The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

“I’m sorry, okay. I shouldn’t have treated you like you had a hand in all of this. Because for the record, I know you didn’t. What happened, that’s all on your piece of shit ex. Me and you, we’re good.”

“As far as apologies go that sucked.” I smirked. “But I’ll take it.”

He barked a laugh, shaking his head with disbelief. “I’m glad you’re here, Mya. We all are.” Jason gave me a look I didn’t quite understand before he stalked over to Felicity, hooking his arm around her waist. The two of them started dancing as if they were the only two in the room, and I had to turn away, their love too much to bear.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” another voice said, this time one I never wanted to hear again.

“It’s a party.”

“Yeah, at your ex’s house. I mean how pathetic do you have to be?” Kellie Ginly glowered at me, flicking her hair off her shoulder. She looked cute in a skintight knitted dress that scooped low in the front and landed just below her knee. It was demure but sexy and even I couldn’t deny she looked killer.

She looked like a girl out to impress.

My stomach knotted.

“What do you want from me, Kellie? In case you didn’t get the 4-1-1, me and Asher are over. I’m only here to celebrate, just like everyone else.” I moved around her to leave, before I said or did something I would regret. But she caught my wrist, demanding my attention. “You should do Asher a favor and just leave. He doesn’t need you anymore, not now that he has me.”

My eyes widened, just for a second, before I schooled my expression. But she saw it and she was about to go for the jugular. “Oh, you didn’t know? I’ve been helping him through this difficult time. Even spent some time with him and his dad. Andrew is such a lovely man. Good taste too.” She smiled but it looked more like a snarl. “He’s so relieved Asher decided to get rid of the trash.”

“What the fuck did you just call me?” I stepped into her space, all rational thought flying out of my head.

“You heard me, Latina. Trash.”

Clenching my fists at my side, it took everything in me to walk away when all I wanted to do was hit her right in her pretty, perfect face.

“That’s right,” she called after me. “Run back to whatever ghetto you came from.”

I hurried through the Bennets’ house, desperate to get away from Kellie and her poisonous words. I needed air. I needed to—

“Mya?” I collided with a wall of solid muscle, and Asher’s hands steadied me. “What happened?” His jaw clenched.

“I’m fine, I just need... air, I need air. I have to go but I’m so happy your mom is awake. It’s great news.” The words spilled from my lips as I tried to gently shuck him off my arms. I couldn’t stand him touching me, holding me with concern in his eyes.

We weren’t those people to each other anymore.

Spinning on my heel, I took off again, pushing and jostling bodies out of the way.

“Mya, wait,” Asher called, making me move faster. I couldn’t do this with him. Not here, not now.

I never should have come here. I knew that now. There would always be people like Kellie Ginly waiting to strike, to act like their white privilege made them better than me. More worthy.

More suited to be by Asher’s side, living in his world.

Asher

“Mya, wait a second, please,” I said, snagging her wrist. My touch stopped her dead, her gaze going straight to where our skin met. Heat flowed between us and I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms and hold her. To feel her body pressed against mine.

But I’d lost that right, and it hurt something fierce.

She turned slowly, letting her eyes drift to mine. “Please, let me go,” it came out a strained whisper, as if saying the words caused her physical pain.

Immediately releasing her, I stepped back, raking a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t… You came.”

“You know how persistent Felicity can be.” She gave me a weak smile. “I’m so happy for you, Asher, and your mom.”

“Thanks.” The air cooled between us, the fleeting moment when I’d grabbed her wrist long gone. “She has a long road to recovery, but the doctors are pleased with her progress so far.”

I couldn’t even begin to describe the sense of relief that had hit me when Mom’s eyes finally flickered open; how good it had felt to feel her fingers squeeze mine. She’d been disorientated and groggy and was barely able to string a syllable together, but she was awake.