Page 14 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

“Yeah. With Chase and … Sky.” He snorts her name. “And our parents. Apparently, they want to celebrate us making it through high school.”

“Shitty timing,” I huff. I’d booked a session with my new trainer, Frank, who had connections to the circuit. I don’t want to get on his bad side by not showing up. Besides, I only have six months to get back out there.

My brother tsks, patting my back. “I’d make it perfect timing if I were you. Especially when you’re walking on eggshells around here.”

Fucking hell. It’s easier to go with what Dad wants when I know there’s no winning. I have to choose my fights. At least in some degree, right? So, after calling Frank to reschedule—during which I endure a mini-lecture about taking the training seriously—I get a much-needed shower, throw on a button up, roll it up my arms and pull-on jeans.

A part of me hopes I can snag at least some alone time with Sky to find out what’s happening inside her head. Not that I should care that she’s hostile with me. She’s too young for me. Too immature. All good reasons to avoid her for the summer and continue keeping my life easy and breezy. Beautiful – like those damn Cover Girl commercials.

We arrive first, then settle at our reserved table and wait for the Bennetts to get here. Fifteen minutes later, they show up, the reluctant looks on Sky and Chase’s faces telling me why they’re late. Mr. Bennett doesn’t look like himself, either. He looks older. Not a dark hair in sight. Wrinkles line the corners of his eyes.

Something tugs on my heartstrings. Pity. I feel sorry that they’re going through this.

Mr. Bennett greets us, but Chase looks even more pissed as he sits down. I notice he’s grown out his dirty blond hair, so he has it back in a bun. I also notice he keeps glaring between me and my brother.

Chase and I had a serious falling out two years ago, so we’re not exactly best buddies, but why is he staring at my brother like that?

A protective instinct kicks in, but I make myself behave. Because Sky looks bothered as hell. She’s wearing a dress that is a size too big and covers her arms down to her elbows. And I hate that she feels the need to wear that much while knowing what’s underneath. She could get whatever she wants from any man if she’d just show off a bit more.

All through dinner, I try to fish for her gaze, for anything that tells me I’m on her mind. Any long look, any brush of her foot against mine, but it doesn’t happen. Just conversation. Her dad talking her up when it comes to how well she’s doing with her photography and how proud he is of Sky graduating.

“Speaking of proud,” Mom begins, pushing her food around the plate. “Have you heard from Clair recently?”

Sky freezes with her fork in mid-air, her expression paling. Mr. Bennett’s face is all red. Chase is the only one who appears calm—well, if you minus the hard glares he keeps throwing at me.

Mom notices their reaction and blushes, too. “I—I’m sorry, that was out of line.”

“No, it’s fine,” Mr. Bennett softly assures her, although his expression says otherwise. “Let’s just change the subject—”

“Excuse me, I need fresh air,” Sky interrupts, flying out of her seat. She goes off without waiting for a reply.

“Oh, dear. I’m afraid I upset her,” Mom says sadly, lifting herself out of the seat. “Maybe I should go see how she’s doing.”

“I’ll do it.”

All eyes are on me. Chase looks about ready to murder me.

“She’s my sister, which means it’s my job.I’ll do it,” he says firmly.

“If Ashton wants to do it, let him,” Mr. Bennett says to Chase.

“But, Dad—”

I’m already getting out of the chair, anyway. Let him try to stop me. I don’t know what his deal is, but I’m not passing up on this chance to have a decent word with Sky to find out what’s really going on.

My eyes sweep the front of the restaurant as I exit, and I spot her standing at the end of the pathway to the parking lot, hugging herself and staring off into god-knows-where.

After a few deep breaths of air, I head toward her. She sees me coming and rolls her eyes. I’m halfway there when a guy approaches from the other end and swats her ass in passing. “Looking good, baby.”

I keep a neutral expression until he gets to me, then I grab his throat and slam him against the wall. “You ever lay a hand on her again, and I willendyou, fucker,” I growl. “Understood?”

Wide-eyed, the stranger nods vigorously. Sky gently taps my back.

“He’s not worth getting into trouble, Ash. Let him go.”

With a huff, I shake him before releasing his sorry ass. He runs off as I turn to Sky. She’s flushed, nervous, and I don’t like that look on her face, the one that says she’s just glad he didn’t do more than swat her ass. I take her hand and jerk her into an alcove where we’re pressed close together.

“Is that fuckingnormalfor you?” I demand.

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