Page 209 of Ashley & the A-Listers

Still bonded Cam. Still left River out.

“It was insensitive. I’m sorry,” she said again. “I just can’t say that enough.”

“How’s Cameron?” River asked, because he couldn’t let her leave without asking.

“He’s… focusing on his lines. Distracting himself. He’s still coming to terms with how he hurt you, what he could’ve done differently. I think we all are,” she said.

“Dylan?” River asked, because he missed them. All of them.

“Dylan’s been… reading a lot of second chance romances,” Ashley said, and River chuckled. “I think he’s missing something. And I know Cameron is, too.”

“And you?” River finally questioned.

Ashley met his gaze, lips tugging down into a sad smile. “I miss you.”

River fidgeted, uncomfortable with this display of emotion even though it’s what he …wanted. A small part of him still hoped this wouldn’t be the end of them—that somehow they could get past all of it, come out on the other side better for it, together. But not without recognizing what went wrong.

“I won’t be a secret again,” River said.

“You shouldn’t have been in the first place,” Ashley said. “But I shouldn’t be the one to say that.”

“So is he ready? To talk?”

Why isn’t he here, then?

“I think he’s scared to face how much he messed up. But I know he has things to say. Things to apologize for.”

“Well. Tell him I'm waiting.” River shook his head. “Notwaiting,like for him to forgive me or something, just?—

“Available for a chat,” Ashley suggested.

River sighed, nodding.

Silence settled between them, and River fought the urge to lean forward, but her scent was so lovely, and he’d missed it, missed her.

They stepped closer before either could stop, and her arms wrapped around him and he hugged her back, and it felt right. She squeezed him, and he cupped the back of her neck, the undercut tickling his palm. He’d missed this. Her. All of them.

“You still want your perfect pack?” he asked.

Ashley cleared her throat and stepped back. “It’s not complete without you.”

Her words made River feel lighter for the first time in a while.

Now if only Cameron would realize the same thing.

49. ACTION

CAMERON

Axel stood in front of Roderick Gaven. Bloodied, hurt, at his limit.

The mansion was in shambles, windows broken, glass shattered, chairs scattered and furniture flipped and bullet casings littering the ground.

The car Axel had driven through the front door still steamed.

Roderick was on his knees before Axel, blood streaming down his face, hands held out before him, pleading.

They’d just fought a battle. Axel had won. Cale was several feet away, passed out on the floor, and he hadn’t been able to check on him yet.

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