Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Ben
My hand stays firmly in Ash’s grasp as we leave the dining room, all eyes following us in stunned silence.
She snatches her bag from the entryway, and together, we step onto the porch.
As we descend the steps, I pause at the bottom, tilting my head back to take a deep breath.
After the stifling tension inside, the cool air is a relief, and I feel like I can finally breathe again.
Beside me, Ash exhales a shaky sigh, and I glance down at her. I don’t need words to understand the emotion in her tear-filled eyes. I release her hand and pull her into my arms, holding her close against my chest.
“Why don’t Nash and Cade want me to find the same kind of love they’ve found with Paisley and Sophie?” she murmurs.
I take a deep breath, tightening my hold on her.
She leans back, her eyes searching mine. “They say they care about me, but it didn’t feel that way tonight.”
I sigh. “No, baby. It didn’t.”
My heart aches for her. I’d been uneasy about tonight, and unfortunately, I’d been right to be.
“It’ll be okay, Ash,” I whisper.
I lower my head and press a soft kiss to her lips.
“Let’s go back to your place,” I say. “I just want to curl up on your sofa, put on a cheesy rom-com, and make out with you.”
She lets out a small laugh, her smile replacing the tears, and relief washes over me.
“I like the sound of that.”
I press a quick kiss to her nose. “Good. I’ll follow you back.”
It’s a short drive from Ash’s parents’ house, and within minutes, we pull up outside her apartment. She stays quiet during the brief elevator ride, her silence speaking volumes. I know she’s replaying every moment of tonight and overanalyzing every word.
I squeeze her hand. “Don’t torture yourself, baby.”
She frowns slightly, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. “What?” she asks absently.
As the elevator doors slide open, we step out, still hand in hand.
“You’re thinking about what Nash and Cade said, wondering if you could have handled it differently. You couldn’t. Don’t beat yourself up.”
Her eyes search mine. “How did you know?”
I smile. “Lucky guess. Let’s try to put it behind us, at least for tonight.”
We stop outside her apartment door, and she exhales softly. “Okay. I’ll try.”
She unlocks the door and we step inside.
“Good.”
Before I can move, she rises onto her toes and presses a soft kiss on my lips. “Thank you.”
I wrap my arms around her. “For what?”
“For being you. I know tonight was hard for both of us, but you’re still here.”
I rest my forehead against hers. “As long as you want me by your side, I’m not going anywhere. It might not feel like it now, but we’ll find a way through this with Nash, Cade, and even Laney.”
I have to believe that because the thought of walking away is unbearable.
“I hope you’re right,” she murmurs before pressing a soft kiss to my lips and stepping back. “I’m just going to change into some sweats. Make yourself at home. There’s beer and wine in the fridge.”
As she disappears down the hallway, I head into the kitchen. I grab a beer for myself and an open bottle of wine for her, then search through a few cabinets until I find a wine glass. Pouring her a generous amount, I take both drinks into the living room.
“What movie do you want to watch, Ash?” I call out.
“You pick!”
Setting our drinks on the coffee table, I turn on the TV and scroll through her streaming options. I settle on a cheesy Amy Schumer rom-com and sink into the sofa while I wait for her.
Ashlyn
I leave Ben in the entryway and walk down the hall to my bedroom. I told him I wanted to change, and I do, but more than that, I need a moment to myself.
Anger and hurt bubble inside me, but along with them, there’s something worse.
Disappointment. I never imagined that someone I loved and respected wouldn’t extend that same love and respect in return.
I always knew my brothers would have a hard time with whoever I brought home, but I truly believed that when I found the right person, they’d let go of their overprotective stance.
Tonight, at least for Nash, that wasn’t the case.
I quickly change out of my work clothes, slipping into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top.
It’s not the most glamorous outfit, but after the night I’ve had, comfort is all that matters.
Catching my reflection in the full-length mirror, I pull out my hair tie, letting my blonde waves fall loose around my shoulders.
A quick swipe of lip gloss later, and I feel a little more put together.
On my way to the living room, I grab my phone from my purse in the entryway.
Ben is stretched out on the sofa, and I flop down beside him, immediately spotting the large glass of wine waiting for me on the coffee table.
“You look incredible,” he murmurs, his eyes slowly sweeping over me.
I laugh. “I’m literally in yoga pants.”
He smirks. “Exactly. Skin-tight yoga pants.”
His heated gaze sends a rush of warmth through me, and I love the way he looks at me, like he’s barely holding himself back. He swallows thickly then seems to shake himself out of it. I reach for my wine, and he hands it to me.
