Ashley POVSeeing how much clarity Miles gave on the Blair Anderson and Jayden situation, I would have thought that I would have seen it differently. And I do. Just not the way I expected to see myself a month ago when I hadn't yet gotten to know the amnesiac Jayden, and maybe even Jayden around his friends, his bandmates.Maybe even like when he was with Blair.No, I wasn't mad at Jayden. Despite his previous attitude toward me, I felt sorry for him.But I wasn't acting on those feelings.In fact, I couldn't deny the feeling that there was some sort of barrier between the two of us. Ever since that night with his bandmates, when I was shocked by the fact that my presence would become something pointless in Jayden's world, the first few figurative bricks had been laid. And while I remained as stony-faced as he was, I couldn't help but feel him gradually slipping out of my reach.And making his way to his dreams.Almost a week had passed since I met secretly with Miles. Jayden went to
Ashley POV“I mean, it's not every day that someone I know gets married. At least out of all my brothers."“Then why are you waiting?” I asked.He didn't answer for a while. I just sat in the back of the latest model Audi, cussing with my quick tongue, but I had to admit I was also waiting, expecting... something.“Don't worry,” he said finally. “I'll see you later.”“Okay,” I said without guilt, despite knowing we had both crossed the unclear boundaries of our relationship. “See you later.”“Yeah.”He hung up before I did, and I dropped my phone into my lap. I needed to calm my feelings, and I needed to do so before arriving at the airport. Despite feeling tired after a long day of work, my racing heartbeat was pumping adrenaline into my body.Adrenaline, caused by the tension of meeting my new fiancé, and against the backdrop of my father's incident and Jayden's reluctance.Jared Owen Keller. Apart from the age difference, he and I never became very close. Jared had always kept his
Ashley POVHis eyes didn't move a centimeter from mine during that short but significant span of time.“I hope you don't have to wait too long,” I said as I shifted in my seat. The Audi wasn't big, it was sleeker and built for style and luxury, so I was no more than an arm's length away from Jared. “Did you... have dinner?”“Yes.” He turned away from me, directing his attention out the window.I almost let out a sigh of relief. “Ah, well. Do you have a place to stay?”“I've booked a room at a hotel near here. David will drive us there right now,” he added before I could dig up any more information to give David a hint.“We won't get there until ten at night, at least,” I said and, before I could stop myself, I continued, “Though later, if you want to meet Jayden first...”As much as I respected Jayden and recognized that the complicated relationship the two of us had didn't need any more pressure, I felt as if I owed it to his brother to meet him. Besides, Jayden, with his amnesia, pr
Ashley POV"Of course," I replied in an irritated tone. I stepped out of the car, desperate for some fresh air despite the smoke, and slammed the car door behind me. I turned away from the curious look I was getting from David, as well as the familiar look of two hazel eyes.“Good. That's good. How was the report?”I leaned against the car with a frown. “'Report'?” I repeated.“Yes, report.” She sounded annoyed. “Is the connection bad?”"No, I heard you clearly," I replied, still puzzled. “But why are you asking me that?” The crease between my eyes deepened. “Wait, how do you know he's working on something like a report?”“He—” Mom cut off her own words, but I heard her voice, muffled as if she was hanging up the phone or pressing it against a cloth, talking to someone else. It took almost a minute before she returned, her voice now a hundred times softer. It didn't take a genius to figure out who she was talking to.“You made me wake your father,” she said. “He's very restless right
Ashley POVBy the time I got home, with the two bags of food I'd bought in the evening from a famous fast food restaurant, it was already eleven o'clock at night. I was exhausted, even with the little rest my body might have enjoyed while dozing off in the car on the way home from the airport. Hot showers and beds had never been as appealing as they were that night, even with the scent of deep-fried food drifting into my nose and teasing my rumbling stomach. After all, sleep was the only bodily state in which I could forget about all my real life problems.Despite Jared's coming into my picture, Dad had suffered a heart attack. Despite my mom's warnings, I couldn't stop thinking about him and worrying about him. He could have died that very day. A chill ran down my spine at the thought.“Jayden?” I called as I lifted the bags onto the counter, a little surprised that he didn't come to see me. “I got dinner!”Sharpening my ears, I heard the midnight news in the background. The reporter
Ashley POVHe was right. Nearly twenty years together, he had every reason to say that he really knew me. If I tried to deny it, I was the fool, not him.“What I mean is that you can count on me,” he continued, quietly. “If there's anything you need, or you just want someone to talk to about anything, I'm here. Let me help you like you've helped me.”Maybe it was his eyes. Maybe it was his voice. Maybe it was just his presence, just him. Because no matter how hard I tried to push it away, the tightness and heaviness of what happened to my dad had settled inside me. It broke down my will, my determination, and all the boundaries I'd set for myself.Standing there, in the kitchen that had always been a kitchen, I felt ready to stop resisting Jayden. I was ready to let go of all the promises I had made to myself, put aside all previous thoughts, and just be with him.Damn it.Despite wanting nothing, I somehow managed to take my eyes off him. I needed a clear space, a splash of light, fr
