Spiked by Love(24)

“She’s not wrong,” I say simply, and Asher nods. Somehow everyone misses the loving look between Boon and Posey. I don’t, though, mostly because I’m right between them. I’m sure if I moved, everyone would know they’re together. Mostly because they would probably start dry-humping each other.

Aw, to be in love with someone who knows and loves you back.

My gaze moves to Asher. He’s grinning from ear to ear, with his beanie hanging on for dear life. Aiden already knocked it off his head twice, but he keeps it so far back. The white tee he’s wearing is tight on his shoulders, and I can see the hair on his chest and his nipples through it. Mostly because I’m staring at him. He’s clean-shaven, and his lips are shiny from licking them so much. I think they’re dry, and I only know he keeps licking them because I wish he were licking me.

Before I can start slamming my head into the table, Posey says, “Like I was saying, is Angie okay?”

“Who’s Angie?” Boon asks, and everyone’s but Wes’s shoulders fall, and we all start groaning.

“You tell him,” Asher says to me.

“Yeah, you’re the only one who explains it right,” Aiden agrees.

“Why did you ask?” Posey asks, and I laugh. “Like, just go with the flow. You’re slowing us down.”

Boon looks offended as I take in a deep breath. “In the simplest terms, we grew up with her,” I say, meeting his gorgeous gaze. Man, Posey hasn’t dated much, but she picked one hell of a hot dude to make up for that. “But the really technical and overly drawn-out explanation, Angie is my mom’s sister’s daughter’s—who is really her husband’s niece, but that’s a long story too—my aunt’s daughter’s husband’s sister’s daughter, which makes her somehow my cousin, maybe? Not removed. We like her.”

Boon blinks, and I’m not sure if it’s my hand movements that overwhelm him or how we’re related, but I’m sure he regrets asking.

Posey looks over me to him. “You shouldn’t have asked.”

“No shit,” he mutters, and we all chuckle.

“To answer your question from nine hours ago,” I say, meeting Posey’s waiting gaze. “I don’t know. She’s been acting weird for over a week now, and I can’t seem to pin her down.”

Posey frowns. “What do you mean?”

“She’s been ghosting me. She’s been staying at her mom’s house and not really hanging out at the dorm. When we have practice, she doesn’t talk to anyone, claiming she is stressed with school. But I think it’s more.”

Asher nods, pointing to me. “Yeah, it’s weird. She won’t talk to anyone.”

“Well, you guys aren’t talking anymore, so why would she talk to you?” I ask, and he looks insulted.

“Because I’m a damn joy to talk to.”

Aiden sputters. “No one thinks that,” he says. “We all think you’re a dork.”

“Because I am, duh, but a damn joy of a dork.”

I snort as I shake my head, and then Shelli asks, “Wait, you and Angie were talking?”

Aiden covers his ears like a ten-year-old. “I don’t want to hear this.”

Asher laughs. “It was short-lived. We didn’t even sleep together, and also, Ally is still talking to and dating Taco.”

Posey and Shelli both whip their heads to me, and I narrow my gaze at Asher. “Well played, you damn non-joy of a dork.”

He beams, and I roll my eyes. “It’s not a big deal.”

“He cheated on you when y’all were together, tried to get you to leave school to move to Texas, and he called you a bitch more times than I can remember,” Posey says, counting off Taco’s downsides. “It’s a huge deal. He’s trash.”

“And he doesn’t have a job, car, or a sense of fashion,” Shelli says, her eyes trained on me.

“Because, God forbid, he doesn’t have a sense of fashion,” I supply, and she nods. Now I know why people don’t like being around the lot of us Assassins kids. We don’t shut the hell up. “We’re talking, and Taco’s being really sweet to me. Worry about yourselves and not me.”

“He hasn’t had time to be mean to her because she hasn’t seen or hung with him in a week,” Asher mutters, and I kick him swiftly in the knee.

“Shut up!”

Shelli shakes her head at me, and I feel Posey’s eyes burning a hole in my head. “Ally, come on. He’s a loser.”

“For real. Find someone better.”

I look away from Shelli, and Asher’s gray depths capture mine.

