Page 35 of Echoes of Us
"That's...not what I expected."
"Let me guess - thought I'd be all equations and academic papers?"
"Maybe," she admitted."You seem so..."
"Serious?"He raised an eyebrow."I get that a lot.But you can't spend all your time thinking about quantum mechanics.Sometimes you need to work with your hands, create something tangible."A shadow crossed his face."Dad taught us that too.”
"So, is he the actual reason you’re into physics?”Ashley smirked.
"You caught me," Dale smiled, but something flickered in his eyes."I would say it’s partially true… Dad's the practical one.Things you can touch and build.Mom's the one who pushed for pure academia.She has this...vision of what success should look like."
He smoothed a crease with careful precision."You should see her face when we start talking theoretical physics at dinner.Dad just laughs, says as long as someone in the family can still build a bridge, we're good."
The casual mention of family dinners, of a father's laugh, made Ashley's chest tight.These were the moments she'd never known about - the living, breathing history of the Westwood family before tragedy rewrote everything.
"Sorry," Dale said, catching her expression."Didn't mean to ramble.Here - one more fold, and you've got yourself a butterfly."
Such a simple thing - paper and patience - yet in its creases lay a map to the Westwood family she'd never known existed.
* * *
Ashley's handcramped from two hours of furious writing.Her social psychology final had been brutal, but at least it was over.She pushed through the heavy doors into the May sunshine, squinting against the sudden brightness.Her sundress, hastily chosen this morning, clung to her skin in the humid air, and she could feel loose strands of hair escaping her messy bun.
"Well, if it isn't the girl who's caught both Westwood brothers' attention."
She froze.Ezra lounged against the building's stone facade, one ankle crossed over the other, projecting the kind of confidence that came from old money and ivy-covered privilege.His dark blonde hair caught the sunlight, styled to look artfully careless in a way that probably cost more than her textbooks.The sleeves of his cream cashmere sweater were pushed up to reveal an expensive watch, and everything about him - from his Italian leather loafers to his carefully stubbled jaw - calculated to look effortless, practiced to appear careless.Yale's perfect trust fund warrior.
The only imperfection was his smirk, sharp and mean in a way that even his future professional polish would never quite hide.
"What do you want, Ezra?"
He pushed off the wall with lazy grace, reminding her of a predator stretching before a hunt."Just looking out for a fellow student's...virtue."His eyes, an unsettling shade of blue-green, traveled over her in a way that made her skin crawl.His gaze lingered on where her dress had twisted slightly, revealing more knee than she'd intended."Though I have to admit, I'm curious what makes you so special.Cole doesn't usually go for the wholesome type."
"I'm not interested in your opinion of me."She started to walk past him, her sandals scuffing against the sun-warmed stone path.
"No?"He fell into step beside her, close enough that she could smell his cologne - something expensive and overwhelming, like him."How about my opinion of Cole?Or better yet - my opinion of how this little triangle you're creating is going to blow up in everyone's faces?"
Ashley stopped short, her bag sliding off her shoulder.Before she could catch it, Ezra did, using the motion to step even closer.His height forced her to tilt her head back to meet his eyes, and she hated how he used that advantage to loom over her.
"There is no triangle."
"Please."His laugh was sharp, white teeth flashing.A thin scar above his lip, nearly invisible unless you were this close, twisted his smile into something cruel."I've seen how Dale looks at you.And now Cole's offering private tutoring?"He stepped closer, backing her against the warm brick wall.A bead of sweat traced down her spine."Let me tell you how this ends.The good brother, the bad brother, and the girl who thinks she can have both?It's a fucking train wreck waiting to happen."
"You don't know what you're talking about."But her voice shook slightly.This wasn't the polished Professor Martinez who'd visited their house.This was someone cruder, meaner.
"Don't I?"His smile turned knife-sharp."I've known them longer than you.I've seen what happens when someone gets between them.Those wounds?"He shook his head."They're still bleeding."
"I'm not trying to get between anyone."
"Sure, you're not.The pretty little psych major just happens to be spending time with both brothers."He leaned closer, his cologne too strong, too invasive."Word of advice?Stick with Dale.He's more your speed.Safe.Predictable.Leave Cole to the girls who can handle him."
Anger flared hot in her chest."You mean girls like the ones you and Cole pass around at parties?"
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes."Careful, sweetheart.You're out of your depth here."He straightened, adjusting his sweater with deliberate precision."Cancel your...study sessions.If you value yourself at all, or him, or Dale, stay the fuck away from Cole."
She watched him walk away, her heart pounding.How could this be the same man who would one day be a respected professor?Who would speak at conferences and mentor students?
Then she remembered the cruel amusement in his voice at the party, the way he and Cole had talked about that girl, and she realized - some people grew out of their sharp edges.Others, like Cole, had their edges worn smooth by loss and love.
