Page 105 of Blitz'd

Some part of me realizes that since I opened up to Zander about my past, it’s not as hard to look at Asher now and tell him a little bit of the truth.Friends. Hm. Is that something Ineed,to be the kind of person who can make Zander happy?

“Yeah. You said you’ve been paying attention, Ash, so… I’m sure you’ve noticed the times I’ve come back with cuts and bruises. I didn’t run into the wall.” The words are deadpan, and I see a flash of something on his face again—that same coldness I’d noticed when he was looking at my mom. That anger.

Not directed at me, but for me.

“I never thought about it that much because you really don’t seem like you’d let anyone doanythingyou didn’t want.” He doesn’t sound judgmental, and there’s a fondness in his words that I can’t ignore.

I just shrug. “I didn’t… let… or not let. It was just normal for me. It took me a while to realize that it didn’t have to be.”

Asher’s expression goes soft, and his eyes flick to the jacket Zander draped on the back of my couch the last time he was here.

“I get it.”

My gaze lingers on the jacket, on thoughts of the guy who left it here.

On exactly why I realized that my life didn’t have to be just taking a hit and dealing with it so I could prove to people who didn’t care that I was worth more than they would ever be.

“Took me a while to get it, if that helps.”

Asher loops around the counter and snags two forks from the drawer, then hands me one while he scoops up some of the pasta and pops it into his mouth.

“It doesn’t, but I’m glad you know now.” His shoulder gently bumps mine. “Don’t worry, though, I think I scared her off.”

Scared her off and threatened her to stay away are two different things… but I wasn’t going to point that out. Instead, I abandon the pasta and walk across the room, grabbing Zander’s jacket and sliding it on over my shoulders. The scent of him floods my nose, and I feel the last lingering bit of tension leave my body as I settle on the couch and throw a look at the man standing at the counter, fork still in hand, eyes watching me with an expression I can’t quite read.

“Yeah, seems that way.” And then, with my fingers rubbing the fraying threads of Zander’s jacket sleeve, I add, “Thanks.”

Asher’s expression is still unreadable, but the smile that crosses his face seems genuine when he waves me off. I guess if I’m going to be friends with anyone, the man who can blush at a compliment one second and threaten to kill a woman the next is probably the right pick.

ChapterThirty-Six

ZANDER

“Your manmad that we’re gonna whoop their asses today?” Russ asks, jumping on the balls of his feet beside me, getting in the zone. The sound of the home crowd cheering is getting me hyped too. I have that nervous energy buzzing through me, and it’s even higher because we’re playing Meridian today.

I smile, thinking about Kerian’s and my text conversation yesterday.

Me: I would say good luck but Meridian fucking sux. we will win 2morrow

Kerian: I hate to break it to you, but we’re going to beat your ass in front of your home crowd. It’ll be embarrassing.

Me: Babe, I’ll be there to kiss it better when we kick ur asses.

Me: We both know I’m the better QB

Me: Just admit it

Me: You’ll feel better

Kerian: LMAO! Fuck off, Braithe.

Me: I’ll wear that lingerie u love so much 2 cheer u up

Me: it’ll soften the blow of loss

Kerian: Or you can wear it for me to celebrate my win.

Me: Fuck you Slade

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