AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nodding, I laugh dryly. "She's not wrong. Though, she'd play the victim card. It'd probably work in her favor actually."
"She doesn't see it like that. And she's a scorned woman. You know what she's like – she takes things hard and wants to make everyone suffer too."
I shake my head. "She wasn't always like that. She just likes being the center of attention. We hurt her, Asher. Even though what she did was cruel, we hurt her."
"I know we did," he replies lightly. "It doesn't mean she gets to hold a gun at my head."
"So she's blackmailing you with the tape? Can you get it? What if you go through all this and she still releases it anyway?" I ask.
Asher exhales. "I've considered that. She's assured me that there's only one copy and when we end things, she'll hand it over."
I finally look at him, my eyes dead. "You know you're a fucking idiot, right?"
"Yes. But why do you say that?"
"Because," I laugh. "She wants you to bend to her will, because she's mad at me, and yet… you keep fucking approachingme. If she gets wind of that, we're both done for."
Asher stares at me. "I know. That's why I've tried to do it secretly. When Phoebe invited me I figured this was the best chance I'd get at seeing you. There's no one here in Jenny's circle."
"Doesn't mean people won't talk."
"That's why I'm here and not at the party," he says sternly.
I roll my eyes. "You're not at the wedding because you're not one of Phoebe or Connor's nearest and dearest. But you took the chance to bloody make this about you. It's their wedding day, Asher. Do you know Phoebs' dad is dying? This is literally the single most important wedding I'll ever see."
"I didn't know that," he responds sadly.
"Now you do."
We fall into silence, the two of us awkwardly thinking about our mistakes.
"I meant what I said before, Rylee. I still love you. I don't care if you don't want me in your life. If that's what makes you happy, then I'll live with it."
"Don't," I warn, aggressively swiping away a tear.
Asher stands, walking over and I glare at him through tears.
"I mean it, Asher. Don't."
He gets down onto his knees in front of me, reaching for my hand. I pull away but he latches onto it anyway, holding it firm in his own.
"I've lost the one real thing I've ever known. I just want you to know that."
I rip my hand out of his, pushing myself as far back into the peach colored chair as possible. "I told you, this changes nothing. I think we're done here. I need to get back to the party."
Asher doesn't move so I awkwardly try to stand and move around him. He pushes himself to his feet, his arm wrapping around my waist. I turn and shove him, trying to push him away.
"Don't touch me, Asher!"
"I dare you to kiss me."
I freeze, glaring at him, my cheeks burning.
"You're out of your fucking mind. We're not playing the game anymore. Don't you dare…dare."
I go to pull away but Asher grabs the back of my neck, pulling me forward. He slams his mouth onto mine, burning me with a kiss. I struggle against him, but his other arm stays firm around my waist, holding me against him.
I'm so angry that fresh tears spill down my cheeks, brushing against his face. He pushes his tongue in my mouth and the emotion in me explodes. I'm so mad that I'm spiralling out of control. Before I realize it, I'm kissing him back, our lips colliding against each others with so much force.
