Bound Together (Torn and Bound Duet 2)

“What’s everyone talking about?” Ashton says as he steps between Drew and me, each of his hands on one of our shoulders. “My ass in my speedo?”

Curtis groans while Wendy laughs.

“Tell ’em, MiMi. It was the highlight of the event.” He kisses the top of my head.

“He’s not wrong,” I say, giggling.

Curtis, used to our antics, shakes his head at Ashton. “We’re all proud of the way you won all your matches. Impressive.”

Ashton shrugs off his dad’s words. “Did you expect anything less?”

“I didn’t,” Wendy says, grinning. “Let’s go to Edmond’s and celebrate. Bring your friends, love. We have to discuss the Atlantic Pointe athletic program’s fundraising event.”

“Sounds boring.” Ashton wraps an arm around my waist. “Nah, we’ll pass. Ready to go, babe?”

“Babe?” Curtis’s brows furl together as his eyes bounce back and forth between Ashton and me.

Ashton flashes me a wicked grin that says he’s about to take great pleasure in fucking with his dad again. “Yeah, about that. I’m into chicks now. Well, one really. You can stop being ashamed, Dad.” He smacks my ass playfully. “Now you can have grandkids. You’re welcome.”

Oh my God.Mom laughs, always the first to enjoy my inappropriate jokes. Dad’s face turns beet red. I guess this fucking embarrasses him too. Whatever. No matter what I do or say, it’s never the right thing.

“Ignore him,” Mia says to Dad, trying to smooth out my words. “We’re not having kids right now.”

“Check back in six weeks, though,” I throw out. “My girlfriend and I fuck—ow!”

I let go of Mia to rub my arm where Drew elbowed me. He shoots me a warning glare to knock it off. Who made him Daddy Junior?

“We’re going on a date,” I grumble. “We’ll have to take you up on that super boring fancy dinner where we watch Mom get plastered another time. Right, babe?”

Mia just shakes her head. “You’re such a brat.”

“I’m holding you to it.” Mom’s eyes glitter with amusement. “Bring your friend, too. The more the merrier.”

Fuck that.

Drew can stay his ass home. I’m not about to let my mom flirt with my fucking roommate. That’s sick. Thankfully, Dad shuts her down.

“I’ll text you and we can set up a dinner,” Dad says. “Come, dear, let’s head to Edmond’s and give these kids their privacy.”

Mom hugs me and then Mia before waltzing away with Dad stalking after her.

“Mommy Dearest is a fucking cougar,” I tell Drew. “Stay away or I’ll cut your dick off.”

“Dude,” Drew chokes out. “Don’t sweat it. I’m not going to hook up with your mom.”

“Good.” I hold out my fist, waiting for him to bump it with his. He reluctantly bumps my fist. “See you later, man. Mia and I are going on a date.”

Drew’s lips thin out. I know he’s annoyed at the fact Mia and I made up while he was gone, but he’ll just have to get over it. We fixed our shit. The end. Drew can be pissy, but he knows how much I want this thing with Mia to work. He and I played around, and while it was hot and fun, I don’t love him like I do Mia.

“Thanks for coming,” Mia says, pulling away from me to give Drew a hug. “See you later.”

Drew frowns, but eventually nods. “Later.”

As soon as he’s gone, I tuck Mia back under my arm and lead her out of the building. We pass by Travis and I grin at him. Fucking loser. He glares at us and it makes me giddy as fuck. I hate that guy.

“Watch your back,” Travis mutters.

“No, dude, that’s what you do since you can’t ever catch the fuck up to me. Go home and cry in your Cheerios or call your mommy. No one here cares.”

I flip him the bird as we leave.As we drive down Main Street downtown, my chest squeezes with anxiety. I don’t date. I fuck around. So the fact I have to take Mia out on the perfect date now, I’m kind of panicking. Where the hell do chicks like to be taken to on dates?

I see a few restaurants that are fancy as fuck, but quite frankly, we’re not dressed nice enough. I didn’t think this through when I decided to take her out right after the meet.

“You okay?” Mia asks, squeezing my hand. “You’re tense.”

“I’m just trying to think up the perfect place to take you to dinner.”

I see a swanky steakhouse and whip into an open spot right out front as a car leaves. Shutting off the car, I glance up at the place hoping like hell they’ll let us in dressed like college slackers.

“Ashton…”

“You love steak,” I tell her. “Let’s go.”

I pop out of the car, thrumming with nervous energy. I’m overwhelmed by the feeling that I’m not doing this right. Quickly, I round the vehicle and open her door. She frowns at me. Fuck. I’m definitely screwing this up. I reach down and take her hand, pulling her out of the car and into my arms. I start to walk toward the door of the steakhouse, but Mia’s feet are planted firmly to the ground.