Page 29 of Blood & Ash

Probably having fun with her friends. Hell, I don’t know what to even say to her in a text. I don’t want to spook her, but I don’t want Shelby filling her head with a bunch of bullshit either if they cross paths.

Fuck.

Ashley

My phone goes off with a text from an unknown number.

You can’t trust Blood.

What? Who is this?

A friend. Don’t believe me, ask him where your sister really is.

What do you mean? Tell me who this is.

I stare at the messages. What do they mean I can’t trust Blood?

“Everything okay?” Jackson shoots an uneasy smile my way.

We’ve decided tonight is the night we’re finally going to have sex. My stomach does a pitch, and I try to forget about the weird texts. “Never better.” I kiss his cheek and glance around the room at all our friends having the time of their lives. I should be doing the same, but I can’t stop thinking about Blood and my sister.

Every time I bring her up, he gets all tense and changes the subject. I know he’s not Ash’s father. I’ve heard talk about my sister and…well I thought she should have at least tried to reach out or come see her kid. Nothing makes sense.

Nothing.

“You sure you’re okay? You getting nervous about tonight?”

“I’ve gotta go.”

“What?” His face falls.

“I’m sorry. I’ve gotta go talk to Blood.”

“Right now? Why?”

“I’ll be back. I swear. I’ll meet you back in our room. I promise.”

“Don’t bother. It’s like you’re in love with the guy or something. I think it’s weird that you live with him. Is that why you keep putting me off?”

“What? No. Ew. He dated my sister. He looks after me and my nephew.”

“How do I know that you aren’t fucking him? That baby could be yours together for all I know.”

“Really Jackson. You see me every day. When would I have had a secret baby?”

He frowns and I shake my head. “Wow. Okay. This was a mistake.” I never should have taken him back after he cheated on me.

I get outside of the hotel and realize I don’t even have my car.

Blood tried to call me while I was arguing with Jackson.

I dial him back.

“Hey. Is something wrong? I got a really weird text.”

“What did it say?”

“I don’t know. They were talking about Shelby.”

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