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)
With all the hustle and bustle part of me wonders if he's going to be whisked off stage without even a goodbye. I find myself tearing at the thought.
Asher looks off stage. He really is in all his glory.
I smile, but our moment is broken when one of the stagehands brings a group of girls around the corner. I hug the wall so they can pass, wondering what he promised them.
The next time I see Asher he's focused on the audience. My mind is a whirlwind, and despite the way he sometimes looks at me, and the confusing words he spews, he's pretty damn adamant on being friends.
Yet friends or not I'll always wonder how many hooks ups he will have in all the different places he goes, and be jealous of those who get to enjoy his company like I have. There will probably be a million other girls full of hope as dumb as mine.
None of this should matter anyway.
Friends.
We're friends.
We're just friends.
I look back at the stage.
It’s dark now.
The show ended.
Shit! Did I miss him?
My walls cave in, just as a hand pulls me to the side. I look up into those stunning emerald eyes.
Asher is sweaty and absolutely perfect. His breathing is heavy, his eyes euphoric and alive.
I try not to show how sad I really am but I think I suck at pretending.
The next thing I know he's surrounded. People are shouting things and pulling to get him changed. Everyone wants him to go faster. The goal is to get out before the crowd and no one is quiet about it... and then suddenly no one says another word, and definitely not to him.
He yells to stop.
The entire area and everyone in it stills.
It’s the first bold thing I’ve seen him do, and I can’t help my wide grin.
He pulls me into the next hallway and ducks into a side room. I wait outside the door, just as Tiny walks up and joins me.
People slowly filter out of the area, and soon it's nearly empty.
My heart races.
This is it. I don’t know when I’ll see him again.
Weeks? Days? Months? Years? Crap, forever?
Just when panic is about to get the best of me Asher calls me in.
"He needs to hurry," Tiny warns.
I nod.
Then I step into the dark room, a now bare space, with tables and chairs stacked against the wall.
Asher gives me this look I can't quite place.
I don't know what to say.
All I know is I long to stay in this weekend for all time. There's an anxiety looming over him leaving, a dread over the best thing that's ever happened to me walking away.
I can’t go back to my normal. I don't want to.
Fuck I’m pretty sure if he asked me to go with him back to LA right now I’d do it. I’d drop everything and just leave.
“You have a ride home?” he clears his throat, his voice low. “You shouldn’t take the metro alone this late.”
“Yeah,” I croak, trying to hide the lump in mine. I’ve taken the subway alone a lot later than this, but I do happen to have a ride.
He picks up his bag.
“I almost forgot. I have that Doctor Who collection like I promised," he takes out a DVD box. "You better watch them,” he snickers as he hands them over. Our fingers brush. Neither of us moves away. There’s a piece of paper on top and we both stare. “I wrote out some notes for you in case you get confused." He reaches back into his bag. "And this is for Ben,” he hands over a small box. “Tell him if he ruins it I’ll kill him.”
I let out a low laugh.
Shit it makes me happy to have stuff of his.
He grabs his sweatshirt and pulls it over his head.
I notice the envelope sticking out of the pocket.
Our envelopes. The game!
Shit I like that he carries it around with him too.
I hear voices outside the door, and then Tiny, not letting anyone in.
This is it.
This is the last time I'll see him for who knows how long.
I fake a smile as he grabs me in one of his bear hugs. His bag drops to the floor in the process.
He’s sweaty, but I hold him a little tighter because it feels safe and good.
Then he pulls back and our eyes lock. He hasn't moved his hands. I clear my throat, ready to muster a goodbye, when his fingers trail down my sides. His palms slide around my hips, grasping. Then he squeezes. I look up, his eyes a fiery green, and out of nowhere something erupts.
Our lips crash.
Hard.
His arms bring me closer. All the way. Until they're around my lower back. Mine wrap around his neck. His lips are controlling and impatient.
We can’t get enough.
His chest is pressed hard against mine.