Ashley POV“I'm not being a good friend, am I? Don't answer that,” Jayden added hurriedly with a bitter chuckle. He lowered his head in obvious defeat and snorted. “I'm not a good boyfriend, or a good mate, at all.”It hurt like hell, seeing him doubt himself like that. Though he did not show the fear and void he had before, the old fear and emptiness, I recognized the shadow in his voice. At the same time, his words shut down the resentment and anger that flared up inside me.He was not fully healed yet. He still needed me.My legs started to move closer to him, ready to convince him in whatever way, or almost any way..., but halted when he shook his head, his eyes still downcast. I felt my pants pocket vibrate, signaling a midnight text, but I chose to ignore it.“I'm too scared to see her.” His voice was like a whisper, like a candle in the middle of a city full of light. His fingers tightened around the edge of his cell phone. “I just... I just don't want to lose whatever it is th
Ashley POV“It's never going to be what you want,” I said softly. “I have my responsibilities and duties as the heiress of Red Moon Inc. just as you have your responsibilities and duties as, you know, Jayden Keller... the hunky celebrity and the golden man.”I sneaked a glance at him, trying to elicit a smile from him, but his face remained stony. His eyes showed no emotion. In the end, I had to look away again. “I have to put my parents and the company first,” I continued, “while you have to put your band members and your image first. Nothing is more important than that to you and me.”“Being forced into marriage is nothing,” I said candidly. “It's just like a drop in the ocean compared to what my parents have sacrificed and done and still continue to do. It's a star in the entire galaxy compared to how hard my grandfather fought and struggled throughout his life to establish this company. And while it's mostly a marriage of convenience now, it's not a bad deal. At least I know Jared
Ashley POVMonday was chill. I spent the day wandering around the area near my hotel, snapping pictures of the city. Somewhere along the way, I stumbled upon a hobby store packed with all kinds of trinkets and ended up buying some dolls and tiny figurines for Eva before heading back. I also swung by a small shop to grab some snacks.A hot shower melted away my exhaustion, and soon enough, I was lounging on the bed in a ridiculously oversized bathrobe, binge-watching Netflix for hours. I meant to change into my pajamas, but I crashed before I even got the chance.For a moment, I floated in darkness— no real-life drama, no danger, just peace.Then, a buzzing noise across the room yanked me out of my sleep. Still half-asleep, I clumsily rolled out of bed and made my way to the desk where I'd left my phone charging. My eyes fluttered as I tried to shake off the drowsiness. It was bright outside, but I didn’t really stop to think about it.Not until I, still groggy, picked up the call and
Ashley POVIt wasn’t jealousy or some masochistic urge that led me to my newest idea. No, seriously, it wasn’t. Honestly, I just wanted to know more about her, because she was the reason behind everything that happened that night at the stadium back in February. Because I could swear she had planned every single one of those so-called coincidental meetings between me and Jayden, which eventually led to the accident and his amnesia.I mean, I had no solid proof, but judging by the way she acted and spoke… something felt off. My gut just told me so.I didn’t think Blair had planned for Jayden to go on a drunken rampage afterward and get hit by a car— especially judging by how damn annoying she was in the Silvercross Healing Center parking lot— but she sure as hell wasn’t innocent, either. But I also knew she hadn’t known about my engagement to Jayden at the time, which was obvious from Jayden’s own words and what she said to me after he kicked her out of his hospital room.Besides, I st
Ashley POVThe streets weren’t exactly empty, but David had been circling the block for the past half hour, worried about my safety. That’s why he managed to pull up right where he had dropped me off just a few minutes later. Before getting into the car, still a little tipsy, I waved goodbye to the BHB band members— except for Jayden and Jamie, who were still upstairs looking for something they’d left behind.Even though it felt kinda weird leaving without saying goodbye to everyone, maybe it was for the best that I didn’t see Jayden again. At least, not that night.I had to wipe my eyes more than a few times on the way home. Not even the alcohol could numb the sharp ache in my chest.The moment I got back, I collapsed onto my bed and passed out.The next morning, fighting off a pounding headache, I came to the conclusion that my trip to Milan needed to be about more than just Jayden’s concert. I had to make this trip for myself too. And since Eva was too busy to come along and Jared
