Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Too frozen to even move my lips I can't respond.
A part of me knows that this is all Mona's doing. But another part is fully aware that Asher has a fucking voice. And then there's the side of me that realizes it's his choosing that allowed this to happen in the first place, and because of that it will continue to happen.
I'm seeing red.
I finally fully register what Madison is doing with the popcorn that's everywhere. I reach down and grab her. Jess notices too. She starts to pick it up. We can't even look at each other, but for that I’m glad. Quite frankly I'm too embarrassed.
“What a dick,” she finally whispers.
My lips are past trembling. As mad as I am I’m also going to cry. I feel it coming.
The build.
The sting.
I should turn this off. No good could come from watching anymore unfold.
When the warm salty tears fall down my cheeks they come quickly, spilling into my mouth.
Jess's hand hovers over the remote.
I shake my head just as the guys all walk up to the host. They briefly pause to sign a few autographs for the small audience before greeting him.
Light banter ensues.
Asher and Sabrina are shoved into the middle. He has his fucking arm against her lower back. The camera makes a point to show it.
The speculation, the big announcement never happens.
It becomes all about the guys being out to support Asher in Sunbitten, with more questions about what's going on with him and Sabrina than anything else.
No one is happy. Except Sabrina.
She giggles and leans in, whispering in Asher's ear. My heart slows with pain. That’s supposed to be my spot, right between his armpit and shoulder blade.
Then it happens.
It looks like she's going to kiss him.
Right on TV. Right in front of the whole world she's going to kiss my world.
Jess sees it too. She reaches for my hand.
“Elle,” she whispers. “Don’t look.”
I want to turn away.
Instead I don't even blink. My eyes sting from the lack of movement as Sabrina stands on her tiptoes. She’s definitely going for it.
Asher flashes an awkward smile, but moves his head to the side at the last minute.
Oh thank god.
She gets his cheek.
It didn’t happen.
I hear Jess’s loud exhale mirror my own.
The ringing in my ears is still happening. It prevents me from hearing any of the interview, and when the show goes to commercial break my phone starts to explode.
I stare at it on the coffee table. It's likely everyone I know asking the same questions I’m currently asking myself.
“Are you going to get that?” Jess eventually asks.
I shake my head.
“What can I do? Do you want me to see who it is?”
I know she’s trying to help but this is one of those situations in which there’s nothing she can say or do to make it better.
She gets that.
I get that.
It’s what makes us who we are.
The phone doesn't stop.
“If you want,” I lean back. Madison moves onto my lap. I pet her, but all she does is reminder me of Asher.
I see Jess reach for my phone.
“Actually it's Asher.” She holds it up. “You should probably read it.”
I take it from her.
The Nicest Man Ever: I am so sorry. I had no idea.
I roll my eyes and toss the phone onto the other couch.
His excuse is as fake as his new five hour relationship. He has legs, arms, and a mouth. He could have said no. Walked away. Done something about it.
Instead he let me down, and by the looks of it - judging by the lack of tour and album announcement, he let his friends down too.
I stand.
“Where are you going?” Jess stands too.
I don’t answer.
I hear her follow me up the stairs. She hovers in the bedroom doorway. She's silent as I pack, but just as I zip my bag and throw it over my shoulder she stops me.
"Think about this." Her voice is calm and full of reason. "You always say you make rash decisions. Give it until the morning. I’ll stay the night. We can cry together. If you feel the same when you wake up I'll carry your bag to the car.”
I think about it for a second and then nod.
I wake to Jess yelling you’re a dick.
I walk onto the landing to see what’s going on.
Asher is back.
Smith must have come out upon hearing the same ruckus. I watch the tail end of him leave the foyer area, shaking his head.
Asher offers Jess a confused but annoyed look as he makes his way past her and up the stairs. Madison runs out from behind me, tripping over herself as she stumbles halfway down to greet him. He catches her and looks up. Our eyes meet. My anger boils.
“What the hell, Elle?” He places Madison down, taking two stairs at a time the rest of the way. I cross my arms over my chest and raise an eyebrow, catching Jess retreating out of the corner of my eye. “You didn’t answer any of my calls or texts." He stops in front of me, his eyes softening. "I know you're probably upset but-"