Текст книги "Unmistakeable"

Автор книги: Abby Reynolds

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I finally looked at him, unsure what to expect.

He looked back at me, the pain in his eyes. “When you’re in pain, I’m in pain.” That was all he said.

“You hardly know me…”

His hand squeezed mine. “But you’re my friend. And I care about my friends.”

Giving into my weakness, I rested my head on his shoulder. It was nice to be comforted by someone, especially someone I never expected to care. Ash continued to hold my hand, never loosening his grip.

People started to head to their cars and drive away. We were hidden by the brick wall, unseen in the darkness. Neither one of us moved and it didn’t seem like we intended to.

My phone lit up with a text message.

Where the hell are you? It was my sister.

I’m with a friend. I’ll catch up with you later.

Are you okay?

Yeah. I will be.

I returned my phone to my clutch.

“I don’t mind staying out here all night, but maybe we should head home.” His lips were close to my ear.

“Yeah. I’m starting to get cold.” I sat up and fixed my make up.

Ash took off his jacket and placed it over my shoulders.

“You didn’t have to do that…”

“With you, I’m always a gentleman.” He grabbed my hand and walked me to my car. “Will you be okay to drive?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” He opened the door for me. “You leave it unlocked?”

“Who’s going to steal it?” I finally smiled.

He chuckled. “Good point.” He took my hand and helped me get inside. Then he shut the door. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

I fidgeted with my keys for a moment before I started the engine. Then I drove home, letting the silence echo in my mind. The warmth from Ash’s hand still clung to mine. It seemed to be forever burned into my skin.

When I got home, Ash was already there. He was leaning against his BMW, looking clean in his suit.

I got out and he walked with me up the stairs.

“Do you want to come to my place?”

I gave him a suspicious look.

“I can make hot cocoa.”

“Hot cocoa?” That was random.

“My mom used to make it every time I had a bad day.” He shrugged. “I guess it’s a tradition I’ve held onto.”

The offer moved me. “Sure.”

He unlocked the door and we walked inside.

I wasn’t sure what to expect before I walked in. I guess I expected it to be dark and messy. There would be condoms everywhere and Playboy magazines. But it was nothing like that.

Brown leather couches sat in the living room. A red rug was on the floor and a cherry wood table was in the center. Pictures of his family decorated the counter. And there was a painting on the wall.

It was a young boy and girl walking hand in hand. They were on the beach, their backs to the viewer. The boy was taller and older. He carried a toy bucket and shovel. The girl wore a sundress with a hat. I recognized the brushstroke immediately. “Livia?”

He nodded. “She painted that for me.”

My heart melted just from looking at it.

“We used to be close when we were little. Actually, we’re closer now. Whenever our parents would fight, I would take her to the beach so she wouldn’t have to listen to them yell. I always thought I was being discreet about it, but she figured it out…at least I think that’s what this painting means.”

I couldn’t stop looking at it. “It’s beautiful.”

“My sister is very talented.”

I turned to him. “You’re very fond of her.”

He shrugged. “I love her. Sometimes.”

I smirked at him. “You love her. All the time.”

“You caught me.” He patted the sofa. “Sit down and I’ll get that hot cocoa for you.”

“Thanks.”

He disappeared into the kitchen then reappeared with a steaming mug. “I hope you like marshmallows.”

“I never have hot chocolate without them.” I took a sip. “It’s good.”

“I used real cocoa. Well, my mom used real cocoa. I just copy her. I always assumed I would make them for my kids so I stole her recipe.”

“Kids? You want to have kids?”

He suddenly looked uncomfortable. “I just meant if I did…”

That’s not what he said but I wouldn’t push him on it.

He stared at me from his side of the couch.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“You keep staring at me.”

“What else should I stare at?”

I guess I was used to Jace staring at the TV. I didn’t answer him and I kept drinking my warm beverage.

“Just in case you didn’t know, you did really well tonight. You sold your first photo for fifteen hundred, and The Purple Meadow sold for three thousand.”

