Hatred With Benefits
F I F T Y - S I X

EVA.

I cover the pot after adding the sauce to the pasta before I press my hands to the edge of the counter with a fall of my chest.

I steady my feet at the sound of footsteps, and then Emerson is behind me. "Hey," he whispers as he buries his face in my neck, his breath fanning the skin.

"I thought you weren't going to cook?" He queries as he turns me around to meet his view and I say, "You went to take a call, and you said to look after it. I couldn't exactly sit and watch. " He smiles and brushes his lips against my nose. "My good girl.

I drop my eyes from him to his pocket where I'm sure his phone lies before I look back at his face. "Only sometimes."

"I love both sides," he nudges my nose with his finger before he lifts me in his arms and walks forward to drop me back on the counter.

"I'll take it from here." He squeezes my thigh before he attempts to walk away, but my hand shoots out to grab his; stopping his movement.

When Emerson looks back at me, his brows are raised in silent query and I take a swallow down my throat at the words that sit at the edge of my tongue before I let them fall. "The phone call. "

"Oh, yeah. Just an urgent matter. It's all settled. " He assures me with a small smile before he removes his hand gently from my grasp and walks to the other side.

I bite down on my tongue as I stare at his side view, wondering why I'm pissed off at the fact that he went out to take that call. Pissed off to the point where I want to ask him questions- questions I don't think I have the right to ask.

This feeling that's swelling through me at the moment of what his urgent matter is: it's odd and strong. And I do not fancy it a bit.

"What are you thinking about?" Emerson's voice brings me out of my thoughts to the happening before me as he settles between my legs.

"Nothing. "I tell him as he places his hands on my thighs, slipping them underneath the shirt to caress my inner thighs- just a touch away from my core.

"Are you sure? Anything you want to share?" He cocks a brow and I blink once. Emerson doesn't say anything after and he keeps his gaze on me as he applies pressure to his touch.

When he removes his hand from underneath the shirt and glides it to my back, bringing me closer to the edge as he takes my lips in his- all thoughts of a certain redhead evaporate to be replaced by thoughts of how much I enjoy having Emerson's lips on mine.

"You look healthier, "I joke as I catch up to Aliya's steps and she turns to me with a grin on her face. "I know. I've been doing things that keep me healthy. "

When I give her a look of revulsion, she slaps my arm. "God, you have such an extremely dirty mind. I didn't mean that."

"Sure, you didn't, "I chuckle as I adjust the strap of my bag before staring ahead of me to see Dan walking across the field with his friend, Noel by his side. Just before he takes the corner that'll move him out of my sight, he turns his head and our eyes meet. His eyes linger on mine for seconds, and he offers a smile before his frame disappears.

"Are you okay?" Aliya's voice by my side brings me back to her and I hum, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Just checking in on you." She replies and I drape a hand over her shoulder to shove her to my side. "Did you meet Sage yet?"

Aliya's mood shifts from vibrant to overly excited at the sound of the name; her cheek and ear turn red and she looks down at her shoes shyly.

"Look at you all blushing at the mention of her name. You're so fucking in love with her. "I call her out in a tease and she tries to cover her shy expression with a frown, "I'm not.

"Did you say the words yet?" I raise a brow, ignoring her words of denial and she groans, shrugging my hand off her shoulder. "Don't ask me."

"Why? You can ask me about Emerson, but I can't ask you about your girlfriend?" I emphasize the last word and Aliya shakes her head, "We aren't dating yet. I told you we're taking it slow.' "You're taking it slow while being in a relationship. Don't act stupid, babe. "I taunt her and she parts her lips to speak, but hangs, her eyes widening at an unknown sight.

"1

I furrow my brows when I wait seconds without her attention before I trail her gaze, and in a not surprising way; it lands on Sage who's striding down our path, a bright smile on her face as she talks to the girl beside her. Her blonde hair is in a brighter shade, which brings out her gorgeous features.

"Damn, " I whistle as I drop a hand on Aliya's shoulder. "Is it just me or did she manage to turn hotter in weeks?" When Aliya doesn't give a response, I look away from Sage to her, to see her entire focus on the girl in front of her.

