by J. M. Walker
I stopped, peering at him over my shoulder. “I told you I wasn’t.”
“Are you dating Luna yet?” he threw at me.
My jaw clenched so damn hard, a sharp pain shot up the side of my face. “That’s none of your fucking business.”
He laughed. “Didn’t think so. If you aren’t, do you mind if I ask her out?”
My brows narrowed. “Is that why you tried setting me up on that date? So, you could date Luna instead?” Thoughts of them together invaded my mind. Ashton was a good guy, but while the rumors about me weren’t true, they were when it came to him.
Ashton smirked. “It was just—”
“Listen.” Aiden stepped forward, giving his brother a glare. “Ignore him. We just want you happy. Both of you happy and if that’s not together, well, I think this woman could be good for you. And if something comes out of this thing with Luna. Well…look at this date as a last hurrah before you’re tied down.”
“I’m not going on that date,” I said, sounding like a damn parrot. “Besides, what’s in this for you? Are you wanting Luna for yourself?” I took a step toward the twins. “Is that your thing? Sharing women? I know you’ve had a little thing with Piper, but I don’t think Luna’s willing to share. In fact, I know she’s not.”
A knowing glance passed between the twins.
“If you don’t get your head out of your ass and make a move, I’ll make mine. With or without your permission.” Ashton lifted his chin. “I love you like a brother. You’re family. But that girl deserves to be happy after pining over you for years when neither of you are doing a damn thing about it.”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I grabbed Ashton by the collar of his shirt and pushed him up against the wall. “You stay the fuck away from her.”
“Make me,” Ashton spat. “You can’t date someone and not expect her to do the same. That’s not how this shit works.”
“I’m not dating anyone. Why the hell won’t you believe me?”
“Because we know how you work. I’ve heard those rumors, Zach.” Ashton’s brows narrowed. “I know you like your women.”
“That’s why you set me up on the date all along, isn’t it? Say it, Ashton,” I demanded, tightening my hold on his shirt. “Say that’s what your intention was.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I pulled him away from the wall and pushed him back against it, hard. “Tell me.”
“Hey!” someone cried but I ignored them.
A strong hand clapped my shoulder. Knowing it was Aiden, it still didn’t stop me from spitting the words to his twin, “What the fuck do you want with Luna?”
Ashton grinned. “I want to make her happy because clearly you’re not doing fuck all about it. You’re too fucking scared to do anything about your feelings for her.”
“She deserves better,” I blurted.
“You deserve her,” Ashton said gently. “But it won’t stop me from making my move.”
Leaning toward his ear, I tightened my grip on his collar and lifted him onto his tiptoes. He may have been a few inches taller than me, but I was bigger. “You touch a single hair on her head, and I will gut you where you sleep. My black eyes will be the last thing you see before you take your last breath.”
“Challenge fucking accepted,” Ashton mumbled.
I released him roughly and took a step back. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled. I looked to my left and found Luna staring at me with wide eyes. But it wasn’t her that bothered me. No. It was her father. He stood right behind her, his dark eyes telling all. What he just witnessed was all the proof he needed that I was nowhere near being good enough for his daughter. And I just slammed the last peg in my coffin. There went my fucking chance.
Good job, Porter.
Turning on my heel, I trudged back down the hall, ignoring the stares of the onlookers and Luna calling my name. I left the house, jogged to my car, and drove home before I did something really stupid. Like driving my fist through one of my best friend’s faces.
I was running and that pissed me off even more.
Fucking hell.
***
(Luna)
“What the hell was that?” I cried, stomping toward Ashton. “What did you say to him?”
“Luna,” my father said from behind me.
I ignored him and stabbed a finger against Ashton’s chest. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. But I said what he needed to hear.” He shrugged like it was no big deal. Well it was. It was a very big deal.
“You’re friends. You shouldn’t be this way toward each other.” Not unless a woman was involved. My eyes widened. Oh God. Was I that woman? Remembering the offer Ashton gave me not too long ago, I wondered if Zach found out about that. “Ashton,” I murmured.
He opened his mouth to speak when he glanced over my head instead.
“I’m heading out,” Dad said, cupping my shoulders and spinning me toward him. “I was supposed to fix your toilet remember? But Zach beat me to it.” His dark eyes met mine. “You still pissed at me?”
I sighed, hugging my arms around his hard middle.
“I’m just looking out for you, Piccola ,” he said low enough for only me to hear.
I nodded. “Yeah.” I pulled away.
He said his goodbyes and left the house. As soon as the door shut behind him, I spun on Ashton. “You and I need to talk.”
A cocky grin spread on his face. “I’m all yours.”
I bit back an eye-roll and headed to the backyard. When Ashton joined me, I placed my hands on my hips. “This shit needs to stop.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, holding his hand out in front of him like he was checking his nails.
“Ashton.” I stomped my foot when he didn’t look at me. “Seriously.”
His gaze flicked to mine. “I’m looking out for you.” His face turned serious, his shoulders pulling back. “If Zach isn’t going to make a move, I will. Plain and simple.”
