Page 87 of Vicious Arrangement
“See what?” I ask sarcastically.
Asher drops his arms, and straightens. “See where this went.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“But you didn’t expect the pretty blonde you got the hots for to be so… well, Aria. So you imploded. She makes you vulnerable, and you can’t stand that. So what do you do? You leave her alone, do your own thing, don’t show up to dinner, and generally act like your marriage is what it said on the tin when you coerced her into it; one of convenience.” He rubs his chin. “And when you feel like it, you fuck her.”
Me, I wish to fuck he had some booze lying around because I’m tempted to drink it. “That’s not how it is.”
“Isn’t it? I get the feeling it is, and a whole lot more.”
“She shouldn’t be telling you about us or asking for help.”
Asher slams his fist on the counter. “She’s not doing either one. But I know you.”
“I don’t need your help.” I’ve lost this battle, we both know it. So I glare and add, “And tell Joshy his joke’s great, but I’d have said, ‘hey, man.’”
“He’s four.”
“I know.” And I storm out. Stinging, my face burning.
Never in a million years would I offer to fix a joke a four-year-old heard or made up, not to his loveable little face, but I’m pissed, and I want to lash out, and Joshy isn’t here.
I get in the car and slam the door. “SoHo,” I say to the driver.
“Home or?—”
“Home.” I sit back, digging her phone out again.
Thing is, I know there was nothing but truth and love in Asher’s words. He’s always had my back, and me his. We’ve been each other’s rocks. Maybe I don’t like the rift between us for reasons I don’t get.
My accusations wouldn’t scare him off, and I’ve apologized. The man knows when I mean something and when I don’t and Asher’s my family, too.
But I’m angry, too. Maybe because he has an ease I don’t have with Aria.
“That’s also your own fault, dumbass.”
Yeah, but… when I let the primal heat out, the passion and desire that compel me to circle in her orbit, there’s no uphill battle.The attraction between us decimates all in its path and has since moment one, when we first met.
Worlds and years aren’t built just on those sexual explosions, but they’re important, and I’m not sure why. The words barriers, walls, and hurdles come into my head, but I’m not ready to face them.
I know I have to complete the path to her, perhaps take a risk, but she could be like everyone else.
Asher might hold truths in his words, but what? Does he actually think this passion is love? Love is something else, and I don’t fucking do it. And the one thing I definitely know is I’m not in love with any?—
Her phone beeps.
Katie:I knoooow you’re at work, but don’t they have breaks? How are you feeling? Have you made a decision? Have you processed the news yet? ARI!!!
I frown. Why does everyone not filter their words with each other? But that’s not the important bit, besides they’re old friends.
What’s Katie on about? Processed what?
I shouldn’t. Warning bells clang.
But I don’t put down the phone or turn it off. The car keeps going over the bridge now, to Manhattan. I click on Katie’s messages, and scroll.
“Oh holy fuck.”
