Page 46 of Echoes of Us
Ashley felt sick as he continued, his mouth at her ear."I love you straightforwardly..."His hips pressed forward, making it clear exactly what he meant by 'straight.'"Without complexities or pride."
She tried to push him away, but he caught her wrist, pinning it to the wall as he switched poems.His voice turned darker, mocking.
"If you were coming..."He emphasized the word deliberately, making her cheeks burn."I'd brush the Summer by, with half a smile..."His free hand slid down her side, "and half a spurn..."
Horror rose in her chest as she watched him destroy everything sacred about those words.The cards that had made her realize she loved him - was that all a lie?A means to an end?Something he’d use on just any girl?
"If I could see you in a year..."His fingers traced patterns on her hip that left no doubt about his meaning."I'd wind the months in balls..."
She couldn't bear another second.Tears burned behind her eyes as she wrenched away from him, fleeing before he could finish.His bitter laughter followed her through the crowd, along with the echo of those ruined words.
That perfect moment in Dallas - the revelation of love through poetry and physics - lay shattered at her feet, tainted by this crueler version of the man she happened to love.
CHAPTER16
Ashley's feet carried her away from the party without conscious thought.Tears blurred the campus paths into smears of lamplight and shadow, her heels clicking against the stone in a rhythm that matched her racing heart.She should go back to her dorm.Should hide under her covers and try to forget how Cole had destroyed something so precious.
Instead, she found herself heading toward the physics building.
She didn't want to examine why.Didn't want to acknowledge how some part of her craved the quiet grace of the other Westwood twin, how her battered heart sought the gentle understanding in those identical gray eyes.
The building's lights were mostly dark, but a warm glow spilled from the third-floor windows.Of course, Dale would still be here, probably grading finals or working on research.Always the dedicated one, the steady one, the
She collided with a solid chest as she rounded the corner, strong hands catching her arms to steady her.The scent hit her first - woody and earthy, so different from Cole's darker notes.Her fingers curled into soft wool as she fought to regain her balance.
"Ashley?"Dale's voice was soft with surprise.His glasses were slightly askew, a stack of papers tucked under one arm.When he saw her face, his expression shifted to concern."What happened?Are you-"
She meant to step back.Meant to apologize and flee.Instead, she found herself swaying forward, drawn to his warmth like a moth to a flame.His hands tightened on her arms.
"Hey," he murmured, and somehow that gentle tone broke something in her chest.Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," she choked out, trying to withdraw, but his grip held steady."I shouldn't- I don't even know why I'm here."
But she did know.Because Dale was everything Cole wasn't right now - kind and stable and real.Because when he looked at her with those familiar eyes, she saw only understanding, not cruel amusement.
He set his papers on a nearby ledge and drew her closer, one hand coming up to brush tears from her cheek.The gesture was so tender, so achingly familiar, that for a moment, she forgot which brother was holding her.
Their faces were close now, his breath warm against her lips.It would be so easy to lean in, to lose herself in this softer version of the man she loved.To let Dale's gentleness ease the sting of Cole's cruelty.
His eyes dropped to her mouth, and she felt his breath catch.For a heartbeat, the air between them crackled.
Ashley jerked back, horror flooding her veins.What was she doing?This wasn't fair - to Dale, to Cole, to herself.
"I can't," she whispered, stepping out of his embrace."I'm sorry, I just...I can't."
"I understand," Dale said softly, though she wasn't sure what he understood."Why don't you tell me what happened?"
She hesitated, arms wrapped around herself against a chill she'd just noticed.The thin party dress offered no protection from the night air seeping through the building's old walls.
Ashley tried not to stare as Dale pulled his sweater over his head.The white shirt he wore beneath rode up, exposing a strip of the toned abdomen so achingly similar to the one she knew by heart.
Heat crept up her cheeks, doubling her guilt.
"Here."Dale handed her the wool sweater."You're freezing."
She accepted the sweater despite the guilt, drawing in its scent as she pulled it on - cozy and warm.Dale’s sweater smelled like home.
"My office isn't far," he smiled reassuringly at her, "I can make tea."
