Page 163 of The Influencer

“But?”

“But I need tonight to be perfect. Asher should be focused on Adam. Not…you.”

My mouth has gone completely dry. “What the fuck do you think I’m gonna do?”

“I don’t know, Jade. Twerk? Grab the mic and sing Whitney Houston? Make out with people you shouldn’t.”

I suck in a breath and get up from the bed. Boy talk is over. “I’m not welcome at your party. Got it. Is that what you came here to say?”

“In a nutshell,” he says, unfolding his long limbs and standing also. He looks at me with pure pity.

I don’t think I’ve ever hated him this much.

“It’s not that I think you’re a bad person. You’re an incredible dancer, and a fucking delight, really. But Adam thinks Asher?—”

“Adam sent you?”

Gideon bites down on his cheek, jaw clenching. “Yes.”

I honestly don’t know if that makes the situation better or infinitely worse.

“He said he’s never seen Asher like that,” Gideon says softly. “He’s really worried.”

Well, he can stand in line. Preferably at the back. I don’t fucking get this. I’m so upset, I don’t even know what to do with my hands. One of them winds up gripping the back of my hair and the other twists and untwists the phoenix charm I bought myself when I first moved to LA. “Fine,” I say, mainly to get rid of Gideon. “I won’t come. Happy?”

He sighs, a look of more genuine concern on his face. “No, I’m not happy. I can tell I upset you. I’m sorry, mate.”

“I’m not your fucking mate, dude,” I mumble.

“All right, well, I’ll go. If you need anything?—”

“I won’t.”

“Later, then, Jade.”

He leaves, and I walk to my window, staring out over the Hollywood Hills, positive there’s gotta be some misunderstanding.

Where’s my damn phone?

I find it on the kitchen counter and don’t even bother with a text. I put a call through to Asher directly.

He doesn’t pick up. So, I try again. On the fourth ring, just as I’m positive it’s about to click into voicemail again, he answers, his voice sounding like he just gargled gravel. “Hey. Sorry I missed you the first time.”

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“I mean—I’ve woken up feeling better in my life, but yeah. Are you okay?”

“No!” I moan turning in a circle and wondering what the fuck is going on. “Are you coming back?” He took his suit with him last night when he left, and he has no reason to come over before the party, but maybe he forgot something? Maybe I could invent something he forgot?

“I’m about to get dressed and head out to the marina.”

“Do you know Adam uninvited me?” I blurt, my eyes welling with tears again.

“He what?”

“Gideon was just here…” I sob, holding the phone away from my face so Asher doesn’t get the full force of it. “He said—I can’t come.”

“Jade…” Asher says softly. “Of course you can come.”

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