Page 19 of When We Ignite
I was about to speak when the door creaked open, and Ethan practically jumped in his seat.
Henry strolled out, oblivious. “Hand that over,” he said, reaching for Ethan’s vape.
“I’ve already gotten you three of these,” Ethan replied, voice slightly unsteady. He cleared his throat.
Henry shrugged. “Easier to use yours. You always have it, and I keep losing mine.”
I leaned back, taking a deep breath.
“Keep it,” Ethan said abruptly, standing up. He cast a quick glance my way before heading back inside without a word. Damn it.
I shot Henry a glare.
“What? Did I interrupt something?” he asked too innocently.
“Yes. You did,” I snapped.
“Good,” Henry retorted, expression serious. “Look, you know I’m usually on board with whatever you’re playing at, but...” He hesitated.
I waved at him to go on.
“Dad called me, Ash.”
Of course he did. “And?”
“And you have to be more discreet than this. Especially with Ethan. Oli is marrying his sister. It’s too public. Dad would kill you if it got out. This isn’t like your other bullshit,” he told me.
I felt the sting of his words, but knew he was right. “Thought you were rooting for me.”
“I am. I want you to win your prize. But you can’t keep pulling stunts like this out in the open, especially with Oli noticing,” he advised.
I sighed, lighting another cigarette. He was annoyingly right. Glancing inside, I watched Ethan chatting with his sister, his leg bouncing nervously.
Oliver eyed us, expression unreadable. I knew Oli could see right through me. They both could.
“Fuck,” I breathed.
Henry relaxed, leaning back on the chair. “You can still have him, Ash. Just keep it private,” he insisted.
I shook my head. “I should drop it. Dad’s already pissed. Ethan might be the last straw. Maybe in a couple of years.”
“Yeah, or four or five.”
I chuckled despite myself. Looking at Ethan, frustration gnawed at me. “I was so close.”
“Why don’t you come by the club tonight? Fuck some other college guy instead?” Henry suggested.
I huffed a laugh. “It’s not an age kink, you know. I’d prefer if he were older. I want him, and I think he was about to give in. Makes it harder,” I explained.
“Yeah, but he’s too young, Ash. You’re almost twice his age. Have you stopped to think about that?”
I shrugged. “What’s the youngest you’ve gone?”
He thought it over, taking a drag. “Not much—you know, probably three years younger? I’m not into that. You know why. It’s not like I have a type, but it’s usually the…” He waved vaguely.
“Physical attributes?” I offered. “Yeah, I know,” I said, and Henry chuckled again. “How would you feel backing off from Marisa just as you were about to win her over?”
He grimaced. “Horrible. It’s Tara now, by the way. But yeah, it’d suck. That’s why I’m offering a sympathy fuck. It’ll make you feel better.”
