Page 99 of Myself

“What’s the point?” she asks, pulling away from me.

“The point is that this is not who you are,” I say, raising my voice. She narrows her eyes at me. “Jesus, Ashlyn. You are not this woman who lets a man treat her this way. Make him listen. Make him see that he is being an ass. That he has been wrong for long enough.” My voice gets louder as I speak. “Quit being this woman who lets a man make her feel small and doubt herself. You did nothing wrong, and he needs to see that.”

She lets out a long breath and looks from me to Jaycent, who has reappeared in the kitchen. “You’re right,” she growls, and I smile.

“Yes, I am,” I say with a curt nod.

She smooths her skirt down and then pushes hair from her face. “I am not that kind of woman. And I’m tired of letting him make me feel that way.” Without another word, she spins around and storms out the door like she entered.

“You just started a war. You know that?”

I turn around to see Jaycent now standing in the hallway. He has this look on his face that I can’t place.

I nod. “He deserves it.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “I hope you are prepared for what is to come next.”

I fist my hands down by my side. “Why should he get to treat her like shit?” I snap.

He holds his hands up, still wearing that look on his face. “I’m not saying I agree with how he is acting, but—”

“I know what that feels like,” I interrupt him. “Conner made me feel like that all the time, and she tried to get me to see that, but I never listened. I guess I just got used to feeling that way, but seeing it ...” I shake my head. “I wasn’t going to watch her feel that way anymore.”

**

I’m in the bathroom getting ready so I can meet Jaycent for lunch when my phone rings. I see it’s the front desk. “Hello?” I answer.

“Hello, Ms. O’Kane. I have a delivery for you from a Mr. O’Kane.”

I smile. So whatever Ashlyn did worked? “Send it on up. Thank you.”

I make my way to the front door and open it up just as the delivery guy steps off the elevator. He’s carrying a bouquet of a dozen red roses. “Thank you,” I tell the man and then place them on the kitchen counter.

Sorry I was such an ass. I love you, B.

Love, Ry.

I smile and take a picture of them before sending it to Ashlyn. I haven’t spoken to her since she stormed out of our apartment this morning. I was busy with my dad for the most of it, and then I came straight home to change to meet Jaycent.

Me: Whatever you said, did the trick. What do your flowers look like?

I know he sent them to her as well. It shows read instantly, and then I have a new message. It’s an image of a black wire trashcan. Water runs out the bottom of it onto the tile floor. I frown when I see her white roses upside down in the trashcan as well. Along with the message.

Ashlyn: In the trash.

Me: You threw them away?

Ashlyn: Yes! But Thomas took the vase. He said it was crystal or some shit like that.

I laugh but type back. Why did you do that?

Ashlyn: Because flowers don't make things better.

I set my phone down and almost smile. This is the Ashlyn I know. The stubborn and strong woman who can’t be bought. But this also creates a new problem. Ryder is gonna have to kiss her ass more than he knows how. And he doesn’t have any practice at this.

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JAYCENT

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