“And I hate to say this, Rubes. But shit, that boy of yours is fine. Was he good?”
“Ugh... yes,” I say with a groan, making her laugh.
“Make him work for it before you give it up again, yeah?”
“He ain’t getting it again.”
She looks down at me with her brow raised. “Girl, I love you but please, don’t lie to me. You saw the way he was looking at you, he’s not letting you go anywhere.”
“But—”
“Trust me, Rubes. Just make him work... hard.” She winks at me before walking over to the other seniors in the squad and joining in their conversation.
“What did she say?”
“She thinks Ash is hot and that I’m gonna give it up again.”
Harley stares at me like I’ve just sprouted another head.
“What?”
“Well, she’s right. He is hot and he’s fucking gone for you. He has been for ages.”
“He’s not. He hates me as much as I hate him.”
“Sure. You keep telling yourself that.”
As a group, we decided against the official celebrations that were being held that Sunday evening and instead after leaving the area we saw our families and went for pizza to celebrate. Then tracked down Miss Kelly to drive us all back.
All the girls were still buzzing from our success while I was silently stewing on the argument with Ashton. I don’t care what he says, or what Chelsea tries to convince me, if he didn’t show his face things would have turned out differently. Although I can’t deny that Chelsea does seem delighted with our second place. I still would have loved to have seen her with that winner’s trophy. Maybe she’s right, maybe it just wasn’t our time.
I blow out a breath as I stare at the passing scenery.
“You want to talk about it?”
After Harley found me in our hotel room bathroom last night in my underwear inspecting the damage on my back, she demanded to know what had happened. I’d given her the basics but based on the state of my body it shouldn’t have been hard to guess.
I’d admitted that Ash had found me but that was it.
She thought it was hot that he’d accosted me and had his way with me in the darkness under the cover of the trees and I let her have her little fantasy.
“Not really,” I mutter, slumping down in my seat a little more.
“Rubes, come on. You’re going to have to go home and face him soon. You need to know how you’re feeling about it.”
“I know how I feel about it. I hate him and never want to see him again.”
“I get that, but it’s not exactly practical seeing as he lives in your house. Plus, knowing that he made his way out here this weekend just to support you, I doubt he’s going to allow you to avoid him for long.”
“Har, you don’t believe that shit, do you? He didn’t come to support me, he came to torment me.”
“Really? I know he’s been cruel, but you really think that’s what this weekend was about?”
“Yes. I really do.”
“Even after everything that happened in Seattle?”
I sigh, my irritation levels with her rising. I pick at my red nails for something to do. “Nothing happened in Seattle. He used me to bury his pain, that was all it was. I was close and stupidly willing.”
“I know he probably deserves it, but you’ve got a really low opinion of him.”
“Of course he deserves it. He embarrassed me in front of everyone at Ethan’s party, he’s lied to me, he made it look like I’d had sex in our parents’ bed.” Harley’s brows pull together at that but I shake my head and continue. “And, he claims to have pictures of me on his cell from Halloween.”
“And you believe him?”
“Why wouldn’t I? He hasn’t exactly proven himself trustworthy or to have my best interests at heart ever.”
“No, you’re right.”
“Why are you all Team Ashton all of a sudden, anyway?”
She shrugs. “It was just the way he looked at you earlier. The fact he came here. I don’t know. I think you should probably just talk to him, lay it all out on the table and maybe... I don’t know, start over? Things have been beyond tense for both of you. You’ve been stressed about this weekend, he lost his mom. It might be time to put it all behind you so you can start fresh. He’s going to be at Rosewood... tomorrow?”
“Oh God,” I groan, tipping my head back and staring up at the bus roof. “Did I tell you he plays football?”
She laughs beside me. “Of course he does. Ruby, like it or not, this boy is about to insert himself into every part of your life. Whether you move forward with him or attempt to cut all ties and live as separate as possible, you are going to have to have it out with him.”
“I’m scared, Harley,” I admit quietly.
“Scared of what?”
“Him. Being in the same room alone with him. How I feel about him.”
I don’t need to look at her to know she’s got a shit-eating grin on her face.
“You can say it, you know... I told you so.”
“Me? No, never. I wouldn’t do that.”
I laugh at her attempt to sound innocent.
“It’s a mess, Har.”
“You’ll figure it out. And I’ll be right here beside you as you do.” She bumps her shoulder against mine in support.
“So... how’s Nathan?”
Harley actually squeals in excitement at the mention of his name. “He’s coming over later. Wants to take me out for dinner to celebrate our success.”
“He’s driving all the way from Maddison on a Sunday night? Boy’s got it bad!”
She swoons. “He’s so sweet. I really think we could have something.”
I smile at her, wishing my life was as simple with a nice, sweet guy.
“Want to come back to my house to help me pick something to wear and avoid going home?”
“Now that sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”
After saying goodbye to the squad once Miss Kelly pulls up at school, I climb into Harley’s car that she left in the parking lot over the weekend and we head to her house.
“Do you know where he’s taking you?”
“Nope, no idea.”
She chats away about him, telling me things that I already know, but I don’t have the heart to tell her because she’s so excited.
“Is he already here?” I ask when she pulls up at her house and there’s an unfamiliar car in the driveway.
“Nah, that’s not his. Maybe Zayn’s got someone round.”
She shrugs and climbs out, and I refrain from telling her that almost all of Zayn’s friends are also our friends and we know what they drive. But she doesn’t seem too bothered, so I just follow her inside.
“Mom, I’m home,” she calls into the silent house.
Jada was at the arena earlier supporting us, but she had to get back for work. No surprise there, the woman is always working.
“Oh hey, girls,” she says when she emerges from the hallway where her office is.
“Hey.”
Another pair of footsteps sound out behind her and Jada tenses, something that I notice Harley doesn’t miss.