Ashley POVIf my brain wasn’t so clouded with exhaustion and alcohol, I might’ve reacted properly to what he just said. But right now, I was way more drunk than I wanted to admit. I pushed aside every thought fighting for space in my head, whether real or not, because his body heat and the scent of white musk, soap, and just him made something inside me shiver with longing. I didn’t trust myself in this state. I didn’t trust myself when my lips were this close to his neck, where his scent was strongest.So instead, I focused on one thing— holding on."Ash, I have a question."He had already reached the second floor, adjusting his grip on me. I glanced at him, curious, urging him to continue. "Shoot.""I was wondering if you’d come to our show at the end of May," he said quietly as he stepped onto the last staircase. "I know it’s around finals, but..." I felt him swallow hard. "I want you to be there. To see us, to see me... perform."I pretended to think about it for a second, but hon
Ashley POVAll the attention from seven pairs of expectant eyes suddenly weighs me down. I rub my palms together, trying to shake off those stares, and then it hits me.I give Jayden a simple smile and bump my head against his. "Something embarrassing from your childhood, Jayden."He narrows his eyes, snorting. "That’s like a double-edged sword you’re playing with, Ash."I shrug. "I’m not the type who can’t tell the difference between fairies and dwarves in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.""Seriously?" Jax asks."Plenty more," I reply."Ash," Jayden says, his tone carrying a warning, yet there's a hint of embarrassment and worry in his caramel-brown eyes."If we drink, we’ll figure it out," Jean says flatly, not at all impressed by my suggestion. "That’s a bad bet, Miles. Don’t even think about it.""Not at all," I replied coolly. "I can handle my drink better than anyone at this table, I promise. So you’re not gonna get something from me that I don’t wanna share.""Sounds almost like
Ashley POV“Hey,” I said as I sat down beside Miles— the seat that had indirectly become my choice simply because it was the closest to where I had been standing near the door. Besides, I felt like I knew him better than anyone else here— except for Jayden, of course.Jayden had just taken a seat across from me when an argument broke out between him and Jean over what to order and how much. Miles set his half-empty drink down on the table and was forced to lean in closer to me just to be heard over their rapidly escalating banter— or rather, a full-blown dispute.“Did something happen on the way here?” he asked.“Just the usual traffic,” I said with a grimace. “For some reason, today felt unbearably long.”“We started without you two.”“Yeah, Jayden already told me. It’s fine.” I rubbed my arm. It wasn’t surprising that Miles smelled faintly of beer and food, but that scent was only temporary, merely clinging to him. This close, I could pick up a mix of coconut, aftershave, and the fr
Ashley POVIn the end, they won the award. I found out about it as I was stealing glances at Eva, who was watching the live broadcast in one of my classes, and almost cried when the winner was announced. She was so overjoyed that even when Jayden called during lunch to update me with the situation there, she was even bold enough to congratulate him, albeit timidly, which amused me. Since he was in a hurry, he hung up as soon as he told me about their victory... Needless to say, I had to mention it though, and as much as it left a bitter taste in my mouth, my mood turned to joy as I recalled Friday.The rest of the week passed by in a blur and before I knew it, it was time for me to meet the band members of Boyz Hits Bullet on May 26th.Four days left until the show began.Four more days until everything I had been putting in would come to fruition.Four more days until my place in Jayden Keller's life would be wiped out.It was between half past seven and eight in the evening, with tr
Ashley POVAfter hearing the sound of the front door key, I nearly snapped the pen in my mouth out of sheer frustration. But I didn’t. Instead, I put the pen down and took a long, deep breath. Pushing the pain in my heart out of my mind— something that felt both easier and harder to do each time.Easier, because I knew I could suppress the pain with sheer willpower, and willpower was something I rarely lacked. Harder, because a part of me, the part buried deep within my wolf, actually wanted the suffering to stay. It was masochistic, purely so, but the act of stitching my shattered heart back together was starting to feel comforting, even satisfying.Anything to fill the void Jayden left when he returned to the apartment he shared with his friends.Days turned into weeks. News about Jayden and Blair’s relationship swept through the entire city and the international world— Hollywood. The night their Instagram post went viral like wildfire. Before long, fans of both pop stars gathered u
Ashley POVFor a while, it was eerily quiet. The weather had changed, from cloudy to sunny, and a gentle breeze caressed my cheeks. As I sat there, I couldn't believe that I had told Eva everything. Nevertheless, an overwhelming sense of relief filled my chest as I reflected on my decision. For two and a half months, I had kept my thoughts and actions to myself with no one to talk to... and now, finally, I had her to share them with.I couldn't help but wonder, would I feel relieved by making a decision with Jayden after everything was over?Out of the blue, Eva got up from the bench, rubbing her back simultaneously. “Get up,” she demanded. “Why don't we grab some lunch?”“We should probably call the professors first and tell them about why we skipped class,” I replied as I looked at the campus building, guilt weighing on my shoulders.“Fine, do that while walking. I'm starving.”As I made the call, she took me to a cheap Chinese restaurant near the university. The restaurant was too