I look to Audrey, who is grinning from ear to ear. “You’re going after her because you loooooovvveee her,” she says, cooing at me, and I give her an even stare.
“You don’t know that.”
“But I do. You aren’t the aggressive type—that all went to your sisters—so your actions mean something. You care for her, more than just this friendship theatrics you two have been putting on for so long, Slim Jim. Wait, I can’t call you Slim Jim?”
“No, you shouldn’t—”
She grins. “You’re right. You’re more of a beef stick now.”
Kill me now. I ignore my crazy aunt and look at my mom. “Can we leave?”
“We know it’s true,” Audrey says, leaning on her hand. “We all know the truth, wanna join us?”
I look at my mom, and she nods. “I’ve always known.”
I blink. Wasn’t expecting that, but I sure as hell don’t want to talk to them about this. I need to talk to Ally. “You guys are delusional. Can you take me? I forgot my phone at home, and I can’t call an Uber or, hell, Ally, for that matter.”
“So eager. He’s really in love.”
These two need to chill. I’m just now accepting I have feelings for Ally. Love. That’s a huge step in itself. I’ve never allowed myself to feel that for anyone, especially not Ally. It’s scary to realize that your person, your best friend, could be more. But I can’t stop thinking that, in an instant, I could lose not only my best friend, but more, if it goes sideways. My gut hurts, but I can’t let that hold me back. I need to go. I need to see her. I need her to help me figure this out.
I reach for another cupcake as my mom says, “Be sure you know what you’re doing, Asher.”
I look up at her. “What do you mean?”
“Taking it to the next level will change everything. Be ready to be all in because there is no other option. You can’t be friends with benefits. It’s either all or nothing.”
“Mom—”
“Ally isn’t Jasmine. Ally is already important to you. You don’t want to lose that.”
I feel as if I’m going to puke. “Are you trying to scare the shit out of me?”
She smiles sweetly. “Just being honest. If she goes to the next level with you, she will give you her whole heart. Are you ready to do the same?”
Am I? Shit, that’s terrifying. Fucking hell, I need to talk to Ally. “Can you take me now?”
Mom shares a look with her sister as if they know what I’m thinking and feeling, but she gets up. “Fine, fine. Let’s go.”
“Thank God,” I moan, but then my heart kicks up in speed.
I’m doing this.
Am I doing this?
I have no clue what I am doing.
* * *
Mom drops me off at Ally’s dorm, and when I see my car, my heart yearns.
“I miss you, Rocket,” I mutter as I head to the building. This no-driving shit is giving me anxiety. With my injury, Tony and Artie are very understanding. They’re giving me the week off to heal, but the thought makes me itch. I like working and keeping busy. I don’t need time off; I just need to be able to drive. Apparently, you can’t with one eye. Really, an unfair situation, but even so, I’d do it all over again for Ally. I don’t regret what I did. I know I didn’t think, I just reacted. But for her, it seemed natural.
As everyone has pointed out, that has to mean something.
I head up the stairs, ignoring the looks from Ally’s teammates. I’m sure pirates don’t hang out around the volleyball team. They may like guys without teeth, but eyes…they might want a guy with those. When I reach Ally and Angie’s room, the door is open. I don’t see her on her bed, so I knock as I look in. Angie is on her bed, her AirPods in as she writes in a notebook. She doesn’t hear me, so I knock again and call out her name.
I startle her, so I hold up my hand. “Sorry.”
She takes out an AirPod and waves at me. “Oh, hey.”
“Can I come in?”
She nods. “Of course.”
I walk toward her. “How are you doing?”
She shrugs. “Okay. I told my parents about it, and they’re demanding I come back home.”
I smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Paxtons. They love you.”
Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah, they’re also crazy overprotective, but it is what it is. I’m not going home. I’m staying here.”
“Good. Any word on the charges?”
