Page 16 of Exactly What I Needed
Shaking my head, I sighed. “You really think they’d accept ‘help’ from me? They don’t do handouts, and I can’t offer them business opportunities. I am a teacher, with student loans still. Besides, why do you feel obligated to help them?”
“Because they at least appreciated me while we were together, even if you didn’t,” he jabbed at me, and I rolled my eyes.
“Doesn’t mean you have to come with my parents. It’s my birthday. Can’t you just let it be for a few days?”
He shook his head, that malicious grin returning to his face.
“I know Sydney, and she will put on a massive party. It shouldn’t be hard to avoid me. Besides, we have some business things to take care of while here.” He winked and then turned around. I flipped him off. What a jerk.
“That’s inappropriate in a school setting,” he said without turning around, and then left the room.
I groaned, leaning back against my desk as Elysia shook her head. “Wow. He’s a piece of work,” she muttered.
“You have no idea.” I glanced at my phone.
My heart sank to my stomach. No. That wasn’t real. Somehow, during some point of that conversation, I’d sent a video to Asher. A video of what? What had I recorded?
Luckily, he hadn’t opened it yet. Snatching it off my desk, I frantically began to see if I could unsend something. But as I searched and searched, I watched the icon change and closed my eyes. He’d opened it. What was I doing?
“Cosi? You okay?” Elysia asked, and I shook my head. “Danny is right. Sydney will put on something extravagant. Your girls will be there, and I’ll be there. We can make sure he doesn’t bother you.”
I gave her a tight, appreciative smile. Little did she know, that wasn’t the reason I wasn’t okay.
Chapter 7
Despite waiting anxiously all day long, Asher did not respond to the snap video. I plopped myself down on the couch, worried not just about what he was thinking but also about my birthday. Danny was coming. Of course it had to happen now.
“Cosi? What’s going on? Don’t you still need to vacuum?” Sydney asked, jumping onto the couch in her yoga outfit. Man, to be as carefree as she was.
“Guess who showed up to school today?” I began and twisted my features to mirror Danny’s snooty attitude. “For a courtesy warning.”
She furrowed her brows. “What warning did dumbass Danny have this time?”
“He’s going into business with my dad!” I flopped back against the couch cushions.
“What does that have to do with warning you?”
“He’s coming to my birthday party,” I groaned.
“Why? Can’t he just let your parents be for a few days while they’re here?”
I shook my head. “Apparently not. I asked the same thing.”
Sydney sighed, leaning back against the couch, and pulled my feet up into her lap.
“Syd, what is he thinking? Does he figure that if he helps my parents out financially, I’ll get back with him? The last three attempts to win me back haven’t worked. Obviously. This time it seems a little less direct and a little more manipulative.” I closed my eyes, frustrated.
“Is that what he’s doing?” she asked, and I shrugged my shoulders. “You’re right. Knowing him, it probably is. Do you think he’d screw your parents over if you don’t get back with him?”
“I hope not. He’s not sadistic like that. At least I don’t think he is…” I mumbled, and she suddenly sat up straight.
“Cosi, my dearest, lovely best friend,” she began, and I cracked open my eyes.
“Yes?” I knew she was about to ask me something that I typically said no to.
“Sooooo, I know that you will never accept money from me.”
“Obviously, which is why you pretend like I haven’t figured out how you get me to come to things like the concert this last Saturday.” I opened my eyes all the way and watched as she twisted a strand of blonde hair around her fingers.
