father’s uncharacteristic hostility. “He’s just trying to be nice.”

  “We don’t need his charity.”

  “I know, Dad. I’m going to call him and return it, okay?”

  Her father nodded and handed Hannah the slim white box. “Please do.”

  Hannah sighed as she watched her father disappear back into his study. Today was not her day. She trudged up the stairs with the Macbook, already typing Harrison’s number into her phone and shooting him a text.

  THANKS FOR THE LAPTOP.

  IT WAS VERY GENEROUS.

  BUT I CAN’T ACCEPT.

  Hannah paused before hitting send. She couldn’t piss Harrison off if she still hoped to get an invite to his party. She added to her text message.

  MY FATHER ALREADY REPLACED IT.

  DON’T WANT TO HURT HIS FEELINGS.

  BUT THANK YOU – HANNAH

  An immediate response came through.

  AT LEAST KEEP MY NUMBER ;-) – HARRISON

  Hannah blushed and texted back a smiley face.

  GLAD I BUMPED INTO YOU – HARRISON

  She laughed. Bumped? Well that was one way to look at it.

  LOL – HANNAH

  CALL IF YOU NEED ME – HARRISON

  OK – HANNAH.

  Hannah shook her head at the strangeness of her day. She’d finally gotten Harrison’s attention. It wasn’t how she’d planned it, but she could adjust. The important thing was he knew who she was and seemed to be flirting with her! Now that she had his number she could talk to him without his Golden army watching—judging. If she watched enough rom-coms she should be able to charm the pants off him. She had Harrison right where she wanted him. High school perfection was in sight!

  So why was it that she couldn’t stop thinking about Cody?

  She couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he was hurting and she was probably the only one who knew, or cared. Hannah picked up her phone and tapped out a quick message. Yes, she knew Cody wasn’t her actual boyfriend, but he was still human and she refused to sit by and let him suffer silently. She knew too well what that felt like.

  JUST CHECKING IN – HANNAH

  After ten minutes of relentlessly checking her phone, Hannah, tapped out another text. She tried a different approach this time since Cody apparently preferred denial rather than dealing with his issues.

  DO YOU WANT TO COME TO MY TENNIS MATCH TOMORROW? – HANNAH

  Relief flooded her when she saw the text bubble pop up. Had she really thought he’d harm himself? Perhaps she was overreacting, but that was par for the course when suicide runs in your family.

  IS IT A BOYFRIEND DUTY? – CODY

  NO. IT’S A FRIEND DUTY – HANNAH

  WE’RE NOT FRIENDS – CODY

  His words stung, but she knew he’d meant them to. Hannah fleetingly thought Cody would be a worthy chess opponent. He had a tactical mind. But she wasn’t pushed away so easily.

  COME ON. DON’T BE A SHEEP – HANNAH

  She smirked at her clever retort, knowing he’d be proud she was quoting Cruel Intentions.

  I HAVE PLANS – CODY

  LIAR – HANNAH

  Hannah finally gave up when there was no response after an hour. She flopped into bed and turned the light off, determined not to let her boy trouble consume her dreams.

  25

  Now this was some karmic crap! Hannah rubbed her hands together to keep warm before trying the ignition again. Another cold front had rolled through over night and the app on her phone said it was currently 39 degrees! Her car hated the cold almost as much as she did. She said a silent prayer and turned the keys again only to be met with a weak clicking sound.

  “Great! Just great!”

  Hannah checked the time. Her dad would almost be in New York by now. He left at dawn to drive to a conference for the weekend. She hated to call him. He worried enough as it was, and after the drama with Cody and Harrison yesterday he’d been hesitant to leave her at all. Hannah grabbed her bag and ran inside to get out of the cold while she tried to solve her issue of finding a ride to her tennis match. She could call a cab, but it would be expensive. The match was almost an hour away. Hannah mentally calculated the fare there and back and frowned. Cody it was. She dialed his number—there wasn’t time for their text chess games this morning.

  Cody answered on the first ring. His voice low . . . short. She was surprised he was even awake this early.

  “Hannah?”

  “Hey.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Can you pretty please take me to tennis this morning? I—”

  Hannah’s words dropped off when she heard a female voice calling Cody’s name in the background. Cody’s muffled voice spoke away from the phone, assuring whoever was with him that he’d, ‘be right there.’

  “This isn’t a good time, Hannah. I told you I have plans.”

  Then he disconnected, leaving Hannah dazed and deflated.

