Chapter 34 #2
He didn’t say a word. He just looked at me, then leaned in and kissed me.
I melted into him right away. Every time we kissed like this, hidden away from everyone, there was this fire inside me.
It felt exciting to be sneaky like this, and even though I wished we didn’t have to hide, I didn’t want that feeling to disappear either.
Ashby’s tongue traced the seam of my lower lip, and I parted my mouth for him to tangle with mine in that claiming way that always made my knees weak.
When my lungs started to give out, I pulled back and rested the side of my face against his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist. He put his arms around me and rubbed my back as we stood there in the narrow hallway.
“You always make me feel calm,” he whispered, drawing in a slow breath. “I can’t explain it. All I need is for you to be in my line of sight, and my heart slows down.”
I closed my eyes, then squeezed him tighter to show him how much his words meant to me. Any guy could have said something like that to make a girl feel special, but I knew without a doubt that Ashby meant every word.
I tilted my head to look up at him again, smiling before pressing a soft kiss to his jaw.
“I love you so fucking much, Milow. I always have.”
My expression didn’t change. My smile stayed in place as I admired this boy I had somehow been lucky enough to call mine.
[I love you too.]
“Good. I don’t think I could keep going if you didn’t.”
I scrunched my nose and reached up to cup both sides of his head before letting my hands fall again. [You’d be just fine.]
“No, I wouldn’t. I don’t think I’d be the same if you hadn’t come into my life.” His expression shifted, and the change made my stomach tighten.
He looked away, clicking his tongue in frustration as he rubbed the back of his head. “Shit, never mind,” he said with a nervous chuckle. His eyes met mine again as he tried to smile. “Let’s go back.”
I wanted to ask what had caused the sudden shift, but he was already leading me toward the door.
I had always known Ashby was adopted, too—just like Wesley and me—but I knew nothing about his life before that.
He never talked about it. Neither did Wesley.
Mom and Dad had always looked forward, never wanting to drag our pasts along.
But just like mine had come to light, I had a feeling his would too. Maybe unexpectedly, maybe when he was finally ready to talk about it himself. I didn’t want to push. I just wanted him to know I was here.
I wrapped both hands around his arm to stop him, and he turned to look at me.
[I’m here to listen. Always.]
His smile was small, but his eyes were full of gratitude. “I know,” he said quietly, cupping my cheek and brushing his thumb along it. “Thank you.”
I smiled wider, leaning into his touch before poking his side to get him moving again.
We went back to the table, and as soon as we sat down, Bennett said something that made pain and anger surface inside of me.
“Don’t you think it’s been long enough now? I mean… the not talking thing. How do you think you’ll make it through life?”
My body went rigid, and Ashby tensed beside me.
“Dude… what the fuck?” Stan said, elbowing Bennett in the chest.
“What? I’m just wondering.” Bennett looked at me again, his brows raised. “You can’t expect everyone to learn to sign just because you don’t feel like talking.”
“That’s enough,” Ashby warned. His voice was hard as he glared at him.
“Am I wrong?” Bennett shot back with a shrug. “My cousin did this, too. He stopped talking for like a year. It’s selfish, if you ask me. If you have a voice, why make everyone else work so hard to understand you?”
“I said enough!” Ashby stood, his gaze locked on Bennett. “I don’t know why you think it’s okay to talk to her like that, but you need to apologize. Now.”
“Apologize for what? I was simply expressing my opinion.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a shit and ignorant opinion,” Scottie said, standing up as well. “After all these years, I’d think you’d know better.”
I didn’t want them to fight, but I didn’t know how to stop it. Ashby looked furious, like he was about to snap. I had never seen him like this, and it worried me. I reached up and touched his arm, trying to pull his attention back to me.
When he looked down, I signed, [It’s okay. Please sit down.]
His brows knit together. “No, Milow. It’s not okay. He’s being a dick.”
“A huge dick,” Stan added. “Just apologize, dude.”
Bennett crossed his arms and leaned back, staying silent.
“Ben, come on,” Jasper said, looking at him expectantly. “Apologize.”
But Bennett didn’t. He just shrugged. “I think she should accept my opinion.”
“Your opinion is an attack,” Scottie snapped. “You’re being fucking rude.”
“Right.”
“You are.” Scottie glared at him. “How do you not see how insensitive you’re being?”
[Please stop,] I signed, trying to cut through the argument. I looked up at Ashby, pleading. [Please.]
His jaw clenched as he shook his head, then he looked back at Bennett. His expression went flat. For a second, I thought he was going to say more, but instead, he reached for my hand.
“Come on, Milow.”
I stood. Stan and Jasper followed, but Bennett stayed where he was.
“If you decide to apologize, you know where to find us,” Ashby muttered, his grip tightening around my hand. He looked at Bennett one last time. “And don’t ever assume shit about Milow again.”
My head and heart were spinning by then. Everyone went quiet, and there was no space for more. Ashby led me out of the diner, our friends following, and without a single word between us, we walked down the street toward home.