Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Jameson
Chri$tian Gate$ - Dangerous State of Mind
M y hands shook with rage as I gripped the steering wheel of my motorcycle. The wind zipped through my hair as I moved at an illegally fast speed, weaving in and out of traffic. Everleigh was going to feel really fucking stupid for allowing them to touch her like that when she found out what we did. I couldn’t wait to see how pissed off she got about it, too.
How was Ashton going to get pissed about me fucking her, and then turn around and do it himself? He had no problem with letting Kash paw all over her, either. His mood swings were pissing me the hell off.
Amber’s grip was tight around my mid-section, her frantic squeals slicing through the air anytime I took a dangerous turn. Her vehicle was still on campus, but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ride on the back of my bike, plus it helped clear my head some.
I slowed to a stop at a traffic light, and Amber took that opportunity to snake her hands beneath the hem of my shirt and graze my stomach with her fingertips. My muscles flexed beneath her touch, and while I wasn’t immune to how attractive she was, she wasn’t Everleigh. It didn’t matter how hard I tried, how much I drank, or what I did, she was constantly on a loop within my skull.
“Do you work out?” Amber asked stupidly.
I grunted in response. I used to work out a lot, before my mind became overwhelmed with all these thoughts. Before she came back into the picture. “Here and there,” I muttered, trying to will the traffic light to turn green.
I should have left her back at the college. She could have gone home from there and I wouldn’t be stuck in some unwanted conversation with a girl I truly didn’t even want. I thought I did at first. Amber was chill, hot, and wasn’t a fucking ditz like a lot of the girls at school were. There were deeper layers to her, but I didn’t care to peel them back.
Even after all this time, I was still fucking in love with Everleigh Knight, and it was eating me from the inside out. But I couldn’t have her. I could never have her again. Not after what she did to Ash. That would be a complete betrayal. So why shouldn’t I try dating again? I owed myself that at least, right?
As soon as the light turned green, I took off in the direction of my favorite diner. The one Everleigh worked at. My only saving grace was that she was still with Ashton and Kash doing God knows what, so I wouldn’t have to face her again so soon.
I found an empty parking spot near the front and propped my bike on the stand before motioning for Amber to get off. She adjusted her short skirt and ran her hands through her auburn hair, glancing around the relatively empty parking lot.
The weather was growing cooler, making way for fall. The mere thought of it had my stomach twisting. It used to be one of my favorite seasons. Everleigh’s, too. Now it was nothing more than a painful reminder.
I grabbed Amber’s hand and started across the lot. She stumbled in an attempt to keep up with me, her heels not boding well with the gravel.
“Do you think Everleigh is going to be okay alone with Ashton and Kash?” she asked once we made it through the door. A gust of cool air settled over us from the air conditioning, causing goosebumps to prickle along my skin.
I ushered her into a booth near the back, slipping into the seat adjacent to her. “They won’t hurt her,” I mumbled. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were spit roasting her right now. Anger flared deep inside me at the thought.
Amber tugged her lower lip between her teeth as she contemplated that. But from the lack of concern on her face, she seemed to realize that as well.
A waitress scurried over, placing a menu in front of each of us before rushing off to get our drinks. My gaze drifted to the window on our left, my mind racing with unwanted thoughts and memories. I blew out a breath and leaned back in my seat.
“So, I was thinking…” Amber trailed off with a small smile lifting her lips. “We should have a double date with Everleigh and Lucas.”
I nearly choked on my spit, unable to hide the amusement. “Are you fucking serious?” I asked, trying to keep my voice low. A few people glanced in our direction, letting me know I was doing a shit job at it. “Ashton just got into a fight with him. And he gives me weird vibes.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true.” She sighed. “I just thought it would be fun.”
There was no way in hell I’d go on a double date with Lucas Rivers and Everleigh. The night would end in a fucking blood bath. Plus, the dude was weird as hell.
Amber twirled a strand of auburn hair around her fingers before her green eyes flickered to mine again. “Do you think Ashton or Kash would agree?” she pried.
