“Thanks for hanging out,” Tripp told Ashlyn just as he closed the front door behind him.
“Sorry if they gave you a hard time.”
They were now at her car, but Ashlyn wasn’t really in a rush to leave. Tripp stood next to her with his back pressed into the cold exterior.
As if to answer Ashlyn’s unspoken question, “If you couldn’t tell, I don’t invite many girls over.”
Ashlyn found herself curious. “Why not?”
“I don’t know. It’s not just girls, people in general,” he clarified. “We never really lived in places long enough and I just never wanted to get too attached.”
“So, why now?”
“I like being around you, Ash,” he sighed.
She could feel butterflies spring to life in her stomach. Unfortunately, there was a nagging thought in the back of her mind. She dreaded bringing it up, but if she didn’t, she’d never feel right around him.
Ashlyn step forward and turned so that she was facing Tripp and not beside him. “I have something I need to ask you.”
Tripp knew from just the tone in her voice that it wasn’t going to be good. “Shoot.”
She didn’t know how to begin such a question and borderline accusation, but beating around the bush with Tripp wasn’t the way to go. “My dad had a Mickey Mantle signed ball in his office…”
“Yeah, I know. We talked about it briefly.” Sensing her uncertainty, Tripp replayed her words. “Wait, had?”
Ashlyn uncomfortably shifted her weight and brought her eyes to look into Tripp’s. She knew she’d be able to read his eyes. “It went missing around the time of my party.”
Tripp took a deep breath and his nostrils flared. He wasn’t an idiot; he didn’t need for Ashlyn to continue what she was about to say. He crossed his arms and glared at her. “And you think I took it?”
“No…I don’t know. I had to ask because–”
“Do you want to know what your dad and I were talking about?” His voice was annoyed, almost angry.
“No,” Ashlyn quickly blurted out. She couldn’t go into that discussion with Tripp. “Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have–”
Tripp shrugged aggressively. “You don’t trust me. I get it.” He stepped forward and Ashlyn could see red in his golden eyes, or maybe she was just imagining that with how angry he was. “You want to know something,” he asked, although they both knew it was rhetorical. “And you can think I’m as full of myself or as cocky as you want.” He ran his hand through his dirty blonde hair. “My dad will give me anything I want. I only have to do three things.” He lifted a finger for each item he listed. “Play baseball. Make good grades. Stay out of trouble.” He shook his head. “How do you think I got that camera for you. I sure as hell didn’t steal it.”
Ashlyn felt horrible. Though she hadn’t known Tripp long, she shouldn’t have thought he would have done something like steal from her father. Her father had even laughed at the idea, and he was a very good judge of character.
“Tripp, I’m sorry. I just had to mention it, because you were in there with him, and you knew about it, and–”
“Newsflash, Ash. There were a lot of other people at that party, ones with not so wonderful reputations,” he growled. He refrained from pointing out the obvious at first. “It’s not like it was under lock and key. It was on the first floor. Anyone could have gone into that room.” Not being able to contain himself on mentioning Eric. “Maybe you should ask your boyfriend.” He brushed past her and headed back to his front door.
“Excuse me?!” Now it was her turn to get offended.
Tripp turned for just a moment, loathing how the day had gotten ruined in a matter of seconds. “Yeah, at least that’s what he called himself when he decided to give me and Deacon crap in the locker room.”
Ashlyn swallowed heavily. This was exactly why being around Tripp was a bad idea. If he thought a few words from Eric was bad, he had no idea what dating her would mean.
✽ ✽ ✽
Ashlyn wiped away a few tears as soon as she reached the first four-way stop after Tripp’s house. She hated how hurt and angry he looked. He basically admitted that he was a spoiled brat and could get anything he wanted from his daddy. It’s not like the ball was even that valuable; it wasn’t in the most pristine condition. The camera he got for her was probably more.
She should have gone about it a better way, one that didn’t make it look like she was accusing him.
The worst part, she really enjoyed studying with him. He didn’t try anything stupid; he was just a good friend. She could only hope that he was as forgiving as he seemed, because she felt like she really set their friendship back.
Ashlyn was so busy thinking about Tripp that she completely missed the car parked on the street near her driveway. It wasn’t until she was pulling in that she saw the gloomy figure dressed in all black sitting on the steps to the front door.
Eric.
With the way she felt, he was the last person on earth that she wanted to deal with.
“Whoa, have you been crying,” were the first words to come out of Eric’s mouth as he bounded toward her car.
“No.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, you have. I’ve made you cry enough times to know.”
Ash let out an exasperated breath. “Something which you sound rather proud of.”
“Anyway, where were you? I’ve been waiting here for half an hour.”
Ashlyn wanted to tell him that it was none of his business, but his attitude would only end up going into a tailspin. “I was at the library. You could have text to let me know you were coming over,” she quickly told him, hoping that he wouldn’t try to pry further into her whereabouts. “Also, did you even ring the doorbell.” She glanced inside the open garage. “Both of my parents are home,” she pointed out.
“Yeah, but your mom is nuts, your dad hates me, and heaven forbid that maid is here. I don’t know what her fixation is with my shoes,” he scoffed.
