Unmistakeable (9 page)

She smiled. “That’s really sweet. So, she’s like the one to you?”

That describes it perfectly. “Yeah. I used to pass the time with various one-night stands. But as soon as I laid eyes on her, all of that changed.”

She clutched her heart. “That’s so sweet. I hope I find someone like that.”

“You will. Just don’t let your parents get in the way of that.”

“Oh, I won’t.”

When the tab came, I slipped the cash inside.

“Let’s split it.”

“No, you were dragged into this. It’s the least I can do.”

“You were dragged too.”

“And my parents will be getting an earful of it if I ever speak to them again.”

“Well, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

When I stood up, I suddenly felt the weight around my neck fall. The chain fell underneath my shirt and leaned on my shoe. Panicked, I grabbed it and examined it.

The clasp broke.

Shit. I’d have to take this in to get it fixed. I’d kill myself if I broke it. It was worth more than all the gold in the world.

We left the table then walked outside together. Since I liked her, I opened the door for her then opened the door to the car. She gave me a sweet smile then got inside. When I got into the driver’s seat, I started the car. “Where to?”

“I live in the Borderline Apartments.”

“I know where that is. I have a buddy who lives there.”

I drove while we sat in silence. I was eager to get home to see Alaska. She was out with her sister tonight, but she would sleep with me when she got home. I’d lay in my bed and she would wake me up in a very special way.

When I pulled up to her apartment, I walked her to the door.

“Wow. You’re a gentleman.”

“We are a rare breed.” I kept my hands in my pockets while I walked to her door. When I reached the threshold, I extended my hand. “It was nice meeting you.”

She shook it. “You too. Take care.”

“You too.” I walked back to my car then drove home, eager to see my girl.

CHAPTER NINE

Alaska

I arrived at Payton’s doorstep. “Hey. Ready to go?”

She saw the sadness on my face. “Nana told you about the surgery?”

“Yeah…”

She pulled me in for a hug. “It’ll be okay, Alaska.”

We weren’t very affectionate, just during important moments. “I hope so.”

“Nana is a strong woman. It’ll take a lot to take her down.”

I smirked. “I guess that’s true.”

“You ready for dinner? I thought I’d take you somewhere nice.”

“Why?”

“I know you’re bummed about it.”

“I know it’s not a big deal, but surgery is surgery.”

“I know.” She linked her arm through mine and walked with me to her Honda. “We just have to hope for the best.”

We got into the car then she put on gangster rap.

“You listen to this?” I had to shout over the music.

“What?” she yelled back.

I turned down the music. “You listen to this profanity?”

“All music has profanity.”

“But this is pretty strong.”

She drove down the road and kept both hands on the wheel. “You like what you like, right?” She shrugged.

“So, how did it go with Toby?”

“He was okay in the sack. He didn’t make me come though.”

God, she was blunt
. “Are you never going to see him again?”

“No. He bores me.”

“Everything bores you.”

“You don’t.” She nudged me in the side. “How’s it going with the Greek god?”

“Good.”

“You fucked him yet?”

“Payton!”

“What? It was just a question. We aren’t virgins.”

“It’s still a personal question…”

“Is that a no?”

I looked out the window. “He says he wants to wait.”

“For what?”

“Until I’m ready…”

“Girl, jump his bones. That guy is hot. And he has a big dick.”

My head turned so quickly I thought I would snap my spine. “Excuse me? How would you know?”

She smirked. “I can just tell.”

“And how?”

“It’s his hands. He has big hands.”

I remembered the way he lifted up my dress and reached my clitoris from the back. He did have big hands. But I felt his cock against me when we fooled around. I knew then that it was impressive.

“You know from experience, right?”

“Well, I haven’t actually seen it.”

She slammed on her breaks. “You’ve been dating him for a month and you haven’t seen his dick?”

Cars honked from behind us. “Payton, go! You’re going to get us killed!”

She hit the gas and took off. “You haven’t given him head or anything?”

“No…”

“This guy deserves a purple heart for putting up with you.”

“Am I supposed to?”

“Does he make you come?”

“Well, he…fingers me.”

“And you don’t reciprocate?”

I shrugged. “I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to. He says he wants to wait…”

“Alaska, believe me, he wants you to. You better suck his dick next time you see him. He deserves to come hard in your mouth.”

I hit her on the arm. “God, you have a dirty mouth.”

“I’m just honest. If you don’t want to lose him, you need to step it up.”

“I’m not going to lose him. I can’t.”

“Something’s gotta give…” She pulled into the parking lot of a fancy Italian place.

“Can you afford this place?”

She glared at me. “Yes. I make good money.”

“Doing what? You don’t even work.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Are you selling drugs?”

“Do you want to get slapped?”

I rolled my eyes then stepped out of the door.

She walked beside me and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Then she swayed her hips like she was on the runway. She was the prettier sister and she clearly knew that.

