Ashley POVThere were two things I quickly realized when the high-pitched sound that was the alarm woke me up. First, after I reached for my phone to drown out the noise, I realized that I had slept about half an hour longer than usual. That meant someone had returned to my room every ten minutes to reset the snooze time, three times. Secondly, I realized that the empty extra bed I'd made yesterday was a mess, the wool blanket thrown over my bed.So, the idiot was back.I'm not sure what I'm feeling. Or well, tired, for one. But when I looked back at Jayden's attitude yesterday... it didn't really sit well with me. Not only because he had been an asshole to me, but also because he could have risked everything by recklessly storming out of the house. He could have revealed where he was staying, and thus also my involvement in hiding him.But then again, either way, I couldn't help but feel sympathetic. Of course, he was mad at his parents. He must have felt, and probably still feels, a
Ashley POVJayden looked taken aback by my words, but he soon gathered himself. He stepped closer to me and started to reach for my shoulder. But remembering the resolution I made the night before, I unintentionally stiffened, which he immediately realized.His hand froze in mid-air. Before I could say anything, maybe make excuses or just blurt out the truth that I was feeling all kinds of emotions as soon as he touched me. Jayden withdrew his hand and walked past me as if nothing had happened. His eyes are expressionless.What have I done now?"Since when did we become so close that you could expect me to actually keep a promise?" he asked stiffly over his shoulder.I felt relief flow through my body. "Since your manager called me in the middle of the night and told me that you got hit in an accident," I said, hoping to break the tense atmosphere. "You silly street puppy."Jayden snorted, but his tone became softer. "Right. And thank you, Ash."I turned around and looked suspiciously
Ashley POVI wasn't stupid enough to believe it right away. He might have, due to amnesia, decided to change the status message to nothing. But luckily, WhatsApp saves any edits to one's profile.Quickly, I checked Jayden's profile history but found no recent changes to the description box. Frowning, I read through his entire history. Besides the occasional semi-serious selfie, most of his gallery consisted of photos of different environments. Streets, cathedrals, landscapes. Actually, he had a keen eye for photography.It's just that there are no post-amnesia edits on any of his status messages. And there was not the slightest sign that he was in a romantic relationship. Not at all.Well, to be fair, I don't really take relationship status on social media as a reference for whether or not a couple is happy - together or not - but still, this felt weird. Jayden didn't seem like the type to brag about romantic things, but Blair Anderson was definitely that type. She definitely wouldn't
Ashley POV"What did you find on your laptop?" I tried to ask.His eyes bore into mine. "I didn't have time to check," he admitted. "I was busy looking through my phone and... doing whatever I was doing earlier." He snorted. "WhatsApp is very... interesting, to say the least.""Oh," I said quickly. "So you must have read all the messages?""No, I couldn't bring myself to."I frowned. "Why not?""It feels bad," he said quietly, his gaze falling to the floor. "Like I'm peeking into someone's private business.""But..." I began."I know," he cut in. "I shouldn't feel bad because it's all my personal business." He suddenly turned his whole body towards me, resting his elbows on the back of the couch and resting his cheek against his knuckles. He held his broken arm in his lap. "But that girl... Blair. I couldn't read anything. I couldn't even click on the chat room."I swallowed, then averted my eyes. I should have gotten used to the sharp pain tearing at my heart by now, but it still hur
Ashley POVMy heart was jumping up and down irregularly. There was hope refreshing my sense of hearing, and I beamed at him. "Really?"Jayden nodded slowly, once. He still looks incredulous, but a glimmer of memory beckons in his big caramel brown eyes. "Yes," he replied."What do you remember?" I asked cautiously. "And how?"All of a sudden I realized that had he remembered anything about my engagement to him, I would have faced a huge new mess that I had no idea how to handle. Before, I hadn't considered the time I spontaneously lied to him about the meaning of the ring, given how it had mercifully kept me out of his love life. But now, I couldn't help but doubt the same decision. I just hoped things would work out between me and him thanks to that, but what if that jerk could only recover from his amnesia by remembering my engagement to him? What a scary thought."1024," he muttered. "Doesn't that sound familiar to you?""It's your cell phone code," I replied hesitantly, not yet un
Ashley POVAt the same time, I stood up and stepped away from him, offering a hand. "Get up," I said, my voice somehow managing to break through without faltering in the slightest. "The floor is dirty."Jayden seemed to hesitate for a moment before he pocketed his phone, took my hand, and stood up. "Like there are dust particles everywhere. How often do you get someone to clean this place?"To my relief, he sounded normal and smiled even though I felt as if there was an open wound in my chest. "Twice a week when it's just me, twice a week if dad's home, and every day if mom's around." I shrugged at his wide eyes. "If anyone important was going to visit, mom would put people here permanently, three days before and after their visit."Jayden whistled, whether that meant he was impressed or just surprised, I couldn't tell. Then he frowned. "But I don't see anyone here. They're not invisible, right?""They only come on Mondays and Fridays," I explained, "right before lunchtime.""Has anyo
