“We could make millions!”
Asher holds up his hand. “Whoa, now. Maybe thousands, but not millions. They aren’t that great.”
I snort with laughter as I shake my head. “Yeah, you’re right.” He nods as we each look away again. The silence stretches, and like before, I can’t handle it. “I didn’t sleep with Taco, but he does claim he’s changed.”
He rolls his eyes very dramatically. “Into what? A burrito? Or did he take my advice and go with nachos? I’m telling you, nachos are the way to go.”
“For the love of Pete.” I give him a dry look, but he just grins. “He was really good to me last night. He paid for dinner, and he made me laugh. He didn’t get upset that I didn’t want to sleep with him.”
He gawks at me. “Oh, how great that the guy you went on a date with doesn’t get upset when you don’t want to have sex. Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Your sarcastic comment isn’t needed.”
“He’s trash, Ally. You deserve more.”
I shrug. “He’s comfortable.”
“So? You’re better than this. Don’t settle for trash because you’re lonely.”
“Wow. That’s rude,” I say, furrowing my brows. “I am just fine alone.”
“Whatever. You’re lonely. And I’m telling you, running back to a toxic relationship won’t fix that.”
I look down at the ball I’m holding. “Maybe it’ll be different this time.”
“It won’t,” he decides. “But you do what you want, and when it blows up in your face, I’ll only say ‘Told you so’ once.”
“Just once?”
“Just once,” he promises, and when I meet his gaze, he smiles. “I only want the best for you.”
“I know, but I’m a big girl. I’m actually the older one of the two of us.”
He strokes his chin, deep in thought. “I feel that’s a technicality that doesn’t matter.”
I shake my head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love me,” he claims, pulling me to him for a hug. I drop the ball and wrap my arms around his middle. If only he knew how much I loved him. He smells like a freaking dream, and I nuzzle closer for longer than I should, but I can’t resist. I hold him until he starts to let go, and slowly, we part.
“I do.”
“I know,” he says, pushing a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I like your hair like this.”
It’s in a braided bun, but it’s nothing to get excited about. When he pulls his hand away, he touches my jaw lightly with his finger, and I hold my breath. “Thanks.” I swallow hard, swooning, needing to change the subject so he stops looking at me. “Bet you thought Angie was hot last night.”
I know, it’s pathetic, but I don’t want him to think I’m into him because I swooned at his touch.
He chuckles, a sexy look taking over his features. I love when he smiles like that. That bashful grin that shows his deep dimples. “She is. But man, she’s thirsty as fuck.”
I scoff. “Well, duh. I thought you were irresistible?”
He nods. “You’re right,” he says, pointing to me. “I told her I wanted a relationship, that I don’t fuck for free.”
I dissolve in laughter. “You think really highly of your abilities, friend.”
“Hey, I know what I can do,” he says, all rough and dangerous. “All this costs commitment.”
I’m dying. Like completely dying.
“Slow your roll, pump-and-dump,” I tease, and he guffaws. “So, whatcha thinking?”
“I don’t know. Aiden really doesn’t want me doing anything with her. She’s hot and smart, but I don’t see anything there. No sparks.”
“Well, got to have the sparks,” I say softly because, for me, it’s like fireworks going off around his head and mine. I feel like a character in the Sims. My heart is coming out of my chest, and I want to take him to bed for whoopee. It’s pretty damn insane in my head, but that’s what he does to me.
“Right? You know what’s crazy?” he asks, checking his watch.
“What?”
He meets my gaze once more, and I swear, if I weren’t harboring the secret that I’m in love with him, I would swoon once more. “Everyone is saying we should hook up.”
My stomach drops, and I choke on my word. “Huh?”
His eyes are intent on mine, searching them. “Yeah. First, your mom.” Oh, I’m going to murder her. “And then my sister told me that I’ll never find a single woman who will be cool with our relationship.”