Someone better is sitting across the table from me, but I’ve never been his someone better.

“Oh shucks, look at the time.”

Shelli groans. “No, don’t leave.”

I start to get up. “I’ve actually got a date with the person y’all are dogging. And I know Angie is home right now, so I’m gonna try to catch her off guard.”

“How do you know she’s home?” Asher asks, and I wiggle my phone at him.

“Nicolette texted me about ten minutes ago that she was there, and she’s gonna keep her there until I show up,” I say, grabbing my coat. “Also, let’s be honest, we don’t want me beating y’all all night.”

I kiss Posey’s head and then whisper in her ear, “Control yourself while I’m gone and not blocking you from him.”

Posey smacks my hip as I wave to Shelli. “Love you. Thanks for having me over.”

I start for the door, and Asher yells, “Love you too, asshole!”

I snort as I reach for the handle. “I’ll see you later. Aren’t you working on the jumbotron tonight?”

He nods and then smacks Aiden. “Want to come help me?”

“Sure,” he says, and then Asher looks back at me.

“Yeah, I’ll see you.”

I nod and then wave once more as I head out, but before I can close the door, I hear Wes say, “Wait, you’re really not with her?”

I don’t hear Asher’s response, but I don’t need to.

I know the answer.

I scream it often in my head.





Chapter Fourteen





Ally



There was a wreck on the interstate, which made my ride home longer. Not good since all I did was wonder what Asher said to Wes. I’m curious how he handles it when people try to push us together or assume we’re a couple. I’ve gotten so good at brushing off the comments and questions, but he hasn’t been around everyone regularly like I have. Is it easy, or does it give him the notion that maybe we should try? I can’t shake the memory that he was checking me out at the bridal shop. I felt his eyes on me at all times, but he isn’t a shy dude. If he wanted me, he’d make a move. Or at least talk to me about it. One thing is for sure, I’m getting really annoyed with myself for feeling this way for him and not doing shit about it. He’s been home for weeks, and I’m more in love with him than ever before. I need to do something, or I need to move on.

Hence my date with Taco.

When I get to my dorm, I don’t have much time before Taco is supposed to show up. He’s over at his friend’s house on the other side of campus and is planning to meet me here so we can catch a late movie. I rush inside and take the stairs to my floor, two at a time. I didn’t do cardio today, so this is good for me, even if it makes me want to die. When I reach our room, the door is open and I hear Nicolette inside. I enter and look right at Angie where she is lying on her bed. Nicolette is on mine.

Angie sits up slowly, and I say, “Hey, stranger! Where have you been?”

I sit down beside her, and she draws her legs into her chest. “At my parents’. I’ve been stressing and feeling a little overwhelmed. I wanted to be home.”

I smile because I know she’s lying. “Oh, I’m sorry. I hate that for you. Can I help? We can redecorate so you feel like this is home. I’m sure class is kicking your ass, and you’re probably not sleeping long enough.”

She shakes her head, averting her eyes from me. “It’s not that I’m not comfortable here, I love you. I just needed some space.”

I bring in my brows. “From me?”

She looks up. “No, not at all. Just everything.”

I search her eyes. “Angie, you’re acting weird. What is wrong?”

“Maybe, I should go,” Nicolette says, standing up, but Angie stops her.

“No, it’s fine. There is nothing wrong. I’m staying. I’m fine.” Her words are cryptic and unlike her. She is usually so carefree and happy. She seems closed off and unsure of herself. My heart kicks up in speed as I reach out, holding her ankle. I need her to know I care, that I am here for her, and I hope my eyes are telling her that.

Just in case, I whisper, “Angie, tell me what’s wrong. I love you. I’m here for you. I can help.”

I see the tears welling up in her green eyes. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not about Asher, is it?”

She shakes her head almost violently. “Not at all. He was very sweet, and no, it’s not him. It’s nothing reall—”

But then her words cut off, and her eyes widen. I glance in the direction she is staring, and behind me is Taco in the doorway. He’s wearing a nice pair of slacks and a button-down. His hair is brushed back, and he’s got a wide smile. He moves his eyes from me to Angie, and something flashes in his gaze before he looks back to me. “Hey there, gorgeous.”