I almost dropped the mug. “People actually paid that much money?”

He nodded. “Why wouldn’t they? You’re very good at what you do.”

“Wow…I could pay rent for the rest of the year with that.”

He laughed. “Maybe you should treat yourself instead. Buy a new dress or something.”

“No, I need a new lens for my camera. My old one is pretty scratched up.”

“I’m sure that stuff can be expensive.”

“It is. But I’m sure your medical stuff is too.”

He shrugged. “I guess.”

I crossed my legs and held the mug in my hands. “Why did you decide to go to medical school?”

“Well, my father is a surgeon. He had tremendous influence when it came to my life ambitions.”

“And that’s the only reason?”

“No. I wanted to be rich. I wanted to have a respectable title. I wanted to make my dad proud.”

“But you don’t want to help people?” How could he leave that out?

“That wasn’t a driving factor until recently.”

He really did tell the truth, bluntly and with no regrets. I used to think he was a jerk but at least I always knew what he was thinking. Jace would say one thing then do the exact opposite. It made me wonder if he was lying.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked.

“A lot, actually. Thank you.”

“I’m glad I could help. I can’t say I’ve ever felt the way you do, but I have felt excruciating, heartbreaking pain. We have that in common.”

What pain did he refer to? “May I ask what?”

He ran his fingers through his hair before he returned his hand to his lap. “It involves someone else’s secret, so unfortunately, I can’t share it with you.”

Someone else’s secret? What are the odds that I know them? “Is it someone I know?”

He nodded but didn’t speak.

The only mutual friend we had in common was his sister. “Livia?”

“Yeah.” His voice was weak.

I wondered what happened… I wasn’t going to pry into her business, but I was concerned. “I hope everything worked out okay.”

His eyes darkened. “She’s better now. But I’ll never be better.” His eyes moved away from mine and looked out the window.

The despair in his voice broke my heart. I’d never seen him so dark and desolate. “I’m here if you need anything.”

He turned back to me. “Thanks…”

Silence stretched between us. I sipped my mug and felt the marshmallows melt in my mouth. It was much better than the cheap packaged kind. I might have to steal the recipe from him, but not so I could make it for my kids, just so I could make it for myself. “Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything, Alaska.” His voice was quiet.

“Why do you have so many one-night stands?”

He averted his gaze again. I wasn’t sure if it was out of shame or because he just didn’t want to look at me. “I don’t want intimacy and I don’t want to be close to anyone. I just want to release my frustration and drive.”

“Why?”

He still wouldn’t look at me. “When you’re close to someone, they can hurt you.”

That was not a response I expected. I assumed he would say something gross, like he was trying to bed as many girls as possible until he settled down for marriage. “Has someone hurt you before?” I couldn’t picture him in a relationship.

“Not in the way you’re thinking. But someone very close to me was…hurt. And I couldn’t bare it if something happened to my wife or child. It’s just easier this way…”

I didn’t know what to say… Whatever happened to his sister really shook him up. Every time I saw her, she was happy and beaming. She was full of life and joy. It was hard to imagine her ever going through a dark time. But whatever happened was something Ash never forgot about. It was clear he wasn’t the asshole he always projected, and the depth of his pool was so deep I couldn’t see the bottom. “You’re nothing like I first thought.”

He kept staring at the window. It was like he hadn’t heard me.

I grabbed his hand with mine and caressed his knuckles. The skin was burning hot and soft. His fingertips were dry, probably from constantly washing them. I left my mug on the coffee table and scooted closer to him. Then I rested my head on his shoulder.

His head leaned against mine and he played with my fingers. Neither one of us spoke, just staring out the window together. Sitting close to him made me feel unnaturally comfortable. I inhaled his scent and listened to his steady breathing. Before I could control myself, my eyes became heavy and closed. And I fell asleep.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ash

I downed my second beer while I watched the game on the screen. The Padres were playing the Giants but it was a boring game. It was nine to zero and the Giants were winning. I wasn’t even sure why I was watching it.