  She took a deep breath and collected herself. She couldn’t be mad. Cody wasn’t her real boyfriend. He was allowed to see other girls. And to be fair he’d said he was busy today. Maybe he’d actually sought help last night in the form of a friend? Or more than a friend, Hannah thought recalling the sultry sound of the girl’s voice. Ugh, what did it matter? Hannah d
idn’t have time to worry about Cody and their messed up games. She needed to get to her tennis match.

  Her eyes settled on the white Macbook box on the foyer table. Perhaps fate was smiling on her after all.

  Hannah dialed another number while nervously chewing her lip.

  Harrison’s sleep husked voice answered after several rings. “-lo?”

  “Harrison? It’s Hannah. Stark.”

  “Hannah?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry to call so early, but you said if I ever needed anything . . . if that offer’s still good, I would really love to take you up on it right now.”

  Hannah had a strange sensation Harrison was smiling on the other end of the phone when she relayed her failed attempts to get to her tennis match. He agreed to drive her and said he’d be there in twenty minutes.

  Hannah heard tires on gravel and glanced at her watch. Harrison was prompt. She collected her tennis bags and rackets, grabbing the Macbook as she locked the house behind her. She nearly dropped her bags along with her jaw when she caught sight of the slick black limo in her driveway. The window lowered and Harrison grinned out at her.

  “Morning!” he called raising a champagne flute and flashing a devious smile. “Ready, Ace?”

  The driver swiftly stowed Hannah’s bags and ushered her into the limo. The rich leather interior was warm and inviting, just like Harrison’s smile. Hannah’s skin tingled with nervous excitement. She’d never been in a limo before. And with the door shut and partition raised she felt a bit like a caged animal—a lion and a lamb.

  Harrison slid closer to Hannah and offered her a champagne flute. “May I serve you?”

  “Thank you, but I can’t drink before a match.”

  “It’s only orange juice.”

  Hannah raised her eyebrow suspiciously.

  “Oh, mine’s a mimosa. But don’t worry, I brought another bottle for later so we can celebrate your certain victory.”

  Hannah took the orange juice and sniffed the glass tentatively, while Harrison studied her.

  “My, my, aren’t we distrustful. But I guess that’s to be expected when you spend so much time with Cody Matthews. You probably have to police his drinking habit, don’t you?” Harrison leaned in. “Don’t worry. I’m nothing like him. I can handle my liquor and if not,” he winked, “I have a driver.”

  He clinked glasses with Hannah and downed his mimosa.

  “What do you see in him anyway?” Harrison asked refilling his glass.

  “I don’t really want to discuss Cody right now.”

  “That’s right, he stood you up.” Harrison gave another wolfish grin. “Well, his folly is my fortune.”

  Hannah nearly snorted. “I have a feeling he won’t be happy I got a ride from you.”

  “You don’t need his permission to talk to me, Hannah. We’re just friends, aren’t we?” Harrison asked, taking her hand. But the way he caressed it and the sinister twinkle in his eye told her Harrison wore a mask just like Cody did. But warning bells went off in Hannah’s head when Harrison touched her, telling her his mask hid things far darker than Cody’s.

  It suddenly felt like there wasn’t enough air in the car. Hannah rolled down the window and let the biting cold clear her mind. She needed to change the subject.

  “I wanted to thank you for the laptop, but I brought it with me to return to you.”

  “I don’t mind replacing it.”

  “I know, but my father—”

  “Yes, yes. You already mentioned he replaced it,” Harrison said waving away her argument, “But I still don’t see why you can’t keep both.”

  “I really can’t. Computers are sort of his thing. He’d be hurt.”

  “What about my feelings?”

  Hannah smiled. “I think you’ll be just fine. You’re tougher than you look.”

  “Hey!” Harrison mocked insult and playfully nudged her shoulder with his. “That’s what everyone thinks you know? That I’m rich and spoiled and without feelings.”

  “I don’t think that?” Hannah replied worrying she’d actually insulted him.

  “Good.” He smiled and tucked Hannah’s arm under his.

  Harrison was staring at her, his blue eyes piercing hers hungrily. He ran a finger down her cheek and she shivered. “I’m so grateful I didn’t harm you in the parking lot. I feel terrible about it. Please let me make it up to you.”

  “Honestly, Harrison. It wasn’t a big deal. And you’re making it up to me right now.”

  Harrison pouted. “Giving you a ride hardly makes us square.” His blue eyes twinkled, luring her in. “Let me take you on a date.”

