“No. I definitely do not.”
Her body stiffens. “Why are you like this, Ash? I was good enough for you before, suddenly she comes along, and you drop me like a hot potato.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” I snap which is when she sidles up to me again.
“I’d be happy for you to come and see me once you’ve finished with her tonight.”
“For fucks sake Jade, have some self-respect.” I push past her with nothing but disgust in my gut.
Her response is quick. “That girl will ruin you and your career. She isn’t good enough for you, Ash. She’s a cling-on.”
“Fuck off Jade, do you have a good word to say about anyone?” I shout over my shoulder.
“That would depend.”
“I can’t deal with this right now. I’ve got somewhere to be,” I mumble, striding away from her and I don’t expect her to call back.
“She better get used to seeing girls hanging off your neck. This is your life now, Ash.”
“What did you say?” I ask, although it’s now obvious why Jade is hanging around. Those were Dani’s words falling from her mouth.
“I bet you have a different girl in your bed every night from now on. Your girlfriend better get used to it, that’s all.”
“Bollocks to that,” I say under my breath while I walk away. “I’m a musician, not a player,” and the only person I need to prove that statement to, has just walked out on me.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ASH
There’sone hell of a gravel driveway to this old warehouse, but once I get past it and onto the main path into town, it only takes a minute to spot Angie and Cal in the distance.
“Hey girls, wait up.”
They turn around, Cal’s dark hair flowing across her face from the evening breeze. She gently moves it away while waiting for me to catch her up.
“Hey Ash, you made it,” Angie says. I catch my breath when I reach them, but instead of saying hi in return, I circle my arms around Cal’s bare waist. Catching the hem of her cut-off t-shirt, I pin her body to mine before taking whatever words she was about to say with my mouth. Her hand falls to my shoulder, a tap at first; then she rests it there. I kiss her hard and deep, urgent and needy. The world spins around us while I tell her, in the best way I know, how much I want her, what she means to me and how I can’t ever let her go. It’s not what we agreed; this was only to last for the time we had left here in Braebeach, but I don’t think I can stick to that now.
I pull back, her eyes glowing bluer than I’ve ever seen. Iwant to tell her exactly what’s going on in my head, but I can’t while Angie is standing behind me.
“Jesus, you two. Get a room already.”
I turn around sheepishly, while Cal looks away.
“Angie, sorry about that. I got carried away for a second.”
“Yep, you did,” she smiles. “I take it you two are okay now?”
“You go. I’ll be fine,” Cal replies, her eyes avoiding mine which only shows, we’re not okay at all.
“Tommy said to meet you back at the warehouse,” I tell Angie and signal with a lift of my chin.
“Better not keep him waiting,” Angie’s says, her tone high pitched. “I’ll call you tomorrow Cal, and we can talk some more.” She leans forward, kissing Cal, then me. “Don’t fuck this up, you idiot,” she whispers in my ear, so I give her a nod. “Right, I better get going; my hot date awaits.”
“Laters,” Cal says, her voice weary, then we watch Angie walk back towards the warehouse until she’s out of sight.
I look back to Cal, who pushes away the strands of hair still flying around her face by the breeze. My fingers skim her satin, lightly bronzed skin. I take in her slight smile. “Cal, I want to tell you something.” She waits, searching my own eyes before I say, “I’m in?—”
Her finger runs over my mouth to stop my words. “No, Ash. Please don’t.”
