10. She’s stunning
10
SHE’S STUNNING
ASHER
Lights flash purple, green, pink, and blue. They fly through the air. Creep up the walls and blind my eyes. The bass vibrates through my body, matching the rhythm of my heart, and I lift my arms in time with the beat, moving them back and forth. Someone brushes up against my back, a slim arm wrapping around my waist. I pull her around to the front of me, and we move together. Lost to the music. A rush of adrenaline hits me, and I peek down at the girl grinding against me. My vision blurs as the crowd of people on the dance floor of the club closes in on us, pushing us together further. Her peachy scent hits my nose, and I bury my head in the crook of her neck, breathing her in.
“You smell fucking delicious,” I rasp in her ear.
Her arm wraps around my shoulder, nails digging into the nape of my neck, and I groan loudly as we continue to move together.
A deep and rough voice cuts through our haze. “ASHER, HELP ME.”
Staring at the ceiling, my heart hammers against my ribs, and every muscle in my body tenses with fear as the image of my cousin running up to me, screaming, “Help me!” replays over and over in my head. The black sheet pools around my waist from tossing and turning all night, and I squeeze my eyes shut, dragging my hands down my face, trying to shake the nightmare that clings to me. I need to move. I can’t stay trapped here in my head any longer.
Forcing myself to sit up, I check the time. It’s early. Sunlit Cove will still be asleep, the sun only just starting to rise, and I don’t have to be at Hunter’s for hours yet.
Kicking off the sheet, I swing my legs over the bed and get up, adjusting my black boxer briefs as I grab my phone from the nightstand. The screen lights up with missed calls and texts from Hunter. Sighing, I start to sift through them as guilt weighs heavy on me.
It’s been two weeks since Halle had her panic attack at the bar. Two weeks since she walked in on me telling her brother that she’s too much work. I can still see the hurt and anger in her eyes, like I slapped her in the face with my words.
Hunter: You better be here this afternoon.
Tossing my phone back on the bed, I grab a pair of running shorts and a tank top to change into. I’ve been avoiding Hunter’s house ever since that night, wanting to give Halle space, and only catching glimpses of her at the coffee shop or Whiskey Cove. She hasn’t worked another shift yet, but I know she’s been coming in and hanging out with Hunter where she can. They seem to be working through their shit and me staying clear of it seems like the best option for us all. But if I skip out on tonight’s gathering at Hunter’s, it won’t just be him blowing up my phone. Everyone else will be, too. Madi and Connor can tell something’s up. I’m not sure if Madi filled Connor in on what went down that night with Halle, but he’s a smart guy.
It’s not like I’m avoiding them all. I still see everyone at work and in town. I’m just steering clear of Halle. Being near her is like staring up at the stars. She’s beautiful and mesmerizing, but she can leave me feeling vulnerable and small. Something stirs deep inside me when we’re in the same room, like a magnetic pull, a force that draws me closer to her every time.
Picking up my phone, I stare down at Hunter’s text. If I don’t reply, he’ll just keep texting and calling. I know it’s just his way of checking in without actually asking.
Me: You know I will be.
My heart still hammers from my nightmare, and now a restlessness crawls under my skin, with Halle plaguing my thoughts. Grabbing my sneakers, I fumble with the laces as my fingers shake. I should eat or have a protein shake, but right now, I just need to get outside and into the fresh air. I need to feel my feet pounding on the trail. To outrun the chaos.
Fuck, I missed being here. Sitting out the back with the summer heat cooling down as the night gets on, the string of warm lights hanging from the house to the trees that cast a glow across the yard. Listening to multiple conversations going on at once and the smell of steaks cooking on the grill that makes me very aware of how hungry I am .
My stomach growls. “Connor, man,” I yell out across the table to where he’s cooking. “How much longer? I’m starving.”
“Longer than you’d like if you keep whining at me like that.”
My face scrunches in horror, and he laughs at my distress. Seriously, I’m hungry. I really should have eaten properly this morning. Leaning back in my chair, I take a swig of my beer, letting the cool bitterness roll down my throat.
Hunter’s house feels more like home than my own ever has. It’s why I spend most of my time here. This place is comforting; it’s warm and lively, not cold and empty. There are not many of us here tonight. Hunter mentioned he wanted to keep it low-key with Halle around, inviting only the core group. When I got here earlier this afternoon with a case of beer in hand, he met me in the kitchen and told me to “be nice” with a pointed look, like I’m the one who’s always causing trouble.
The back door opens, and laughter that sounds so carefree and light spills out, drawing my attention over to see Jace walking out.
“Hey, man,” I greet Jace, lifting my beer in a casual wave at the same time Hunter does, sitting across from me.
“Ash, where the hell have you been?” he asks.
He pulls the chair out next to me and takes a seat. Jace owns the construction company in town and is built like it. Working years out in the sun and building houses will do that. His broad shoulders and biceps take up the space between us.
“I’ve been around, just busy and keeping quiet. You know how it gets sometimes.”