Ashley POV"How long have you been awake?" I asked immediately, afraid he'd see me changing."Since you touched me. With your cold fingers, I thought death was coming for me."Judging from his carefree tone of voice, I knew that he meant to joke. But his sentence evoked more than a decade of dormant memories about him, about the many black bruises and the hollow expression of a boy when confronted with questions, and it made me feel uncomfortable. No, it was more than that. I felt sick."If I were Death, I hope you'd be ready to fight me," I said quietly. "With all your strength. And you won't give in, no matter what I try to tempt you with."Jayden furrowed his brows and his caramel brown eyes hardened slightly. "Ashley...""I'm being serious." I clenched my fists and felt his grip on my wrists tighten as my muscles tensed. "I know I promised not to bring it up again, even to you. But I've been carrying too much responsibility lately. So please forgive me for this time."His eyes wat
Ashley POVGiven the rather intimate events of the previous night, I had no idea what would happen the next morning. At the very least, I thought there would be some awkwardness, or avoiding each other's gaze. But Jayden had already made breakfast and was waiting for me by the kitchen counter when I was awakened by the shrill alarm tone and managed to drag my still sleepy body into the kitchen. He looked very calm, his hair wet from his shower, and even threw me a teasing smile when I appeared.Wasn't I just dreaming the whole thing?Albeit, given the emotional turmoil inside me, the pain as well as my faith, I knew that it couldn't be happening. It was too real. And I subconsciously blushed back at his smile, even though I pretended not to."Breakfast is ready and done," he said as he put two bowls of oatmea
Ashley POVJared reached out and shook Samuel’s hand without even blinking. That surprised me, considering Samuel’s old injury, but Jared’s grip was firm and smooth.“Jared Keller,” he said with a hint of a smile. “And I’m sure the best wedding photographer in the city is more than capable of taking a few photos of me and my fiancée.”His voice, usually cold and even, actually sounded warm this time— nothing like the sharp tone he usually used with me. But that didn’t bother me. Not one bit.Because I knew Jared. I knew that when he wanted to, he could charm anyone— regardless of gender. That cool, intimidating aura of his didn’t stop him from flipping a switch and turning into the smoothest guy in the room.And honestly? The fact he was using that tone with someone other than me or Eva? It was kind of a relief.When Jared talked like that, people couldn’t help but feel confident, maybe even proud— like they mattered. Like Jared saw something special in them, even if they barely knew
Ashley POV“And... smile!”The umbrella lights flashed across the room, making my vision blur for a second. I blinked quickly, waiting for the black dots to fade as my eyes adjusted to the pastel walls, the endless fake white and blush roses surrounding me, and the bulky guy standing behind the camera set up in front of me.Raising his hand, he gave the universal “okay” gesture. “Beautiful, beautiful,” he said excitedly. “Now, if you could just tilt your head a little to the side and angle your chin to the right...”Without a word, I followed his instructions, rewarded with a delighted squeal and another blinding flash. “Yes, that’s it! And maybe move your hand like this...” he said, demonstrating with his left hand. I copied him. “Yesss! Perfect! I gotta say,” he went on with a big grin, “you are the most stunning bride I’ve ever seen, Ashley Van Smith. Your fiancé is one lucky guy.”The camera clicked and the lights flashed again.“Thanks, Sam,” I said once my vision started coming
Jayden POV“Jay, are you okay?”“How many times do I have to answer that?” I didn't look up from my phone screen even though I'd probably read the same news article about criminals a thousand times. Somehow, the drive to the restaurant felt like an eternity, or, at least, that's how I felt when I was stuck in the car with nothing to hear but silly questions.I was fine, though.“How many times does it take you to spill the fucking truth,” Hunter asked, his voice coming from dangerously close behind me.I lifted my phone over my shoulder so he could see what I was doing, then snorted. I took the only open passenger seat in the front on the pretense that I was feeling sick because I was so damn starving, but now here I was suddenly wondering if it would be better to sit in the very back seat.But there was Miles already seated, and I didn't like the way he was looking at me as I turned towards him.“Jayden...” Jamie's tone was low, worried.“Get off of my back,” I snapped. “I'm fine, ok
