More than Enough (Book Two in the Enough Series)

Bennett

It was perfection, which is exactly why I had to let her go. After all of the emotion I'd felt throughout the day, it hit me like a freight train. I had to let Gemma go. I wanted her to finish school without worrying about me, about us. I took a deep breath, fighting back the emotion that was washing over me. I held tight to Gemma as we finished dancing, wanting to soak in every bit of her before saying goodbye.

"Is that your Dad?" Gemma asked softly, pulling back from me and looking over my shoulder. I mentally cursed him for being so impatient. I didn't want to introduce them right now.

"Sorry, Bennett. I've got to cut out early so I wanted to pop over to say bye." My dad patted my shoulder before I turned toward him.

"No worries." I took his hand and we did the typical male side hug. I pulled back, motioning toward Gemma. "Dad, this is Gemma. Gemma, this is my Dad, Brock." I stepped back as she stepped forward, My Dad extended his hand to her but she wrapped her arms around him in a hug, surprising us both.

"It's so nice to meet you." she cooed.

"Yes, I've heard wonderful things about you. I hope that we can have lunch sometime soon, I'm sorry this is so rushed. I've got some business that needs my attention." I stood with Gemma, plastering on the fake smile and pleasantries. I was so plagued with my earlier thoughts, it was nearly impossible. "Bennett, give me a text later this week and we can set something up." He smiled over at me, then gave Gemma another quick hug before rushing off. She slid her hand down my arm before putting hers into my hand, intertwining our fingers. I felt disgusted with myself. I was at war with myself, but I knew this would be for the best, for both of us.

Gemma

"I don't understand." I was at a loss as I stood listening to Bennett. We'd just had the most amazing evening, I could feel our connection so strongly. I met his Dad! I thought we were heading in the right direction. "Quit messing with my head." I attempted a laugh. I realized though he was serious, painfully so.

"I just... I want you to focus on school, setting up your life and I don't want to be a distraction. I need to focus on myself as well, getting my own place, ready for the next season and the restaurant stuff. I think.. I .." I heard his words, standing in the same spot he'd kissed me so magically just a few hours before. Did he know then? Was this his plan all along? My mind was reeling with questions and two of my best friends were busy, I couldn't bring them into this now. I was biting the inside of my cheek to keep the tears from spilling out. Los was mingling somewhere and I knew he'd get me out of here, I had to get out.

I stepped slowly away from Bennett. He looked pained and that didn't make sense, why would he be so upset? He was the one choosing this. "I get it. It's fine. Really." I held my hands up in defeat before turning and rushing down the steps. I found Los at the bar, getting a drink and chatting up with the bartender. When they slid the drink over, I snatched it up and downed it in one go. Los gave me a look of confusion. Slamming the glass down, I gave Los a forced smile.

"I guess I'll need two of those please." He sang to the bartender. "What's up?" He raised a brow at me. "You almost never drink and the last I saw, you were attached to Adonis."

"Fuck him. I'm detached. Totally detached. I'm going to down both of those drinks and then go home."

"Oh no.. what did he do? I'm going to kill him." The anger flashing over Los' face surprised me, he'd been rooting for us and so supportive. I looked away, seeing all of the guests on the dance floor or mingling around. Eden in her beautiful gown, wrapped in Reed's arms as they glided across the floor. Brynn and Tate canoodling at their table. I willed myself not to cry.

"Gemma!" Bennett called out to me, looking as if he'd been searching for me since I walked away from him. God, he just had to look amazing in his tux. He'd lost the bow tie and his jacket. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing the sexy forearms that you know us ladies love. The tattoos taunted me. "Los, please, get me out of here," I begged. Sensing my desperation, he did just that.

I watched with great interest as Los approached Bennett. They talked animatedly for a few moments while I swallowed down those two drinks. When Los returned, his face was flushed with anger, he was quiet and commanding when he took my hand and led me away. Away from what started as the perfect day. Halfway to the parking lot, I realized I didn't have my bag and the clothes we had brought to the dressing room. When I told Los, he put me in his car and rushed back inside to gather my things.

As I sat, alone and in the quiet, the tears started to fall. I felt so foolish. I knew this would happen, I knew I had pushed him away too many times and now, he was either paying me back or protecting himself. Our time had come and gone and now, this was it. Maybe he was right, I needed to forget him and put all of the focus on me. I thought I had been doing that, but he must have seen something I didn't.

My head was starting to feel fuzzy. I realized I hadn't eaten all day because of the wedding chaos. When we finally had our meal served, I was too anxious and amped up to properly eat. Three cocktails in quick succession on an empty stomach wasn't a great idea. I leaned my head back on the seat, waiting for the only constant in my life, Los, who yet again was saving me.

"I think I got everything." Los startled me when he hopped into the driver's seat. I lolled my head to the side to look at him. The look of pity on his face stung. I was so fucking tired of being pitied. "Let's get ya home. Well, to my place. We haven't had a good sleepover in a while. First, I'm going through a drive-thru. You need something to soak up that booze, you look trashed already and only had three drinks. Let me guess. You didn't eat?" He shook his head as we pulled out of the lot and away from Bennett Hayes.