Sage rested his arm over the back of the booth while he looked at me. “Everything okay?”

“I’m fine.” I sighed and leaned back.

“You seem…down.”

“I’m fine.” I clenched my jaw in irritation.

“Alright. I’ll back off.” He glanced around the bar, taking in the talent.

I wasn’t sure why I was in such a bad mood. Alaska slept at my place a few nights ago. Her head rested on my shoulder and she breathed quietly beside me. I sat still and listened to her, feeling her chest rise and fall. Her fingers eventually loosened around mine and she hooked her arm around my waist, snuggling with me like a teddy bear.

My heart surged into overdrive for hours. Then I couldn’t keep my eyes open for a minute longer. I lay my head on hers and fell asleep.

It was the first time I’d ever slept with a girl.

I wasn’t even sure what happened. I chased after her because I knew something was wrong, but I wasn’t prepared for the sight of her tears. Seeing the pain in her eyes broke my heart. It was exactly what I wanted to avoid, to care enough about someone to feel what they feel. But it happened.

My mind became weak and I held her hand, wanting to take care of her. I didn’t want her to be upset. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to smile. But then she broke my heart.

She has a boyfriend.

And he sounded like a fucking asshole.

I practically stalked her through my peephole and not once did I see some guy come over. A delivery man never brought flowers. He never showed up to fix her car or give her a ride when she needed it. He wasn’t at that damn art show. I never met the guy but I already hated him.

I was so confused.

“Blonde at the bar is making eyes at you.” Sage nodded to the left.

I turned and spotted the busty blonde who was eye-fucking the shit out of me. She probably knew about my performance through reputation, and my defined physique was obvious through my clothes. I had brains and money. What more could a girl ask for? I turned back to Sage and drank my beer.

“Are you going to talk to her?”

I shrugged. “Eh.”

“Eh?” He stared at me like I just told him I signed up for clown school.

“She’s alright…”

“Um…that girl isn’t a perfect ten. She’s like a twenty.”

“Why don’t you talk to her then?”

“I don’t like slutty girls. I need someone with more depth.”

I wasn’t listening to him. I felt the girl bore her stare into my skin. I drank my beer then wallowed in my misery.

When I smelled the scent of strawberries, I knew I had company. I turned and saw the blonde standing beside me, her hands on her hips and her chest up.

“Hey.” She gave me a white smile.

“Hi…” I turned away and looked at the TV.

Sage raised an eyebrow.

“You’re Ash, right?”

“What gave me away?” I sounded bored.

“I’ve heard a lot of things about you—great things.” Her smile never dropped.

“Yeah?” Just go away.

“Why don’t we go somewhere quiet where we can talk?”

Uh…

Sage glared at me and mouthed, ‘what the hell are you doing?’

I just wasn’t in the mood. I didn’t want to go back to my empty apartment and fuck some random girl. The idea left a bad taste in my mouth. “I’ll pass.”

She flinched like I slapped her. “You’ll pass?”

“I’m not feeling well tonight.”

“Maybe you need another beer.”

I was losing my patience. “Just leave me alone, alright?” I glared at her then waved her away with my hand. “Go throw yourself at some guy who actually wants you.”

If she had a drink, she’d throw it in my face. “Fuck off, Ash.” She stormed away then headed back to the bar.

Sage reached across the table and pressed his palm to my forehead. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I pushed his arm away. “Don’t touch me.”

Sage dropped back into his seat, his eyes wide. “I’ve never seen you turn down sex—ever.”

“Well, I did. Get over it.”

“Is there something going on that you aren’t telling me about? Because I feel like I’m talking to a completely different person.”

I threw my cash on the table. “I have to go.”

“Okay…”

I never left without finishing a beer, but I abandoned my glass and headed out. I just wanted to be alone, to not be analyzed and ridiculed. I didn’t even find that girl attractive. She was busty and thin, but she was hollow and stupid. I didn’t even want to look at her.

