His words eased the knot in my chest. I risked a discreet glance at Ash. He’d probably read the same thing on my face that I saw on his—longing. It was his arms I wanted around me, the only dance I wanted.
But we couldn’t. And the weight of all the things we’d be forced to miss made me bite my tongue and draw in a sharp breath so I wouldn’t break down in front of everyone.
“Hey.” Javi’s gentle smile steadied me. “You look like you’re about to cry.”
“I’m fine,” I said as the music shifted to a faster song. “It just sucks, having to act like strangers when we didn’t do anything wrong.”
“It won’t be like this forever.” He dropped his hand from my waist.
“I wish I were in college already.” I wouldn’t feel like an adult until I left Dad’s house and his rules.
Javi’s gaze softened. “Will you be okay on your own? I want to check on Ash.”
“Sure. Go. Don’t leave him alone for too long.”
He gave my shoulder a friendly pat and strode toward Asher. Guests swarmed the dance floor as the upbeat melody played, cutting off my view. I squeezed past women in bright gowns, making my way to the back for a drink and maybe something to eat.
“Kaia.”
The voice stopped me cold.
Crap. Ethan again. Persistent as ever, and the last person I wanted near me—let alone asking me to dance. Too bad Javi wasn’t here to intercept.
I pasted on a polite smile. “Ethan. I was going to get a drink.”
He tsked, shaking his head. “Did your brother forget to bring you one? I thought he’d be looking after you.”
Brother? We weren’t family. What was his deal? “I don’t have a brother.”
Ethan laughed, loud enough to carry over the music. “My bad. Stepbrother. Just semantics, right? I pegged Asher as the overprotective type, but here you are, alone.”
What did he want from me? If he thought cozying up to me would win points with my father, he was in for the disappointment of the century.
“I’m not alone,” I said evenly. “I’m here with my father and his girlfriend. Sorry, Ethan, I need to go.”
His lips curved, his posture stiffening. “Sure. Don’t make your brother wait.”
***
Asher and Javi didn’t come home with us after the party, but I heard their footsteps an hour later when I was already in bed. Ash’s door shut down the hall. I waited a few minutes, then grabbed my earbuds and phone and slipped from my room.
Anxiety twisted in my stomach at the thought of Dad catching me, but I needed to see Asher. Despite Javi’s reassurance, I had to feel for myself that we were okay. If Ash was having second thoughts, I’d rather he told me now—before I sank any deeper.
Who was I kidding? I’d been in too deep for years, since the first time I saw him. But admitting my crush out loud was a whole different thing from secretly scrolling his photos at night.
I eased his door open and stepped inside.
Asher stood by the bed, shirt unbuttoned, chest and stomach taut under the light. At the sound of my footsteps, he lifted his head. I licked my lips nervously.
I should’ve knocked.
“Kaia.” He crossed the room and stopped in front of me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” The word came out thin, unconvincing. Where the hell was my courage? I’d come for reassurance, yet my tongue failed me.
“You should be sleeping,” Asher whispered. His fingertips grazed my cheek, tucking a strand of hair aside. Then, as if reading the worry etched on my face, he pulled me against his chest. The suddenness stole my breath, my heart slamming against my ribs.
“I’m sorry.” His exhale shivered across my temple. “I had to stay away, peque. Javi thinks your father suspects, and I couldn’t risk it.”
