“Joseph is like a trigger for me,” he said. “I hate him for everything he’s done that has hurt you. I hate that he still has the capacity to hurt you, in ways I can’t always protect you from. And I’m… jealous of him.” I blinked, startled. Asher couldn’t be jealous of Joseph. He was superior in eve
I told Asher about my concerns of being physically unable to compete in the qualifying exams. I’d been weak during practice, stumbling on simple moves. He worried about me, especially after my next practice, when the harder I tried to keep up with the routine, the more tired I felt. When I confide
“I want a second opinion,” I said. The doctor nodded. “That is your right.” To Asher, I said, “I want to see Nancy. She knows everything I’ve been through. She’ll be able to tell you this is a mistake.” Asher didn’t say a word, but by the end of the appointment, I got him to agree to take me t
I still hadn’t decided what to do, even by the night before the qualifying exam. I skipped all of the cheerleading practices, taking time to rest as Nancy had suggested. She hadn’t been pleased by my lack of commitment to quitting the qualifying exam. Neither had Asher, though he hadn’t openly sai
I stumbled. “Cynthia…” Lilith warned, but didn’t say stop. “Keep going,” I said, and pushed onward. I had to test the limits, to see if this was definitely impossible or not. I kicked and twirled. I even jumped and landed without issue. Everything seemed to be going fine, until I stretched a t
The next morning, I woke only slightly groggy. The doctor at the urgent care didn’t suspect a concussion, but Asher continued to wake me every few hours through the night just to be sure. My head did ache something fierce though, and a look in the mirror showed a nasty bruise on my forehead. Ash
As soon as I shouted, “Stop!” the music cut out. For the length of a few unsteady heartbeats, silence filled the auditorium. Then one of the judges clicked on her microphone. “Cynthia. Do you intend to start again? We will have to penalize you this time.” “I-I can’t do this,” I said, my voice sh
“It doesn’t matter. No one here will be able to use that against you for much longer.” I supposed he was right. Once I dropped out, I wouldn’t have to face any of them again. And though I’d likely be the hot topic of gossip for a while, they’d soon forget all about me when the next scandal popped
“Please.” That all sounded so good. I wanted it. I wanted everything. He stood to kick off the rest of his clothes. I watched, my mouth watering as he exposed his dick. He was so big, so hard just for me. Carefully, he moved me how he wanted me, stretching out my legs farther, and then slipped
Asher guided me back into the bedroom. As I stood near the bed, he walked behind me and slowly tugged down the zipper of my dress. His knuckles traced the newly-revealed skin inch by inch, following down the length of my spine. When the zipper had lowered as much as it could go. He spread his hand
I held my breath as Dylan threw the first punch. Asher dodged back and Dylan’s fist flew through the open air. Asher then stepped forward, ready to retaliate. Dylan backpedaled, placing a few feet between them again. In a flash, Dylan moved close again. His speed was lightning-quick. I barely even
“’Might?’” He squeezed me gently. “It will be fine. Trust me.” I did trust him, with my life and more. But… this was my brother. My brother and the love of my life were about to fight a challenge with yet unknown terms that would undoubtedly involve me and my baby. I couldn’t help but be a b
I opened my mouth to begin to explain, but the truth seemed worse than even Dylan’s worst assumptions. No, Asher isn’t the father of my baby. The father is actually a terrible person who is now in prison. But Dylan wasn’t waiting for me to figure out a softer way to explain, and Asher was no hel
On the evening of the Academy’s winter dance, I slipped into my shining purple gown and checked myself out in the bathroom mirror. Gone were the days when I could pass as not pregnant. Now, my bump was a distinctive round bulge, pressing out the front of my gown – which I had bought in the materni
“I… um…” I had no idea how to answer Dylan. Panic set in, sending my heart into overdrive. Should I admit to Asher being beside me? It was getting late at night. Surely Dylan would have follow-up questions. Like, why was Asher in my room after dark. “Oh, shit, I have to go,” Dylan said suddenly.
Asher’s words stole my breath away. For a long moment, I simply stared at him, desire coiling inside of me. He stared back, his blue eyes deep as the ocean. I swallowed thickly. I couldn’t wait to go home with him and see all of his promises in action. Nancy cleared her throat from the doorway.
The real Asher was safely behind the line of fake wolves. He glanced back at me in concern. I understood his worry. Holding this many projections was a strain. But I was done running. I was done standing back. Joseph would lose. And I would help bring him down. In the circle, Joseph started to