Page 100 of Destroying Everleigh

Kash took the seat on the far-right side of the couch, which would put me in between the two of them, and I knew it was planned—just like last time. Anything to make me uncomfortable. But I was too numb to care all that much this time. I sank into the spot between them and snatched Ashton’s beer from his hands just as he brought it to his lips. He glared at me as I took a long swig from it, the bitter liquid seeping onto my tongue. Beer wasn’t my beverage of choice, but beggars couldn’t be choosers, and right now, it was hitting the spot.

I just wanted to feel okay again—to have a safe place I could run off to when the pressures of the world got to be too much. I took another drink, chugging it this time. The substance burned my chest, but I kept going.

“Sure,” Ashton said dryly. “Help yourself.”

Kash snickered, draping an arm around my shoulders. “It’s been a long couple of weeks. I think we can all just chill for the day.” Yeah…a long couple of weeks pissing me the hell off. He directed a pointed look at Ashton, one I couldn’t even begin to decipher.

“Whatever,” he mumbled. “I’m grabbing another beer.” He pushed himself to his feet before looking at me again. “Want one,princess?” he mocked.

“I won’t say no.”

He scoffed. “You never do.” I was about to chew him out for that comment, but he was already turning on his heels and heading for the kitchen.

Asshole.

Amber was giggling at something Jameson whispered to her, his arms wound tight around right beneath her large breasts. It shouldn’t have made me feel insecure, but it did. She was stunning, curvier, and toned. Knowing Amber, they’ve probably already had sex. Part of me wanted to tell her what happened between us, that way she wasn’t blindsided by it and wouldn’t blame me. But the other part of me didn’t want to ruin it for her. She genuinely seemed interested in him.

Kash tugged me closer to him, the warmth of his body radiating through the air where our sides now connected. He was equally as attractive as his friends, and he was single. But he was also hellbent on destroying my life, just as much as they were.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, glancing over at him. My tone was calm, but my heart was racing from the intimate position.

He just smirked at me, a devilish gleam in his blue eyes. He subtly inclined his head toward Amber and Jameson. His newgirlfriendshifted in his lap uncomfortably while he just glared at us.

“You’re hurting me,” she said.

He snapped out of whatever trance he’d just been in and loosened his hold on her.

Ashton strolled back into the room with two beers, his footsteps pausing for a moment as he took in my new seating position. He handed me one and sat down right on my other side, much closer than he’d been before. I was trapped between the two of them, my heart threatening to combust.

Kash snorted in amusement, but didn’t comment on it. I twisted the cap off and took an eager drink, relishing the way it went down much smoother than the last.

“Are you okay?” Kash asked suddenly.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I didn’t know what to think of the question, or the fact that it had been directed at me in general. Was this another part of their games? Be nice to me and get me to let my guard down?

“What?” I frowned.

“You got punched,” he replied, as if I needed the reminder. “Are you okay?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “It doesn’t really hurt anymore.” That was the truth. It throbbed for a little while after he landed the blow, but truth be told, he couldn’t really throw a punch. If he had managed to hit Ashton, it wouldn’t have done anything to him but piss him off.

I took another swig of my beer, chugging it like I’d done with the last one. The alcohol was starting to warm my insides andcalm me, maybe that’s why it no longer hurt. Relaxation washed over me, and I settled back into the cushions, silently enjoying the heat coming from each guy on either side of me. Not that I’d ever admit that aloud.

This felt familiar—comfortable even. My eyes fluttered closed, Kash’s arm soft and warm beneath my neck. I wasn’t that tired, but I didn’t want to watch Jameson flirt with my best friend right in front of me. It hurt more than I cared to admit.

“Jameson,” Amber shrieked with a laugh. “Stop.”

I grimaced and peeled my eyes open against my better judgment. His hand was between her bare thighs, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out what he was trying to do. Bile burned the back of my throat, anger flaring deep inside of me. I felt like a fucking fool for ever trusting him. Jameson was smirking, his eyes darting over to me.

“Fucking Christ,” Ash murmured under his breath, like it was something he didn’t want to be witnessing either. Not that he was any better. He had my sister suck his dick in my mother’s bed.

Ashton shifted on the couch, burying his nose in the crook of my neck. My breath hitched in surprise as his warm breath fanned over the sensitive skin there and I shifted nervously between them. He’s been acting weird the last couple of days, and I didn’t know what to think of it. I knew he still hated me, but there was more to it now. Like…sexual attraction mixed in with it. His lips brushed against my neck, causing me to tremble, but it was a nice distraction.

“What are you doing?” I hissed.

He didn’t answer me. Instead, he trailed his mouth up the side of my neck until he reached my jaw, and then my lips. Goosebumps erupted along my skin, but I kissed him back. Probably because of the alcohol flowing through my veins, or maybe because I knew Jameson was watching.

Kash shifted on the other side of me and then pulled me against him so that my back was toward his chest. His hands snaked through my hair as Ashton situated himself again to reach me easier, his tongue diving into my mouth.

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