  Hannah swallowed, she’d suddenly forgotten how to speak. This was what she wanted. Wasn’t it? A date with Harrison Cohl. If she could pull this off she could get her own key to the ball!

  Harrison took her silence as rejection.

  “Forgive me. I was hoping you and Cody weren’t that serious, but . . .” he sighed. “I know it’s not my place to say so, but you can do much better than Cody Matthews. He doesn’t have a good reputation.”

  “I know all about his reputation,” Hannah said a bit too defensively.

  Harrison smiled. “Of course.”

  “What do you have against him? I thought you used to be friends?”

  “We were. But that was before I realized how reckless Cody is. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, Hannah.”

  “I’m not foolish enough to let someone like Cody hurt me.”

  “That’s what Elena thought,” Harrison said quietly.

  “What?”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s just . . .” Harrison trailed off.

  “What?”

  “She came to me about Cody. The day of the accident they’d had a terrible fight. She was covered in bruises, Hannah. Elena was terrified of him. I never should have let them leave together. If only I’d done more. I . . . Hannah, I vowed not to sit by the next time.”

  A cavern of emptiness carved a home in Hannah’s chest. Could Cody really have hurt Elena? He still seemed so wrecked by her loss. And in the few glimpses she’d gotten of Cody, he’d shown her a gentle vulnerability that she never would have suspected was capable of violence. Hannah suddenly saw the massive flaw in her plans. She’d taken both Cody and Harrison at face value and now found herself among monsters.

  “Hannah, please keep this to yourself. I’ve never shared it with anyone.”

  “You didn’t tell the police?”

  “I didn’t see the point. It wouldn’t change anything. Elena was dead and Cody was arrested. And honestly, I was ashamed.”

  “But your family helped Cody? Their lawyers got him a slap on the wrist!”

  “Like you said, we used to be friends, Hannah. It’s hard when someone you care about betrays you.”

  It certainly is, she thought, biting her lip to hold back the tears. How had she not seen through Cody’s lies? Hannah had felt bad for him—losing his girlfriend, abandoned by his friends, disowned by his team. But he’d done it all to himself.

  “Promise me you won’t tell anyone. Especially Cody. He’s not stable, Hannah. If he hurt you because of something I said . . .” Harrison turned toward her, moving closer. His eyes were shining and his fingers trembled as he touched her cheek pulling them even closer together. Their foreheads touched and Hannah held her breath. Was Harrison going to kiss her? “Please, Hannah. Promise you won’t say anything. I couldn’t deal with it, if he hurt you.”

  “I promise,” she whispered.

  Her phone buzzed in her lap and they jumped apart, the spell broken.

  Hannah looked down to see, Dad, flash across the screen. She scrambled to answer it. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hi, honey. Just checking to see if you made it to your match.”

  “Almost there.”

  “Are you still driving?”

  “Yep.”

  “You’re not supposed to be on the phone while you drive.”

  “I wouldn
’t if you weren’t calling,” she reminded jokingly.

  “Okay. Just text me when you get there. I love you, Hannah.”

  “Love you too, Dad.”

  Hannah disconnected and felt her cheeks flush, slightly embarrassed that Harrison witnessed her dorky display of affection with her father.

  “Sorry about that. He worries.”

  “It’s sweet,” Harrison replied genuinely. “My parents could take a lesson from your father.” He reached for her hand. “So tell me about this tennis match.”

  26

  Cody stuffed his hands in his pockets and sunk further into the stiff collar of his wool peacoat. The frigid morning air turned his cheeks red and his fingers stiff. Although his body shivered against the cold, Cody welcomed the numbing feeling. He only wished it could reach his heart.

  Staring at Elena’s tombstone always crippled him, but it was something he made himself do. Cody was under the impression that if he could desensitize himself to the pain, it would go away. But it’d been over a year and every time he visited her grave he felt like the world was caving in beneath him. He stared at the single white rose he’d placed under her headstone’s inscription.

  Elena Harlow Michaels

  1999 – 2016

  “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,

  love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

  The words gutted him. They summed up his ruined life in one perfect sentence. He felt the darkness come, swift and consuming as he struggled to force himself to breathe. Sometimes he wished his body would give up and he would just collapse and lay there next to Elena for eternity. But whenever he tried to give in to the temptation, his heart remembered the pain she’d inflicted and how she’d selfishly left Cody alone with her betrayal and no one left to be angry with but himself.