We walked inside then approached the stand.

“Do you have a reservation?” the host asked. He looked down at the sheet, waiting for her to give her name.

“No.” She twirled her hair and gave him her best smile. “But could you get me in?”

His eyes smoldered when he looked at her. He glanced at her chest and looked down again. “How many?”

“Two.”

“With a boyfriend?”

“Nope. I’m single.”

“Then right this way.”

I rolled my eyes. My sister was unbelievable.

The host guided us to a table then pulled out the chair for her. “Can I have your number?”

She flicked her hair then ignored him. “No.”

I wanted to cover my face and hide.

He sighed then walked away. “Bitch…”

“I can’t believe you just did that.” I was thoroughly embarrassed.

She shrugged. “I’m a survivor.”

“Getting a table at a restaurant is not surviving.”

“Stop talking and look at your menu.”

I decided not to argue with her. It would only give me a headache. I looked at the selections and decided on the fettuccini. “What’s new with you?”

“Nothing. My life is pretty boring.”

Boring? I wanted to laugh.
“Have your eyes set on anyone yet?”

“Just yours when he dumps you.” She smirked at me.

“Jace came to my apartment and apologized.”

Her jaw dropped. “Did you kick him in the nuts then push him down the stairs?”

“No…I forgave him.”

“And then kicked him in the nuts then pushed him down the stairs?”

I glared at her. “No nuts were kicked.”

“Lame.” She sighed then munched on the bread.

Sometimes it was hard to talk to my sister.

“Did Ash kick his ass?” she asked.

“Actually, yes.”

“I like him. He’s reserved but he can snap at any moment.”

I put my menu down and waited for our order to be taken.

Payton grabbed a strand of hair then played with it in her fingertips. She started to ramble on about a new outfit she got. Apparently, it made her chest look great and her ass look unbelievable. I just tuned her out.

I missed Ash. He was at dinner with his parents, so I knew he was missing me as much as I was missing him. I knew I was desperate for him when I looked across the restaurant and spotted him sitting with a pretty girl. My eyes were playing tricks on me, and my heart was projecting what I wanted.

“It makes my breasts look two cup sizes bigger, I swear.” Payton kept rambling on.

I kept staring at the man who looked so similar to the man I loved. The longer I stared, the more I started to question my sanity. He wore the same blazer he wore a few weeks ago. His hair was the same. Everything was the same…

I squinted, unable to believe it was really him.

But it was.

A pretty brunette was sitting across from him. She had long brown hair that was silky and shiny. She wore a black dress, and her chest was prominent. Her thin legs extended under the table. She laughed at something he said, and Ash kept eating his dinner. There were no other place settings. It was just the two of them.

Why would he lie to me…?

My heart moved into my throat and I thought I was going to hurl. He was at dinner with some other girl. She was enjoying his company and he was clearly enjoying hers. He smiled at her from across the table then said something. When she responded, he laughed. They were having a great time.

He lied to me…

My head was starting to spin and I couldn’t think straight. My breathing was haggard and my heart hurt so much I thought it was bleeding. He was cheating on me. He promised he would never hurt me, but a few months into our relationship he was already sneaking around behind my back. The tears burned behind my eyes but I didn’t let them fall.

No, not again. I wouldn’t cry over another cheating asshole.

Payton watched my face. “Calm down. I’ll let you borrow it.”

I wasn’t listening to her. I threw my napkin down and stormed out.

Payton chased after me. “Geez, did you start your period or something?”

“Shut the fuck up, Payton.”

The couples waiting for tables by the door flinched at my profanity. They moved away from the door, letting me get through.

“What is your problem?” She kept talking in my ear until we reached the car.

“Take me home.”

“What—”

“Just take me home. Don’t argue with me. Don’t speak to me. Do it.”

“Fine.” She unlocked the doors then we got inside. She started the engine then turned her gangster music on. I didn’t care what we listened to. The image burned into my brain would never be erased. Nothing could distract me from the excruciating pain I felt. Ash played me and he played me good. I felt so stupid. Why did I think he would ever change? He was a player and he would always be a player.

She reached her apartment then got out. “Will you tell me why you’re freaking out?”

I got into my car without responding. Then I peeled out and headed home. When I was finally alone, the tears fell down my face.

Damn it.

I cried for the entire drive, listening to the sound of my own tears. My hands shook while I gripped the wheel. I felt sick, nauseated.

When I got home, I used my key to get into his apartment. He had my spare key on his nightstand and I wanted it back. I snatched it so he couldn’t get into my apartment then I left his behind. Then I went back to my apartment, slamming the door and turning off all the lights.

Once I was alone, the pain gripped me. This was much worse than it ever was with Jace. This betrayal was more painful. He actually made me believe I could trust him again. That was worse. If he just wanted to fuck me, he should have done it that night when I was drunk. It would have hurt a lot less.