My eyebrows raised in surprise. Maybe the question shouldn’t have shocked me as much. Amber wasn’t blind, and the guys weren’t exactly the most subtle people on earth. “Maybe,” I replied truthfully. “But I don’t think Everleigh would agree to it.”
The waitress came back with our drinks and took our order. I opted for a ham and cheese melt with fries while Amber ordered the chicken and fish platter. My nose scrunched up slightly. I’d never been big on seafood and the mere scent of it would have my stomach twisting into knots.
“Let me worry about her.” She smirked with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I can be very persuasive where Everleigh is involved.”
Somehow…I didn’t doubt that. I just wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. The last thing I wanted to do was go on a fucking double date with Everleigh of all people while some dude pawed all over her. Even if that dude was one of my friends. It didn’t look like I had much of a choice in the matter, though. Not if the goal was to get under her skin. And I wanted to try this thing out with Amber, I guess. So, it could be a good opportunity.
Ashton would probably be more willing to date Everleigh than Kash. Especially if he saw it as an opportunity to piss her off. As much as I didn’t want them getting closer, they needed to hash it out. Plus, he was less likely to forgive and forget than Kash was.
“I’ll ask Ashton,” I decided.
She smiled back at me with excitement, seeming genuinely pleased, and for a fraction of a moment, I felt guilty about using her. She was still a person, and she really didn’t seem that bad of a person, despite her poor friend choices.
It didn’t take too long for our meals to arrive. The food was just as I remembered. Well cooked and the perfect consistency. It better be for the prices they charged for it.
Comfortable silence stretched between us as we finished up our meals, and I retrieved my phone to type out a quick text to Ashton.
Jameson
Ya’ll still fucking Everleigh, or is it safe to come home?
Ash
Why? Jealous?
Annoyance trickled through me. Why the hell was he goading me right now? What pissed me off even more was that he hit the nail right on the head. I was jealous.
Nah. I got my fill.
Whatever you say.
Yeah. You can come home. Nice tits still with you?
I snorted in amusement at Amber’s new nickname. It was fitting. Her tits were big and perky. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were fake.
Yep.
Good. I’m ready to stir shit up.
I stuffed my phone back in my front pocket and flagged the waitress down for the check. After paying, we made our way outside and toward my motorcycle. Ashton’s last text was swirling on a loop inside my head. He was so unpredictable it gave me whiplash. First, he was making out with her on the couch while Kash groped her. Now he wanted to get back to hurting her.
Amber was silent as she climbed onto the back of my bike and looped her arms around my waist. She squeezed tighter than necessary, causing my muscles to constrict beneath her grasp. I blew out an annoyed breath. I wanted to feel something for her. She was hot, and dating her would get under Everleigh’s skin if she felt anything for me, which I was pretty sure she did. But I couldn’t even bring myself to feel aroused by this girl.
I kicked my bike in gear and lurched out of the parking lot. The breeze whipped through my brown hair as I drifted onto the main road. It didn’t take long to reach campus, and I pulled into an empty parking space upon arriving.
“Are you okay?” Amber asked with a frown once she’d managed to remove herself from my motorcycle. “You’ve been acting a little more tense than usual.”
I forced a lazy grin after slinging my legs over the side of my bike to stand. “Yeah. Just tired.”
She narrowed her eyes like she didn’t entirely believe me, and I couldn’t even blame her. I’d never been very good at hiding my emotions. You’d think that with a piece of shit father like mine, I’d be an expert with it by now. Out of the three of us, Kash was the best at keeping his emotions on lock. It was always difficult to read him, even in less stressful situations. Ashton was constantly on a warpath, but anger was still an emotion, and unless Kash got really pissed off, he hid that well, too.
I held my hand out to her. “Come on.” Once she slipped her palm into mine, I led her toward the building, my heart racing in my chest. Ashton better not have texted me to force me to walk in on something I didn’t want to see. Like him being balls deep inside of Everleigh for starters. My jaw tightened at the thought. It was exactly something he'd do, especially if he wanted to get back at me for something.
