Can we talk? Please? There’s something I need to tell you.
My heart stutters before slowing to a stop. Ashton…wants to meet with me? I don’t know how I feel about that.
Does he want to discuss what almost happened in the woods? My rejection of him?
My fingers shake as I type out a reply.
Me
Where?
Ashton
My house. Fifteen minutes?
Me
At two in the fucking morning? Ugh. Fine.
I lower the phone to my lap and then twist my head slightly so I can see Christian better. He’s currently curled into a ball, sleeping soundly, tiny snores emitting from his flared nostrils.
“Is this a bad idea? Meeting up with him?” I whisper, desperately wanting Christian’s advice. Of course I don’t receive an answer in return. “One last chance. I’m giving Ashton one last fucking chance.”
It’s one chance too many, but I’m a fool, apparently.
I gave the others a chance, and look where that got me?
And if Ashton fucks me over…
I’ll make him regret it, even if it’s the last thing I do.
Forty-Eight
DESIREE
“Idon’t think this is a good idea,” Mimi exclaims, her grip tightening on the steering wheel.
“That’s why you’re staying in the car and I’m going inside,” I tell her.
“Another not-good idea,” Emilia pipes in from behind. She leans forward to swivel her gaze between the two of us. “Desiree, I really think we should?—”
“I’ll be fine.” I wave away their words and unbuckle myself. “I have a plan.”
Lie. I have the fragments of a plan, but not enough of one to make a whole picture. However, they don’t need to know that. They would only worry.
I dig my phone out of my pocket and check my recent messages, my gaze snagging on my text chain with Izzy from late last night and earlier this morning.
Jake
Hey. It’s me.
Desiree
Jake???
Jake
No. Izzy. I borrowed—aka stole—his phone. LOL