Ashlyn glanced down at his muddy boots but said nothing on the matter. “I’m late for dinner. Is there something you needed?”
“Yeah. Since we’re broken up,” he began, using air quotes, but before he could finish, Ashlyn interrupted him.
“Don’t do that. Don’t pretend like I’m mad and this is something I’ll get over.”
Eric clenched his jaw in anger. “Whatever. I need my stuff back.”
“Your stuff?”
“Yeah. I know you have one of my hoodies, and a t-shirt, video games, DVDs–”
Ashlyn couldn’t believe him right now, but it was fine. She wanted every part of him gone from her life. What a wasted two years. “Fine, Eric. I’ll get it together soon and drop it off.”
“Cool.”
Ashlyn widened her eyes and gave him a questioning look, waiting for him to either leave or say something else. Unfortunately, he had something else to say.
“So, are you seeing anyone?”
She gasped in shock. “Seriously?!” She threw her hands in the air, completely done with him. “No, Eric,” she scoffed. “I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Good,” he said, appearing to be pleased.
“No. You don’t get to care if or when I start dating.” She didn’t mean for her anger to get the best of her, and perhaps she shouldn’t have brought it up, but her day was already going downhill, why not add to it. “And you know what? Why were you giving Deacon crap today?” She intentionally said Deacon, a mutual friend, and made it a point to leave Tripp out.
Eric narrowed his eyes, and Ashlyn pretended not to have a reaction that he might know something he shouldn’t. “First of all,” he began with a growl. “I was giving Tripp crap. Deacon inserted himself where he shouldn’t be.”
“Whatever. Just don’t. You know you’re in enough trouble with the school. You don’t need harassment up there,” she added, pretending to care.
“So, you and Deacon?”
Ashlyn’s eyes bulged out of her hea
d. “What?! No!”
Eric chuckled. “Yeah, I think we all know where he stands. What about Tripp?”
Pretending to have the same reaction as she did when he mentioned Deacon’s name, “No! Ugh, you’re unbelievable!”
Eric watched her carefully and she fought with all her might not to lose her composure, pretending to be irritated at his suggestions. After a few moments, he seemed to be satisfied.
“Anyway, try to get me my things soon.” He started down the driveway toward his car parked on the street. “See you around school, babe.”
Ashlyn wished she had a rock to throw at him. She hated that so-called term of endearment.
It wasn’t until she made her way inside and put her bag down, that she realized how he had dominated their conversation. She should have asked him about the Mickey Mantle ball.
Chapter 28
Ashlyn: Hey, I know it’s late. I just wanted to apologize again. It all came out wrong.
Tripp: You wouldn’t have mentioned it if you didn’t think I had something to do with it.
Ashlyn: I’m really sorry.
Tripp: It’s fine. I’m sorry too.
Ashlyn sank back into her pillow. She was supposed to be the one who felt horrible for assuming, and here Tripp was the one now apologizing.
Tripp: I guess I thought you knew me better. Looking back, I can see how I would be a good suspect. Anyway, sorry if I lost my cool with you.
Tripp wasn’t sure how Ashlyn felt, but he felt the worst. He hated that she thought he’d do something like that, but he hated how he reacted even more. He never meant to raise his voice or storm off like he had, especially after they had such a nice and normal evening together.
Tripp: So, we’re cool? Friends?
Ashlyn: Yeah, friends.
Ashlyn turned her phone to silent and threw it on the nightstand. She hated that she ever had to say the things she did, and she wondered if Tripp really was only going to pursue a friendship with her because of that. He had called their night after the game a date…She shook her head at the thought. She had told him several times how it wasn’t. Then there was his text that night. It was completely different from the one now.
Maybe Eric said more to Tripp and Deacon than Tripp was telling her? Could that have anything to do with the fact that she just spent all that time with him and there wasn’t one bit of flirtation on his part? He did sit beside her, but that was about as intense as it got.
She rolled over and groaned into her pillow. The only thing she needed right now was sleep.
✽ ✽ ✽
Tripp tuned out of the conversation Ellis, Deacon, and Byron were having at Ellis’ locker the next morning. They still had a good ten minutes before the bell signaling to head to first period would ring, and he had hoped to see Ashlyn before lunch or science.
As if the heavens heard that thought, far down the hall he saw Ashlyn along with her best friend. Ashlyn’s locker was only a few down from where they stood at Ellis’, so he’d at least get to see her for a second.
Just as they made eye contact and she gave him a sweet smile like nothing had ever been amiss between them, two girls sashayed up to their group.
“Hey, guys,” the redhead greeted.
While Tripp didn’t know them, he knew of them. The redhead’s name was Grace, and from the little he did know, she was on the paper with Ashlyn. The other one, with the jet-black hair and dark brown eyes was Melody. He had English with her, but other than that, knew very little.
“Hey, Grace, Melody,” Ellis spoke up.
“We just came over to invite you guys to a party we’re having Saturday,” Melody quickly blurted out without so much as an introduction.
