EWB: Enemies With Benefits

by N.R. Walker

We were what with benefits? Enemies? Was ‘enemies with benefits’ a thing?

What I hated most of all was that I hated him a little less.

I didn’t turn around to see if Valentine was watching me leave. While I’d have liked to see him notice, I really didn’t want to see him not notice. God, I hated him.

No one touched Valentine fucking Tye but me.

“He put a hit on you and no one fucking touches you but me.” Oh.

“You know what? I’m not fucking sorry about that either. I am the only one who can touch you, and if any fucker thinks they can hurt you, I’ll send them to hospital too. I don’t give a fuck. I protect what’s mine. That’s who I am and it’s what I do, and I won’t apologise for it. If you don’t like that, then . . . then fucking tell me now.”

I didn’t like the fact he took down my Valentine. My Valentine?

And for all the filthy things we’d done together, that simple little peck was just the sweetest thing. It took me by surprise and made by belly swoop.

I had to make myself not smile, trying to seethe at him instead. “I hate you.” He stood up, and with both hands on my desk, he leaned forward, smiling. “I hate you more.”

i quite literally squealed

I was just happy to see him happy. Which I would never admit to him. God forbid.

“Not coming out isn’t about a lack of bravery. For some, not coming out is about survival. And don’t judge your own story against anyone else’s. It’s gotta be the right time for you. Not anyone else.”

I huffed. “I liked you better when you didn’t interfere.” He laughed at that. “So you do like me?” “No. I hate you.” He grinned as if he’d won a prize. “I hate you more.”

??!!????

Like he loathed me. Like he couldn’t get enough of me. Like he loved me.

“You going all Neanderthal and wanting to take down anyone who hurts me is very caveman of you.”

“Say it again,” I whispered. He breathed in my ear. “Marshall.”

I could stare at him forever.

But you sounded so miserable I just couldn’t stand the idea of you being alone. We don’t need to do anything tonight. But just let me stay with you.

“I don’t need you.” “Well, too bad. You’ve got me.”

I was in love. So in love. With Marshall fucking Wise. God help me.

You make sure Marshall looks after you, okay? And you let me know if he doesn’t.”

HIS MOM LMAO LOVE HER

“Hm. You might wanna be careful, Marshall. I might start thinking you actually like me.” “Well, I don’t.” He shoved me out of the bathroom. “Come on, let’s go on a date.”

“Yeah. I thought maybe we could try the husbands-with-benefits thing. One day.”

so silly i LOVE IT

“But don’t get any ideas. Just because I wanna spend forever with you and don’t hate you anymore doesn’t mean I like you or anything.” I laughed, so much in love. “Good, just because I said yes doesn’t mean I like you or anything either.”