Page 96 of Destroying Everleigh

The weather was getting colder, giving way to fall. The leaves were beginning to change color and stores were stalking up on Halloween decorations more thoroughly. It was my favorite time of year, even if the haunted housesdidscare me. A small smile touched my lips as my mind drifted back to my teenage years. We’d always go to the haunted mazes in town, and late at night,me and Jameson would cuddle up on the couch and binge horror movies while Kash and Ashton sat somewhere around us.

I’d just shoved my way through the double doors of the building leading to my chemistry class when someone stepped into my path. It was so abrupt, and for a moment, I thought it was another girl coming to toss a drink on me. Jameson was anything if not persistent.

I was partially relieved when my eyes fell on Lucas, but another part of me thought the drink might have been easier.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he accused with a dangerous bite to his tone.

Other students shuffled past us in a hurry, and I knew I couldn’t afford to be late to class. Professor Whitlock has been on my ass about tardiness since day one, and I really didn’t feel like being outed in front of the entire class again. That had been humiliating. Even more so when I fainted.

I blew out a breath and stepped off to the side to allow other students to walk by more easily. “I’ve had a lot going on,” I admitted.

Lucas clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes at me. I didn’t see him pissed very often, but the few times I have weren’t pleasant. “Like what?” he countered in a condescending tone. “Kissing your ex-boyfriend?”

“He kissed me.” Not that it was a very pliable argument. I one hundred percent kissed him back.

Lucas sighed, running his hands through his blonde hair. My eyes raked over him, taking in his dark blue button-down shirt and dress pants. I didn’t understand why he always dressed like he was going to some kind of business meeting, or upscale party. His clothing choices didn’t bother me much when we first got together, but with everything going on right now, I couldn’t help but find it oddly amusing. Amber had been right. Lucas was the furthest thing from a tatted up bad boy that I could get.

“Look. I’m not mad.” He breathed out, moving to stand in front of me. “Not about that. I saw the video, and you did try to shove him away. I’m more upset that you’ve been avoiding me.”

“My mom just died. Tate and Emma just moved in with my grandparents. I just found out that my sister was dating my ex-boyfriend.” It didn’t matter that they were now broken up. The fact that she thought it was okay bothered me. “I just have a lot going on.”

Lucas took a step toward me, settling his hands on my hips to pull me forward. My stomach coiled with repulsion. I didn’t want this right now. I didn’t want to be touched, to be mocked, to be criticized. My chest felt heavy from my mom’s passing, and I haven’t even had the opportunity to grieve properly because of everything that’s been happening.

“I know. I just miss you.”

A snort sounded from behind me, causing my entire body to go rigid. I knew who it was without even having to look. Heat crept up my spine and Lucas tensed, his gaze falling on the person who had interrupted this…moment.

Ashton came to stand beside me, towering over both me and Lucas. The height difference was unsettling and made him look even more intimidating than he was. I knew in my heart that he was about to make this even worse for me. He’d tell Lucas how we fucked at his parent’s house, how I came all over his dick when my own boyfriend couldn’t even get me off, and how I kissed him in the car afterwards.

Ashton smirked at me, like he knew exactly where my train of thought had headed.

“I-I have to get to class,” I stammered.

Ash draped an arm around my shoulders despite Lucas still gripping my waist. “Relax. We still have seven minutes.”

Lucas dropped his arms from around me and glared up at my ex-boyfriend. “I don’t appreciate you kissing my girlfriend,” hesnapped. Even with the anger radiating off of him, he didn’t hold a candle to Ash.

I bit my lip nervously, afraid of what Ashton would say in return. He was about to make this a lot harder on me. There was no doubt in my mind about that. I just wanted to get to class, to get through the rest of the day, and then go to work. Was that too much to ask?

Ashton’s grin was malicious, one that didn’t reach his eyes. There was something sinister about it, and chills prickled along my skin as I braced myself for the impact. He turned to face me, his eyes hard and cold, eyes that used to be so full of joy and love. He gripped my face between his hands, causing my heart to palpitate from the searing touch. He searched my gaze momentarily before crushing his mouth against mine, stealing my breath in the process. Confusion clouded my thoughts. The only bright side was that he didn’t kiss me long enough for me to even think about reciprocating. It was rough, demanding, and controlling. He pulled away as fast as he’d begun and turned to give my boyfriend an arrogant smirk.

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to put as much distance between the two of us as possible.

Lucas lunged for Ashton, something so out of character for him that I never saw it coming. Panic burrowed through me, and I knew there was only a limited amount of time for me to act before he ended up on the ground. I jumped between them just in time for Lucas to throw a punch, his fist connecting with my jaw. Pain splintered through my face causing the bone to throb and my hands immediately moved to cup it. My head spun and incoherent words were shouted, but I couldn’t make them out as I doubled over.

Through my foggy vision I could see Ashton throwing a punch of his own, sending Lucas to the floor, and then he wason him. Tears stung my eyes as I stood there helpless and disoriented.

A soft hand landed on my back, and I blinked through the tears, Amber slowly coming into focus as she looked at me with concern. She said something, but it was as distant to my ears as everything else was.

I sucked in a breath, trying to will my body to cooperate. After a few moments, the ringing stopped, and my vision settled. Lucas was on the ground, blood pouring from his nose and lip. Jameson and Kash were tugging Ash away from him, but it was futile at best. Ashton was much bigger than either one of his friends and had more muscle.

Ashton’s chest was heaving, a deadly intent in his stormy gray eyes. He looked…dangerous. He looked at me, a flash of concern crossing his features that confused me even more. Finally, he relented, allowing his friends to pull him back.

“Come on,” Amber said, tugging on my arm. “We can skip today. You’ve been through a lot.” I wanted to laugh. She didn’t even know the half of it.

I shook my head. “I c-can’t,” I stuttered, though my head was spinning. I sucked in a deep breath and glanced around the relatively empty hallway, though there were a few people who stopped to watch the drama unfold.

I knew it was a bad idea to jump between them like that, and in the end, it had been pointless. Lucas still got his ass beat. He seemed fine for the most part. Just bloodied up a bit. He forced himself to his legs, wiping his hands over his face.

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