Page 65 of Asher

“We were actually just going to go to the teacher’s lounge to eat.” Stella stood up on tall heels. Her hip cocked to the side; arms crossed. I wondered if she knew most teachers didn’t wear heels like that because they were on their feet all day. “Sorry. No one but staff allowed.” She smiled sweetly though it was in complete contrast to the venom in her voice.Is she going to start hissing at me?

“Stella, I don’t think I ever formally introduced you,” Asher said and moved to my side, holding me close. “This is my girlfriend, Haley. Haley this is Carrie’s cousin, Stella.” My heart warmed at the softness in his tone when he used the word girlfriend. He’d never introduced me to anyone before and I wanted to melt like a sappy girl.

God, Gray was right. I was getting more emotional.

Stepping forward, I held my hand out to Stella. She stared at my hand for a second, nose turned up in distaste, before she turned to Asher effectively dismissing me. “Are you ready to go to lunch?” She asked and I dropped my hand.

“I guess I’ll just go,” I said slowly, looking toward Asher who stared at Stella with a furrowed brow. Shaking his head, he glanced down at me and smiled.

“Thank you for lunch, baby.” His mouth pressed to mine in a sweet, lingering kiss.

My hand landed on his chest, smoothing down his button up shirt. “I’ll see you tonight?”

He squeezed my hip. “Yeah. You’re picking up Nix before you head to the field, right?”

I nodded. “I’ve got her. We’re going to meet your parents and Rylie at the game.”

“Thank you.”

“Always.” I drummed my fingers against his chest before dropping it to grab the bag of food off the desk I’d sat them on and passed it to Asher. “By the way there’s enough for two in the bag. I got you Mongolian Beef. I hope you enjoy orange chicken, Stella.”

I walked out of the room without looking back, pulling my phone from my small black bag as I walked across the parking lot. Clicking on my messages, I sent a group text to Rylie and Stephanie.

Haley

Update: Stella is still a bimbo.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ASHER

My fingers curledaround my clipboard a little tighter as I waited for Haley and Nix to get to the field. She was supposed to meet Rylie and my parents but for some reason I felt more anxious than normal.

I don’t know if it was because Haley was coming to a game as my girl or if it was because of the shit that had happened earlier in the day.Fucking Stella.I didn’t know what her problem was today. She was usually the sweetest girl. Almost insanely nice, but recently she’d been putting off a different vibe. The way she blew off Haley like she was insignificant didn’t sit well with me.

My cheek twitched, thinking about Hales bringing me lunch from my favorite Chinese place. I knew how much she hated chinese and I knew damn well she brought lunch to eat with me.

Not to give to another girl.

However, Haley didn’t so much as blink an eye when Stella rudely ruined her plans. She smiled and moved on, because she was fucking amazing. I needed to see her soon. I hadn’t been able to text her the rest of the day, because I’d been busy prepping for the game.

The spring game had always been a big deal in Sweet Springs. Mainly because we got to see the Junior players really step up and lead the team against one of our rivals.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Haley

I’m lucky coaches weren’t this sexy when I was in school or else I would’ve been in deep shit.

I smirked as I read the text, my gaze darting up to search for her. She stood on the sidelines biting her lip and holding Nix’s hand. My phone vibrated once again as she sent me another text.

Haley

Your khakis are hot.

I laughed out loud and shook my head before making my way to the cable separating the field from the crowd. “Hey, baby,” I whispered to Haley before looking down at my daughter.

“Give me a good luck hug?” I squatted down so that she could wrap her little arms around my shoulders. It was something she did before every game my parents or Mason took her to. Nix squeezed my neck tight before hitting the bill of my baseball cap, skewing it from my head.

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