When I came home, I sat in my car for a while, feeling the sadness creep in.

What was wrong with me?

I ran my fingers through my hair then leaned back in my chair. My head was spinning and I felt like I was falling. My life hadn’t been the same since that art show. Alaska’s scent was permanently lodged into my nose. The scent of lavender was heavy. Even when she wasn’t around, I smelled it.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

“Where do you want to have dinner?” a man said.

I sat up and looked out my window. A man was walking down the stairs, holding hands with a woman in a gray dress. When they came closer, I realized who it was.

“Anything but Chinese.” It was Alaska. She held his hand while she walked beside him.

“You don’t like Chinese?” he asked. He wore a short sleeve shirt, and his entire arm was marked with a tattoo. It had black lines that snaked all the way to his forearm. He had short hair like he shaved it, and his eyes were a menacing green. He was filled out and packed with muscle.

“No, as I’ve said on numerous occasions.” The annoyance was in her voice, but she kept it hidden. But I recognized it.

“How about Mexican?” he asked.

“Sure.”

I felt sick to my stomach watching them walked together. His hand was wound tight around hers.

Suddenly, he stopped before they reached his car. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be at your art show.”

“It’s okay.” Judging the sadness in her tone, it wasn’t okay.

He hooked his arm around her waist and kissed her. It was brief and passionless. His lips pressed against hers softly before he pulled away.

And I wanted to throw up.

He led her back to the car then got into the driver’s seat. He didn’t even open her door for her.

Fucking asshole.

Then they drove away. When their headlights disappeared, I knew they were gone.

I stayed in the car, unsure what to do with myself. Pain like I’ve never known radiated through my body. My heart squeezed like a fist was clenched around it. My lungs couldn’t expand to their full potential. Nausea pooled into my stomach. I felt like shit, worse than I’d felt in a long time.

What was happening to me?

Wanting to get rid of this feeling, I started the engine the headed back to the bar. I couldn’t feel this way. I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t want to get hurt. I tried not to think about Alaska, think about her with him. I tried not to remember the way she slept in my arms. I tried to forget the way she held my hand when she cried. I tried not to think about how beautiful she looked at the art sow. I tried to ignore her compassion, her selflessness, her smile, and her beautiful heart.

When I walked inside the bar, Sage raised an eyebrow.

“Seriously, do I need to call someone?” he asked.

I headed to the busty blonde. “You still want to do this?”

She smirked at me. “Looks like someone had a change of heart.”

“Are we doing this or what?”

She grabbed her purse then leaned close to me. “Lead the way.”

I felt like shit for the rest of the week. That one-night stand was the worst I ever had. It was awkward and uncomfortable. Every time I looked down at her, I saw Alaska. My mind played tricks on me, and I pretended I was with her instead of the annoying blonde. After she left, I felt even worse.

I avoided Alaska whenever possible. I stayed in my apartment and studied, not going out or doing anything. I did my laundry at my parents’ house so we wouldn’t cross paths. I just couldn’t look at her knowing she belonged to someone else. It made me sick.

Why is this happening to me?

A knock on the door made me flinch. Who was it?

I sighed then looked through the peephole. It was Alaska.

No.

My car was in the parking lot so she knew I was home. Why did she have to be my neighbor? I opened the door but didn’t speak.

Her eyes took me in. “Is everything okay?”

Did I make it that obvious? “Yeah…I was just taking a nap.” I couldn’t think of another excuse.

“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s fine. What’s up?” I couldn’t even look at her the same. My eyes drifted to her lips, noticing how pink they were. Her cheekbones were prominent, and her large eyes glowed by their own light.

“I hate to bother you but…my truck won’t start.” The shame drifted over her face.

“Maybe you should upgrade like I recommended.”

“I know.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t get rid of it. It means too much.”