“Actually, I spoke to my lawyer today, and he says he doesn’t think much will happen since Taco has lawyered up with the best and it’s his first offense. They’re gonna try to get him to do jail time, but they don’t think they’ll win. Gotta love our justice system. Money buys all.” That hurts my soul. Angie deserves justice. “I may end up leaving.”
I bring in my brows, confused. “I thought you said you were staying here?”
“Yeah, I don’t know. A spot opened up in the program I wanted in South Carolina. I’m thinking of transferring. I know it’s all still fresh and I may feel differently later, but I think I need to get away.”
I nod thoughtfully. “I get that. I came home when my fiancée turned out to be a lesbian. I hated that everything reminded me of her, that she didn’t want me.” As the words leave my lips, my stomach drops. All this could happen with Ally. It was tough to lose Jasmine, but losing Ally…that’s inconceivable. Again, the unknown—it’s a huge bitch. “A new start has been great for me.”
She smiles. “Thanks. I needed that.” I go to squeeze her arm, but she flinches quickly, and I stop midway. “Sorry, I’m—”
“No, please, don’t apologize,” I insist, flashing her a wide grin, and it doesn’t hurt my feelings. This situation isn’t something she can get over quickly. It’s gonna take some time, a whole lot of therapy, and probably a fresh start. I’d hate to see her leave, and I know Lucy and Benji will have a fit, but she’s gotta heal. She can’t do that in the place that reminds her of that asshole.
“The patch does wonders for your sex appeal,” she jokes then, and I scoff.
“Right? I’m about to pull so many girls.”
She snorts. “Please, there is only one girl you want.”
I’m so confused. “Huh?”
“Ally.”
Am I the only one who has been ignoring the idea of Ally and me together? I know I think about it and maybe fantasize, but holy shit, everyone else treats it like a done deal.
Why can’t I get on that level?
“Actually, do you happen to know where she is?”
She quirks her lips. “The gym. She came in pissy and needing to hit some balls.”
I grimace. “I am the reason she is pissy. And thanks, I’ll be protecting my balls.” She snorts, and I love the light in her eyes. “Thanks, Angie. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do. Good luck.”
I nod. “Thank you. I think I may need it.”
I head out, feeling good about Angie and me. I’m glad I didn’t do anything with her. She’s a great girl and she’s going to make someone really happy, but it isn’t me. It would have been a mistake, especially with how she suspected something between Ally and me.
What if she is right? What if Ally has always had my heart and I never knew? Jesus, I really need to speak to her. I need to know what the hell she is thinking, and maybe then things will make sense for me.
I make my way to the sports complex, cursing myself for not bringing a jacket. I’m freezing my balls off, which really doesn’t matter if Ally is as upset as I suspect she’ll be. It’s probably good my balls are numb, won’t hurt when she serves with them. I walk into the building, and I can hear the smack of a ball and then the sound of it bouncing on the gym floor. I head for the side door, surprised no one is around. When I was here the other day, everyone was here, working out, and it was difficult for me to work.
I reach for the door to the gym itself and pull it open. When I step inside, Ally is bouncing the ball on the floor. It’s like déjà vu. We’ve been here, and maybe I should have read into her actions earlier. Ally didn’t call me because she was mad that I didn’t want her going out with Taco; she didn’t call because she was jealous of Angie. She looks over at me, and she narrows her eyes. Man, there is fire in those green depths. I lick my lips as I head onto the court. She’s on the other side of the net, and when she serves, I pause as the ball whooshes by my head.
“What the hell? As much as I love being a pirate, I don’t want to wear two eye patches.”
She reaches for another ball. “What do you want, fuckboy?”
I throw up my hands. “Well, that’s rude.”
“Oh, is it?” she asks, serving the ball once more, almost hitting me. “If the shoe fits, buddy.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
She slams her fist into the ball, glaring at me. “I put myself out there, and what do you do? Ghost me. How do you think that makes me feel?”
I scrunch up my face. “I didn’t mean to make you feel any of that. I’m confused—”