“I think the three of you together might be perfect.”
“Lukas, can I talk to you outside?” Ash didn’t wait for me to answer, and he left the room.
I set my camera down and exchanged a worried look with Jax and Blue. “We’ll be right back.”
Ash was down at the other end of the basement where the bedroom was set up. He was sitting on the bed, his feet dangling just above the floor. His hands were folded in his lap, but his knuckles were white with how hard he was clenching his muscles.
“Are you okay?” I asked him, sitting down on the end of the bed next to him.
“What about what we talked about?” Ash glared daggers at me. “I told you I wanted to try with someone older.”
“You and Blue looked really great. So did you and Jax. I want to see the three of you together. We can still talk about some older models, but I really think this dynamic would work. Can I ask why you have your heart set on someone older?”
Ash looked at me like I’d just said the stupidest thing on the planet. “Are you for real right now?”
When I didn’t respond, Ash set his jaw and anger flashed in his eyes. Then suddenly his hands were on me, and he pulled me into a kiss. He pressed his lips against mine and tried to deepenthe kiss. His frustrated sound unparalyzed me, and I managed to put my hands on his shoulders and gently push him away.
“Asher, I’m sorry. I don’t film anymore.”
Ash’s nostrils flared. “You’re literally so fucking stupid.”
“Hey,” I rebuked him, annoyance flaring in me.
“You think I kissed you because I want to film with you? God.” He wiped a hand down his face. “I’ve been trying to get you to fucking notice me, Lukas. I thought… forget what I thought.”
“Ash, I’m sorry.” My voice was soft and full of regret. Ash was too young for me even if I was interested, which I wasn’t. He wasn’t my type. Even if I hadn’t known his brother, nothing would have ever happened between us anyway.
“Forget it. I need to go.” Before I could stop him, Ash was on his feet and out the back door. I thought about chasing after him, but I figured he would need some time alone to lick his wounds. After a few steadying breaths, I went back to the green room where Jax took one look at me and knew something had happened.
“Uh-oh,” he said.
“He, uh… Ash left.” I sat down on the ottoman. “Can you two check on him? He’s had a bit of a rough moment, and I think he could use a friend.”
Blue was on his feet in a second. “I’ll catch him.”
Jax shot me a knowing look. “He finally made his move, didn’t he?”
“What do you meanfinally?”
Jax rolled his eyes and grabbed his shirt from the back of the couch where he’d put it when he’d come in. “He’s worshipped you for years, Lukas.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to know, you know? I thought if I ignored it, if I made it clear that it wasn’t going to happen, that he’d forget about it.”
“You’re a good guy, Lukas. Delusional, but good.” Jax clapped me on the back. “Blue and I will look out for him. Don’t worry.”
“Text me an update, okay?”
“Will do. In the meantime, Blue was right. We need copies of that footage.” He winked at me, then slipped out of the room, leaving me alone in the silence.
FIFTEEN
SAWYER
“Sawyer, what is that?”Yvette looked at the bundle of fur at my feet. The one currently flopped over on its back, waving its legs in the air. I think it wanted a belly rub.
“It’s a dog, Yvette. You know. Four legs. Furry. Kind of cute. They come in all shapes and sizes. Fetch newspapers, chase birds, that kind of thing. A dog.”
Yvette looked down at it, then back up at me. “I know it’s a dog. Is it yours?”
