Page 94 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

This is the kind of Ash I could love.

Chapter 29

Ashton

The bubbling of the creek distracts me for a while. Every leaf that falls in gets swept away. I think I hear frogs, maybe bugs, I’m not sure which, but with the soft grass under me and Sky in my arms, I feel pretty invincible. I adjust her in my arms, and she slumps.

Adjusting her again, I find her asleep, completely knocked out even though it’s the middle of the day. I stroke over her cheek. Her nose is still red, her eyes all puffy, but she’s harmless, innocent when she’s asleep.

Rubbing her thigh, I decide to let her sleep. I should probably be preparing for training, but I’ve never missed a day. So, after a few minutes of that gnawing on me, I call Frank and tell him I won’t be able to make it today due to an emergency.

He says he still expects me to do some training on my own. I agree, then look down and find Sky awake. She hums in her throat and sits up. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.”

“I should get home. I can’t … I can’t run from my problems.”

“No, but you can take a break from them.” I lay down with her by the water.

Her phone rings, and she pulls it out. It’s Chase. She silences the phone and opens her mouth to talk before the phone rings again. She groans. “What? … I needed to get out. I’ll be back before tomorrow.”

I think I hear him say “no,” but Sky asks what the rush is.

Then she’s sitting up. “I have to get home.”

“Sky.”

“Now,now. Like fucking right now. Mrs. Robbins saw Dad leaving earlier, and he seemed totally out of it. We need to find him before something crazy happens.”

I take a slow breath and stand up. There’s no talking her out of it. I remind her three times that he’s an adult. That he has to face his own demons eventually, but she doesn’t care. She’s determined to do what she can.

After a full kiss, she gets in her car and speeds off. I can’t even offer to help with this. I want to help her, but her dad has to make his own choices. I get home and realize only Mom is there. She looks at me, my shirt, then gets up.

“Ash?”

“Can I trust you?”

“Of course!” She pauses, holding her hands up nervously. “With anything, honey. You know that. No matter what it is.”

I hesitate, though. This would break Sky’s trust. I glance around. “Is either Dad or Pete home?”

“No.”

“I’m dating Sky,” I say in a rush.

Mom nods like she expected as much. “And?”

“Her mom is coming home tomorrow; there was a fight at her place, and her dad is kind of … missing. You and Dad were besties with him. Where would he go?”

My mom thinks about it, completely glossing over the fact I’m dating Sky, which I appreciate more than I thought I would. She taps her fingers on the counter. “We all used to go to this bar downtown. He’s been a regular there, though, so I’m sure Chase is checking that.”

“Okay.”

“There was another spot. I just don’t remember it clearly. He and Claire took a ton of photos there. It was close.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I really don’t know more. But I can go to a few places and see if I run into him.”

“Just don’t tell Sky I told you. And don’t tell-”

“Honey.” She pats my chest. “You’re good at a whole lot of things, but keeping secrets isn’t one of them. Your car is here every time you go out with your girlfriend. You won’t tell your brother who you’ve been dating. There’s a sparkle in your eyes whenever Sky’s name gets mentioned.”

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