“Since when? You’re sleeping with Piper.”
“Was sleeping with her,” he corrected. “Besides.” He shrugged. “I like you.”
“No, you like me because you can’t have me.” I slumped on the patio couch. “And since when are you attracted to me? This isn’t like you. You don’t go after what’s not yours.” Not that I belonged to Zach either but that was beside the point.
“Listen.” Ashton sat on the couch beside me and took my hand in his. “I’m not doing this because I feel like being a dick to Zach. But like I told you before, he needs a push. Both of you need one. Or a kick in the ass. I’m not sure which. But if he’s going on a date, you can too.”
“He’s not going on that date. Or any date for that matter.”
“Not yet, he isn’t.”
I sighed, leaning my head back against the couch. “I don’t understand what’s going on. You’re not helping, and neither is my father.”
Ashton chuckled, releasing me and mirrored my pose. “Do you think your father would react the same way if it were me going after you?”
“Probably. It’s clearly why I’m still a…” I clamped my mouth shut, not needing to talk about my virginity with someone other than Zach.
Ashton shot me a look. Clearing his throat, he stood. “Zach’s a lucky fucker,” he mumbled. “Anyway, Luna. It’s been fun as always.”
“Wait.” I jumped to my feet. “Will you leave him alone?”
Ashton looked down at me. It was like his deep blue eyes were peering into my soul. “I will. For now.” He walked past me and headed back into the house, leaving me alone once again.
***
(Zach)
As I was driving home, my phone rang. I pressed the button on the steering wheel. “Yeah.”
“Hey.”
“Gigi?” I frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. There’s a dinner at my parents’ place next week. Are you coming? I don’t
know what’s going on between all of you, but I know my parents want you there. And your parents will be there so…yeah.”
Shit.
“You forgot, didn’t you? Listen, Ashton’s an ass. We all know he does this shit just to get a rise out of people. You should know that.”
“I do.” But it still didn’t mean I liked it.
“But I want you there and I know Luna does too.” Gigi paused. “Will you come?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” I mumbled.
“Good.” Her voice lifted. “I’m glad.”
“Really? Why?”
She hesitated. “Well…”
“You have an ulterior motive, don’t you?”
“Who me? See you later, Zach,” she said, hanging up.
I sighed.
Women .
Luna
“IS HE COMING?” I asked as Gigi came into the house from the backyard. She had called Zach after he left abruptly thanks to my father and Ashton.
“He is.” She wrapped her arms around me, giving me a hard hug. “Who’s the best?”
I laughed. “You are.” I pulled away from her and sat at the kitchen table.
“Can you try these?”
I jumped as Meadow placed a plate in front of me. “Where the hell did you come from?”
“I was in the kitchen. Not my fault you guys always forget I’m here,” she said, heading back to the part of the house she’s only ever in, besides her bedroom.
“We do not forget you’re here,” I called out, glancing at the plate. “What is this?” I asked as Gigi sat down beside me.
“I don’t know but it looks and smells delicious.” She grabbed a pastry off the plate.
“Where’s Piper?” I asked, still analyzing the pastries staring back at me. I was all for food but when I didn’t know what it was, it took a lot for me to give it a chance. Almost like my personal life. Taking a chance on new things was terrifying.
“She went home to see her parents,” Gigi replied, stuffing the tiny ball of dough into her mouth. “Holy shit,” she said around a mouthful. “Meadow, this is amazing.”
“Yeah?” Meadow came back to the table and sat across from us. “It’s new and I wasn’t sure how it would taste.”
“What is it?” I tentatively picked up a pastry off the plate and gave it a sniff.
“Oh, stop being a pussy and just eat it,” Meadow chided.
“Who mentioned pussy?” Ashton sat beside me. “Ooooh, what do we have here?” He picked up a ball of dough and shoved it into his mouth. A low groan followed soon after.
Meadow’s grin widened. “See? Everyone likes it.”
“Why do I feel like you’re testing me?” I asked her, taking a bite of the small pastry. Flavor exploded onto my tongue. It was a mix of apples, strawberries and… “Lemon.”
“Yup. I mixed up a batch of apples, strawberries, a couple of blueberries, and threw in some lemon as well. I even made the dough gluten-free and vegan.” Meadow shrugged. “I’m glad it turned out.”
“So, it’s semi-healthy. Good.” Gigi shoved another one into her mouth.
All of us laughed.
“Not like you need to worry about that. How many hours a day do you work out?” I teased, eating the rest of the pastry and licking my fingers.
“That’s exactly the point.” Gigi patted her stomach. “But the parents won’t send their kids to a chubby dancer, so I have to stay lean.”
I rolled my eyes at that. Gigi never liked to talk about it, but she blew her knee out and lost her chance at having a career in professional dance. So, she taught instead but even then, I wasn’t sure how she did it. The parents of her students were rich snobs if you asked me.
“You do too much for those kids,” Meadow said.
“At least I get paid for it.” Gigi popped another pastry into her mouth. “I think after I’m done with this class, I might start teaching for the less fortunate. At least they’ll appreciate what I do for them then.”
