Page 38 of Destroying Everleigh

As if my thoughts had somehow wrapped their claws around Everleigh, her back stiffened and she turned. Her light brown eyes connected with mine before they darted over to Jameson who had been glaring daggers in her direction since we entered the room.

My mask was snapped in place, locked. She wouldn’t get a read on me unless I allowed her to. I could make her think whatever it was I wanted, and anything I allowed to slip wouldn’t be real. An illusion if you will. One so powerful that it could drive a person mad.

Ashton wanted to be the first to sink his claws into her. Just like before when she inevitably became his. But she was fair game, now. I wouldn’t fuck her because I wasn’t the type to screw my friend’s exes. But he couldn’t control anything beyond that.

He’d just have to learn that the hard way.

After my final class for the day, I made my way back to my dorm only to find Ash leaning against the wall next to my door. His arms were folded over his chest, his muscles straining against the thin material of his black shirt.

He glanced behind me, as if he were expecting someone else to be coming to my room with me. “Where’s James?” he asked, pushing off the wall.

I shrugged. “Fuck if I know. I’m not his keeper.”

He nodded before turning and swinging my bedroom door open. Annoyance flickered through my veins at the invasion of privacy. It had been something I’d grown accustomed to over the years, and now it was being exploited.

Sighing, I trailed after him, closing the door behind me and dropping my bag on the floor beside the wall. I hadn’t finished unpacking, boxes taking up the majority of the room. I hadn’t really had the chance, but was glad for it since we’d be moving into the frat house we talked about.

Ashton sat on the edge of my bed, extending his legs out in front of him. He tugged his phone out of the pocket of his jeans and swiped across it a few times before returning it. When he looked up at me again, determination was etched into his features. “I have a plan,” he began. “But I don’t want to discuss it without Jameson.”

I nodded. “So, call him.”

“I texted him.” He rolled his eyes. “What the fuck do you think I was just doing on my phone?”

Since Everleigh’s betrayal, he’d become a shell of the person he used to be. He was angrier, unforgiving, and ruthless now. It was just one of the many reasons we needed to make her pay. She literally ruined him. He was nothing like he used to be. Occasionally, he’d give us a sliver of the old version of him—the one we’d loved so unconditionally, but it was rare.

It didn’t take long for Jameson to reach my room since he was located only a few doors down. He closed the door behind him, the crowded space making me feel claustrophobic. My throat was tight because of it, fighting for oxygen that felt thin and nearly nonexistent.

Jameson took the spot next to Ash on my bed, leaving me to stand, but I was fine with that. There was more room over here.

Ash cleared his throat, a small, rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “How do you guys feel about sharing a girl?”

It felt like I’d been punched, the air wheezing out of me. The last time he’d even uttered those words was when he’d been referring to Everleigh. Jamie must have sensed that, too because his posture had snapped straight, completely filled with tension.

“Like fucking?” Jameson asked skeptically.

Ash shrugged. “Or dating.”

Jameson’s eyes snapped to mine, his chest rising and falling with aggression. “I haven’t dated anyone…like ever,” he pointed out.

“Only because you were obsessed with Everleigh,” he shot back and then snorted in amusement at Jameson’s incredulous expression. “Don’t look at me like that. I’d have to be blind to not have noticed it.”

What he was suggesting logically made sense. If Everleigh still cared about them, or even me, then that would probably be a start in hurting her. Not enough to destroy her, but a start. “I’m in.” I shrugged. “As long as she’s hot.” It didn’t have to beserious. This was purely for a greater purpose. Outside of this, I had no interest in putting myself out there, right now. I haven’t found a girl worth the effort, yet. Not since Crystal, and she definitely hadn’t been worth it.

Jameson swallowed; his eyes distant as he nodded. “Sure,” he agreed. “But who?”

Ashton’s grin widened into a maniacal smile that had chills racing down my spine. “I’ll let you know once I secure it. In the meantime, get your dick wet while you can. God knows, that’s what I’ll be doing.”

I snorted. “Why? Is she a virgin?”

“Fuck if I know,” he retorted.

“Is this someone we have to be loyal to?” Jameson added with a contemplative look.

Ashton thought about that for a moment. “Nah. Just don’t ruin it too fast. We need her long enough to make it hurt.”

My mind went right to Amber. She was friends with Everleigh and was the first person to show any interest in the three of us as a whole. It wasn’t a bad idea. Honestly, it was something I probably would have thought of if given more time.

A smirk captured Jameson’s features, and he leaned forward, putting his elbows against his knees. His eyes were alight with intrigue, determination, and even a flicker of pain. Like all the emotions he’d kept bottled up were finally revealing themselves in the depths of his irises. Right now, he rivaled Ashton, like they were in some competition of how to appear the most unhinged.

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