Jayden POV“No,” I stated simply. “She… Everyone thinks we're just family friends.”“Well,” she went on, the glint in her eyes turning cold. Extremely cold, like merciless stones of ice. “As of today, that won't be a lie anymore.”My brows furrowed, I couldn't help but let the fear caused by my anxiety creep up my voice. “What do you mean?” I asked in a tone that hopefully sounded calm.She pulled the engagement ring off her finger and held it out to me. “I'm calling off our engagement,” she said harshly. “I won't - won't marry a cheating bastard like you. You can live happily ever after with someone else, like Blair Anderson.” A mocking sneer spread across her face. “Smile, Jayden - you're finally getting rid of me, may you live happily ever after with your dear girlfriend.” What she said after that sucked the life out of me as if part of my soul had been taken away. “Oh, and before I forget, I, Ashley Van Smith, of the Red Moon Pack, reject Jayden Ronan Keller, of the Crimson Pack,
Jayden POV“What are you doing here, Ashley?”It wasn't my intention to lash out at her, but I was too shocked to find other words, so my tongue moved faster than my brain. She looked flabbergasted at my words, her face turning redder than a ripe tomato as she caught sight of me and my group of friends. Her lips parted and sealed, then parted again, but this time to my astonishment. She was stunned. Angry, too.And hurting more than I'd ever seen her before.“Jayden,” Tyler said hesitantly, breaking the silence down the hallway that had suddenly become eerily quiet. “Isn't she a friend of your family?”“Is it really her?” asked Jax, glancing curiously between me and Ashley while scratching his face.Later on, Jamie stepped in front of me as soon as I snarled at Ashley with both shoulders raised but immediately loosened up at Tyler's words. “Oh yeah, I've seen your face before, on the news.”Hunter snapped his fingers. “That's right!” he said as he realized something. “Whenever you two
Jayden POV23.02 - Fine, I'll go get your stuff. See you in five minutes?23.02 - Perfect! Hey, baby, you're not mad at me, right?Rolling my eyes, I replied with the word “No”. To be frank, I'm not mad at her. I'm just tired of her. Blair was prettier than most, very talented, and kind despite being more of a loner than Jean and overall she was a very nice girl. She is the kind of girl that guys dream about, because of her sweet and lovable nature, her graceful and slender figure. In fact, she was exactly what I wanted when I first laid eyes on her. I used to think I could finally fall in love, and it would be with her because she's almost perfect in every way. I mean, how could a guy not like a woman like Blair?At first, it was fun and exciting. I had never had someone... someone who I knew was definitely interested in me and talked to me for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. She made me break down my walls, to the point where I felt I could trust her. I thought I could
Jayden POV—Flashback a few hours before the accident after the concert in NY in February—“Good job, everyone! That's a wrap for our concert in NY!”Clark escorted the seven of us from backstage to one of the leather couches in the dressing room before darting off somewhere. Some of the other coordinators and managers who had been with us for a few months to a few years came next, all with smiles on their faces. I poured the last contents of my water bottle over my head to cool down as I sat next to Jax. The liquid dripped down my face, neck, and back, soaking the black T-shirt I wore at the end of the concert, and though it felt relatively warm, I was still able to breathe a sigh of relief.“There's a place called the bathroom.” Tyler leaned over to my right and tugged gently on my sleeve. “Man, you're soaked.”“You too,” I retorted as I stared intently at his hair stuck to his forehead.“I'm starving,” whimpered Jean as he fanned himself frantically with someone's magazine. He plop
Ashley POVJayden was checking himself out in the massive mirror, eyes trailing from head to toe. His dyed light brown hair was a mess, and he had just enough makeup on to cover the small scar on his left cheek. Titanium earrings dangled from his ears, and rings wrapped around his fingers. He wore a red bomber jacket over a teal patterned shirt, paired with tight— very tight— black skinny jeans and branded sneakers to complete the look.“Hey,” he greeted, locking eyes with me through the mirror.I pushed a rolling clothing rack filled with expensive-looking shirts and jackets. “No white tees? What’s going on?” I asked.Jayden let out a small laugh. “Sorry to disappoint,” he replied, adjusting his collar. “Anyway, where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”“I was at the mall,” I lied, trying my hardest not to rub my wrist. “I’m actually feeling kinda sick. I don’t know if I can stay for the whole concert.”He immediately turned to me. “You have to,” he said, a hint of
Ashley POVChugging his water bottle, Jayden turned his attention back to his friends. Miles, however, kept sneaking glances at me, his expression unreadable. I gave him a small smile anyway, hoping to reassure him that I was fine.A lie, of course. I was fine. I just had no idea how.“Are you and Miles having a thing or...?”My jaw practically hit the floor, and I gawked at Blair in disbelief. “What?” I blurted, unable to hide my shock. “Of course not!”She tapped a finger against her chin, flashing me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, that was kind of fishy.” She came closer, the scent of her strawberry perfume stinging my nose even more. “Come on, we’re friends. You can tell me.”I was this close to telling her that friendship didn’t work that way. Hell, I wanted to punch her square in the jaw. But I managed to hold back and just shook my head. “No, really,” I said, sneakily shifting away from her. “There’s nothing going on between me and him. Or anyone else in this group, for that matt