Chapter 3: Hailie

I led Ash and Ethan down the stairs to the guests downstairs who wished to pay their respects.

Ash is doing better than I was expecting. On the other hand, I am trying to keep it together; I always saw Mr Woods as a father figure. He was at the hospital when I was born, he was there when my mother passed away, graduation; I owe this family my life.

I stayed to the side, watching Ashton mingling with the guests. His dark hair slicked back, allowing his dark green eyes to shine brightly, though I’ve seen his eyes like this before; his eyes, though brightly they shine, are not a shine of happiness or even comfort, but a shine of sorrow. The last time I had seen him like this it was when my mother died. He had held me the entire time when all I could do was cry.

After everyone had left, I began cleaning the living area of the grand house. Ash came in, looking around, “Do you need something, Mr Woods?” I asked; he looked like he was thinking, more so than usual. He shook his head as he sat down, running a hand through his hair, making it into disarray. I couldn’t help the slight nibble of my lip as I walked towards him warily.

I could smell the Bourbon on him, the pungent smell filling my senses.

Walking towards the kitchen, I grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and handed it to him when I returned. “Drink,” I told him. He shakes his hand at the glass, and I place a hand on my hip, “It wasn’t a request, Ash.” I say, using his name. I never use his name.

With a defeated look in his drunken eyes, he takes the glass, drinks the water, and hands me the empty cup. I set it on the table and sat beside him, placing a kind hand on his.

For years, since I was a child, I have had a crush on this man. But I don’t think he ever noticed. He’s four years older than me, and though we grew up together, I never thought of him as my brother by association; I thought of him as my best friend. And right now, he needs a friend. “I can’t believe he’s gone.” I hear him mutter. I manage a faint smile,

“He may not be with us, but he’s not gone.” I say, “He still lives in our hearts.” I brush my hand over the stubble on his jaw as he faces me, “As long as we breathe and his memory stays with us, then Franklin Woods will never be gone.” We stare at each other momentarily; Ash moves in closer, our lips inches away from connecting. I lick my lips as my heart rate increases rapidly.

Before I could speak to stop the action, Ashton’s lips were on mine in a soft kiss. But when he pulled away, he stared at me curiously, which caused me to bite my lip. With a possessive growl, he pulls me into his lap and smashes his lips to mine, devouring me in his kiss, his touch. I’ve dreamed of something like this for years, but Ash was never drunk in those dreams. He had control of himself.

This is not that.

I pushed myself away from him and onto my feet, “We can’t do this, Ash.” I say, my breath panting. Ashton takes my hand in his,

“Why not?” He asks, “We’re both adults.” I sigh and shake my head, not wanting to admit that I genuinely want him.

“You’re drunk, Ashton.” I told him as he sat back in his seat, “I don’t want to give up my virginity to someone too drunk to fully understand what he’s doing, and I will wake up the next morning and regret it.” I went to the doorframe, about to head to the guest house. “I don’t want you to toy with my emotions, Ash. I don’t deserve to be a one-night stand, and you are too great a man to seek that type of comfort.” And with that, I left him, still sitting on the couch, and went to my tiny home and went to bed.

It’s been a long day.