Page 84 of Destroying Everleigh

I snorted a laugh. Most people wouldn’t understand our friendship from the outside looking in. Hell, I didn’t even understand it sometimes. She was so outgoing, beautiful, confident, and had a backbone of steel. I was more reserved—well, it depended on the setting. I could party, so there was that. Alcohol also helped loosen me up. She was fiercely loyal andloving. She was everything I wish I could be. She came from a lot of money, had both her parents in the picture, and they traveled a lot, so she got the mansion to herself a lot of the time.

I pocketed my phone, trading it out for my sandwich again. After a few more bites, I deposited the plate in the sink.

At least I had a friend. That had to count for something, right? It wasn’t like I was completely on my own, even though it felt like it sometimes. But it was hard to feel optimistic about it when there were so many bad things happening in my life. But there was no point in dwelling about it. Things wouldn’t miraculously get better just because I wished they would.

My phone dinged again, vibrating against my leg. I blew out a breath and retrieved it, knowing it was probably Lucas. He probably saw that I’d finally read his texts. Plus, he was the only one really texting me.

But when I glanced down at the screen, it wasn’t Lucas who had texted me. My breath caught in my throat as I peered down at the unknown number.

Unknown Number

It’s Ashton. We’re going out tonight. And before you say no, just remember, I have a pretty compromising video of you in bed with my best friend. I’ll pick you up at five.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Kash

The Offspring - You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid

“You don’t see me as much as Ashton does.” Briley pouted, straddling my lap. “You never even touch me.”

I tensed up, my heart hammering in my chest. Not because I liked her, but because I’d known this was coming eventually. School just let out half an hour ago, and Briley insisted on following us home like a lost puppy. She actually thought we liked her. It hadn’t even crossed her mind that she was being used.

Ashton strolled into the living room, clutching a can of soda in one hand. “She’s not wrong,” he added unhelpfully with a cocky little smirk.

Briley’s skin was still flushed from soccer practice, and strands of her short black hair were plastered against her face. I blew out a breath, settling my hands on her narrow hips. It has been a while since I’d gotten off to anything other than my phone. And Briley wasn’t ugly. The thought of fucking her just felt…odd.

I rolled my lip ring between my teeth absently for a moment. “How about this,” I began, running my hands up her hips—hips that were too small. I liked my girls with a little more meat, but she would do. “If you take a shower, I’ll let you suck my dick.” I glanced over at Ashton. “Ash can shower with you.”

He shot me a scathing glare. I didn’t think it would bother him. He did say he had no intention of fucking her, but that was getting harder to believe. He’s already had her blow him, and they’ve been spending a decent amount of time together. Then again, the only time she sucked him off had been at her house where Evie was. Maybe that was why he’d gone the extra step. Simply to get under her skin. It did backfire on him, though. Because Everleigh came here and ended up in Jameson’s bed. Which also pissed Ashton off for unknown reasons. He had agreed to let Jamie fuck her at one point, but he was still weirdly possessive over her despite claiming to hate her so damn much.

Briley perked up, looking over at Ash. “Really?” she said hopefully, like sucking my dick was some kind of grand prize.

I’d almost forgotten how desperate some girls could be. It was a bit of a turn off. Ashton just grunted, taking a swallow of his soda. It wasn’t like he didn’t need a shower. He had practice today, too. I could smell him from here.

Briley shifted on my lap, unintentionally grinding down on me. I grimaced from the unwanted friction. “Why don’t you both shower with me?” she asked. “The bathroom is big enough.”

I nearly choked on my spit. “I’m not interested in being naked near my best friend.” It wasn’t the truth. We’ve seen each other naked on countless occasions. “Plus, I showered earlier.”

Briley sighed but relented despite her obvious dismay. She scrambled off my lap and crossed the room to wrap her arms around Ashton’s waist just as Jameson entered. Jamie rolled his eyes when they landed on Briley, but he kept walking, dropping into the spot beside me on the couch.

“Let’s go.” Ashton sighed, shooting me another dirty look. He waited for Briley to drop her hands from around him before they exited the living room.

“He’s a fucking idiot,” Jameson said with a shake of his head. He’s made it pretty clear that he thought shacking up with Evie’s little sister was messed up. But it served its purpose.

Despite my little make out session with her in the kitchen nearly two weeks ago, I was still just as motivated to take her down. Jamie was worried that if we pushed too hard, it could make her suicidal. But that wasn’t really our problem, was it? Plus, Everleigh was stronger than that. We’d just break her down until there was nothing left to break, and then we’d be done with her. It was difficult though not to have my doubts. Because Jamie had been right about one thing. People could only take so much. I didn’t want her to off herself, but I wanted her towantto. Then she’d know how Jamie and Ash felt. It had been so bad that I couldn’t even help them pick up the pieces after she’d shattered them.

“Have you been by to see your parents, yet?” Jameson inquired, settling back against the cushion.

A frown tugged at my mouth. Seeing my parents was the last thing I wanted to do. They didn’t seem all that interested in seeing me, either. Not even a single phone call. I tried not to let that bother me. They’d never been the most active parents, and all they did was bicker throughout my childhood. But maybe since I’d moved out, it brought them closer. Maybe I was the problem all along.

I shook my head. If they couldn’t even be bothered to text me once in a while, or call me, then why should I go see them? I already knew what they’d say, anyways. Mom would ask me how school was, talk to me about settling down with some chick, then she’d ask about Ashton and Jamie, which would inevitably bring up Everleigh. My parents had met her a few times, andI’d been honest about why her and Ash had broken up. It was an uncomfortable conversation waiting to happen. Mom didn’t think Everleigh was in the wrong. She was just young and naïve. I internally rolled my eyes at that. Everleigh was a conniving bitch. One I wouldn’t mind sticking my dick in, but that’s all it would be.

My cock twitched at the mere thought of it. How it had felt to kiss her, to have grinding against me. Fuck. I’d been half tempted to fuck her right there on the counter, consequences be damned. It was probably a good thing that I hadn’t, though.

“Do you plan on it?” Jameson asked, slicing through my thoughts.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What?”

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