Chapter 56
"A SHOOTING RANGE? HOW ROMANTIC," Ashton drawls, resuming his attention to the beer kegs, the wooden crates of punch and liquor and non-alcoholic beverages being piled in the kitchen pantry of his house.
His parents took off for their anniversary this morning at the crack of dawn; a one-week celebratory excursion into Minerva before continuing onto Murdoc Province via a boat ride from the Starlight City Harbour Pier. As planned, he jumped into action an hour after they left.
Naturally, I know all about where his parents plan to spend their one-week celebration because Ashton has been eavesdropping and monitoring their browser histories like a stalker, messaging me back and forth about party details.
All to make sure his party runs smoothly and his parents don't come back when they should be in another county.
Ashton finishes counting the crates of hard liquor, touching the bottle caps to double check that what he requested is what was delivered.
"You could try to show a little enthusiasm for me," I retort.
Ashton doesn't reply. His mouth wriggles but he continues alternating between counting drinks and crates and checking what's on his itinerary.
All of the alcohol is being paid for by his sister, Lauren, who agreed to chaperone and ensure there's no property damage.
Her concerns are valid. This is Ashton's first time hosting a party.
Usually, it's Katy or Blake who hosts. Katy's mother is never at home and most of the money her rich dad sends her is blown on those parties.
Blake uses his family's beach house and while he's known for throwing some insane bashes – his most iconic ones being Halloween costumed parties – I can't remember the last time I've shown up to one.
I hate Katy but possibly not nearly as much as Blake's existence feels like heavy-duty construction sandpaper rubbing on my soul.
So far, Ashton's doing a kick ass job preparing for his party. The guys from the team have rallied in full force to support him – even Brent, surprisingly. I guess he's finally come to accept that the team voted.
Brent, however, hasn't said a word to me, let alone acknowledged my presence. I'm not part of the team anymore but the guys want me around still. And they've noticed that the tension between me and Brent is odd.
Well, odder than usual since it's no secret we haven't been the best of friends in a long time.
They've been helping Ashton decorate, organize and set up the sound system. One of the guys got a cousin to DJ, and now they're lugging in crate after crate of drinks and bags upon bags of snacks and ingredients for dip, and other party favors.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I observe Ashton for a moment. He was fine up until I mentioned the upcoming date with Sky who sent me an itinerary a few minutes ago.
"Are you mad at me or something?"
Ashton frowns. "No." He lowers the notepad naming all the items on his To-Do List, then chucks it on the counter.
He steps aside as two guys from the team shuffle into the kitchen, each carrying two cases of bottled water.
They arrange the cases inside the pantry, one of them nodding at me as he passes.
The other claps my shoulder. They hurry out, one of them shouting back that there are more cases of water to drag in.
"So, what's with the sudden change in attitude? Is it that I mentioned Sky?"
Truthfully, I thought Ashton was fine with it. Unless he isn't and was only being polite.
He sighs wearily, dropping his pen onto the counter as well. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for you, and I'm glad you've found someone who makes you happy."
"But...?"
"I need time. To adjust," he confesses.
I tilt my head in confusion. "You need...time?"
"I'm aware of how crazy that sounds. No need to look at me like I'm stupid."
I hold up my hands. "Then help me understand. You sound like you're the one I broke up with."
Ashton rolls his eyes. "All I'm saying is that it's going to take some getting used to."
"You didn't have a problem with it on Friday," I point out.
The conversation reaches another pause as the two guys from earlier return, this time with more cases of water and they're joined by Brent who trots in third, carrying another two cases of water.
They put the cases inside the pantry and while the first two slip out to lug more water in, Brent glances back in curiosity.
I could swear that look he gives Ashton on his way is out of pure jealousy.
I'm not sure why. If he didn't want to lose his spot as my closest friend, he should've been a better friend.
"I spoke with Sasha," Ashton informs when we're alone again.
Oh. I guess that explains it.
"How is she?" The words are out of my mouth before I think better of them.
Ashton gives me the most are-you-for-real glare I have ever seen. "How do you think?"
Guilt stabs me hard. I haven't heard from Sasha since Friday afternoon after she stalked out of the sick bay. I told her to take as much time as she needs but it doesn't mean she hasn't crossed my mind.
I loved her at one point. I loved her so much and it still aches something terrible knowing I'm the one responsible for hurting her and making her cry. Last Friday in that sick bay made me feel like a monster because in all of the years I have known Sasha Vernon, she has never cried like that.
"Stupid question. You're right."
Ashton sighs again, crossing his arms over his chest and leans on the counter beside me.
The guys return and drop off the last cases of water, then check in with Ashton on what else needs to be done. I get to observe him putting that captain status to good use as he delegates.
One of them is sent to the bathroom on the ground floor which the partygoers will be using, and he sends Brent and the other boy to start rearranging the living room into a dance floor under his sister's supervision.
The team's in good hands.
When they're off to their designated tasks, Ashton hops up on the counter, using it as a makeshift seat.
He returns to our conversation with, "It's a lot. You and Sasha are two of my closest friends and it feels like I'm stuck at this weird crossroads where I have to choose who to side with. It sucks."
Yeah, I bet.
"You don't have to choose," I assure. He's allowed to be friends with both of us but now that Sasha and I parted ways, it would change the dynamic of our trio. It will be awkward as hell, no doubt, unless Sasha and I could quickly arrive at a place where we can be friends.
"I know but I still feel torn two ways. And guilty as hell. I can't pretend to be fine with you and Daniels when I know that Sasha is devastated by the breakup. And I can't pretend to choose her side when you've got a lot going on too and it'd be cruel to ignore that."
Ashton heaves a heavy sigh, exasperated by the predicament he's found himself in.
"Sorry we put you in such a difficult position. You've been a great friend, and it doesn't seem fair."
"I'll be fine," he admits with full confidence. "It's the two of you I'm worried about. And what this means for our friend group."
Tucking my hands into my jacket pockets, I avert my gaze to the living room which is separated from the kitchen by a tiled bar counter with two stools on either side of it. It peers out into the living room where Brent and the other boy are arguing about how to rearrange the living room.
Brent suggests jamming the sofa against the far wall where a flat screen TV is mounted. The other boy suggests moving the barstools from that side of the counter and tucking the couch in the space beneath.
They're cut off when Lauren stomps in through the front door and instructs them where to put it – jammed against the wall with TV. Brent makes brief eye contact with me over the bar counter then quickly looks away.
"It's like you said. We just need time."
Ashton follows my gaze to where I'm looking and then he turns back to me. "Are you going to be okay to come to the party?"
"It depends on how the date goes. Also, mainly, if Katy or Blake will be here. Sky's dead serious about keeping them away from me."
Ashton laughs at that. "Katy most likely will be here. It's the longest she and Brent have gone without breaking up. And after Friday, I doubt Blake's in any condition to party."
"You never know. That guy has a knack for being a soul-sucking nuisance."
Again, Ashton laughs. "The way you hate him is almost admirable."