He never will be.
I didn't even like him like that. Did I?
Shock rushes through me, my mind trying to pinpoint the exact second that my indifference for my best friends brother became a crush. A real crush. Oh no.
One of my brothers team mates moves in front of me, smiling in greeting and I dip my head back at Justin, trying to stare over his shoulder at Asher even as I tell myself to be indifferent again, he's not mine.
"Hey, Ivy!" Justin mutters, "you see your brother around here? He said he was going to go check on you but now you're up here and he's down there." He laughs at the end, but I shake my head.
"Haven't seen him, sorry Justin."
He shrugs, "it's all Gee, I get to speak to the better looking sibling anyway, don't I?" He moves closer and I smile back uncomfortably, not knowing what to say to his attempt at flirting and he shifts to the side, ducking his head to say something when a hand lands on his shoulder, gaining his attention.
I blink at the hand, leading all the way to Asher's thunderous face. He looks to me and his eyes soften, mouth opening to say something, but I don't give him the chance to voice his thought, turning on my heel and making my way back down the stairs, leaving through the houses back door.
I pull my phone from my pocket, texting Charlie that I'm heading back early, and she sends me a thumbs up before following up with a message to leave her here, that's she'd found someone to occupy her time.
I smile at the message before liking it and shoving my phone back in my pocket. I pull the car keys free and walk towards where we'd parked the car, wanting this day to just end.
• • •
The smell of pizza wafts from the kitchen and my stomach grumbles. Pausing Bridgerton, I slip from my bed and pad over to the door, listening to any sounds of anyone downstairs. But Leon must still be at the party, hopefully.
But I still open the door and sneak down like the dignified lady I am not.
I peak my head into the kitchen, breathing a sigh of relief when I find it empty and quickly walk to the fridge, grabbing two slices and a drink before rushing back to my room, breathing another sigh of relief when I hear no sound of approach or anyone following.
I slip back into my room, my stolen goods clutched in my hand before coming to a sudden stop, staring at the boy in my bed.
Asher looks up at the sound of my door shutting, his cheeks flushed rosy and a glazed look in his eyes.
He pushes from the bed, the act clumsy and pulling a smile from me that I quickly wipe off.
"Are you drunk?"
He mumbles something before straightening and stumbling forward, "come to bed."
I blink when he grabs my elbow and moves me towards the bed like he owns it.
"Asher." I almost drop the pizza as he manoeuvres me, climbing onto the mattress while I place the food and drink on the bedside. "What are you doing here?"
"I wish to sleep, Ivy."
"Sleep in your own bed." I hiss.
"No," he mumbles, pulling me forward until I'm falling into his chest, my hands fisted and resting against warm skin.
"What has gotten into you?" I mutter, but Asher only curls his arms tighter around me, twisting us until I'm laid on the mattress beside him, though he doesn't give up his boa constrictor hold.
"How did you even get inside?"
"Leon gave me a key."
I roll my eyes. "Just because you have a key doesn't mean you can use it whenever you want."
"I think having a key means precisely that." He retorts. Then tightens his hold. "Sleep." He mumbles against my temple, hot breath skimming my ear and causing a shiver to erupt across my skin.
I stare up at the ceiling as his breathing evens out and stare at the television, paused with Colin Bridgerton's face in the carriage.