Honestly, the fact that she didn’t mind driving a piece of shit made me more attracted to her. She wasn’t superficial or shallow—like me. “Let’s take a look.” I shut the door behind me and walked with her.

“Thank you. I’m sorry to bother you. I’m sure you’re busy.”

“I’m never too busy for you.”

Her eyes softened when she looked at me.

Why the hell did I just say that?

I popped her hood then examined it. Then I went to the truck and tried to start it. The engine wouldn’t even turn over. “Your battery is dead.”

“It is?”

“You must have left your lights on. The nice thing about having a newer car is they have precautions against that.” It was a subtle jab.

She rolled her eyes. “I had a shoot yesterday and I was in a hurry. I must have forgot.”

I walked to my car then pulled the spark plugs out of the truck. “It’s okay. I’ll jump start your car.” After I plugged everything in and started my engine, I charged her battery for a few moments. Then I killed my engine then stowed everything in the truck.

“Can I turn it off?” she asked.

“No, let it run for a few minutes. It’ll charge your battery.”

“On it’s own?” She seemed surprise.

“Yeah. The engine will take care of it.”

“Cool.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her old truck.

“Your boyfriend was unavailable?” The resentment was heavy in my voice. I couldn’t deny how much I hated him. I despised him. My words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.

She didn’t pick up on it. “He’s at work.”

“Shocking…” I needed to hold my tongue.

She turned to me. “Thanks for your help.”

“Anytime.”

She turned off her engine then grabbed the keys. “I’ll make sure I turn off the lights this time.”

“Good thinking.”

We walked back up the stairs and to our apartments.

“Are you doing anything right now?” she asked.

I stilled. “No.”

“I made lunch. Are you hungry?”

Yes. But I should say no. It was hard for me to be around her. Really hard. “Sure.” No! Why did I just say that?

“Great.” She walked inside and I followed her.

Her apartment was half a living room, and half a studio. Pictures littered the tables in messy piles. Her camera and different lens’s were across the table. Photos hung from strings from the ceiling. I stared at them for a moment, examining each one.

“Excuse the mess,” she said. “But I thrive in clutter.”

“I’m not judging you.”

“Your apartment is so clean and organized. I feel like a slob compared to you.”

I shrugged. “In my neuroscience course I learned that people who are messy are more creative.”

“I never knew that.”

“It explains why my sister is a pig.” I laughed lightly.

“I feel a little better then.” She walked into the kitchen and opened the oven.

When she was distracted, I examined her pictures. Most of them were of her sister. They had the same eyes and the same face structure. But there was no doubt Alaska was the more beautiful one.

There was one of Alaska. It was a candid shot, one that was taken without her knowledge. She was sitting on the beach with her knees pulled to her chest. Her hair blew in the breeze, and a small line of sunblock was on her nose. I couldn’t stop staring at it. I’d never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

“I hate that picture.”

I flinched when I realized she was next to me. “Why?”

“I just don’t like taking pictures. I’m not photogenic like my sister. She’s a natural.”

“You look beautiful.” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“Jace always makes fun of me for that one. He says I look sad.”

“Were you sad?”

“No…I was just lost in thought.”

Her boyfriend sounded like a dick. “Your sister should be taking pictures of you, not the other way around.” I really needed to shut my mouth.

“You’re sweet.” She sauntered to the table. “But I know my sister is the pretty one.”

She couldn’t be more wrong. I turned to her coffee table and saw picture frames. One caught my attention. Her boyfriend had his arm around her, and they were both smiling at the camera. He was a good-looking guy, but I hated looking at him.

“I hope you like tortellini.”

I came to the table and sat across from her. “It looks good.”

She ate with grace and kept her back straight.

I took a bite then marveled at the taste. “This is good.”

“I made it from scratch.”

“Where did you learn to cook?”

“My nana. She used to be a chef before she retired.”

“If I keep living next door to you, I’m going to get fat.”

She smirked. “I feel bad for my kids. They’re going to be little fatties.”

