Page 41 of Destroying Everleigh

What the fuck was wrong with me?

It had to be all this talk about sharing her. It was getting to me, fucking up my head.

Ashton shot me a knowing look, like he was peeling through the layers of my psyche and knew exactly what I was thinking.

I blew out a breath, pinning my attention on the road ahead of us. It didn’t take too long to reach the bar, though it felt like it had. We all slipped out of the car upon arriving, Jameson pulling Everleigh against him possessively, as he seemed to do often nowadays. If Everleigh was mine, I never would allow it. Sharinga casual fuck was one thing, but sharing a girl indefinitely, was another.

Maybe I was just a jealous asshole.

We made our way into the bar, picking a booth in a secluded corner. Everleigh ended up being sandwiched between Ash and Jamie, leaving me on the opposite side. Her light brown eyes found mine, a brightness in them that hadn’t been as potent as before. She seemed to enjoy the attention she was getting from the both of them. If she’d just cave and let us fuck her, maybe I could get her out of my system.

We ordered a few rounds of shots, talking about the business Ash would be inheriting as soon as he got his degree. The plan was for him to work at his father’s side, but once he turned eighteen, he’d be interning there.

Little E was a fucking lightweight, plastered after her fifth shot. It was cute, though. And I hated that I thought that.

Ash was serious about her. He’d even talked to us about taking their relationship to the next level after graduating. He wanted to fucking marry her, and that made me feel even guiltier about the shit going through my head. His hand was on her thigh as he lifted one of the shots to his lips and downed it.

Everleigh gasped; her eyes wide like she just now remembered something. “I can’t go home like this.”

Ashton snorted in response. “Stay the night with me. My parents don’t give a shit.”

“I told my mom I’d be home tonight,” she slurred, dropping her head against Ashton’s shoulder. “Can you text her for me?”

“And put me in the hot seat?” he teased.

“Pleeeeaaaasssseee.” She looked over at him with wide, bloodshot eyes and rosy cheeks.

Fuck.

My dick strained against my jeans, my hand slipping beneath the table to cover it. I don’t even think she realized how hot she was. Especially when she begged.

Ashton’s gaze dropped to her pouty lips, and he leaned in to kiss her, taking her lower lip between his teeth. She gasped into his mouth, shifting her body toward him. My heart rate picked up, as if I were the one with my mouth on her, and not my best friend.

I wasn’t drinking today, opting to be the designated driver. So, I couldn’t use that as an excuse for fantasizing about what she tasted like.

“How are things with Crystal?” Jamie asked, picking a cheesy fry up before shoving it into his mouth.

“Not sure,” I admitted. “She’s always busy.” Didn’t stop her from sending me nudes though at all hours of the day—like she expected that to make up for her constant absence. The only time she seemed to want to hang out was if Ashton was with me. The first few months of our relationship were fine. We fucked a lot, went on a few dates. I’d even brought her to meet my parents. But after the honeymoon phase, she started distancing herself.

I wasn’t a fool.

She’s always wanted Ashton. When he made it clear that all he wanted was Everleigh, she backed off, and I figured that was that. I felt like an idiot for continuing to pursue her even though I knew I hadn’t been her first choice. She might have even settled for Jameson if he wasn’t such an asshole to her. But I wasn’t ready to call it quits, yet.

Jameson snorted. “Yeah. I bet she is,” he retorted with obvious sarcasm. “Probably getting railed right now as we speak.”

“Jameson,” I growled. “I love you. But if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to send my fist through your teeth.”

Crystal wasn’t known for her loyalty. It was one of the things that lived rent free in my mind, reminding me that it was a very big possibility that she was occupying someone else’s bed on the days she was too busy to see me. It pissed me off and made me feel even more like an idiot.

Ashton broke away from Everleigh, their lips swollen as he focused his gaze on me, and then Jamie. “Don’t be an asshole,” he warned. “Kash is busy living in denial.”

My eyes jerked in his direction, rage simmering beneath the surface of my skin. “I’m about to take Everleigh and leave you assholes here,” I shot back. “Try walking back to the southside and making it home in one piece.”

“You’re a dick when you’re sober,” Everleigh mumbled.

“And you’re a slut when you’re drunk.”

I didn’t mean that. But Crystal was a sore fucking subject. I regretted the words right after I said them and was just about to apologize when Ash jumped from the table and punched me. Pain erupted along the side of my face, whipping my head to the side.

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