Asher, cup in hand, turned from the drink table and saw me. He stilled, eyes widening for just an instant. Then, his gaze fell to where I held Lamar’s hand. Instantly, I released Lamar. Lamar glanced at me, confused, until he spotted what I was looking at. By then, Asher had looked away. He veer
Bullshit. I’d stopped filling my water halfway. Internally, I cursed myself for my distraction and continued pouring. “Is Lamar treating you alright?” Asher asked. “Yeah,” I said, and then hated how unconvincing I sounded, even to my own ears. Lamar was great. Just because things between us
Lamar wasn’t just talking to Joseph, they were both laughing and carrying on, like friends. Joseph placed his hand on Lamar’s shoulder as he emitted a full-bodied laugh. Lamar smirked at him, as if pleased with himself for eliciting such a reaction. The sight made me nervous. I wasn’t sure what to
When Joseph told me he’d been looking for me, I took that as a threat. I hadn’t forgotten about his text to me, You will regret this, nor his anger when I revealed the secret of my pregnancy. Nor have I forgotten any of our other, various and terrible encounters. So I was somewhat startled when
“The only ones who will get hurt are you,” Joseph said, though as close as I was, I could see the trace of fear making his eyes wild. “Get lost.” “You must think yourself a hell of a fighter if you feel good about your odds,” the goalie said. “One against seven. Or is it eight?” He glanced behind
Lamar hadn’t done anything wrong exactly. Saying goodnight and sending me on my way was a perfectly fine way to end an evening. Yet I felt oddly… put out. Dismissed, almost. I had foolishly thought that by suggesting I wanted to go home, we would leave together and get the chance to talk one on
Though he was a good friend, he would never be my soulmate. I had a nice guy now, who liked me and was patient with me. And here I was, letting my wayward heart ruin everything by holding onto someone who would never love me. No, I couldn’t allow that. I had to keep trying with Lamar. I could
By the next morning, I had somewhat lowered my panic. I was still nervous, but I called the hospital and moved up my appointment with Nurse Irene to this afternoon. The only other thing I could do in the meantime was not think of Asher. At all. With all Asher-thoughts banned until further notice
“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