Page 136 of Doesn't Count

“That has got to be hard.” Than tosses a piece of cubed cheese in his mouth.

“It’s certainly not easy.” I mutter.

“I couldn’t do it. Move back in with my mom. Not with my lifestyle.” Hypnos says.

“No, I can’t imagine it would go over well with Amy finding you bending Sam over the counter in the kitchen, fucking her from behind.” Koke snorts, his hands out in front of him and his hips thrusting the air.

“You’re still seeing Sam?” Hypnos nods, answering my question. “Has anyone talked to Ash?”

They all look at each other before Hypnos responds. “Yeah, we’ve talked to her.”

“Please! Be as vague as possible. I’m not dying over here of a fucking heartbreak or anything.” I growl.

“She’s... okay.” Hypnos shrugs.

Just okay... That could mean anything.

“Elaborate.”

“I don’t know, man. Sam said she’s had a tough time after getting back to work. She’s... different. Not herself. Swears like a pissed off trucker now.”

The corner of my lip twitches at the thought but knowing that Ash has lost a piece of herself stings.

“Is she seeing anyone?” My breath is caught in my throat,the seconds ticking by without an answer drag on for what feels like forever.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” Than waves his hand, brushing the question away.

“You don’tthinkso?” I repeat his answer, my heart pounding loudly in my ears.

Hypnos cracks open a Mountain Dew, my mom refusing to let us drink anything harder than caffeine on her watch, and sighs before saying, “She hasn’t talked about it to anyone, but from what Sam says, she’s still hung up on you.”

Suddenly the death grip around my heart starts to loosen, my lungs finally accepting air again. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, man.” Hypnos confirms, slapping a hand on my knee.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Ashton

Ayear ago today, I boarded a flight to Arkansas, took an Uber to the middle of nowhere and was stranded in a field with four psychos. Little did I know every single moment with Khaos was really a moment with Oliver. Now looking back, it all makes so much sense.

The unexplainable rage, the ruthlessness, it was all because he knew who I was, knew what I did to him. I was the friend who broke her promise and left him there to get kidnapped. While I had a cushy, normal life, he was bleeding and bruised. But over the months I spent with him, I slowly wore him down, and he slowly let me despite his intentions.

A year ago today, was the beginning of an obsession for me. I fell hard for Khaos, for Oliver, and for whoever else he finds inside of himself. I just wish I could tell him.

The days are excruciatingly slow now that I’m jobless. The couch has officially welcomed me to become one with the cushions and I’ve accepted the invitation.

To pass the time, I decided to take up journaling. My therapist has been urging me for a long while and I guess I’ve finallygiven in. Though, my random thoughts have become more of a long-winded tale of my past. It’s like putting it on paper relieves the weight off my mind. The burden now swallowed up by hungry keystrokes and blank pages.

“Get up.” Sam orders firmly as she slams the front door shut behind her.

I don’t even flinch, sinking lower into the couch hoping she can’t see me if I become it. The room has darkened with the sun’s decent, and I use it to my advantage.

Instead of repeating herself, she’s ripping my computer from my hands and - rather roughly – placing it on the coffee table.

“Hey!” I whine, forcing myself to sit up.

She uses my small movement to yank me to my feet. The room around me spins, the act of standing too quickly causing my eyes to blur. Not sure when the last time I moved even was. I’m positive I used the bathroom at some point today.

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