When I imagined her having kids with her boyfriend I wanted to hurl.

“Everything okay, Ash?”

“Yeah.” It was hard to hide my emotions from her. “What did you do last night?” I already knew what she did but I tried to make conversation.

“Jace and I went out to dinner.” The sadness was in her voice.

“It doesn’t sound like you had a good time.”

She picked at her food but didn’t eat it. “We haven’t been the same in a long time. Sometimes I get frustrated because I don’t know how to fix it.”

“Relationships shouldn’t be this difficult. He either treats you right or he doesn’t. And it’s pretty clear he doesn’t.”

She eyed me from across the table. “I guess I’m holding on to what we used to be.”

“Then you should let go.” I really wanted her to dump him. I knew I didn’t have a chance with her, but I preferred it if she was with a good guy, someone that made her happy and did everything possible just to make her smile.

She dropped the subject and finished her lunch. “I couldn’t eat another bite…” she rested her hand on her stomach.

“Where do you hide it?” I gave her a light smile.

She snickered. “I usually jog in the mornings. If I didn’t, I’d be obese.”

I doubted that for some reason. I picked up our dishes then carried them to the sink. Then I started to wash them.

“You don’t have to do that.” She grabbed the dish, our hands touching.

My breath hitched as soon as I felt her warm skin.

“You’re my guest. And you helped me.”

I released the dish and stepped away, wanting space to be between us. “Thank you for lunch.”

‘Thanks for being a wonderful neighbor.”

“Yeah…” I needed to get out of here.  “Well, I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.” She walked with me to the door then she opened it. “Ash?”

I stepped out then turned around. “Hmm?”

“Is everything okay? You seem a little…down.”

Dying inside was a better way to describe it. “I’m just tired.” I never lied before. I was used to blurting out the truth no matter how insensitive it was. But I couldn’t tell her the truth.

Because I didn’t even know what the truth was.

I walked into Mrs. Patelo’s room with her chart in hand.

She smiled the second she saw me. “You’re back.”

“Yep, back to my clinical rotation.” I sat in the stool and looked over her blood work. “How are you liking your kindle?”

“It’s wonderful. I love it.”

“Good. Find any new books?”

“I found this new book called Fifty Shades of Grey. Have you heard of it?”

I smirked, feeling my face tint. “I’ve heard a few things…”

“Well, it’s on the bestsellers list so I thought I’d give it a try.”

She’s in for a treat. “At least you aren’t reading Harry Potter again.”

“I will again. But I thought I’d look for something new.”

I flipped through her papers and made a few notes.

“Why couldn’t you be my physician last week?” she asked.

“I missed my exam so I was removed from patient care hours until I took it.”

“Oh.” She adjusted her pillow and sat up. “Why did you miss your exam? Were you under the weather?”

“No. My friend’s truck wouldn’t start and she was in a hurry. I let her drive my car while I changed her oil.”

Her eyes narrowed while she stared at me. She pressed her lips together while she thought for a long time. “That was nice of you.”

I shrugged. “She didn’t have anyone else.”

“What kind of truck does she have?”

“Some piece of crap that’s at least thirty years old.” I laughed just thinking about it.

“Oh…”

“What?” I asked.

She pressed her lips together again. “Nothing.”

I didn’t press her on it.

“You seem down lately.” It wasn’t a question.

Alaska came into my mind. “I’ve just been stressed…”

“About what?”

“Nothing worth mentioning.” I grabbed my stethoscope and positioned it to my ears.

“Is Dr. James having girl problems?” she pressed.

I smirked. “Why do you ask?”

“Just a hunch.”

I didn’t see the harm in telling her. I had no one else to tell. If I mentioned it to my sister, she would beg me to marry Alaska. “My new neighbor has been turning my life upside down, basically. I just wanted to sleep with her when I first met her, but now…I don’t know.”

She stared at me while she waited for me to continue.

