Page 68 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

I say a quiet thank you to Chase as I scuff my shoes against the concrete porch. I’ve tried giving Dad time. I’ve tried goading him. I drew the line at Bonnie’s idea to fail a test or start a fight in school to get his attention.

Something has to slap him back into reality, right? I curl my fingers into fists, then whimper and look at my hand. “I’m over you. Heal faster. I eat my veggies.”

“So mean.” Ash’s deep tone suddenly comes at me, and I see him leaning against his Mustang. “I think your body would thank you if you did a little positive-”

That’s all he gets before I wrap myself around him. Ash pauses, then rubs my back. “Ready to talk again?”

I shake my head. “Get me out of here?” I don’t know how long Chase’s phone call will be.

He walks us over and opens the car door for me. As we head toward the bar, Ash rubs his hand over my knee. “I like your dress.”

“Thanks.” I look down at it.

We shoot the shit, dancing around the things I don’t want to talk about until the silence and heavy metal music hums between us. I play with my painful finger. “Chase grabbed my hand when I tried to leave.”

I expect Ash to say something right away, but instead, I find him looking at me in the glow of the red light. I swallow. “It hurts now.”

“Can you … give me context?”

“My dad barely looked at me when I said I was going out. There was no conversation. He didn’t ask about dinner. He didn’t ask about where I was going. Nothing that annoying dads are supposed to do. So Chase did as soon as he saw me. Because I don’t look … like me.”

“You look beautiful, Sky. A little nervous, but definitely hot.” The light turns green, and he focuses ahead. “I don’t know how to help with your dad.”

“I’m more venting.” I let out a woosh. “Trying to see if it helps.”

“So far?”

“I’m not thinking about it as much.”

But when we get out of the car, and I realize that this is abarbar, meaning minimal college kids, plenty of bikers, smoking inside, a live band, wooden floors, regulars, and everything in between, I cling to Ash.

This is the opposite of my scene. I swallow hard and dig my nails into Ash’s arm, even though he’s already holding my hand. He pauses. “You good? If you want to do something else, we can.”

“Just … don’t let go of me?” I ask softly, eyeing a few people who are definitely eying me. “Or don’t go too far.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Don’t worry, baby, I’m big and scary.”

I take in his bruises and that ‘come fight me’ face and lean against him. “You’re better than Dracula now.”

Ashton walks with his head held high after that. He high-fives a guy at the bar after I have a new black Sharpie X on the back of my hand. I turn to see it in the light, and then Ash tugs on me. I blink a few times and wave at the three guys in front of me.

“This is Tyler.” Ash introduces me to the younger-looking guy who has a farmer’s tan, short bright red hair, and a beard.

“This is Kenny.” The beer belly is the number one feature, but his friendly face is a close second.

“This is Nate.” He motions to the last guy, who looks wiry and hasn’t left the frosted tips in a previous decade.

I wave. “Sky.”

“So you’re the one starting all the questions.” Tyler looks me over. “Never mentioned by name, but no guy asks questions about how to figure a girl out without having a girl in mind.”

I feel my face heat, and my hand softens in Ash’s.

I don’t know why that makes me feel special and … better. But it does. Kenny notices my hand. “Damn, what have you been fighting?”

“Steering wheels,” I grumble.

“Maybe you should take Ash on in the ring. I’m sure you could beat him easily,” Kenny laughs.

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