"Hey, bitch. You're drooling. "I snap my fingers in front of her face and she flinches, turning to throw me a glare. "I'm not joking. You have your saliva out of your mouth; that's gross. "I grimace and she lifts her hand to her face to feel it, only to turn back to me with a deadly look.

"Fuck you." She lifts her middle finger to me and I let out a laugh before looking back to Sage.

"I'm so fucking lucky. " Aliya mumbles beside me and I nod in agreement. "You sure are. So fùcking lucky and so fucking in love."

"So in love with her." She sighs, and I look back at her in surprise, not expecting her to utter those words. When I bump my shoulder into hers, Aliya seems to realize what she said and her cheeks redden instantly.

"You blush too much these days; I'm almost afraid my best friend isn't in there. "I gesture to her chest and she says, "I know. I can't recognize my actions and words anymore. You do shitty things when you like someone."

"Yeah, I'll see you later. "We raise our heads at the sound of Sage's voice to see her waving at the girl beside her, who takes the other direction while she walks up to us.

"Hey Eva," she greets when she stops in front of us and I return the words before she turns to her girlfriend, "Hey, babe." My eyebrows shoot up when she steps close to her and pecks her lips.

"Um, excuse me? I'm standing right here. "I clear my throat when she goes in again, and it turns from a short peck to a kiss.

"Sorry," Sage giggles as she pulls back, keeping her hand to Aliya's waist. "I missed her." They exchange gazes and Aliya swats Sage's hand from her waist to wrap her hand around her's.

"The day just started and you're being like this. "I coo and both gazes snap to me. Sage shyly drops her head on Aliya's shoulder while Aliya seems to have toned down her shyness at the presence of her girl.

"I don't see Josh with you, Sage, "I say when I notice the absence of the cheerful guy and Sage lifts her head, "He went back."

"Went back?" I furrow my brows and when she nods, I say, "I thought he's attending here?"

"Oh, no," she says with a shake of her head. "He was here to see me. He schools in Seattle."

"Aww, that's so nice of him. "I tell her and she smiles, "He did ask of you when we spoke. He looks forward to crossing paths with you again.

"Me too." I beam in an excited tone. "He's such an enjoyable company. "

"Are you genuinely saying that, or you're trying to play your games on him?" Aliya interrupts, bringing my attention back to her. "If it's the latter, then you need to be reminded that you have a guy.' "Shut up fucker. "I scowl at her and she laughs.

"I was being genuine, "I tell Sage and she nods, "I don't think Josh would dare to steal you from Emerson. Plus, he's got a girl.

"1

"What makes you think I belong to Emerson?" I ask her and she glances at Aliya before she speaks, "Your body language says it all. And Aliya confirmed it. "

"Aliya!" I glare at her and she raises her hands, "It was just a confirmation. "

"Sure, it was, "I grumble under my breath, pinning her down with a pointed look and she blinks innocently at me.

"Oh, I need to leave. Are you headed to your next class?" Sage asks, looking between me and Aliya and I hum, "We are. "

"Alright. I'll see you girls around." She informs, giving Aliya another peck before she steps away from us. When she's out of sight, I turn to my best friend with a scowl.

"I didn't tell her anything," she promises. "She asked if you had anything going on with him and I told her you might. I think she said Paige was speaking about it." "Paige?" I repeat and she nods. "I think she might like Emerson. Do you know about that?"

"I don't think I would-" the rest of my words comes to a pause at the sight of Emerson walking down the hall with his friends.

He turns his head just in time for our eyes to meet, and he throws me a smile before he averts his gaze. It isn't until Jaxon move forward, that Paige comes into view. She's mumbling some words to Emerson with her arm linked through his, jumping gently at occasions as she chats away.

The sight infuriates me and looks away from them to Aliya who's staring at me.

"Bothered by it?" She asks and I shake my head. "I'm not. "A terrible lie. I am. I'm extremely troubled by the sight and I want to march over there to peel her off him, letting her know that Emerson Ford belongs to me, except that's nothing but a childish act.

"Come on. We should head to class. "I tell Aliya, taking another glance at them before they disappear through the corner, and just in time for me to see Paige slap Emerson's back as she laughs. And I don't think I've ever been more wanting to be by his side than at this moment.