“Think you’re better than everyone?” His voice chased me down the hall, grating against my nerves.
I bit my tongue. Responding would only make it worse. But as the classroom door came into view, panic crawled up my spine.
The guy my best friend crushed on had just made a move on me. Sleazy, aggressive, but still a move. I should warn Mandy—but would she believe me?
I scrubbed a palm over my face. How had Monday gone to shit this fast?
One last glance at the classroom door, and I bolted for the exit instead.
Dad would tear into me if he found out I skipped, but that was a problem for another day.
***
I took a cab home and paid in cash so my father wouldn’t know. I hated spending money when I was trying to save, but I couldn’t stay at school.
Some of the tension eased as I stepped into the silent house. Dad and Sharon wouldn’t be back for hours, and Asher was probably still at the circuit, training.
The articles about his dad lingered in my head. Had Asher seen them too? Reading about Mom always made me emotional, but at least it was honest. Better than pretending I hadn’t lost her just to keep Dad and Sharon comfortable.
As I climbed the stairs, faint noises reached me—a low rumble, like an engine. My heart picked up. Asher was home, probably watching racing.
After what happened before, I should’ve gone straight to my room. But the pull toward him was stronger than reason. I found myself outside his door, knuckles grazing the wood. The sound inside went quiet. He didn’t tell me to come in.
Against better judgment, I stepped into his room.
Ash sat propped against his pillows, phone in hand. Shadows rimmed his eyes, his hair mussed. When he glanced up, something like longing flickered across his face.
“Hi,” I said softly, bracing for annoyance.
“Hola, peque.” He set the phone aside. “Didn’t think you’d be home so early.”
I perched on the edge of his bed. “I skipped my last class.”
I wanted to tell him about Dean—God, I needed to—but Mandy complicated everything. Instead, I studied him, the sadness etched into his features.
His gaze lingered on me too, warm in a way that made me feel seen instead of exposed. Nothing like the way Dean looked at me.
“How are you?” I whispered. “I saw some articles about your dad. It’s his birthday today, isn’t it?”
Ash nodded. “It’s nice they don’t forget. You’d think his wife would remember, but no.”
“That sucks.” I picked at my nails. “Do you want to talk about him?”
His silence made doubt creep in. Maybe I’d pushed too far.
“Ash, I—”
He reached for my hand. Heat rushed through me at the feel of his skin against mine. My pulse stuttered, breath shaky.
His thumb brushed across my knuckles. “Why are you sitting so far? Move closer.”
He shifted to make space. I slid nearer, nerves wrapping tight around me. Act normal, Kaia. You’re not thirteen anymore.
My gaze dropped to his phone on the comforter. “What were you watching? I heard bikes when I got home.”
His thumb stilled on my hand. He let go slowly, then picked up the phone.
“Just…” He hesitated. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? Especially not my mom. She doesn’t know I have it.”
