Todd is already shaking his head. "Maybe because she was blindsided on national TV? Maybe because that dickbag knows exactly how to manipulate the press?" He gestures at the phone in West’s grip. "But I knowone thing—she belongs tous. Not him."
West finally speaks, voice low. "Ifthis is some media stunt, it’s backfiring. It looks real." His jaw ticks, like he hates even saying it out loud.
Jake leans forward, voice calm but firm. "Guys. Weknowher. If she was serious about Owen, she wouldn’t be FaceTiming us every night. She wouldn’t be falling asleep to our voices."
I want to believe that. Hell, Idobelieve that.
But this is the same fucking pattern as before—Ash being ripped away from us, her name dragged through the press, her career on the line.
The problem is, last time, we were the ones making her choose.
Now? Now it’s someone else.
Todd’s watching me, waiting. "She’s going to call."
Like clockwork, my phone vibrates.FaceTime: Ashlyn.
I stare at the screen, my pulse pounding.
"Answer it," Todd murmurs.
I swipe the screen, and Ash’s face fills the display, her blue eyes wide, her mouth already open mid-sentence. "Xay?—"
"Already saw it," I cut in, my voice unreadable even to myself.
She exhales hard, frustration clear in her expression. "Damn it. I was trying to warn you before?—"
"Before I saw a picture ofmygirl with some asshole’s ring in her face?" My tone comes out harsh, but beneath it, there’s something else. Something raw.
Her eyes soften, but I don’t let that sway me. "Xayden," she whispers, and fuck if it doesn’t make my chest tighten.
"Tell me the truth, Ash," I say, forcing my voice to steady. "Did you say yes?"
Her brows pull together, her whole body vibrating with irritation. "Of courseI didn’t say yes. I didn’t even know he was going to—" she cuts herself off, pressing her fingers to her temple. "Can you just let me explain?"
I don’t say anything, but she must see the storm in my expression because she sighs and keeps talking.
"Owen pulled this shit on live TV. He didn’t tell me. He didn’t warn me. And the second the cameras were off, Itold him no."
The words hit me like a sucker punch, knocking the breath from my lungs.
I should have fucking known.
I feel the guys behind me shift, their own tension loosening slightly.
Todd exhales, shaking his head like he never doubted her for a second. West rubs a hand over his jaw, still tense but notfuriousanymore.
Jake leans closer, his voice cutting through the moment. "Did he touch you?"
Her eyes flick away for a split second.
"He kissed my cheek," she admits.
My vision goesred.
"Motherfucker," West mutters.
Todd’s jaw tightens, but he nods at the screen. "And what happened next?"