Still wearing my clothes, I got into bed and pulled the covers over my head, trying to hide from the world.

CHAPTER TEN

Ash

When I came home, Alaska’s car was in her parking spot.

Yes. She was home.

I was eager to press kisses all over her body. And I needed to vent about my parents. She was the one person I could tell everything to. With my sister, I had to be selective. But with Alaska, there was no filter.

I walked into my apartment, expecting to see her curled up in my bed. But she wasn’t there. I raised an eyebrow then looked at my phone, seeing if she left me any messages. She hadn’t.

I grabbed her key on the nightstand and walked to her apartment. Maybe she thought I was supposed to stay at her place tonight. I didn’t care where we stayed. As long as we were in the same bed, I didn’t care.

I tried to put the key in the door but it wouldn’t budge. After a few tries, I examined the key under the light.

It was mine.

How did they get mixed up?

I pulled out my phone. It wasn’t even ten o’ clock. All the lights were off but she must be awake. I sent her a text.

Darling, I’m outside your door and I’m eager to be in your bed.

No response.

Was she asleep? Maybe she was drinking tonight so she passed out? But that didn’t sound like her.

I knocked on her door.

No response.

Maybe Payton picked her up and left her car here. That made the most sense.

But why wasn’t she texting me back?

We must have gotten our keys mixed up so you don’t have my spare. Just knock on my door when you get back.

No response.

Her silence was driving me crazy. Why wasn’t she responding? Did something happen to her? I wanted to call Payton and check on her, but I needed to calm down. I’m sure I’m just overreacting.

I went into my apartment then lay in bed, my phone sitting on my chest. If she texted me, I wanted to know. I stared at the ceiling for a long time, worrying about the girl who held my heart. Because if something happened to her, it happened to me.

Unable to keep my eyes open, I fell asleep.

My phone lay on my chest, not vibrating all night.

When I woke up the next morning, my eyes flashed open. I immediately fished for my phone in the sheets until I finally grabbed it. I blinked my eyes, my vision blurry, and then finally focused.

I had no messages.

I stumbled out of bed then got to my feet. I threw my flip-flops on, my heart pounding in my chest. Why didn’t she text me back? Did something happen? Was she okay?

I was fucking terrified.

I came to her door then slammed my fist into it. “Alaska? Are you home?”

No response. I didn’t hear a sound.

I knocked again, hoping she was asleep in her bedroom. “Alaska?”

What the fuck was going on?

I walked to the top of the stairs and looked for her truck. It was exactly where she left it.

I put my hands on my head, gripping my skull.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I called Payton. I was desperate at this point and terrified.

She didn’t answer.

“God fucking damn it.” I called her again and listened to it ring.

She answered. “Muh?”

She was obviously still asleep. “Where’s Alaska?”

“Alaska?” She yawned into the phone. “Why the hell would I know?”

“When was the last time you saw her?”

“She got into her truck at my apartment then drove away. That’s all I know.”

“Her truck is here but she’s not answering my messages or her door.”

“I talked to her this morning.”

The anger came out. “You just said the last time you saw her was last night.”

“Yeah, the last time I
saw
her. Not
talked
to her. I don’t know where she is.”

“What did you say to her this morning?”

“I asked if she was okay. She was acting weird last night.”

“What did she say?” I demanded.

“That she was fine. Then she hung up on me—that bitch.”

“When was this?”

“I don’t know…an hour ago. I fell back asleep because I was bored.”

“Do you know where she was?”

“Dude, she’s fine. If she were in danger she would tell me.”

None of this was making sense.

“Maybe you pissed her off.”

“No.”

“Well, I don’t know. Can I go back to bed now?”

I hung up then marched back to her door. I banged my fists on it. “Answer the door!” Now I knew she was inside.

No response.

“I’m going to stand here all day until you talk to me.”

Light footsteps moved from inside.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

She unlocked the door then opened it. Her face was pale like winter morning, and her lips were lifeless. They were white, not even pink. Her brown eyes were almost black. She looked like she lost the world, lost everything.

“Darling, what’s wrong?” The panic moved into my throat. I stepped toward her, moving to embrace her.

“Don’t. Touch. Me.” The fire leapt in her eyes.

I froze in place. “I don’t understand…”

“Leave me alone, Ash. I don’t want to see you ever again.”

What the fuck was going on?
“What did I do?”

The fire turned into an uncontrollable blaze. “You promised me you would never hurt me and I feel so stupid for ever believing you. Do you get off to hurting people? Are you a sadist? Go fuck yourself and leave me the hell alone.” She tried to slam the door in my face but I held it open.

“Alaska, what are you talking about?”

“I saw you on your date last night. You were having a great time with a beautiful girl. I’m sure you went to her place afterwards and fucked her brains out. I was stupid for ever thinking you were having dinner with your parents. You hate them.” The tears broke the surface and pooled in her eyes.