To my relief, they were all sitting on the sofa watching something on TV, and not paying an ounce of attention to one another. It didn’t look like they fucked, so that brought me some comfort. I took my spot in the recliner again and pulled Amber into my lap like before, winding an arm around her waist. My gaze found Ashton’s from across the room, and I arched an expectant brow, but he didn’t seem like he was in any hurry to do anything.
Amber leaned against me, pressing her back against my chest. “I heard you guys were throwing a party this weekend,” she pointed out.
“We are.” My hands dropped to her bare thighs, causing her to tremble against me from the unexpected touch. I knew she wanted me sexually, but so far, we haven’t done anything of the sort, and she was too proud to initiate it. I wasn’t sure what I’d do if she did.
“Is it exclusive or can anyone show up?” she pried.
“It’s open to anyone,” I replied.
She was quiet for a minute, her gaze slinging to Everleigh’s. “Are you going?”
My body went rigid at that, but I clamped my mouth shut. This was one party I didn’t want her to attend for obvious reasons.
“No,” Ashton snapped, seeming to be on the exact same page.
Everleigh shot him a glare. “Well, I wasn’t going to, but now that you’re telling me I can’t come, I just might.” Her voice had a bite to it, and while usually it was sexy as hell, all I could think about was guys seeing her naked. Even at the last party and I touched her, I made sure to keep her dress down so no one could see anything.
“Not happening,” Kash chimed in.
Amber glanced around the room in confusion. “Why are you guys being so weird?” she asked. “It’s just a party. You can’t put your differences aside for one night?”
Ashton blew out a breath of irritation, swiping his hands through his inky black hair. “It’s a nude party,” he explained. “The last thing I want to do is see my ex-girlfriend naked.”
Amber huffed a laugh. “Didn’t you just fuck her?”
She had a point there. Ashton’s argument was weak.
“I don’t want to see my friend’s ex-girlfriend naked,” Kash added, like that was supposed to make all the difference in the world.
Amber narrowed her eyes. “You just had your hands up her shirt. What the hell is going on?” Her lips turned down into a frown as the wheels turned in her head and the realization suddenly hit her. “Oh…you don’t want other guys?—”
“Enough,” Ashton growled, cutting her off. “She’s not invited.”
Everleigh rolled her eyes. “I wonder what the dean would think if he found out that you were discriminating against me for personal reasons,” she taunted, a sneer curling her lips.
“Everleigh,” Kash warned with a sharp edge to his voice. “Stop taunting him.”
She blew out a breath, her jaw clenching with unrestrained anger. She hated being told what to do. I was glad to see that at least that hadn’t changed. Everleigh glanced over at me, her eyes drifting over to Amber a moment later. If it weren’t for the slight tick of her jaw, I would have thought she was unphased. The fact that this bothered her stroked my own ego. She still cared.
Ashton’s expression was hard, the wheels turning inside his head. It probably didn’t help that she was sitting there goading him. Slowly, his expression relaxed a fraction, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a malicious smirk.
Oh no. Here we fucking go.
“You know,” Ashton began, settling back on the couch with his arms wound behind his head. “I walked in on something interesting last week.” Everleigh tensed beside him, and it only took me a moment to realize what he was referring to.
I narrowed my eyes. “Ashton,” I growled in a warning.
Amber shifted in my lap, casting a quick glance around the room. “What was it?” she pressed, trying to get a handle on all of our reactions.
“Two unexpected people were in bed together.” He smirked, glancing over at me. Was he punishing me for fucking her? Was this a two birds with one stone situation?
Kash blew out a breath, threading his fingers through his blonde hair. He didn’t seem to be on board with this either.
That seemed to catch Amber’s attention, because she straightened in my lap, and I could already feel the wheels turning in her head. “Who?” she asked in a small voice, like she already knew but needed to hear it confirmed.
A smile stretched across Ashton’s face. “Everleigh and Jameson. Who else?”
