Torn Apart (Torn and Bound Duet 1)

“Where’s Ashton?” I look past him, hoping to see my best friend so he can explain why he kept this from me.

“He’s at the pool,” Drew explains, his features etched with pain and sorrow.

“Fine, let’s go.” I grab his hand and pull him along, giving him barely enough time to close the door behind him. “I’m sick of these secrets and lies.” I stomp down the hall.

Since neither of us has our keys, Drew and I walk across campus to the sports complex. Neither of us saying a word. I don’t want to hear it from Drew. I want to hear it from Ashton. I want him to tell me what happened and why he didn’t tell me. I want him to tell me if Drew is who he wants…

Then I remember about Brayden. Where does he fit into all of this? He loves Drew. But what if Drew wants Ashton? He’ll be crushed.

We get to the pool and I search for Ashton. There are swimmers in the pool, on the small platforms diving in, but no Ashton anywhere. It’s hot and sticky in here, and I struggle to breathe easily.

“He’s probably in the locker room,” I mutter, dragging Drew behind me.

The anger surging through me is quickly getting doused by sadness. I knew with everything in me it was a bad idea to kiss Ashton. It set events into motion that I’m no longer able to stop. Like a wrecking ball, this thing I started because of a stupid, drunken kiss is now destroying every aspect of my life. I’m nearly in tears by the time I push into the men’s locker room.

I freeze in the doorway, Drew’s heat burning into me from behind. Drew sucks in a sharp, shocked breath. I, on the other hand, can’t breathe.

I don’t understand.

Ashton is…

And Brayden is…

Why are they kissing?

Drew’s hands come down on my shoulders just as the first tear leaks from my eye and races down my cheek. I shake my head in disbelief, a small whine escaping my throat. Both Ashton and Brayden pause from their kissing, where they’re sprawled out on the floor in an intimate way with Ashton on top of Brayden. Ashton’s back tenses and then he jerks his head my way.

“Fuck,” Brayden mutters, covering his face with his palm.

Ashton, however, is horror-stricken. He scrambles back, falling on his ass, as crimson creeps up his neck and blazes across his cheeks. “Mia, I can explain—”

“No,” I choke out, sending more tears dropping from my eyes like raindrops of regret.

I try to step back, but Drew is behind me, no doubt just as upset as I am. Brayden won’t get up off the floor or look at us. Ashton is approaching with anguish in his hazel eyes.

“Mia, please,” he begs, his voice cracking.

“No,” I hiss.

He reaches for me and I shriek. “Don’t touch me!”

My words are like a gunshot wound to him, because he clutches his chest, stumbling back slightly. “Mia,” he whispers. “Mia, please.”

“I have to go,” I utter, turning in Drew’s arms.

Drew is as tense as I feel, but he drapes an arm over my shoulder to guide me away from the horrible scene, sheltering me in this moment. I know he’s hurting every bit as much as I am. Now’s not the time to compare war stories, though.

“Mia!” Ashton calls out, his voice pained. “Mia! Please, wait!”

I don’t wait.

I can’t.

My heart is broken in too many ways I don’t understand.

“Mia!”

It keeps breaking, each time he says my name like he’s dying.

“MIA!”To be continued in…

Bound Together: the epic conclusion of the Torn and Bound duet