I nod toward the door and ask, “What’s going on inside? ”
I take another long pull of my beer, and if Jace takes any notice of my change of subject, he doesn’t call me out on it. Relief flows through me because what the hell am I supposed to say?
“Oh, you know, just staying away because I upset Hunter’s little sister and caused more problems between them. Plus, my nightmares and past are creeping up on me and I feel like I’m losing my damn mind.”
Somehow, I don’t think that would go down well. The last thing I need is to unload all that on him of all people. Love the guy, but neither of us is good at the emotional talk.
“Tessa came with me. No clue what was funny, but Halle said something that had her and Madi laughing.”
The mention of Halle has me on high alert. I haven’t seen her around since I got here, and it’s starting to get to me. I don’t know if she’s been avoiding me or if she’s steering clear of everyone, but hearing the girls laugh with her settles something inside me. Maybe keeping my distance is working.
Standing, I grab the empty beer bottles from the table. I’ve been sitting in the same chair all afternoon. My shirt has started to stick to me, and it’s uncomfortable as hell.
“Anyone want another beer?” I ask, glancing around the table at the guys.
I need to head inside and change my shirt, and a small part of me is hoping to catch Halle while I’m at it. I’d like to clear the air between us before the night gets on.
Hunter and Jace shake their heads, holding up their almost full beers for me to see before continuing their conversation. I walk by Connor on my way, checking if he needs another beer, too.
Slipping inside, I’m dumping the empty bottles in the recycling when Madi’s voice cuts through the air .
“Asherrr,” she calls out my name, dragging the r . Holy shit, did she just slur my name?
Turning toward the living room, I take in the sight before me, my jaw dropping in disbelief.
“What the hell are you doing standing on the coffee table, Madi?” I whisper-yell, keeping my voice low, not wanting to draw Hunter’s attention to the sight before me. If he saw Madi in this state, he’d lose his mind.
Halle and Tessa are curled up on the couch, glasses of wine in hand with Ace in Halle’s lap. I narrow my eyes at him. What a little traitor. He used to be my best friend and now he can’t get enough of Halle. Can’t blame him, though. There’s a part of me that wishes I could curl up next to her like that, too.
Tessa is laughing so hard, she’s holding her stomach. But it’s Halle that catches my eye and fuck, she’s sitting there with the biggest smile, and my stomach drops. That smile lights up her whole face, reaching her eyes and transforming them. I’ve never seen her smile like that before. She’s stunning. Something inside me snaps, and jealousy courses through me, twisting me up inside. I want to be the reason for that smile.
Madi draws my attention back to her when she starts dancing on the spot, her hips swaying as she tips her wine glass up, taking a long sip. Shaking my head, I silently chuckle. Whatever Hunter’s done here, he’s going to be paying for it later.
“Hunter is a party pooper, Asher. He doesn’t know what he wants. You know this,” she slurs and points at me then turns to the girls and points at them, “his sister knows it and Tess does, too.”
I zero in on Halle again, fascinated with this side of her. Her fingers fidget around the wine glass, the only sign I can see of her anxiety. She’s wearing a simple, oversized black tee with one side tucked into skin-tight jeans. I’ve never seen her look so calm, so at home here with the girls, smiling and laughing like she belongs. My heart skips a beat, and heat starts rising up my neck.
“Madi, whatever my brother’s done, I’m not sorry, because this is great,” Halle says to her in a teasing way. She stands, looking at the girls with a small smile and her glass raised. “I’m gonna go top this up.”
I’m in her way to get to the kitchen, but I don’t move as she stops in front of me. Close enough for me to catch that sweet caramel scent of hers. Holding back a groan, I spin my lip ring in a habit I’ve picked up over the years.
“Can you move?” she asks in a bratty tone. Like I’m an inconvenience to her.
I smirk at her and lean down so we are face to face. “Say please, Halle.”
If I could pause time right here, right now, I would. The air between us feels thick with tension as we stare at each other. Her eyes roam over my face, and I know she’s thinking about what way she wants this to go. She’s so used to doing everything right, always wanting to please everyone, but there’s this defiant side to her, and she wants out. She wants to snap back at me for telling her to say please and damn, do I want to see it.
We both jump at the same time when Madison’s squealing breaks through our moment. A wave of disappointment washes over me, and I take a small step back, creating space between us.
“Tessa, can you feel that?” Madi claps as she bounces over to us and begins fanning herself. “The tension between you two is hot as hell.”
Jesus, what is wrong with this girl tonight? I shoot a glance at Halle, half expecting her to freak out with embarrassment, but to my surprise, she’s smiling at Madison, looking more amused than anything.
Halle grabs Madi’s wine glass off her. “I think I’ll top yours up with water for now,” she tells her.
Relief moves through me, the tension unraveling as I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. It’s here, watching Halle and noticing how her cheeks have filled out, how the dark circles under her eyes are fading, and how she looks healthier, that I know the last two weeks have been good to her. My heart stops and picks up quickly when it hits me. She can’t leave. Sunlit Cove is her home, and I hope one day I’ll be her home, too.