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)
"Why would you want to be anyone but you?"
"Why would you?" I counter. "Even when you didn’t like yourself you knew others still did. That's why you got into acting, Asher."
"Fuck, Elle," he leans back.
"You get to escape your life and I thought working at the magazine would let me do the same."
"Did it?"
"You know what, I guess it did," I lean back. "I mean look at where I am and who I'm with."
"I don't know if you mean that in a good or bad way."
"I don't either," I furrow my eyebrows. "But you," I look up. "You've always liked mimicking things you've never actually experienced."
"I hardly think being a vampire-"
"No," I shake my head. "A normal life, and that, Asher, is why you like me."
I'm horrified. Especially when I see that I'm not wrong.
"You bring a freshness I don't understand... but not in a bad way," he quickly adds. "I don't know," he apologetically shrugs. "I have no idea what it's like to walk down the street and not be hounded. You're so normal."
"Thanks," I roll my eyes and mumble.
"But I enjoy spending time with you."
"Looks like we both get to live in a fantasy world then," I cross my arms as we fall silent. "Doesn't it bother you that it's not real?"
"That's just the thing... it feels real to me," he swallows. "Does it not-"
"I want it to be," I look away, "but I know that's just the dream talking."
"What if it's not?"
"Asher, you'll get busy," I shake my head. "You probably won't mean to, but you'll get bored. You'll move on and I'll-"
"Elle, I'd never intentionally hurt you."
"Maybe not, but you won't know any better."
"Elle-"
"You write songs about girls and love but what in your life has ever been real? Have you actually ever even experienced it - love?"
"I don't-"
I stop him with a look.
"I’m not sure," he answers. "Have you?"
I shrug.
He slowly nods.
We fall silent once again, until he clears his throat.
"What did you like about me?"
"Huh?"
"Before you knew I was some jaded asshole. When you were a teenager... or are we still pretending you didn't know who I was?"
I lick my lips and let out a laugh. Your music spoke to me sounds incredibly stupid, and your rock hard abs sounds just about as vain as he initially did.
"Um, your hair."
"I’m sorry?" he spits. "My hair?"
"Sure," I chuckle. "I may have seen a few pictures of you back in the day."
"Uh huh."
"Those curls really did it for me."
He shakes his head, unable to mask his amusement.
"See, this feels real."
Before I can respond there's a knock on the door.
"Ten minutes, Asher!" someone yells.
“Guess that's my cue," he sighs.
"Yeah," I nod.
“You can hang side stage if you want,” he hesitates. “As you know I’ll be leaving as soon as it’s over.”
Like he has to remind me.
"Yeah," I nod, and just when I'm about to say something clingy, like ask when he's going to return, or worse, call, I stop myself.
"Asher!" Another knock. "You still have to change!"
He rolls his eyes.
“Hey so where’s Brad?” I realize I haven’t seen him in a while.
“Probably shagging."
I laugh, stopping once I realize he’s serious.
“O,” I freeze.
“And that too if he’s lucky,” he chuckles.
“Ass,” I shove him.
“So am I totally cramping your style?" I tease. "Is that something you usually do before a show too?”
“Why are you offering?” he grins.
I roll my eyes, but he just gives me this look, like do I really want to know?
No. Yes.
I try to hide my disappointment, but who am I kidding. I knew the answer before I even asked. Everyone wants a piece of Asher Montgomery.
"Asher!" Five hard pounds on the door interrupt us.
"I guess you should go."
"Yeah, give me a minute." He looks down.
"Wait, really?"
"Don't be stupid," he rolls his eyes. "I'm talking about sex and blowjobs with- nevermind."
I can't help myself. I stand and not so subtly sneak at peek. "Nevermind what?"
His challenging stare as he places his hands over his lap so I can't see has me scowling.
Damn.
Our gaze locks.
Huh.
"So I'm not just another New York to you?"
"Another what?" he bursts out laughing.
"All those other-"
"Fuck it, Asher! I'm coming in!" Mona opens the door, surprised to see us both fully clothed.
"And deflated," he mumbles as he stands.
"We really have to go." She grabs his arm, but he pulls away.
"Chill. I'll be right there."
"It's fine," I shake my head. "Nevermind, right?"
He takes a step towards me, then another, and another. He's so close that his breath tickles my ear.
"I call you New York because it's my favorite City."
Two more people walk in and he looks away. "Okay, okay! I'm coming!"
I stare at the set list. The show ends after this next song. By the looks of it, it’s running late, and Asher has that flight to catch.
There are so many people running about. Packing and moving. Making deals and arrangements on their phones. I overhear bits and pieces of about five different conversations.