Clementine. She must have seen me with her. “It’s not what you think.”

She slapped me hard across the face.

My head turned and my cheek immediately welled.

“All I asked for was your honesty. Do not insult me by lying to me.” The tears fell down her face.

I breathed through the sting of her hit. It didn’t hurt, but I was pissed she hit me. She didn’t even hit Jace. I turned back to her, the fury on my face. “I’m not lying. I met my parents for dinner and they set me up on a date. I told them about you but they ditched me anyway. The girl was nice and she didn’t want to be there either so we made the best of a bad situation. I told her I had a girlfriend and I made it clear my heart belonged to someone else.”

“I may have been stupid for believing your first lie, but I’m not dumb enough to believe your second one.”

I marched into her apartment then gripped her by both wrists. I pulled her close to me, making her face me head on. “I’m not lying. I can introduce you to Clementine and she can tell you the truth since my word obviously doesn’t mean shit to you.”

She stared at me, tears falling down her face.

“Now let’s go.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I scooped her up in my arms and carried her out the door. She squirmed in my grasp and tried to get free. “We’re doing this. Don’t fight it.” I shut the door then locked it.

She finally squirmed from my grasp but I grabbed her again. “Ash, let me go.”

“No.” I pulled her down the stairs and got her to my car. I pushed her inside then came to the driver’s seat.

“She’s just going to say what you want her to say.” She sniffed and wiped her tears away.

“How? When will I have the opportunity to tell her to lie for me? You’re watching me.” I pulled away from the apartment then drove to Clementine’s.

“Then how do you know where she lives?”

“Because I’m not a dick and gave her a ride home.”

We spent the rest of the drive in silence. She cried quietly next to me, trying to hide her face. When we arrived, I walked with her up the steps and to the door. I rang the doorbell and stood back.

Alaska crossed her arms over her chest and wiped her tears away, trying to hide her obvious emotion. I didn’t touch her. I put my hands in my pockets, trying not to snap. I was livid with Alaska.

Clementine opened the door wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. She obviously just woke up. “Ash?”

“Hey.” I turned to Alaska. “Ask her whatever you want to know.”

Clementine raised an eyebrow then glanced back and forth between us. “What’s going on…?”

“Ask her.” I stared Alaska down.

She wouldn’t budge.

Then I looked at Clementine. “What happened last night?”

“What do you mean?” She gripped her door.

“Just tell us what happened from beginning to end.” My hands were balled into fists.

“Okay…” She looked at Alaska before she spoke. “I met Ash and his parents for dinner because they said they wanted me to meet their son. He was nice but was a little rude to his parents, understandably so. He said he had a girlfriend and he wasn’t interested in dating me. His parents left anyway, so we had dinner together. We’re both in medicine so we had a lot to talk about. He mentioned you often. Then he gave me a ride home and shook my hand before I walked into my apartment.” Clementine glanced at me, unsure what else to do.

“Thank you, Clementine. You’ve been very helpful.” I turned away and walked back to my car.

Alaska trailed behind me, silent.

I opened the door for her even though I shouldn’t. Then I slammed it hard, unable to bottle my rage.

She looked out the window for the entire drive home. I thought I heard a sniff or two from her side of the car. I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. When we arrived at home, I marched to my apartment without looking at her.

I got my key in the door then opened it.

“Ash?” Alaska stood behind me.

“What?” I didn’t turn around.

“I’m sorry…when I saw you it didn’t look good.”

I slammed my door and turned around. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this mad.

She flinched at the fire in my eyes.

I rushed her, pushing her all the way back until she hit her door. “Why the fuck didn’t you just come over to me in the restaurant? All you had to do was ask me what I was doing. But no, you ran.”

She breathed hard while I yelled in her face. My arms were pinned on either side of her, caging her in.

“You should have trusted me, Alaska. If I wasn’t kissing her or touching her, then you had no right to assume I was cheating on you. If you really thought that, you should have come to my table and confronted me. If you had just done that, all of this wouldn’t have happened.”

“I’m sorry, okay? After what I went through with Jace I—”

“I’m not him!” I slammed my fists into her door. “I’m not a fucking cheater. That’s no excuse, Alaska. You claimed that you trust me but you obviously don’t.” I dropped my hands and stepped back. “I can deal with you jumping to conclusions if I try hard enough, but I can’t deal with the way you treated me. Alaska, I was fucking terrified something happened to you. You didn’t respond to any of my messages and you didn’t answer the door. How did I know you were safe? That someone wasn’t raping you? You know about my past and you know about my heartbreak. How could you be so selfish as to leave me hanging like that? I can’t just let that go.” I stared her down, seeing the fear on her face. Unable to look at her for a second longer, I stormed into my apartment and slammed the door.

Then I locked it.