Page 28 of Blood & Ash

Ashley gives me a wave as she and her friends climb back into their party bus.

This is exactly what I wanted for her.

A normal life away from her sister’s shitty influence. And so far, that’s what I’ve given her. She’s got plans to go to community college in the fall. Getting an apartment with her besties. She’s got a shot at a good life.

“Prospect,” I yell once inside. “Make us some drinks and keep’em coming.”

I flop down in the back booth where my old man used to sit. Felicity drops onto my lap. “Hey, baby.” I wrap my fist in her hair, getting a taste of her strawberry gum. “Mm.” She moans into my mouth.

The prospect slides our drinks onto the table.

“What the fuck is that?” I stare at what looks like Mountain Dew over ice.

“Redneck margarita. Mountain Dew and Tequila. It’s all I know how to make.”

“Just bring me a beer, man.”

“It’s fine, honey. We’re not going to be doing much drinking.” She skips her fingers along my cut. “I’ve missed you. Take me upstairs.”

Fuck. She’s catching feelings. Now I’ve gotta scrape her off. Last thing I need is this chick having expectations.

“Later,” I tell her and knock back a heavy swig of my redneck margarita.

“Did you miss me?” her whiny tone grates on my nerves.

“Yeah. Sure,” I lie.

“Doesn’t sound like you missed me.”

“Try this. It’s not terrible.” I hand her one of the drinks and suck down more myself.

Hell, this is strong, but I don’t mind. By the fourth one, I can’t even feel my teeth with my tongue.

Felicity crawls between my legs under the table to blow me. It’s about the only thing I’ll miss about her when she’s gone. Except right now she’s drunk and being sloppy as fuck with her teeth.

My cell vibrates from my pocket, giving me an excuse to get shot of her.

“I gotta take this.”

I tuck back into my jeans and walk out to the beach, leaving her on her knees for someone else.

“What’s up?”

“Prez, man. You’ll never guess who I just saw,” Slasher tells me.

“Who?”

“Shelby.” My blood turns to ice hearing her name and sobers me up some.

“Where?”

“Gas station off third.”

“You have eyes on her?”

“Shit,” he mutters. “She was just here, but now I don’t know.”

“All right, try to find out where she is. I’ll be in touch.” I dial Martina and tell her to be on the lookout. I don’t want that cunt anywhere near Ash. Next, I call Ashley, but the call goes straight to voicemail.

---