Page 33 of Descent

“Good,” he says, his eyes staying on mine in the rear-view mirror for half a beat.

There is a heaviness in the car, something I can’t quite name. Before I have a chance to overthink it though, we’re at Gallows Hill, and he’s putting the car in park. He gets out quickly, opening my door as I dip my head in thanks.

“Have a great day,” he says with a tight, yet friendly, smile.

“You too,” I say with a small smile, before heading through the courtyard.

I meet up with Liam and Maggie in class, noticing that Andrew isn’t here today. That’s kind of odd. He’s usually always here; the guy must have perfect attendance or something.

I have a few tests that I, unfortunately, am not very prepared for. Dating three men has severely cut into my study time. Ask me if I regret how I spend my time, though.

At lunch, everyone keeps a wide berth, and I didn’t even see a dirty look come from Bridgette or her friends. They keep their eyes on their plates and far away from Maggie, me and Liam.

I haven’t seen Asher today. I’m honestly wondering if he even came to school today when a commotion sounds from outside. A massive group of people begin filing out of the dining hall and into the courtyard. Liam and I trade curious looks when we overhear someone say, “Oh shit, it’s Asher Putnam.”

Our eyes widen at the same time before we are up and out of our seats, rushing outside to see what’s going on. I didn’t know what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t this.

Asher is beating the shit out of a guy who is a few inches shorter than him and at least forty pounds lighter. A broken bottle of scotch is at Asher’s feet, and it only takes me two seconds and one stumble of his to piece this together.

He’s drunk off his ass.

When Asher winds back to swing on the guy he misses, stumbling a few more feet before he rights himself, delivering a swift kick to the guy’s bent over face. I jerk like the hit landed on me, as teeth go flying across the courtyard, making soft little sounds as they scatter.

“Gonna threaten mys wife!” Asher slurs, his voice amazingly loud for how sloppy it is. “Fucking kills youz!”

One more hit to the jaw and the guy falls to the ground in a heap, a drunken Asher spinning around to face the audience he has suddenly gained.

“Whose next?” he snarls, his balance only wavering slightly. “No one believes me when I say things. When I says that I’llz fucking kill anyone who threatens my wifes, they’ll fucking dies!”

Vincent seems to appear out of thin air, taking a spot right beside me as Liam looks to him. Liam pushes me into Vincent, like he’s passing me off, before he forces his way through the crowd.

Asher bends down, grabbing the broken scotch bottle. He lifts it up to stab the guy on the ground when Liam’s hand catches his wrist, whispering something into his ear. It takes a moment, but Asher’s drunken eyes land on mine, his brows furrowing before he drops the bottle.

The intact glass shatters at his feet, but he doesn’t seem to care; instead, his eyes stay on mine, like he’s waiting for me. Maybe it’s stupid, no it’s definitely stupid, but I walk towards him.

He doesn’t deserve my sympathy, my kindness, and he sure as hell doesn’t deserve my forgiveness. For some reason though, I find myself beside him cupping his bloodied cheek softly.

I’m unable to tell if it’s Asher’s blood or not, either way, it doesn’t really matter.

“Let’s go, Ash. Please,” I ask softly.

He squeezes his eyes tight, murmuring to himself as he nods.

“Fucksing love it when youz call me that.”

“Come on,” I say gently, trying to pull him with me.

It doesn’t take much to get him to follow. Whether that’s due to his completely intoxicated state or his willingness to comply with me, I’m not sure. My hand moves from his face to his hand, squeezing it tightly as his hazy brown eyes come to mine. I give him a reassuring smile as I tug on his arm, his feet stumbling after me as I pull him away.

Liam is to his left, watching him closely and prepared to catch him if needed. It takes a little while, but we finally make our way through the crowd and down the courtyard. I give Liam a concerned glance, like I don’t know where to go, before he nods to the pool hall.

Once again, Vincent comes out of nowhere. I didn’t even know he was following us before he opens the door.

“Thanks,” I say to him softly.

He nods at Liam, and I help Asher inside. As luck would have it, we run straight into Ronan, who immediately scans us with concern when he takes a look at his nephew.

“What happened? What’s going on?”

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