Jake chuckles, the sound low and knowing, like he’s playing a game I don’t know the rules to. “Sure, Ash. Whatever you say. But from where I’m standing, it smells a lot like jealousy. And I’m a beta. I imagine to the guys it smells the same.”
My teeth clench as his words strike a nerve. Because he’s right. Of course, he’s right. I want to throw it back at him, to tell him it’s their fault—his fault. For the teasing. For the smiles that linger too long and the words that hit too close. For making me feel all of this again when I’ve tried so damn hard to bury it.
It’s all of them. Jake and Xayden for flirting like nothing’s changed, like I don’t notice every casual brush of their hands or the glint in their eyes. Todd, with his sudden kindness, throwingme completely off balance. And West... West, who doesn’t even have to touch me to leave me burning.
My skin remembers them, craves them, and it’s infuriating. In the dark of the night, I ache for the ghosts of their touches. Who am I kidding? It’s not just at night—it’s now. Right here, standing in front of Jake, my pulse races for reasons I don’t want to admit.
But instead of saying any of that, I glare at him, trying to will away the flush creeping up my neck. Trying to pretend he doesn’t already know.
“You’re still cute when you’re jealous,” he says, his grin teasing, a wink following the words like a punctuation mark. Then, before I can even muster a response, he turns on his heel and hops back onto the stage, leaving me standing there, my heart racing and my thoughts tangled.
Lilah flopsdown onto the couch beside me, a bowl of popcorn balanced in her lap. She grabs a handful, tossing the kernels into her mouth one by one, her gaze already dissecting my mood.
“So,” she starts casually, though her tone holds an edge of knowing, “are you going to tell me what happened tonight, or do I have to drag it out of you?”
I shake my head, letting it fall back against the couch. What is there to tell? My mind is still stuck on Jake’s parting words.
You’re still cute when you’re jealous.
Ugh. They echo on a maddening loop, making my stomach churn and my cheeks burn all over again.
“Ash,” Lilah says, stretching out my name as her eyes narrow in on me, clearly reading far too much from my expression.
I sigh, unable to keep the tension from my voice. “I was assigned to oversee the choreography for the music video we’re doing for the show.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, and she lets out a low whistle. “Shelley really has a knack for putting people into situations they’re uncomfortable in, huh?”
I huff a laugh, though it’s hollow, lacking any real humor. “Apparently.”
Lilah pauses, her fingers frozen in mid-air as she picks another piece of popcorn. She sets the bowl aside, her gaze lifting to meet mine with a cautious edge. “Do you think—” she begins, but then hesitates, clearly weighing her next words. “Do you think there’s a chance to?—”
“No,” I cut her off before she can finish, my voice firm, unyielding. There’s no use in pretending. There’s zero chance.
She presses her lips together, nodding thoughtfully. “Well, if you need pointers on how to cover your windows with blankets... I’m practically a pro at it.”
A small laugh escapes me, loosening the tension that’s been tightening in my chest. “I don’t think I’m exactly a ‘left at the altar’ kind of sad.”
She rolls her eyes. “No, you’re just in that ‘losing your scent matches’ kind of sad.”
Although her words sting, I smile anyway. “Whatever.” I grab some popcorn, tossing it into my mouth while reaching for the remote with my other hand. “What are we watching tonight?”
Lilah glances at me with a mischievous smirk. “I was thinking something romantic. You know, about second chances.”
I roll my eyes, a little reluctant but amused. “Oh, really? You think I need that kind of movie right now?”
She shrugs, her grin widening. “Maybe you’ll feel differently after watching it. You never know.”
Before I can protest, she snatches the controller from my hand and pulls up a movie. My stomach sinks when I see the title:Sweet Home Alabama.
I’ve always avoided it. It hits too close to home, reminding me of how things can never be the same between me and the guys.
CHAPTER 16
Ashlyn
The credits roll,and the tears keep falling, tracing paths down my cheeks. Lilah shifts beside me, pulling her leg up under her as she turns to face me.
“Did you ever tell West you don’t have a boyfriend?” she asks quietly.
