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“Teague,” she says. “I get it. You have girlfriend now. You don’t have to rub it in my face.”
“Ash…that’s not what I’m…” Fuck, why did I call her that again?
“Hey,” Mia’s voice breaks the tension building between us and I want to kiss her right then and there for coming at the right time. “Hello, Ashley!”
“I was just telling your boyfriend that I’m having a party on Sunday,” Ashley says and I’m left with my mouth open. “My fiancé and I are celebrating our engagement. It would be great if you guys could come.”
“You’re engaged?” I ask, a little stunned.
Ashley holds up her hand. I don’t know what she’s doing but apparently Mia does. “Oh my God Ashley,” Mia exclaims. “That’s a beautiful rock! Your fiancé has great taste.”
“Thank you,” Ashley says, beaming. “So, can I count on you guys to be there? It’s just, I don’t live in Springvale, my fiancé does, so I don’t know a lot of people here. It would be really great if the two of you could come.”
“Ashley,” Mia says. “We’ll be there.”
“What? Mia!” I interrupt. “No, Ashley…we don’t know yet…”
“Teague,” Mia says. “We’re going.”
“Thanks, Mia.” Ashley says and they hug. “It was really nice seeing you two. I’m so glad Teague has someone. For a while, I thought he would never get over me.”
Mia laughs.
I don’t.
“Relax Teague,” Ashley says. “It’s a joke!”
“Oh I’m laughing on the inside,” I say, and the sarcasm isn’t lost on Ashley.
She and Mia do their little kiss and hug thing again and she finally leaves. “Wow,” I say, the minute she’s out of earshot. “I thought she’d never leave!”
“What’re you talking about, Teague? She’s so sweet!”
“Ashley Prescott is not sweet, Mia. Trust me.”
“Oh please,” Mia says. “You’re a poor judge of people.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You’re seriously asking me?”
“I think so.”
“You let some stupid trainer talk you into an underground fight!”
I can’t tell her that there was no talking me into that. That the minute I found out my trainer had connections to that underground cage fighting circle, I was begging him to let me do it. I can’t tell her that because someone normal like her wouldn’t understand. But Ashley would, a tiny part of my brain announces. Okay I know, I’m a jackass, but the truth is, it wasn’t so much Ashley but her total acceptance of my need to become a professional, or any sort of fighter, that got me thinking about her that way again. It’s not like I want to fuck her or anything. I just want to be with someone for a few moments, who doesn’t think I’m a monster because I have this need inside me.
“Are you two having fun?” Liam asks. He and Sebastian are with two girls, who look the same age as Liam and they look like they’re having fun.
“Well,” Mia says. “We’re only getting to know some people.”
“That’s great,” Liam says. “Listen, I’m having sort of an after-party at my place. We’re heading there right now. Are you coming?”
“Say yes,” Sebastian says.
I grin and hug Mia close. “You know we’re always up for that sort of thing!”
“Good,” Liam says and turns to the girls. “What do you say, girls?”
