I hand him the bottle, then answer with the only truth I can offer.
“In all honesty, I don’t know. I’ve never had the space to find out. Every time I try to get somewhere, try to break the cycle, I get dragged right back down. But I’m done letting it happen. I’m going to claw my way out of this mess. Even if it kills me,”
The quiet that follows feels different this time. Lighter. Less like we’re drowning, and more like we’re floating.
Asher raises the bottle. “To breaking free. And maybe, if we’re lucky, our fathers die in their sleep tonight,”
He drinks, then hands it to me with a grin that’s half broken, half sincere.
I raise it too. “Here here. But make my father’s death slow and agonising,”
He chuckles, and it’s the first real laugh I’ve heard from him. It warms something inside me.
I take a long drink and sink deeper into the chair, the blanket tucked around my legs, the buzz in my veins soft and safe.
I breathe, I really needed this.
***
We chat back and forth for what feels like hours. Not a care in the world, only the passing of the bottle back and forth and laughs like we have been old friends for years.
The Asher before me is a different man all together. His eyes are bright, and his smile could light up any room. I thought his scowling face was attractive enough, but my lord, happy carefree Asher is something else entirely.
We have covered the topic of schooling, embarrassing moments, what I think of the Academy and fucked up things our fathers have done. Obviously, I adlibbed a bit on my stories because they would no doubt horrify him.
“So, what are your plans after the Academy?” I ask as he shifts in his chair.
“Take over the company,” He shrugs. “I’m the heir. I don’t really have a choice,”
“You always have a choice,”
He shakes his head. “I don’t, but it’s okay. I want to run the company; I enjoy working with all the different aspects of the conglomerate,”
“And bossing people around?” I scoff.
He grins. “And bossing people around,” He repeats. “What about you?”
I tilt my head side to side. “Hmm. I haven’t really thought very far ahead,” Because I thought I would be dead by now, at the hands of myown father. “But I think I might like to travel. See the world and experience what it is like to be surrounded by good people,”
“Where would you go?” He asks and he is truly interested. Not for filling the silence or asking because I asked him.
“I really want to see Europe. All the cities, the museums and architecture. I want to feel sand between my toes for the first time before spending the day watching the ocean,” I imagine it in my mind, the days I will spend strolling with not a care in the world. “And I want to get chunky from tasting all the delicious food,” I laugh, but Asher looks confused.
“You’ve never been to the beach?”
Crap. Too much sharing. I got way too comfortable tonight and I clear my throat. People with the status and money to attend an Academy like this have holiday homes in numerous European cities, at the very least they have been on a single beach holiday.
I clear my throat, too late, now time to lie. “My father is always too busy, and like I said, they aren’t really the caring type,”
“I’ll take you to my families place in Italy for spring break,” He nods as if it’s set in stone, and I wish it was. I’m not delusional enough to think things have completely changed between us because of this drunken night. Not only is he inebriated, but he is also still Asher Vander. I am still the girl lying to everyone and as soon as I find Marlowe, I will be gone, way before spring break.
Before my mind can spiral again, one of my favourite songs kicks in, and Asher lights up.
“Fuck,” he laughs, nearly tripping as he turns up the speaker. “I’m hammered,”
His voice is loose and boyish, pulling a grin from my lips.
“Come on, little vixen,” He extends a hand, tipsy but inviting. “Dance with me,”
