“We’re going out.”
“We are?” My brows knitted together.
“Yep. I miss hanging out with you. I know things are awkward, but you’re still one of my best friends, so get ready and let’s go.”
“Flick, I’m not sure…” We hadn’t been out since the Ice-Ts incident.
“Ten minutes. You have ten minutes and then we have to get Hailee.”
“Where are we going?”
“Worry less about that and more about what you’re going to wear.” She frowned at my work uniform. “Is that tuna fish I smell?”
I sniffed myself and realized she was right, I stank. It must have been when I’d cleaned up a spillage in aisle three. “I’ll need to take a quick shower,” I said.
“The clock’s ticking.” Mischief twinkled in her eyes.
“This is just like old times,” I said, half-mockingly. When I’d first arrived in Rixon and she’d taken me under her wing, we’d gotten into all kinds of trouble together. It felt comforting to know that after everything, she was still here.
“Eight-and-a-half minutes,” she grumbled. “Let’s go, Hernandez.”
But as she started marching me up the stairs, I was sucker punched by her words.
Hernandez.
No one ever called me that.
No one except Asher.
Bell’s was crammed. I couldn’t believe I’d let Felicity talk me into coming here. But I couldn’t deny there was a part of me that wanted to see Asher. To witness his easy smile once more, and to know he was okay.
That’s all I’d ever wanted.
“Breathe,” Flick whispered to me as we moved deeper into the bar. The whole team was here with their friends and girlfriends. I spotted Kellie and the gymnasts straightaway, and the cheerleaders holding court the other side of the room. It looked like the entire senior class had come out to celebrate the Bennets’ good news, and my heart swelled for Asher.
“Look, Cam saved us a seat.” Hailee pointed to a booth away from the football team.
“I hope you’re going to marry him one day,” I said, hardly surprised that he would do such a nice thing for me.
Felicity offered to go and get our drinks while we weaved through the huddles of people to reach Cameron.
He stood up, letting Hailee slide in. I took the other side.
“Thanks for this,” I said, drumming my fingers against the table.
“It’s the least I could do. I’m glad you came.” His eyes slid from me to Hailee. “I’m going to go hang out with the guys, but I’ll come check on you later, okay?”
She nodded, leaning in to kiss him. My heart ached watching them. But if two people deserved happiness it was the two of them.
“This is silly,” I said when he’d gone. “You don’t have to sit over here with me. I’ll go and you can—”
“If you think we’re going to abandon you, you really don’t know us at all,” Hailee replied around a small smile. Flick appeared seconds later, sliding a tray of drinks onto the table. “We’re celebrating. My treat.” She handed me a bright pink cocktail.
“What is it?” I sniffed the contents.
“Happiness and sunshine in a glass. Drink up.”
“Isn’t Jerry going to get into trouble for serving everyone?”
“Asher’s mom is awake; it’s a private celebration.” She winked at me, slurping at her own drink.
“Have you seen—”
The words died on my tongue as Asher filled my line of sight. He was joking with a couple of his teammates, his hair pushed back in that messy style of his, his smile easy and eyes bright.
I swallowed, feeling tears pool behind my eyes. “He looks happy,” I whispered. Just then, Kellie Ginly sauntered over to him and hugged him, making a show of kissing him on the cheek.
“It doesn’t mean anything,” Felicity said under her breath, a hint of disapproval there.
“It doesn’t matter. He’s a free agent.”
“Mya, you don’t mean that.”
“So, do you have any plans for spring break?” I changed the subject, forcing myself to look away from Asher and Kellie. He wasn’t mine anymore. He could hug and kiss whoever he wanted. It was something I was just going to have to get used to.
“I think Cameron and Jason want to take Asher away for a few days; maybe to his Dad’s place in the Hamptons.”
It was like I couldn’t escape him.
But slowly, I was becoming okay. I glanced back and found Asher watching me. Our eyes locked, so much passing between us. My pulse spiked. His mouth curved into a smile and he gave me a little nod before turning away.
I smiled to myself. Things between us would never be the same, but maybe, just maybe, we could find peace after everything.
“Come dance with us,” Felicity pouted, her eyes glassy with the effects of all the sugary sweet cocktails she’d consumed since we arrived at Asher’s house.
I hadn’t wanted to come when they’d announced the party was moving to the Bennets’. It didn’t feel right. But the need to be in close proximity to Asher, to see him happy, was too much of a temptation, plus, she wouldn’t take no for an answer and no one else seemed to care whether I was there or not. People were too happy and relieved to have their loveable funny party host back. And Asher played up to the role flawlessly. But I couldn’t help but wonder how much was real or whether he felt forced to oblige them. It wasn’t my place to ask him though, and despite caving to Felicity and Hailee’s insistence I come with them to the party, I kept my distance.
“I owe you an apology,” Jason came up beside me as I watched the girls twirl and dance without a care in the world.
“I’m listening,” I said, running my thumb around the rim of my cup. It had been tempting to get drunk and join the celebrations, but I didn’t want to lose control, not surrounded by Asher and his adoring fans.
Especially not with Kellie Ginly throwing me icy stares like we were mortal enemies.
“Asher is like family and you’re—”
“Not?” My brow rose.
“I’m sorry, okay. I shouldn’t have treated you like you had a hand in all of this. Because for the record, I know you didn’t. What happened, that’s all on your piece of shit ex. Me and you, we’re good.”
“As far as apologies go that sucked.” I smirked. “But I’ll take it.”
He barked a laugh, shaking his head with disbelief. “I’m glad you’re here, Mya. We all are.” Jason gave me a look I didn’t quite understand before he stalked over to Felicity, hooking his arm around her waist. The two of them started dancing as if they were the only two in the room, and I had to turn away, their love too much to bear.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” another voice said, this time one I never wanted to hear again.
“It’s a party.”
“Yeah, at your ex’s house. I mean how pathetic do you have to be?” Kellie Ginly glowered at me, flicking her hair off her shoulder. She looked cute in a skintight knitted dress that scooped low in the front and landed just below her knee. It was demure but sexy and even I couldn’t deny she looked killer.