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“It is. But it’s also who you’re with.” He winks and my cheeks flush.
Did Asher really just wink at me?
I can’t remember a time he’s ever done that.
It sounds silly. It really does.
Ugh.
These mixed signals are killing me.
Are there even mixed signals or is it me? Am I imagining it all? He’s just being Asher.
Like he always is.
A nice decent guy.
But it feels off.
His eyes burn into my skin.
His every move causes a reaction inside me.
But what the fuck does it all mean?
* * *
As the days turn into weeks and then months, I can’t believe how quickly my sophomore year is flying by. The holiday season comes and goes and soon summer is approaching.
The schedule change worked wonders and my stress lessened.
I was able to have more time for my friends and my brother, when he wasn’t up his girlfriend’s ass.
But the little cat and mouse game between Asher and I only grew stronger.
That is until the school year ended. Mason and I went home for the summer, but Asher didn’t.
“I don’t have anything to go home to.” Asher told me one night on the beach. A large party was happening behind us, celebrating the end of the school year, but it was as if it was only the two of us. “And this summer, I like my job. They offered me more hours during the summer break so it makes sense to stay.”
“I get it. It’ll be weird being home without you right next door. And you know I don’t handle drunk Mason well.”
Asher laughs. “Just give him some ibuprofen, a bottle of water, and send his ass to bed.” He elbows me in the side and I giggle like a little school girl. He turns my insides into mush without even trying.
I spend the summer with my parents and Mason, and think of ways I’m going to decorate my new place. Chloe is moving in with Tyler, since they are finally together, and I’m subletting his apartment. My own place. I need all the string lights and maybe a couple of cute fuzzy pillows. Just a splash of girliness is enough for me.
Mason and Asher are staying in the same apartment, and I’ll now be a couple blocks over. Sienna tried to convince Mason to move in with her. She whined and cried but Mason told her no. His plans were always to live with Asher all through college, and I’m happy he kept his promise. I was afraid he might give in to Sienna but I think he enjoyed the time away from her more than he cares to admit. So to move in with her when things are rocky already would be stupid.
And I told him that too.
“I was sad when Asher told me he wasn’t coming home for the summer, but you know what, it’s been fun with you Mads. You surprised me.” Mason says. He’s sitting next to me on the couch, reruns of Ridiculousness playing on the TV in the background.
We’re heading back to Sierra Cove tomorrow and our parents are due home anytime now from work. They want to have dinner with us tonight.
I tap his knee. “Wow. Just bring a girl right down.”
He laughs and holds his hands up. “I kid, I kid. But seriously, it’s been nice spending time with you, sis. I missed it.”
“Me too.” We spent the summer hanging around, being lazy and enjoying being home. Our parents had us visit with family and we took a road trip and camped in the mountains.