I bring in my brows, though I’m sure my heart stopped like ten seconds ago. “What does that even mean?”
He’s so aloof, like it’s no big deal. “Apparently we’re too close? But I don’t care. You’re my best friend. There is nothing romantic between us. We’re just best friends—that’s it.”
Please, beat me over the head with a bat, why don’t ya?
“Yeah,” I agree reluctantly as my heart shatters in my chest. “That’s crazy.”
“Right? And then Aiden is all for us hooking up, and I’m like, what the hell? Have we ever acted like we want to hook up?”
I mean, I may have, but we all know you haven’t, big boy. “Not to my knowledge. I don’t get it.”
“Me either,” he says, shaking his head, and my heart sinks. If I needed any more proof of the fact that he doesn’t feel shit outside of friendship for me, here it is. I am officially and unfortunately friend-zoned.
“I gotta get to this interview.”
“Yeah, good luck.”
“Thanks.” He hugs me again and then starts to back away. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Party on campus.”
He pauses. “Really? I thought that wasn’t your scene.”
I shrug. “The whole team is going. Figured, free booze, why not?”
“Cool, I’ll see you there.” I quirk my lips, but then he says, “Angie asked me to go.”
Fuck my life.
“Awesome,” I say with a grin, but when he goes toward the side door that leads to the office with a wave, I bang my head with the ball. He’s basically screaming in my face that he doesn’t want anything outside of friendship with me, and still, I want him. I want to ruin it all just for the chance to kiss him. To be in his arms and know he is looking and thinking of only me. To be on the receiving end of him uttering those three beautiful words to me. I slam my fist into the ball, and it clears the court. But it doesn’t matter how hard I hit the ball.
It won’t ease the pain in my heart.
Chapter Ten
Asher
“I got the job.”
My mom squeals on the other end. “Oh, Asher, I’m so proud of you!”
“Yeah, I walked in, and he’s like ‘You’re hired,’” I say with a laugh. “It was crazy. He said my supervisors from my internships raved about my attention to detail and commitment. It was awesome.”
I’m beyond excited. I felt like I would get the job with the Bullies for the simple fact that they needed someone and their jumbotrons look like ass. I am qualified, but I was worried about my experience. I did some awesome internships in California, but there are more people out there with more experience, but apparently Tony didn’t care. Guess working my ass off in college paid off. I finally feel as if I’m getting my life started. A little of the apprehension I’ve felt at not having it together fell away when Tony said I had the job.
“That’s incredible, Asher. Look at you making big-boy moves.”
I beam as I climb into her car that she let me borrow. “I know. I feel like an adult.”
She laughs. “Did you tell him you had an interview with the Assassins too?”
“I did,” I say as I start the car. “He says that’s fine, he assumed I could time manage, and he isn’t wrong. I did it in LA.”
“Absolutely. That’s so amazing. I’m so proud!”
My mom, my cheerleader. “Yeah, I get started tomorrow morning. I’m pretty stoked.”
“That’s fantastic,” she coos, and I grin from ear to ear. “We should probably go get you a car this weekend.”
“I was going to ask if we could. I have money for a down payment.”
“Great. Hopefully we can get it done before the tux fitting.”
“Ugh,” I groan, and she just laughs.
“Hey, this is going to be a big deal. Huge, with lots of people. My boys have to look good.”
“Why does it matter what I look like?”
I’m answered with an annoyed sigh. “Asher, you know damn well why. You’ll be standing up there with Aiden. You gotta look good.”
“I always look good,” I say simply, and she scoffs.
“Jesus, I’m so glad you don’t lack confidence.” She laughs. “Have you talked to Ally?”
I bring in my brows as I drive off campus. “What do you mean? I just saw her.”
“No, I was talking to Harper, and she is pissed.”
“Eh, yeah. Ally is back with Taco, apparently.”
“Why do they call him Taco?” she asks after a pause. “It doesn’t make sense to me. Does he like tacos?”