Shoving a hand in his pocket, he pulls out a small, pink iPod with the headphones wrapped around it. My eyebrows raise, and he shrugs at my unspoken question.
“Stole it.” My jaw drops a little and he rolls his eyes. “Don’t judge me,” he mocks. “I took it from that bitch that was making fun of you in the cafeteria at school. She deserved it.”
I give him a small smile as another crash violently shakes the walls, causing me to jump.
“Here,” he says, uncoiling the headphones from around the device and scooting up the mattress to sit closer to me. He reaches out and gently tucks my hair behind my right ear, thenputs one of the headphones in it before putting the other in his left. He fiddles with it for a second, then when he’s found the song he’s looking for he places it in his lap.
The music starts but the screaming gets louder. Karson turns up the volume on the iPod and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together before giving it a gentle squeeze.
My nerves start to settle, the music drowning out most of the noise as I lean my head on his shoulder. He doesn’t say anything else as we listen toEchoby Trapt on repeat until the fighting stops, and I fall asleep, still on his shoulder.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Trees passme in a blur as the mid-spring sun heats up the windshield of my car, feeling warm against my skin. The radio blares, the wind through my open windows whipping my hair around my face in a fiery cyclone, and I breathe in the fresh mountain air. On my days off I like to go back to Bend to get coffee from my favorite coffee shop and today is one of those days.
Usually, this drive is peaceful, a reset. But the last forty-eight hours have been anything but peaceful. They’ve been silent. I haven’t heard from Karson since I ran out of his penthouse, and it’s making me uneasy. No texts, no calls, and nothingmysteriously vanishing at my loft. Nothing. I’ve been a little on edge, waiting for him to pop up out of nowhere like the damned boogeyman, but it hasn’t happened. I should be relieved, but something else twists in my gut–something I don't want to acknowledge so I turn up the radio.
The music comes to a slow, the radio show host starts talking as the song fades into the background about an upcoming concert at the Perdition Hotel and Casino for one of the bands that Parker and I love. One of the perks of being an employee there is a handsome discount to all events on the property.
I’ll text her about it when I get to the coffee shop.
Coming up to my exit, the radio betrays me when the host announces his exit for the day and the next song starts. Onestupidguitar note, and I’m fifteen again, sitting on a lumpy mattress with Karson’s shoulder under my cheek. Heat flares in my cheeks, anger bubbling in my chest as my fist meets the screen, causing it to spiderweb. But unfortunately, not stopping the song.
Fucking perfect.
I look down at my screaming knuckles to see the middle one bleeding.
“God damnit,” I mutter and bring the split skin to my lips, sucking the blood off as I approach the stop light.
It turns green and I make a right, then a left before pulling the car to a stop in front of the shop. Pushing the button to turn off the engine, I go to exit as my phone dings. Grabbing it, the text only adds to my pissy mood.
Melissa
You missed the charity event. Again. Do you enjoy embarrassing your father? This is not how I raised you.
I scoff. She can fuck all the way off.
Hurling the brick down on the floorboard of the passenger seat, I take a deep breath to try to rein in my emotions before going inside. My chest expands as I suck in as much air as possible, then hold it for as long as I can, not letting it out before my lungs beg for relief and I feel dizzy.
After finally going inside and getting myself a large latte, I sit at one of the pub height tables next to the window, letting the warmth of my drink soothe my erratic nerves. I stare out the window letting my mind go blank. The hushed chatter of the shop is a welcome distraction, forgetting about the text and Karson’s absence. After an hour, I polish off my drink and decide to head back home. The sun is starting to set and I’m craving a movie night topped off with baggy sweats, wine and a bucket of popcorn the size of my head.
Dropping into my driver's seat, I turn over the engine before leaning over the center console to fish my phone off the floorboard. I curse under my breath when I can’t immediately find it. I really need to have a staff meeting with pissed off Ashlynn, she really knows how to sourmymood when I’ve finally calmed down.
My fingers graze the phone and I have to grab for it a few times before it’s finally firmly in my grasp. Righting myself in the driver's seat, I buckle my seatbelt and check the notifications before getting back on the highway. Another missed text, this time from my manager.
Isla
Hey girl. I hate to ask this on your night off, but one of the bartenders didn’t show up for her shift. Is there any way you can come in tonight?
Me
Sure. Give me an hour and I’ll be there.
Isla
You’re a lifesaver, Ash. Thank you!
Dropping my phone on the passenger seat, I put the car in drive.
