“If you’ve got something to say, say it.” Chad encourages his buddy to fess up.
I arch a brow at Jase as I watch him wage some inner war. Losing my patience, I throw my hands in the air. “Oh, whatever, Jase. Just fuck off.” I nudge Chad and walk around his prone best friend. We have only taken a few steps when he calls out after us again.
“I’m not the only one who can fight,” he yells. “If you care for me like you say you do, then fight forme!”
Twirling around, I walk back up to him. “I am fighting for you, Jase.” I prod his chest with the tip of my index finger.
He shakes his head. “No, you’re not. You’ve given up. You have shut me out and just rolled over and let her win. You’re not hearing me, and you’re not even willing to try. Maybe the next time you’re busy pushing me away, you’ll think about that.”
ChapterEleven
Ashley
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Chad asks, slotting his truck into an empty parking space in front of the single-story redbrick building. It’s tucked right at the back of a large industrial estate on the outskirts of the bustling town of Grenlow. His brow puckers as he peers out the windshield at the chunky red lettering on the side of the structure. GRENLOW VINTAGE TOYS doesn’t seem like the right location, but I triple-checked the coordinates Theo Westbrook sent to my cell, and this is correct.
“This is it,” I confirm.
“Now what?”
I shrug. “I guess we wait? Wearea little early.”
“I don’t know, Ash.” Chad looks anxiously around. “I’m not liking this one little bit.”
“I trust Lo and the guys. I thought you did too?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust them. This just seems shady as fuck.”
I quirk a brow at him. “Really? That’s what you’re going with?” I slant him a knowing look.
He mumbles something under his breath, and it irritates me.
“I’m doing this for you!” I snap. “If you insist on putting your life on the line, then the least you can do is learn how to defend yourself. Between you and Jase, I am barely getting any sleep because I’m all torn up and fucking worried. I don’t think this is too much to ask.”
“You’re right.” He unknots my fisted hands, rubbing my tense fingers. “I’m sorry. Forgive me?” Leaning across the console, he puckers his lips and cocks his head to one side.
I can’t help but soften. “Just promise you’ll keep an open mind and try your hardest.” I cup his handsome face. “I need you to be safe, Chad.”
“I promise, sweetheart.” He kisses me deeply before lacing his fingers in my hair. “I know I’ve been an insufferable ass these past couple of months, and Ares’s antics aren’t helping.”
“I know.” I heave out an annoyed sigh. “He’s deliberately trying to push our buttons, and we’re letting him. We need to start retaliating.”
“I’m all for that plan,” he agrees, dusting kisses across my face. “Do you have something in mind?”
“I have a few ideas.” My lips twitch. “We can talk later.”
He straightens up, leveling me with a solemn look. “So, are we going to talk about what just happened back there?”
“I had a momentary loss of sanity. It won’t happen again.”
“Siren.” He tilts my face up. “Talk to me.”
“Are you mad?”
Shock splays across his gorgeous face and his blue eyes pop wide. “Why would I be mad? I told you you’re in control, and I meant it. I will do whatever you want to do when it comes to Jase.”
“I made out with him in front of your teammates.”
“That’s what you’re worried about?”