Amber’s head snapped in her friend’s direction. “Is that true?” she demanded, her voice cracking at the end.
So much for that double date, then. Not that I was really looking forward to it or anything.
“She didn’t know,” Kash intervened. “Jameson fucking lied to her.” He shot me a pointed look.
“But you knew I liked him,” she accused. “I even asked you if you had feelings for him and you said no.” Her voice was rising with every word, her emotions getting more difficult to manage the more she spoke. She climbed off my lap, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.
A look of confusion flashed across Everleigh’s face. “I didn’t realize?—”
“What?” Amber snapped. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Everleigh. You knew . Deep down, you knew that I liked him without me ever having to tell you. You just used the fact that I didn’t verbally say it as an excuse to make yourself feel better.” Venom threaded through her voice, making Everleigh wince.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
Amber scoffed, turning her lethal glare on me. She shook her head in disappointment. “Fuck you all,” she snapped. She turned on her heels and stomped off through the living room.
Everleigh tried to jump up to run after her, but Ashton stopped her with a firm grip around her bicep. She struggled against him, but he was a lot bigger than her and stronger. “Let me go, asshole,” she seethed.
“Was that necessary?” Kash asked, glaring at our friend who was still trying to restrain Everleigh. He managed to get her on her back and was hovering over her with her wrists pinned against her chest.
Before Ash could reply, Everleigh spit in his face, pure fury radiating off her. He tensed, his grip tightening around her arms. “You know,” he began. “That’s starting to get old.”
She glared up at him. “Yeah, well so is this.” She started wriggling beneath his grasp again, attempting to get her legs in front of her so she could kick him. But he saw it coming from a mile away and put some of his body weight down to immobilize her.
I couldn’t even lie. Watching her struggle like that was making me hard. From the heated look on Kash’s face, it looked like he was thinking the same thing.
“Let me go,” she demanded.
“Why?” he taunted. “So you can punch me?”
She gritted her teeth, confirming that was exactly what she planned on doing. Everleigh could hit hard for a small little thing. Then again, you needed to learn how to throw a punch if you lived on the north side. Either she learned quickly, or she’s taken some form of self-defense class.
Her body went limp after another five minutes of struggling against him. Her eyes darted up to the ceiling, unshed tears threatening to spill from them. A pang of guilt slashed through my chest. Maybe I should have been honest with her. It wasn’t like I’d expected to lie about it when I started dating Amber. But when Everleigh ran into my room in nothing but a skimpy robe and wrapped her arms around me as an act of comfort, I had to have her. It was completely selfish of me, and I’d probably do it again if given the chance. I just knew she’d turn me down if she knew I was dating her best friend.
“Let me go,” she repeated, more resigned than before. The anger seemed to have left her body, replaced with sadness and guilt.
The goal was to break her. To make her pay for everything she did, so why did it make me feel shitty to see her like this? I blew out a breath and clamped my eyes shut.
“Was fucking him worth it?” he demanded in a cold, bitter tone.
“No,” she ground out. “It wasn’t.”
Peeling my eyes open again, I glanced over to where he still had her pinned. He was leaning over her, his breath skating across her skin. He was still so fucking into her, and he hated it.
Kash shifted uncomfortably on the couch, but didn’t say anything to my surprise. He probably didn’t want to be on the receiving end of Ashton’s wrath. I couldn’t even blame him. Not when Ash got like this.
“I need a shower,” I said, rising to my feet. “Make sure the slut gets home safe. We don’t need that on our conscience.”
“What conscience?” Everleigh snapped, shooting me a venomous glare. But behind the anger, there was a spark of pain and regret. I could work with that.
I made my way up the stairs and gathered some clothes together before heading for the ensuite. My head was jumbled with unwanted thoughts, and I did my best to push them away. It didn’t matter what I felt for her. It didn’t matter that she used to be one of my closest friends. Everything was different now. She was a liar and a cheater. I’d do well to fucking remember that, and the guys would too.