Page 41 of Sweet Possession

In a way, he’s helping me keep my dad’s spirit alive, and I can’t thank him enough for that. It’s the first year since my father passed that someone has been there for me in that way. My mom was usually drunk or high with a dirty boyfriend, while I spent the day in bed, crying for what I had lost. But not this year.

No.

When Asher found out what day it was, he made sure to keep my mind and body occupied. He made a sad day into something good.

“Miss Hale?”

My head snaps up at the sound of Brody calling my name. His eyes lock on mine, a smirk curving his lips as if he can hear my thoughts. I straighten and clear my throat, although the way he is looking at me makes me want to run and hide. “Yes?”

“Like to share with the class where your thoughts were?” The taunting in his voice makes me narrow my eyes.

“No,” I grit out.

He smiles wider. No doubt he’s enjoying this. Enjoying making me uncomfortable. “I expect your full attention when in my class. See me after.”

Swallowing, I focus on Brody and what he is saying for the rest of the lesson. I have math next, with Asher. He won’t like this, but there is nothing I can do. I cannot disobey a teacher. It will make things worse. Most likely I’ll be given detention or be called down to the principal for misbehavior.

The rest of the class goes in a blur. By the time the bell sounds, I’m on edge about what Brody wants and how Asher is going to react. What if he comes to this classroom? What if they get in a fight? Asher is possessive of me. HehatesBrody. It’s a recipe for disaster, and there is no doubt in my mind that Brody is doing this to get a rise out of Asher.

Students file out and then its only Mr. Henderson and me. I feel his eyes on me as I load my books into my bag. “Remi?” I still at his voice. At the way he says my name. He has never called me by my first name.

With a confidence I don’t feel, I lift my head and face him. He perches on the corner of his desk with a look I can’t quite decipher in his eyes.

“I’m sorry if you thought I wasn’t concentrating, Mr. Henderson, and that you felt disrespected. That wasn’t my intention. I can assure you; I am focused during all my classes.”

He laughs—but the sound isn’t nice—and pushes off his desk. Closing the distance between us, he plants his hands on my desk and leans down. “I understand why he is so obsessed with you. Why wouldn’t he be? You’re young, gorgeous, smart.” My eyes widen and I pull back as far as I can. He’s in my space, and I don’t like it. “But let me tell you something,Remi. Asher is a complicated man, and although I’m sure you think you can handle him, it’s an illusion. You will never handle him.”

I’ve heard enough. I push out of my chair, causing him to straighten, and he glares down at me. “You don’t know anything about who Asher is. You are just his pathetic, disloyal, former friend. You may think I don’t know who he is, but I do. Asher and I are one, we are a team, and there is nothing you can do to change that.” I shoulder my bag. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get to class.” I stride away, letting out a breath. Just as I make it to the door, Brody speaks.

“You won’t win this, Remi. Back out now, before you get hurt.” The threat in his voice is clear. But there is something else I can’t quite decipher. Possessiveness, maybe?

Glancing over my shoulder, I study his face. It’s clear he means those words, but why? I get he probably misses his friend, but this is overkill. Just as I am about to ask him what he means, a big body slams into me and I go flying to the floor. “Ow,” I mutter as my ass hits the cold, tiled floor.

Within seconds, the body is crouched down in front of me. Asher. “Are you okay, angel?”

I nod, wincing when pain shoots through my back. “Yeah. Help me up, please?” Grabbing my hands, he pulls me up and into his body. His arm wraps around me as he cradles me into him. I should pull away. Anyone could see us. Instead, I snuggle in deeper, needing his comfort.

“I thought I told you to leave her alone,” Asher grits out.

“I have every right to speak with a student when they are not concentrating in my class, Ash.” There is amusement in Brody’s voice.

“Stay away from her,” Asher hisses.

“No can do. Maybe you want to let her go. It’s inappropriate for a teacher to be holding a student like that,” Brody replies coolly.

“I don’t care. Now, I will not tell you again, Brody. Leave her the fuck alone. You won’t like the consequences if you don’t.”

“Oh, I don’t care about consequences. You know that better than anyone, Ash. Now let the girl go. The both of you won’t like theconsequencesif you don’t end your relationship.” I glance over my shoulder. Brody’s face is stoic, serious, as he threatens us. I try to pull out of Asher’s arms, but he just holds me tighter.

“Asher.” I am panicking now.

Asher laughs but its humorless. “Try it, asshole. I will fucking bury you.” And with those parting words, Asher spins us and pushes me out into the hall.

“What the hell?” I snap, pulling out of Asher’s harsh grip.

He glares down at me. “I told you not to be alone with him.”

I chuckle incredulously. “He asked me to stay behind. I did. I can’t tell him no; he’s a teacher. My teacher.” I hiss the last words.

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