Ashton Scott

“I’ve made my position clear, Cassia,” he says, ice clinging to his words, “I’m not getting involved. This isn’t the first time my parents have argued.”

He listens to her response and rakes his fingers through his hair. “Stop. I said no. I’ll check in with Mum tomorrow, but I have to go and deal with something now,” he says as his eyes find mine.

Deal with something?

I’m just “something” to him?

I turn away from him and walk out of the living room onto the balcony. I’m so angry with him. It’s the kind of anger that builds with every passing minute until it

reaches breaking point. After everything that’s happened today, I’m at breaking point now. I’m not even sure how we made it through dinner at his sister’s with this anger between us.

“Lorelei.”

I grip the balcony railing for one last moment before turning to him. I don’t want to fight, but I won’t stand for his controlling ways or his dismissiveness when I take issue with something he does.

His eyes demand my attention. “Are you ready to talk?”

“Yes.”

His brows lift while he remains silent. It’s as if he doesn’t have anything to say and is just waiting for me to get my thoughts out so he can deal with them. His attitude has been off all night, and I’m over it.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I say as I shiver. The air is cold out here, but I want that sharp bite. It helps keep me focused.

“Jesus,” he mutters, “Like what?” His voice and his body language scream his frustration and irritation, and as much as I try to ignore that so we can attempt a conversation, I can’t.

“Like you can’t even be bothered to acknowledge my thoughts are valid. Like this whole situation is beneath you even dedicating time to sorting out. You’ve been angry with me all night, and I’m—”

“I’m angry we wasted an opportunity to go away together this weekend. I’m also angry that Haynes is still in your life. But I’m not angry at you.”

“Well, it certainly feels like it.”

“Look,” he starts, but I interrupt him.

“No, not look.” I won’t allow him to steamroll me again like he did this morning. “We obviously see this entire situation from different standpoints, so I’m going to state mine again. I’ve already made it clear how I feel, but you didn’t listen. This time, I want you to take it in because I don’t want to keep having this argument with you.”

He doesn’t respond to that except to clench his jaw, so I take a deep breath and continue. “I know you’re used to getting your own way and being in charge of absolutely everything in your life, but that’s not how I see this relationship going. Like I said this morning, we have to be equals in this. Otherwise, I see no reason to be in a relationship with you. Your way of barrelling in and taking over when you think I’m struggling with a situation isn’t something I like. I need you to let me work out my own problems unless I come to you specifically and ask for help.”

“If you’re struggling with something, it’s only natural for me to want to help.”

“No, it’d be natural for you to ask if I need help.”

His brows pull together. “Yes, so I’m not sure what the issue is here.”

My eyes widen. He seriously has no idea. “The issue is that you don’t ask, you just assume.”

Irritation flashes in his eyes. “Jesus, Lorelei, you’re really going to get upset when I try to help you? That makes no sense.”

And there he goes, pissing me off even more. “Why can’t you see where I’m coming from?” He’s driving me crazy with his inability to comprehend this.

“I don’t understand the problem. You couldn’t deal with Haynes, so I’ll help you with that.”

“Oh my God, Ashton, this isn’t just about that! This is about so much more than that. For a smart man, you’re being dumb about this.”

His anger flares; I can’t miss it in his eyes and across his face. But before he can respond, his phone rings.

“Fuck,” he mutters, checking the caller ID. Then, placing the phone to his ear, he snaps, “What is it now, Cassia? I’m in the middle of something.” His tone is harsh, harsher than any I’ve heard him take with anyone. I pray I never see the day where I’m on the receiving end of that tone.

I turn away from him to face the Sydney skyline. The wind has picked up and I wrap my arms around myself as a chill sets in. I’m not entirely sure if that’s from the weather or the way this discussion is going with Ashton.