Chapter 25 #2
Even this ledge was slowly becoming more crowded. I watched, panicking as another two vehicles pulled up and more girls spilled onto the street. Someone bumped into someone else, sending a wave of girls stumbling every which way.
I watched in horror as they fell in my direction and then slammed against the bike. I tried to jump off just as it crashed to the left, but I was too slow, and my foot was crushed beneath the motorcycle.
My mouth opened in a silent cry as pain shot up my leg. The bike was heavy, pinning me beneath it. Footsteps trampled my way, slamming against my body. They were crowding around me, unaware that I was even on the ground.
A foot kicked my side.
Another one stepped on my hand.
Someone else kicked my shin.
I grunted, trying to make myself small as I shoved at the bike. Trying to push it off my foot or pull my leg out from beneath it, but that was painful. I needed to get away from here.
Suddenly, two massive figures shoved through the crowd and hovered over me.
I looked up, pausing my movement to see two familiar faces.
I didn’t know their names, but I’d seen them before.
Almost always near Asher and his friends, but never too close.
Always inconspicuous. Except for at the concert and when Asher punched Danny.
Relief flooded me, driving my panic down as one of them picked up the bike and the other helped me to my feet.
The screams and squeals were louder than ever as I nodded, silently thanking them.
The one who had lifted the bike, grabbed Asher’s helmet, and shoved his way back through the crowd to Asher, who was now in the middle of the road.
My eyes tracked him with worry as a set of massive hands suddenly plopped me down on the back of the bike.
“Don’t remove the shaded portion of your full-face visor. No matter what. In a minute, when the only light is the bike’s headlight, you’ll hardly be able to see. Unlike now, but trust Asher. You got it?” the security man said.
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn’t happening. My first day spent as his girlfriend, with him, and we might get caught.
“In just a moment, we are going to part the crowd, and he will have a straight shot here. Hang on tightly. Don’t speak. Don’t move, or you will be exposed,” he explained again, trying to help calm my nerves.
But I couldn’t shake the confusion about how so many people found us and got here so quickly.
Once again, I nodded rapidly and slid my gaze to Asher.
He was signing something and then taking a picture with another girl.
The other security guard slipped his helmet subtly into one hand, and my eyes drifted around the massive crowd.
That’s when I saw it. Sticking out amongst the girls were random men.
Larger, taller, moving silently like a wave all toward the rockstar of the hour.
Another minute ticked past, and they converged. Once they were face-to-face with each other, with a single nod, they all stepped back.
Asher took off like a bat out of hell, running toward me through the newly made gap while slamming the helmet on his head. Every set of eyes followed him, confused and still screaming. Until he swung a leg over the bike, and I wrapped my arms around his waist.
And the crowd went deathly silent.
He kicked the stand up, and the engine roared to life. Piercing sharply through the quiet and stuffy air. Gasps sounded as realization settled in, and I closed my eyes as the flashes from cameras began.
Asher gunned it, speeding through the path his security had made and back out onto the road.
I didn’t open my eyes even after all I could hear was the engine.
I didn’t open my eyes even after we’d rounded countless corners, weaved through innumerable roads and little subdivisions.
It wasn’t until I felt us begin to slow and Asher pat my leg that I cracked one eye open.
We were slowly rolling between my car and the other one parked in the driveway.
The garage door groaned, rising higher before we slipped under, and he killed the engine.
As soon as possible, he pressed the button, and the hinges creaked before the door began to descend once more.
I stared at it, watching the space become smaller and smaller, waiting until it bumped against the ground before I breathed in relief. Leaning forward, my helmet pressed against Asher’s back as he pulled his off his head.
“You all right, Princess?” he asked.
I slowly nodded, feeling safe once more, and then shot up. “Asher, what time is it?”
“Uh.” He dug his phone from his pocket and glanced at it. “Nearly one in the morning, why?”
“I’m not home. I should be home,” I gasped, ripping the helmet off my head and jumping down from the bike. I winced as a zing shot up my leg from my newly bruised ankle. “Where’s my phone? What am I going to say to Sydney?” I hobbled up the steps and into the house.
“Cosette!” Asher shouted, but I didn’t stop as the door swung shut behind me.
Limping quickly through the living room, I didn’t even bother to say hi to the others as I slid toward the kitchen counter and snatched my phone up.
“No,” I whined, staring at it. Seven missed calls and thirteen missed texts from Sydney.
“What’s wrong?” Kieron shouted from the living room. Jaxon strummed the guitar, and Drake mumbled something quietly.
I didn’t answer as Asher walked inside and I began reading her messages.
I’m headed to a party, I’ll need you to pick me up later.
I called but you didn’t answer.
I need a ride soon.
I’m drunk, the party is lame. Come get me.
I’ve called, why aren’t you answering?
I know it’s a school night, but you always answer.
Can you make an appointment for me for the dentist tomorrow?
We need groceries.
I’m hungry.
Hello??
Hello???
Come pick me up now.
Void never showed, I want to go home.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,” I muttered as the bubbles appeared again and then disappeared. Jaxon strummed a very messed-up note, shocked by my word choice, and Drake’s head whipped up to me. But I ignored them and Kieron’s snort as my phone began ringing.
Sydney was calling me again.
“Ignore it,” Asher stated. “You need to get over to the couch and sit down while I get ice for your clearly injured ankle.” He jogged over to the freezer and yanked it open.
“Ignore it? It’s Sydney. This is the eighth time she’s called, and I have thirteen texts from her. Would you like me to read them to you?” I snapped and began going through her messages. Kieron blinked, stunned, sharing a confused glance with Jaxon. Drake shook his head.
“Why does she need you to make her a dentist appointment?” Kieron asked, and Asher closed the freezer, holding an ice pack.
“Because Cosette does everything for her friends, and they do nothing for her,” he grumbled. “Tell Sydney that she’ll have to take a cab tonight. That’s it. No explanation. Besides, you’re injured, so get your cute ass to that couch.”
My phone stopped ringing as I stared at him.
“The ice will melt if you don’t fucking get over there,” he prompted with a raised brow. “Or do I need to carry you?” He seemed so carefree, so nonchalant about the Sydney matter, yet extremely concerned about an ankle that’ll be bruised but mostly fine tomorrow.
Leaning back against the white, granite island counter, I paused.
It would be really nice for once, to not have to go pick her up.
To not have to go out of my way to make sure she didn’t puke on the drive home.
I also wouldn’t have to help get her showered and changed.
Plus, it was a school night, and I should technically be asleep already.
“Fine,” I grumbled and hobbled toward the couch. Asher followed me, slowly and less than an inch away. I swatted at him. “Back off, I’m completely capable of walking to the couch on my own without falling.”
“I know,” he said and casually clasped his hands behind his back.
Lowering myself down on the couch, I propped my leg up, and he put the ice pack on my ankle.
“Good girl. Now send the damn text.” Asher plopped himself down on the couch next to me and grabbed the guitar that was leaning against the seat.
Biting my bottom lip, I clicked on her messages once more and typed out his words.
You’ll have to take a cab tonight, sorry.
That was it. My thumb hovered over the send button. Bracing, I tapped the screen and watched it send.
“Did you do it?” Asher asked. I looked up from my phone and nodded. He smiled and patted his thigh. Relief filled my veins as I lay my head down in his lap and stared up at him while he trimmed along with Jaxon and Drake.
My eyes were heavy, and as the minutes ticked by, I felt myself drifting away. Falling asleep being serenaded by him.