“She’s just really cool. She’s passionate and compassionate. She loves her artwork and she’s talented at her craft. She’s drop-dead gorgeous and she’s totally ignorant to it. She drives a beat up truck because she doesn’t care about expensive things. She’s soft and friendly, but if you cross her she won’t let you get away with it.”

“It sounds like you don’t just like her…” A smirk was on her lips.

I wasn’t sure what I felt. “I went to her art show, but during the bidding she disappeared. When I followed her outside, she was sitting in the dark crying to herself…” I hated thinking about it. “I’m not an emotional guy and I don’t care about other people, but when I saw her my heart broke.”

Mrs. Patelo sat up. “Why was she crying?”

“She just feels alone. She doesn’t have parents who want her, and her piece of shit boyfriend wasn’t there.” I got angry from thinking about it.

“You don’t like him?”

“Fuck no.” I shouldn’t curse in front of her, but it just came out. “He doesn’t deserve her. He doesn’t treat her right. I don’t know how he landed her, but if I were him, I’d be busting my ass to keep her around.”

A slight smile stretched her lips. “Does she know how you feel?”

“No…I’m not going to tell her.”

“Why?”

“She has a boyfriend. And she made it clear she wasn’t interested in me. I’ll settle as her friend because that’s all I’m going to get…”

“Shouldn’t you just see what happens?” she suggested.

“I already know what would happen.” I set the chart aside and began my examination.

“Dr. James is in love.”

“I am not.”

“And in denial,” she teased.

I knew I was fond of her, but I couldn’t fall in love. That was a line I would never cross. If I fell too deep, I would drown. I was barely keeping my head above water was it was.

Scotty and Liam sat across from me in the booth.

Scotty sipped his drink while he stared at me. “So…where did you disappear to the other night?”

“What are you talking about?” My mind was elsewhere.

“At the art show. When Livia and I looked around you were gone…and so was Alaska.” The meaning of his words was clear.

“She had to step outside so I joined her.” That was all I was willing to share.

“Alaska is a cool girl. I like her.”

“Good for you,” I snapped.

Liam drank his beer and stayed out of the conversation.

“So, how’s her truck running?” Scotty asked.

I was going to snap his neck. “Fine.”

“What’s going on?” Liam asked.

“Ash, the biggest jackass in the world, missed an exam just to help his neighbor…Alaska.” Scotty gave me a knowing look.

“Wow.” Liam understood the significance.

“I helped her. Big deal.” I was getting sick of this.

“It’s not a big deal,” Scotty said. “But for you, it is.”

I rubbed the area between my eyes. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“Why?” Scotty asked.

“Because I’m sick of talking about her.”

“Why don’t you ask her out?” Scotty asked.

“She has a boyfriend.” I just wanted this conversation to end.

Scotty nodded his head and had a knowing look in his eyes. “Now it makes sense…”

“What makes sense?” I was practically growling.

“Why you haven’t gone for her.”

“I don’t like her,” I snapped.

“Right…” He sipped his beer.

“Just drop it. I mean it.”

Liam smirked. “You’re awfully defensive.”

“I’m getting another beer.” Mine was half full but I needed a break from these guys. I headed to the counter and ordered another bottle. I was tired of people asking me about her. She was just a girl. She wasn’t special. She didn’t mean anything to me…

The bartender finally slipped me the bottle and I downed half of it in a single gulp. I turned around and surveyed the bar. People were gathered around tables and pressed against the walls. The music was loud, but I preferred that so I couldn’t hear my own thoughts.

“Are you drunk enough?” a man said a few seats away from me.

“You know you don’t need to get me drunk to take me how you like.” The girl giggled at the end of her sentence.

I glanced over, wondering why this couple wasn’t keeping their voices down.

A man ran his fingers through her hair then tucked it behind her ear. “You look beautiful tonight, Sarah.”

She smirked, a redness coming to her cheeks. “You already have me…you don’t need to butter me up.”

I wanted to gag. I looked away and kept drinking my beer.

“You ready to head to my place?” he pressed.