Page 15 of Make You Mine

“I don’t know, Trent.” Her lack of conviction has me feeling hopeful.

The door opens, and I hear footsteps in the distance.

Staring at her for another moment, I help prop her foot back up with the ice. "I just want to talk, please. The room will be under my name.”

Micah and Joey enter the room before she can deny me again, Trevor not too far behind. Her piece of shit husband can’t even come check on her. I don’t miss the way Nori stands to attention, his ears back and his eyes zoned in on Joey.

I don’t like that at all. Not one fucking bit.

“It’s looking like apossible sprain. She understands to ice it on and off for the next twenty-four hours. I would give her ibuprofen for the swelling and pain. And it's best for her to stay off it. We can have some crutches sent over tonight,” I say, directing my words toward her brother.

“Does she need an X-ray?” Trevor asks.

“She wants to see how it is tomorrow.”

“Okay, well, have Micah call us if you don’t improve,” Trevor says, and Ashley nods.

“The vancomycin should be finished going in his IV. Let's flush it and check on him before we head out,” Trevor tells me, referring to Vito.

I look back at Ashley one last time before walking out. Literal pain shoots through my body as I make my feet move away from her.

Verifying no one is paying attention, I mouthFridayto her.

Ashley doesn’t acknowledge me. She just stares, almost as if she’s looking through me.

I hate myself for the shell she has become.

Six

This place is a major distraction, and I should have known coming here, especially after seeing Ashley last night, that it would just dredge up old memories. I came to this diner to study, but all I seem to be doing is thinking about her.

Focus, Trent.Clinicals start next week, and I really want to be ahead on my class work. I know I deserve to be there, but the fact Nico and Trevor pulled strings to push my application along has me feeling the pressure to excel.

Slurpppp.The couple in the booth next to me sharing their chocolate milkshake takes me back. Another memory of Ashley surges to the surface.

We were never able to be loved up like that couple out in the open here in New York, but it still rewinds time. Transporting me to Nori Beach four years ago, before my world was flipped upside down.

Before I found out the girl I was falling fast and hard for was promised to another.

“Can we go on the Ferris wheel?” Ashley looks up at me, taking another sip from her side of the milkshake we are sharing.

“You know I can’t say no to you,” I respond with a smirk.

She smiles broadly, and my chest constricts like it always does when I get to see that happy, carefree expression on her face.

“Lottie, Greyson!” Ashley calls over her shoulder. “You guys want to go on the Ferris Wheel with us?”

“Is that even a question?” Lottie smiles, already pulling my big, broody cousin along behind her.

Just like me, he will do anything she asks of him.

“Let’s finish this milkshake before we get on,” Ashley says, biting her lip with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“What are you up to?”

She shrugs, but the little smirk lingers on her lips. “I just want your hands to be free. That’s all.”

“I like how you think.” Anticipation thrums through my body. I can never get enough of her, and knowing she’s going back to New York in the next few days has me even more desperate for every second, every touch, every kiss.

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