“Ellis, I need the keys,” Emory insisted, squeezing herself through everyone, along with Ashlyn. “I left my second period notebook in there.”
Ellis groaned but handed his sister the keys. Emory whispered to Ashlyn to stay there, that she was going to run out really fast, and just like that, she dashed off through the hall.
“So, party,” Ellis asked after being interrupted by his sister.
Tripp watched Ashlyn, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes. Maybe she was still embarrassed and shy about the day before. For him, it was all water under the bridge. After thinking about it from her perspective, he could see how she’d want to at the very least mention it to him and see his reaction.
Rather than meeting his gaze, Ashlyn appeared generally interested in the details of whatever party the two girls were talking about. Before they could even finish, Emory was back, chunking the keys at Ellis.
“Wow, that was fast,” Ashlyn whispered.
“Athleticism runs in our genes,” Emory joked.
Tripp was taken aback when a cool and dainty hand was placed on his forearm. He tore his eyes from the girl who refused to look at him and to the one touching him with such ease.
“I really hope you can make it Saturday,” Grace told him sweetly, perhaps batting her eyes just a few times too many.
“And you too, Deacon,” Melody added. After seeing the strange looks from the others, “Well, all of you.”
Ashlyn couldn’t help but notice Deacon tense at Melody’s words; however, she was even more surprised with Tripp.
Tripp took a step backwards, breaking the uncomfortable contact with Grace. “Actually, I’m out. Sorry.”
Grace appeared shocked and disappointed. “Really? Is there a game? The party is–”
“No. No game. I have a date.”
Grace’s jaw nearly fell to the floor. She shot a quick glare to Melody. “I thought you and Rachel broke up?”
Ashlyn and Emory looked at each other rather uncomfortably. Byron took the opportunity to slip away. It appeared that Deacon wanted to as well, but maybe he was thinking over Melody’s special invitation to him.
“We were never dating,” Tripp insisted.
“Oh, well–”
Just then the bell rang, muffling any further protest from Grace. Everyone shot out in different directions. Tripp was so annoyed that Grace and Melody had taken up those few precious minutes before the start of the day. The only thing he was slightly thankful for was the fact that his and Ashlyn’s classes were in the same direction.
Tripp jogged to catch up with Ashlyn, eager to get in just a few words before he’d go hours without seeing her.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
Ashlyn barely took the time to glance at Tripp when he caught up to her. She couldn’t believe that one minute he’s trying to do a movie night with her, and the next he’s already got a date with someone else. Now she knew why there was nothing more than a friendly homework session between them the day before.
“Good.”
“Really? You look pissed,” Tripp blurted out.
“Just trying to get to class.”
Tripp softly grabbed her wrist in hopes of getting her attention. It worked, as she slowed her steps and glanced up at him, unfortunately for him, she also wiggled her arm from him and pretended like the straps on her backpack needed her attention.
“I thought we were alright?”
Ashlyn took a deep breath and paused. Tripp turned so that he was standing in front of her. She couldn’t ignore the concern in his eyes.
She tried to put on the best smile she could. “We’re fine. We’re still friends.”
Tripp didn’t buy it. It wasn’t the same smile she had given him when she first walked into school that day, but he didn’t want to go in circles with her. “I actually needed to talk to you about something.”
A tinge of pink graced his cheeks and suddenly he had a difficult time making eye contact with Ashlyn.
“I can’t be late for class.” Ashlyn stepped around Tripp and went on her way to her classroom.
Before Tripp could insist any further, she was already inside her room. He stared at the door to the journalism classroom wondering what in the world had just happened.
He fired off a text and slowly went in the di
rection to his classroom. Ashlyn didn’t stand a chance of being late. They still had three minutes until the tardy bell.
Tripp: I need to talk to you. It’s about this weekend.
Ashlyn read the text and put her phone away without responding. Whether or not Tripp intended for her to hear his excuse to Grace, she heard it.
She glanced over to see Grace going at it on her phone before class. She was sure that Grace was probably ranting to Melody about Tripp. Seriously, did every girl in school have a crush on the guy?
Ashlyn tried to get Tripp out of her mind as she grabbed her notebook and the memory card from her camera and booted up the computer at her station. However, the thought of him going on an actual date with someone else sent a feeling through her that she wasn’t prepared to deal with. It was even worse now, worse than when she saw him at her birthday party with her best friend.
✽ ✽ ✽
Tripp arrived to science early, and took his place at the table he shared with Ashlyn. She hadn’t been at lunch. Her friends said she had told them that she was working on a project. At least he knew her phone was working. She could text them nonstop, but she had yet to reply to him. Maybe he should have gone to the library to see if she was just trying to avoid him.
Ashlyn entered right when the bell rang, and Mrs. Cohen immediately began taking roll.
“Alright, today’s assignment will be a movie.” Student’s began whispering with excitement. “Not so fast.” Mrs. Cohen went to her desk, grabbed a stack of papers, and began passing them to the students in the front, informing them to take one and pass them back. “Just so I know you’re paying attention, you’ll need to listen carefully and fill in answers along the way.” She smiled when there were several groans throughout the room.
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