It’s more than that.
He feels it too.
So does Mia.
It’s why we haven’t touched each other sexually since Drew was rushed to the hospital. We don’t feel right without him. Like if we hold out for him, eventually he’ll come back to us.
“Better get up before he hogs all the hot water,” I say, kissing Mia’s forehead.
We join Ashton in the shower, and despite the hot bodies in there with me, we don’t do anything other than bathe. When we get Drew back, we’ll take a million hot, filthy showers. That’s a promise.I’m more relaxed as we walk through the snowy parking lot toward the hospital. The flakes are fat and fluttering all around. At one time, I hated the snow, but today, I find beauty in the scene before me. The way the air puffs out white each time we breathe. The fact that Mia and Ashton are wearing matching Ice Hawks beanies—beanies I gave them. Seeing them in my beanies makes my heart swell in my chest. Mom fed us a huge breakfast and fussed over us like we were toddlers. It means a lot to me that she treats Mia and Ashton like they’re her kids too. I know it means a hell of a lot to them too.
“What do you guys want for Christmas?” Ashton asks. “I haven’t even done any shopping.”
“Me neither,” I admit.
“And I’ve been too poor,” Mia says with a laugh. “Though Dad must be trying to make amends because I noticed my account had several more zeros this morning.”
Relief floods through me. I wasn’t keen on her father, but I was glad he left his bitch wife and seems to be attempting to bridge the gap between them.
“Oh great,” Ashton complains, looking down at his phone.
“What?” I peek at the screen. It’s a text from his dad asking him to call him. That it’s urgent.
“Just call him,” Mia urges. “We’ll wait for you.”
He groans but dials his dad, putting him on speaker. Curtis answers on the first ring.
“Ashton,” Curtis states in greeting. “How are you?”
“My boyfriend’s in a coma. What do you think?” he throws back.
Curtis sighs. “I’m sorry. I just worry about you is all. Your mother and I both do.”
“Funny,” Ashton deadpans. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to let you know that we started the investigation on the video that was leaked. After interviewing Sasha, she admitted that she took the video and sent it to Travis, but she didn’t forward it to everyone else. To escape academic probation for being a catalyst for what happened, she spilled everything she knew. Corroborated what you’d said about the bleach and the threats made to you. Apparently, Travis saw her as an ally since she was angry at you for outbidding her for the date with Brayden. He admitted to her that he also planted the marijuana in your bag and slashed your tires.” Curtis sighs, making the sound rattle through the phone. “I’m sorry, Ashton. I thought I was doing my job right, but you nailed the hammer on the head when you said I chose my position over you. I was trying to do the right thing, and in return, it hurt you.”
“What happens now?” I ask, unable to keep quiet. “Will that asshole be held responsible for hurting all of us?”
“His grades were suffering, so he was going to be put on academic probation for the upcoming semester, so this newest stunt he pulled has forced the university’s hand. He’s been suspended until he can prove he wasn’t the one who sent the video. If he fights it, I’ll have to involve the police, and I made sure he knew this. Last I checked, he was packing up his dorm and going back to Ohio.”
“At least we won’t have to deal with that asshole hurting you anymore,” Mia says to Ashton.
“I don’t think he’ll be a problem from here on out,” Curtis agrees.
“Thanks,” Ashton mutters. “If that’s all, we better get inside.”
“Actually,” Curtis says, his voice tight. “I was wondering if you’d have dinner with me and your mother. It’s been a while and with Christmas around the corner, I thought—”
“No,” Ashton barks out. “Not unless the people I love can come with me.”
I smile at him, proud of his bravery to stand up to his father.
“Of course,” Curtis tells him. “I may not exactly agree with the things you do, but I can tell when my son is happy. Despite what you may think, it’s all we’ve ever wanted for you. I know I come down hard on you a lot, but it’s because I know your potential, not because I’m trying to change who you are.”
“This isn’t a phase,” Ashton says. “I want you to know that. I know I’m a lot of things—reckless, careless, wild—but not when it comes to them. They’re the smartest, most right thing I’ve done in my life. I love them. All three of them. And if you can accept that about me, then maybe we can find better footing with our relationship, Dad.”