Page 44 of Poison's Promise

As Sydney gets to the doors of the bus, I pull my phone from my pocket. The screen lights up with a new message from Lila.

“Well, look who decided to pop up,” I mutter to myself, tapping the notification to open the text.

“Hey, Polly! Long time no chat. Gonna be in Montana for work in a few weeks. Wanna catch up?” The familiar tone of Lila’s message brings a small smile to my face.

Despite the way my life has been lately, some things never change.

“Definitely! Let me know when you’re here,” I type back quickly, hitting send before tucking my phone away. It feels good to have something else to look forward to, something normal.

I take another sip of my whiskey, savoring the burn as it slides down my throat.

The night air is cool, a stark contrast to the warmth radiating from the tour bus behind me.

The distant hum of engines and muffled laughter from inside create a comforting backdrop.

I finish my whiskey and set the empty glass on the edge of the bus’s steps.

The night wraps around me like a comfortable blanket, but inside, a storm is brewing.

Thoughts of Asher tug at my mind, refusing to let go.

“Here we go again,” I mutter under my breath, running a hand through my silver blonde hair.

When did my life get so complicated?

Just a few weeks ago, it was simple.

Now, every thought of him comes with a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, longing, confusion—it’s all there, simmering just beneath the surface.

“Why do you have to be such a mess, Polly?” I ask myself, shaking my head.

Asher and I have always been like fire and gasoline.

Explosive when together, destructive when apart.

And now, with him back in my life, the flames are reigniting.

But this time, I’m scared. Scared of getting burned again.

“Why didn’t he tell me about his daughter?” I say aloud, frustration lacing my voice. “What else is he keeping from me?”

The questions swirl in my mind, each one heavier than the last.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

“Get it together, girl,” I whisper, leaning against the cool metal of the bus. “You’re stronger than this.”

But even as I say the words, doubt creeps in.

My feelings for Asher are intense, overwhelming.

He’s the kind of guy who gets under your skin, stays there.

No matter how hard you try to shake him off, he’s always there, lurking in the background.

“Dammit, Asher,” I say, kicking a small pebble away. “Why can’t things ever be easy with you?”

I pull out my phone again, scrolling through old messages between us.

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