“I like that idea,” I told her.
“Me too.” Meadow stuffed a pastry into her mouth. She sighed, patting herself on the back.
I giggled, eating another pastry.
Ashton took the empty plate and lifted it to his mouth. Giving it a long lick, he paused when he caught all of us staring at him. “What?”
“You’re not a dog.” Meadow took the plate from him and stood from the table. “Geeze, no wonder you’re still single.”
Ashton passed me a glance.
My cheeks heated. “I’m going to go read. Meadow, make some more of those yummy treats. Pretty please.”
“I will,” she called from the kitchen.
“Hey, Luna.”
My eyes shot up, finding Aiden coming toward me. “Hey, where have you been?”
“I was in Gigi’s room, making a business call. Trying to take over our father’s business is proving more difficult than I thought.” He sighed, shoving his phone back in the pocket of his jeans. “My brother still here?”
“Yeah. He’s in the kitchen.”
“Okay, thanks,” he said, walking past me.
Heading to my room, I opened the door.
“Oh, Luna?”
I stopped, glancing down the hall toward Aiden.
“Ignore Ashton. Whatever is going on between you and Zach, will work itself out. I know it will.”
“You should probably tell your brother that,” I said, heading into my room without waiting for a response from Aiden.
I wasn’t sure what had possessed Ashton to start that shit in the first place. Add to the fact that he never apologized.
My phone dinged, indicating an incoming text. I pulled it from my pocket, my body heating.
Zach: You good, Moonbeam?
Me: Yeah. I’m sorry about what happened. With Ashton and my father.
My phone rang then. “Hello?”
“You don’t need to apologize for them,” Zach said.
I frowned. “What number are you calling from?”
“I’m in my dad’s office. My battery died.”
“Oh.” I sat on the edge of my bed. “I am sorry though. My father means well but he needs to mind his own business. I’m a big girl.”
“Maybe you should listen to him.”
“What?” I barked a laugh. “Are you serious right now?”
“I just mean that what he’s saying is true. I’m not good enough for you, Luna. I never will be.”
“He never said any of that. Is that how you feel?” I couldn’t believe him right now. “You didn’t seem to mind that you weren’t good enough for me when I gave you a blowjob outside, Zach. Or when we almost had sex this afternoon.”
“That shouldn’t have happened. None of that should have happened.”
I jumped to my feet. “Zach.”
“Luna, he’s your father. He knows—”
“He doesn’t know shit,” I snapped. “I’ll see you later.” I hung up the phone and tossed it on my bed. God, what the hell was wrong with the men in my life?
Scrubbing my hands down my face, I let out a huff before rising from the bed. Taking a quick shower, I rinsed the day off of me. As much as I didn’t want to, I washed what Zach and I had almost done off of my skin.
We had been so close. So damn close to having sex and now he didn’t want more? Well screw him. I would prove to him that he was wrong.
Zach
SITTING AT THE BAR of the small Italian restaurant, I waited for my takeout order and felt the hairs on the back of my neck tingle. Glancing around me, I found a woman sitting at the bar a few stools down.
I frowned. Something about her was familiar.
She met my gaze. “Do I know you?”
“I don’t know. I was just thinking that you look familiar.”
Her brows furrowed. “I was thinking the same thing. I saw you come in. Are you waiting for someone?”
“Just my takeout. I ordered dinner for my parents.” My dad had a long day after helping me tie
up some business and I was repaying him. Not that I needed to, but I decided anyway to give them a break. And my mom loved the food here, so it was a win-win.
“Oh, that’s sweet.” The woman smiled. “I was waiting for someone, but it seems that I’ve been stood up.” She sighed.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” I had never been on many dates, but I could imagine that being stood up was embarrassing as hell.
“It is what it is.” She took a sip of her martini, her gaze flicking to mine. “Do you ever come into The Dove Project?”
“I do. My mom is one of the owners.”
“Yes!” she cried, snapping her fingers. “That’s where I’ve seen you before. Can I be forward and ask what your name is?”
“Zach Porter.” It explained how she looked familiar. I used to spend a lot of time there before I became busy with work.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
My head whipped around. “Excuse me?”
“Do I look stupid to you?” the woman seethed.
I shook my head. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Her face turned red. “I was supposed to go on a date…with you , asshole.”
My eyes widened. Oh shit . “I told Ashton I wasn’t going on the date.” I was going to kill him.
“Well he never told me that.” The woman scrubbed a hand down her face. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe I was stood up and then the guy still shows up. God, I’m so stupid.”
“No, this is not your fault or mine. It’s Ashton’s.”
“He said he talked to you but never told me that you said no.” She turned to me, crossing her knee over the other. “You really said no?”
“Yes. There’s someone else and it wouldn’t be fair to her or you, for me to go on this date. That’s why I said no. I can be an asshole but that’s a dick move and even I would never do that.”
She pursed her full lips. “Fine.” She let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders dropping. “I’m sorry.”
“No.” I signaled the waiter over. “Let me buy you a drink. And then I’m going to murder my friend.”