Unexpected

“Ellie.” Asher takes my hand and pulls me into a hug.

I wrap my arms around his waist and allow myself to melt into his embrace. I close my eyes, letting the world fall away, and just enjoy what might be our last hug. I doubt Asher will keep touching me like this once things go back to normal, and I'm surprised at how sad that makes me. I really like being Asher’s friend. I don't want to lose this.

“I promise I won’t fake break up with you until you’re ready to call it quits.” Asher presses his lips to my temple then pulls back and forces me to look up at him. “And so you don’t start thinking this thing we have is one-sided, I like spending time with you too. At this point, you’re the only person I’d call my friend.”

“You have friends, Asher. Quit playing.”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I have acquaintances, people I’m forced to be around, and Liam. None of them I’d consider a friend. You, Ellie, are the only person I’ve ever brought to my house. The only girl to ever sleep beside me at night, in any bed. And my only friend.”

Asher leans against an oak tree at the front entrance of Ridgewater High, arms crossed across his chest. Khaki, school-issued slacks hang low on his hips, even with a belt, and the navy blue button-down falls near his waist, untucked. He’s got his usual ‘just had sex’ air to him, and I can’t look away.

I sit in my car for a few extra seconds to watch him scan the faces of our classmates as they enter the building. I realized this weekend that there’s more to Asher than I originally thought.

Sure, he’s handsome. I particularly like the strong curves of his jawline and how the tip of his nose has a small droop, but I understand, now, why he looks on edge all the time, ready to fight. He has to live with a monster of a step-father while watching his half-brother live a life that should be his. A life of warm meals, lavish birthdays, and carefree existence. I would be pissed off and keep everyone at arm’s length too.

But there’s another side to Asher people don’t ever see. A sweetness that I thought was lost as he transitioned from boy to man. Deep beneath that hard exterior is the kid I used to have staring contests with. I loved falling into Asher’s eyes, looking for new colors in his bottomless irises. The same kid turned man, who drops what he’s doing to chase after me when I’m upset. A man who would pull a gun on someone to keep me safe. A gun that is still in my glovebox.

I glance at the latch on my dash wondering, When is Asher going to get rid of it? He needs that with him, at home, more than I need it in my car. Also, Dad would kill me if I was unintentionally harboring a murder weapon. Knowing Asher, that’s probably not the case, but it would be my luck.

Asher. I turn my gaze back to the courtyard and watch him a minute more. When we started this fake dating craziness, I said there would never be anything between us. I think I’m a liar and I can’t blame the alcohol anymore.

I think I’ve caught feelings for my fake boyfriend, and it sucks.

I jump at the sound of my phone pinging beside me. I lift it from my backpack in the passenger seat and smile. I haven’t seen Asher since we left the beach on Saturday afternoon. He had to work at the diner the rest of the weekend, probably to pay his shitty stepdad’s rent. Unable to sleep Saturday night and with nothing to do on Sunday, I found myself comparing Asher to Liam more times than I should have. It’s unnerving how I find myself attracted to both of them, even though they are so different.

Asher: I’m outside. Where are you?

Me: Just parked. Be there in a sec.

Asher turns his gaze to the student lot and scans the cars until he finds mine. He smiles when he notices my silver sedan and tucks his phone in his back pocket.

I grab my backpack and check the front pocket for my student ID, lunch money, and tampons. Thinking about Corah being pregnant reminded me that my period is due soon and the last thing I want is to be called shark bait again. By the time I’m situated and ready to go, Asher is at my door.

I press the unlock button and he opens it for me. He reaches across me, pressing a kiss to my cheek, and grabs my backpack. “I’ll carry that.”

“Who are you, and what have you done with Asher Anderson?” I tease.

“Well.” He links his fingers with mine and closes the door behind me. I press the lock button on my key fob and zip them into a different pouch. Heaven forbid one of my girly products falls out in front of him. He waits until I’m ready then says, “I don’t have the best track record of keeping girls around.”

“Ugh. I don’t need a reminder of why I thought you were gross.” I know Asher has been with a lot of girls. I also know that he wasn’t often caught around the same girl for more than one weekend. I groan and wrinkle my nose. Thinking about how many people he’s probably been with makes me sick.

“Nice to know you thought so highly of me.” He chuckles then bumps his hip with mine. “I’m just saying, in case anyone had any doubts that we are still together after our public display of affection on Friday, I thought I could walk you inside.”

“A true gentleman,” I tease, batting my lashes at him. “Where have you been all my life?”

“Sitting on the sidelines, waiting for you to notice me.” Asher’s smile falls and he looks me dead in the eyes.

My heart pounds in my chest. He’s joking. He has to be joking. If Asher liked me, I would know. But he didn't. He poked fun at me and stopped rumors, and came to my rescue and... oh, my God.

Just as my internal freak out hits supernova level, Asher winks and says, “Just kidding.”

I punch him in the shoulder and he laughs.

The morning goes by without a hitch. A few people whisper, but for the most part, everyone seems to have accepted that Asher and I are the real deal. It’s strange because people that used to turn their noses at me for being Liam's number one groupie have looked me in the eye and smiled.

Asher is already in the cafeteria when the lunch bell rings, sitting at the table that has become ours when I arrive. Maggie and Russell are next to him, adopting this table too so we can be together, as have a few other random people. I stand in the food line, watching everyone mingle, and smile.

“We need to talk.” Liam grabs my arm, like I’m some kid in trouble, and tilts his head towards the hallway.