Page 64 of Keeping Promises

Iwake up to what feels like a foot directly shoved up in my ribs. I prefer to wake up with Asher’s head between my legs or his dick sliding inside me, so this feeling isn’t as fun. I adjust to lift to my elbows to see that I’m alone in bed. The girls must already be in the kitchen.

Last night, while the boys were out, we celebrated Lexi’s bachelorette party, old-school slumber party style. I told her that I would gladly squeeze my bump and ass into my sexiest maternity dress and we could go out, but she said this was what she wanted. We spent the evening in our pajamas, doing facials, eating junk food, giving each other manicures and pedicures—or them giving me one since I haven’t seen my feet in what feels like forever. And don’t even get me started on my vagina. I don’t even know the last time it saw a razor. I tried once with a mirror, and Asher walked into the bathroom in the middle of it. We never spoke of the incident again. I thought about seeing if the girls would help me out, but there are just some things I’d rather keep private between us. And while we didn’t spend the night ogling strippers in real life, we did spend it with aMagic Mikemarathon, which then led to a dance party of its own.

I can’t believe Brynn sent Asher that “Push It” video. At least he hasn’t seen our awesome “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” routine from college.

I check my phone to see if I have new messages from Asher. I scroll through. He stopped texting me around 10:45ish. After a late-night snack of ice cream, I called it a night and snuggled in bed with my two best friends like we had many times before, only this time my stomach is much larger, so it was a tighter fit for us.

Me:I hope you boys have fun tonight. I’ll miss you sleeping next to me.

Me:Maybe I can sneak out and come to your hotel room.

Me:You guys must be having a blast.

Me:*gif of Pauly from Jersey Shore shouting Bachelor Party Yeah

Me:Hopefully, one of you doesn’t come back toothless and married, one burnt to a crisp and one getting punched by Mike Tyson. Don’t steal any tigers!

I laugh at my reference to the movieThe Hangover.

Me:I’m going to bed. Miss you. Nite!

No response whatsoever. I guess they really did have a great time. He might still be sleeping it off, but I send another one anyway.

Me:Good Morning! I hope last night wasn’t too rowdy, and we do not have to bail the three of you out of jail.

I set my phone back on the nightstand and go in search of the girls. Halfway down the hall, the smell of coffee lures me in.

“Well, good morning, sleepyhead,” Lexi says over the top of her coffee mug.

Both she and Brynn are bright-eyed. I wonder how long they’ve been up. They’re both morning people; me, lately, not so much.

I grab myself a water bottle from the fridge and join them at the counter.

“Sure seems like the boys had a good time. Check out this video I woke up to from Cal of Ben from last night.” Brynn smiles. It’s not odd that Cal is texting Brynn but Asher hasn’t responded to me.Brynn and Cal are like peas and carrots or peanut butter and jelly.

She holds up her phone, revealing Ben drunkenly singing “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey. The camera spins to reveal Cal, who now has his arm around Ben’s shoulders, their heads together, singing to the camera. A giggle involuntarily leaves my lips.Wait, where’s Asher?

The camera moves, swaying the same way as Cal and Ben, I assume. It makes my stomach drop a little, but then something catches my eye that makes me feel like I jumped out of a plane sans parachute.

“Wait.” I snatch the phone from her hands, rewind the video a second, and pause it.

My chest tightens at the image in front of me.Is this why I’ve gotten no response from Asher?

“What is it?” The girls surround me, peeping over my shoulder to see what I’m seeing. On the screen, plain as day, is Asher with a woman in his lap. His hands are wrapped around her waist, and her hands are looped around his shoulders. Her hair is hanging in her face, so I can’t make out who it is, but does it even matter? Asher has a woman who is not me in his lap in an intimate pose. My world feels like it’s beginning to crack.

“No, no, no, no,” I chant as I rush to grab my phone from my bedroom.This isn’t happening.

I dial Asher’s number, and it goes straight to voicemail. I call again and the same response.

“What’s the name of the hotel they’re staying at?” I ask once I join the girls back in the kitchen.

“The Farleaux.” My fingers are already searching for the number on my phone.

“Why don’t I just call Ben? I’m sure it’s not what—” I hold my hand up, cutting her off once the phone begins to ring.

“Good morning, thank you for calling the Farleaux. This is Kate, how may I help you?”

“Can you connect me to Asher Harrington’s room, please?”

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