AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, well, drunk Ash tells the truth, and he had a lot to say.”
ChapterTwenty-Three
Iwatch as King eats a breakfast burrito and try not to gag. The smell of eggs is not helping my hungover state. I still can’t believe he barged in last night and stayed to take care of me. I’ve been a complete asshole to all of them.
I don’t deserve them.
“Are you going to eat that?” he mumbles with his mouth full, and I shake my head, pushing my plate closer to him. “Fuck, I’m starving. Taking care of your drunk ass all night, I skipped dinner.” He finishes chewing and then chugs my orange juice down.
“How was everything?” the waitress asks, and I give her a weak smile. She hands me the check, and I don’t even look at the price. I place a few twenties onto the table, then stand. “Are you ready for this shit?” I ask King, and he rolls his eyes.
“It’s high school, Ash. You act like we’re about to go to the gallows.” He stands, chugs the other coffee that’s been cooling on the table, wipes his mouth, then heads for the door.
I rub my eyes and groan. Somedays, school feels like a death sentence.
* * *
Bianca meetsme at the lockers between the third and fourth periods. “Baby, I’ve missed you so much,” she squeals, making my migraine worsen, then wraps herself around me and places a kiss on my lips.
I push her away and wipe my mouth off with the back of my arm. “Ash, what the fuck?” she snaps, and I slam my locker closed.
“Who told you that you could kiss me?” I growl and watch as her eyes widen, and she swallows.
“You have never had a problem with PDA before,” she whispers, and I shake my head, then laugh. She’s right. Gracie and I were always making out in the halls or touching each other, but she’s not Gracie.
I don’t bother to reply. Turning my back on her, I walk to the cafeteria for lunch. I’m still not hungry. I’m hoping I can take a quick nap at the table. When I pass the nurse’s office, a familiar voice is inside, laughing with Maggie.
I peek inside. She and Gracie are talking about something while sharing cookies. When did she become so friendly with the school nurse?
I groan at the scent of her red velvet cookies, and my mouth waters. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one. My stomach twists, and I run to the bathroom, barely making it to the sink, where I proceed to vomit all up of my mistakes and regrets.
“Fuck, that’s nasty,” someone shouts from inside the accessible stall, and someone giggles too. I roll my eyes. Seriously? A blowjob at school in the men’s bathroom?
I’m not surprised when Tinsley and Sam walk out a few seconds later. She walks over to the sink three down from mine and pulls out her toothbrush. Well, isn’t she prepared?
“Shit, Ash, do you need the nurse or something?” Sam asks, buttoning up his pants and fixing his belt. I shake my head and watch as Tinsley brushes her teeth, then fixes her makeup before blowing us a kiss and striding out of the room. The click of her heels echoing behind her.
“Maybe you should go home. I don’t think you’re over the stomach flu,” he mutters, keeping a wide berth, and I nod.
“I tried to stay home, but King practically dressed me and threw me in the car,” I grunt, then turn the water on to rinse the sink and my mouth. I should have asked Tinsley for her mouthwash.
“Here,” Sam says, handing me a pack of gum. I grunt again in thanks, and he walks out, leaving me alone to look at the man in the mirror. He looks like shit. Hazel eyes bloodshot and lifeless, dirty-blond hair a greasy mess, and skin clammy and pale.
I scoff at my reflection, then turn my back on the man.
* * *
I try to skip practice,but Coach won’t let me, so I’m stuck on the sidelines next to Gracie as we watch our teams practice. She doesn’t say anything to me, and she’s made sure to keep our bags in between us.
I attempted to use my phone and scroll social media but was told to put it away. Gracie is staring off at King and Carter. She gives them a smile and waves. I scoff and watch as her shoulders tighten, and she slumps down.
My stomach growls for the third time, and she sighs. Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a Tupperware container and a thermos. She won’t look at me, but she pushes them in my direction.
I know I told her to stay away from me, but that doesn’t mean she has to act like I don’t exist. “Are you even going to look at me?” I ask, and she jumps, startled that I spoke.
Turning to face me, she bites her bottom lip. “You asked me to stay away from you. I was just trying to do what you asked,” she mumbles, then looks back at Dom. He mouths, ‘You okay?’ and I roll my eyes.
I get it, I'm the biggest asshole on the planet, but I’m not going to hurt her. “If I said I changed my mind, would that mean anything?” I ask, now avoiding her eyes. She scoffs and then laughs.
