Right. I’m sure that’s what you’re doing.
“I’ve got it, Keith. Just do me a favor and go tell Melanie we’ll be a while,” I mutter, deliberately sounding misleading.
Ash laughs lightly while shaking her head, and then she pats Keith on the shoulder.
“It was nice meeting you, Keith.”
Good. She’s dismissing him.
“I should probably help you out. I’m a trainer, after all. I deal with stuff like this all the time,” he says while flashing her a flirty grin.
“I think Tag has it under control. It’s just a scratch. Will you tell Billy where I am?” she says sweetly.
Shit. Bity.
“Yeah. Sure. Let me know if you need anything,” he drawls while standing, and I make sure to step in between them quickly to tie the towel around her foot.
“You can spray the sidewalk off if you want to be helpful, Keith,” I degradingly release. “You know Wren can’t handle blood, and she’s left a few small drops here.”
He narrows his eyes at me, and then he offers her a conniving, sweet smile as I scoop her up.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Before she can thank him, I whisk her away and head inside toward the stairs.
“There are a lot of really nice people in Billy’s family. I can’t believe I haven’t met any of them before,” she says while resting her head against me.
She smells too good for me to think straight.
“I’m surprised I’ve never met you before. I come to every Christmas, birthday… well, everything. How have the two of you been friends for so long and yet I’ve never even heard of you?"
Amusement darkens her eyes.
“Well, I’m not sure how you haven’t heard of me, but I’ve heard of you.”
Damn you, Bity.
“Care to elaborate?” I ask while arching an eyebrow.
“Not really. Just carry me onward,” she says with a exaggerated breath and a secretive laugh.
“Tell me.”
She giggles more as I start heading up the steps, and my eyes narrow.
“Fine. He just isn’t your biggest fan,” she says while snickering more, possibly making fun of me.
Great.
Bity has probably told her every indiscretion of mine, but I’m sure all of his skeletons are still buried behind a locked vault.
“Really?” I mumble through gritted teeth.
“Well, you did show up with two dates, so I think he’s pretty spot-on with his characterization.”
Why did I bring two damn dates?
“I think I might have made the wrong impression,” I mutter, slowly trying to dig myself out of the hole I’m in.
She tosses her head back and laughs harder, and despite my anger toward Bity, her beautiful, carefree smile makes mine etch up involuntarily. She’s unbelievably beautiful like this.
“How so?” she snickers as I top the stairs and head down the hallway.
“I’m assuming you’re staying in the princess room, considering Melanie has always put her favorite girls in there.”
She smiles and nods.
“You're very right. I always stay in the princess room.”
I see the cracked door, and then I turn around to nudge it open with my back.
“I didn’t mean to make you think I’m some sort of playboy. I actually don’t get around quite as much as you think,” I lie.
Why am I lying? She already knows the truth - and then some.
She laughs even harder as I gently place her on the bed and head to the bathroom. I’m so glad my desperate attempt to redeem my name has amused her.
Fucking cock-blocking Bity.
***
Ashiara
It’s almost cute how eager he is to prove he’s not a complete jerk. Unfortunately for him, I know the truth. Billy hasn’t held back on the details of the promiscuity Tag throws around.
I wish he wasn’t so damn gorgeous. Why are all the hot guys completely full of themselves and total whores?
He walks over, and I swear his cheeks are flushed.
“Blushing?” I tease.
His head bobs with a bit of a laugh as he kneels down in front of me and unravels the towel from my ankle. I wish he didn’t have hair that desired to be touched.
My hand reflexively moves down and brushes a stray twig into place. He looks up, and his grin spreads.
“Can’t keep your hands off me?” he jokes.
My cheeks burn with their blushing color, and then I shake my head.
“You’re smooth; I’ll give you that. Too bad I’m already taken and your charm holds no power over me,” I mock a little too flirtatiously.
He’s that cocky sort of hot that gets under my skin. He’s so guarded yet sincere. Even though it’s all a big show, it seems like there’s something so genuine in his tone. I have to stop flirting.