“Are you trying to get me drunk, Principal Murphy?” I tease, accepting the oversized glass with a grin.
He gives me a sheepish smile. “I figured you might need a large one.”
“Damn right.”
I take a sip before settling the glass in the crook of my folded legs. Unlocking my phone, I frown at the handful of notifications lighting up my screen. Paisley, Sophie, Taylor, and Mom.
Ben’s hand finds my leg, his thumb brushing over my knee. “Everything okay?”
“Just a few texts from the girls,” I tell him, already scrolling through them.
Paisley: God, Ash, I’m so sorry about Nash. I can’t believe how he acted tonight. I’m so mad at him. Are you okay? xx
Taylor: Hey Ash, just checking in. Nash was a total jerk tonight. Even Seb agrees. I’ll ask him to talk to Nash. Xx
Mom: I’m so sorry about tonight, sweetheart. I wish you and Ben had stayed, but I understand why you left. I really like Ben. Dad does too. I think Nash feels bad, and honestly, he should. Call me tomorrow. Love you. xx
Sophie: God, these Brookes brothers are pains in the ass! Seb was the only one behaving! I’ll be having words with Cade later, and Nash next time I see him. Ben seemed great. Hang in there. It’ll be okay. xx
I exhale slowly, absorbing their words. At least I’m not the only one who thought Nash was out of line tonight.
With a sigh, I toss my phone onto the coffee table.
I’ll reply later. Right now, I just want to forget everything and focus on the gorgeous man beside me; the one who wants to watch a cheesy rom-com and make out with me.
“I don’t mind if you want to reply, baby,” Ben says, glancing at my discarded phone.
I shake my head. “I’ll answer them later. I don’t want to think about my brothers right now. What movie did you pick?”
His gaze lingers on me before he offers a small smile. “Amy Schumer’s latest. That okay?”
“Sounds perfect.”
The movie starts, and he opens his arms. “Come here.”
I set my drink down and scoot closer, nestling against him. His arms wrap around me, and I rest my head on his chest, letting out a contented sigh. Our legs tangle together, and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under my ear soothes me.
I told him I wanted to forget about everything tonight, but my mind has other plans. No matter how hard I try to focus on the movie, my thoughts keep circling back to the night’s events. My eyes are on the screen, but I barely register what’s happening.
“I can practically hear your mind running a mile a minute, Ash,” Ben murmurs into my hair. “Maybe I can help take your mind off things.”
In one swift move, he shifts me onto my back, hovering over me on the sofa.
Any lingering thoughts of my brothers disappear the moment his lips find mine.
The kiss starts off slow, and I wind my arms around his neck, my fingers threading through the hair at his nape.
As the kiss deepens, that familiar, all-consuming heat stirs low in my stomach, bubbling up like lava. It’s a feeling I never want to lose.
He bites my bottom lip, and I part my lips for him, our tongues colliding. When I rock my hips against his, his low moan vibrates through me, sending a shiver down my spine.
“God, Ash,” he groans, trailing heated kisses along my jaw and down my neck. His touch is fire against my skin, and I cling to him, never wanting him to stop. But when he reaches my collarbone, he suddenly pulls back, leaving me breathless.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” he rasps, his gaze dark with desire.
He tugs my tank top over my head and slowly peels my yoga pants down my legs, discarding them onto the floor. If he looked hungry before, now, he looks absolutely ravenous as his eyes roam over my body, taking me in.
“You’re staring,” I whisper, my cheeks flushing with heat.
His lips curve into a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I can’t help it.”
I reach for him, my own smile forming. “Don’t apologize. I love the way you look at me.”
His expression softens. “Get used to it, baby. I’ll always look at you like this. I still can’t believe you’re mine.”
I smile at his words. It feels like it’s taken forever to get here.
I wriggle out from beneath him, and he furrows his brow.
“You okay?”
I nod, my lips curving into a playful smile. “I’m perfect. But now it’s you who’s wearing too many clothes.”
Taking his hand, I pull him up to stand and guide him through my apartment to my bedroom.
“You’re sure about this?” he murmurs, his voice husky.
“I’m sure,” I whisper, walking backward until the back of my legs meet the bed.
My fingers find the hem of his shirt, and I drag it over his head, my gaze sweeping over his toned chest. My throat goes dry, and I swallow hard.
“Now who’s staring?” Ben teases with a low chuckle.
“Just admiring what’s mine,” I murmur, shooting him a wink as my hands move to his belt buckle.