Harper rests a comforting hand on my back. “About?”
“Ashton lives across the hall from me. We share a common living area. It’s not like I won’t see him every damn day. And if he brings another girl here?—”
“He won’t,” Harper says, cutting me off before I can finish that dreadful thought. She pulls me in for a hug. “I know he’s not what you were hoping, but he does love you.”
Tears threaten my vision. I don’t tell her that he even whispered those words to me on his way out of the bedroom.
The lock on the front door clicks, and already, I know who it is. The guys are done with their practice with Coach and back for the night.
Standing, I brush the stray tears, prepared to slink off to my bedroom before having to lay eyes on Ashton.
The front door opens, and Harper grabs my arm, not letting me escape in time. “Stay,” she whispers, pulling me back down to sit with her.
She wraps an arm around my shoulder, protectively, and I lean into her touch. “Thanks,” I mumble, quiet enough for only her to hear me.
Liam and Luca are chatty and loud, but whatever they’re saying barely reaches my ear as I stare at Ashton. His shoulders are slumped a bit, his head bent downward as he pushes off his shoes and shuts the door behind himself.
“You didn’t tell me you were going to marry Harper,” I say, interrupting the chatter.
Liam and Luca exchange glances and go silent.
Ashton expels a heavy breath and glances at Luca.
Luca opens his mouth as if to answer, and I hold up a hand, indicating that I don’t want his answer. “My question was directed at Ashton,” I bite.
“I didn’t hear a question.” Ashton stares back at me and then runs a hand through his hair, ruffling it.
He always looks so damn sexy when he does that. My eyes flinch, and I do my best not to catch feelings for him.
He’s officially my ex.
Nothing can happen between us.
Not now.
Not ever again.
Not as long as he’s mafia and has no intention of leaving that life behind. “Why didn’t you tell me that Dante demanded you marry Harper?”
Ashton exhales heavily. “Do you want to do this out here, or in private?” he glances behind himself, toward his bedroom.
“Out here is fine. I have nothing to hide. Bristol already knows Dante is mafia.”
“Nova!” Luca growls at me, and Harper holds up an arm protectively.
“Don’t you dare!” Harper scolds her husband. “You both kept this from Nova. She had a right to know.”
Luca scoffs. “It wasn’t like you were forthcoming, either.”
“This is between Nova and Ashton.” Harper glares at Luca. “Let them talk.”
I appreciate that Harper has my back, but Luca is right, she also knew and kept it a secret.
“Please, can we talk in private?” Ashton says, holding out a hand for me.
Sighing, I stand and follow him to his bedroom. I don’t take his hand. I don’t touch him. I fold my arms across my chest, making sure I keep my hands to myself.
Ashton gestures for me to step inside first and then quietly closes the door behind himself. “What good would it have done, had I told you that Dante accosted me, told me I was to marry Harper? There wasn’t a choice.”
