“There is no opportunity to switch teams considering we’re allon the same team,” I interject pointedly. “You and Asher are both the stars of the show. If one of you does well, it’s a win for all.”
I have no cluewhyI’m growing so protective over Asher, considering that his primary language is stillasshole, but I can’t help it. I bet that nobody curbed the team’scelebratory spirit after races where Elio stole the show; it’s only fair that Asher receives the same consideration. He’s been consistently overlooked, undervalued, and dismissed. Granted, he doesn’t do himself any favors with his attitude, but still. As someone who’s also been passed over time and time again, it hits a soft spot.
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the underdog.
“You don’t know him like I know him,” Elio says. “Helping him, being kind to him, only gives him greater ammunition to hurt you down the road. Trust me, I’ve been there. So, be careful where you throw your lot in, intern. You might not like the end result.” He leans forward. “You might’ve helped today, but you also set yourself up for failure. What happens when your algorithm screws up, and Asher ends up back in P22 because he can’t fuckingfunctionin his own in a car? What do you think he’ll do?”
“Elio…” Amanda’s voice is half-censuring but half-doubtful, as if she wants to tell him to shut it but thinks he has a point.
Elio’s lips spread into a cruel smile. “He’ll make it his mission to destroy your name. He’ll ridicule and mock you. He’ll take out his frustration with himself on you, because he still has the EQ of a corpse.” He laughs, and the sound chills me to the bone. “Actually, that’s an insult to corpses; he has the EQ of arock. Tread carefully.” He leans back, and his mean smile is replaced with an easy, camera-ready one. “And if you ever want to jump to the part of the team that would actually support you, win or fail, you know where to find me.”
His words burrow deep, sewing the ugly seeds of doubt in my mind. I root for underdogs, yes, but the problem with cornered dogs is that they’re feral. They’ll snap, bite, and try to take anyone around them down.
Elio slinks into the depths of the club without a backwards glance, leaving me reeling.
“Hey,” Amanda says, touching her hand to my arm. “Elio’s a good person, but he’s also jealous, and he doesn’t like Asher because of a long feud.”
I gaze at her with wide eyes, unable to hide the fear from them. “Is he right? Is Asher going to fuck me over if I screw up?” I’d already had the fear, but I managed to subdue it. Hearing someoneelsetalk about the likelihood, however, is jarring. Internal doubts are one thing; external confirmation is much scarier and far more tangible.
Amanda purses her lips, considering this. “Kind of.”
I release a strained laugh. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Nobody’s really rooted for him and actually stayed on his side. It’s whenever someone jumps ship that he gets angry, vengeful, and vindictive. He can be mean. But… I don’t know.” She sighs. “You’re obviously different. You actually care abouthim,and not just about what he can do—”
“I only care about him professionally.”
Amanda gives me a wan smile. “I might be blonde, but I’m not stupid. I see the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you.”
I swallow, somehow growing even more afraid. “How does he look at me?”
“Like he’s been suffocating his entire life, and you’re his first taste of fresh air.”
“Oh.” The word is barely a whisper. “Since when?”
“I mean, he’s stared at you since you got here. When he thinks you’re looking, the stare is contemptuous, but the rest of the time it was a mixture of curious and dubious. But since you’ve forced him into the simulator to help him… it’s gradually changed.”
I take a few beats to digest this. Then, I blurt out, “Is Asher Lawrence dating someone?” The words come out as a half-shout thatshouldembarrass me, but I’m too invested in the answer to hold myself back.
“Gossiping again, Intern? Here I thought we were past that stage.”
Oh,fuck. Forget about being humiliated over showing up just to have him reject me. The level of sheer embarrassment that overcomes me from hearing Asher’s voice behind me is unsurpassable.
I want to find a hole to shrivel and die in. Holy fuck, how could I be so dumb to not look around before speaking? And speakingthat loudly?
“Barbie,” Asher says offhandedly. His voice is closer now. I should turn around to face him, but mortification keeps me frozen in place and completely mute. I’ve totally lost it.
“Jerk,” Amanda responds. “God, I love theto-loverspart of this trope,” she sighs, practically gleeful with excitement.
I kill her with my eyes a thousand times over.
Her smile only widens.
“Sounds like you two have some stuff to catch up on.” Her hand falls from my arm, and then she abandons me.
Asher steps into her vacated spot, staring at me with such intensity, I nearly pass out. I should say something to recover, make a joke or a witty remark, call him an asshole,anything. But all I can do is stare at him like a gazelle caught in the sniper’s scope.
“You want to ask me that question to my face?” he asks. “I mean, I could turn around if it makes you feel better. It seems you’re only honest when you think I’m not paying attention.”
