She looked from the lake to Tripp. His eyes were burning into hers. He reached behind himself until his hand clasped over hers and Ashlyn sucked in a breath.
Tripp smiled, his eyes never leaving hers. “I know you feel something too. Every time I touch you, it feels electric.”
Ashlyn swallowed heavily. He was right.
“It’s fine. I think I get it.”
Ashlyn didn’t say anything, her questioning eyes told him to continue.
“You just got out of a relationship. You don’t want people thinking that you’re rebounding or that we had something going on prior to your breakup.”
Ashlyn liked what Tripp was saying. Was he seriously helping her with an excuse for not dating him? If so, it was a believable one. It was way better than her telling him how oddly possessive and crazy Eric had become. It was definitely better than telling him that she was afraid of what Eric might do if he found out that she and Tripp did have more than friendship between the two of them. This was good. Hopefully what Tripp was saying would buy her enough time for Eric to move on.
Just to make sure, “What are you saying?”
“I don’t know,” he laughed. “I guess I just want you to know that I kind of understand why you wouldn’t want to jump into something with someone else. All I ask though, if you feel something, which I know you do,” he confidently pointed out. “Don’t ever say what you said to me in the library just to push me away.”
Ashlyn let out an annoyed sigh. “Fine. Yes, Tripp. I have feelings for you that extend beyond friendship. There. Happy?”
Tripp wrinkled his nose and pretended to be deep in thought. “How far beyond friendship,” he asked, unable to pass up a moment to tease Ashlyn.
“You’re so impossible.”
They sat in silence. The sun was still some time away from setting, but it was much lower on the horizon, giving everything a warm glow.
Tripp looked over curiously when he heard her camera click a few times. She quickly turned it off and put it down.
“Did you take a picture of the lake?”
“Something like that.”
✽ ✽ ✽
“Please, don’t walk me to the door,” Ashlyn insisted when Tripp opened her door and helped her from his SUV.
Tripp noticed the way her face reddened. “Why?”
She reached back in and grabbed her bag before closing the door and leaning into it. “We have one of those recording doorbells,” she began, embarrassed to admit what she was about to say. “And it kind of picked up the last time.”
Ashlyn rolled her eyes when Tripp nearly doubled over in laughter. She playfully kicked at him.
“Sorry,” he managed trying to catch his breath. It was difficult not to laugh, realizing that her parents saw that exchange at the front door. “Anyway, thanks for spending the day with me.”
Ashlyn gave a small smile, but it quickly faded when Tripp reached in his pocket and withdrew a small box.
“I got you something to remember it.”
Ashlyn didn’t need anything. This was one of the best days she had in a long time. She hesitantly took the white box and looked it over. Her eyes shot up to meet Tripp’s when she saw the logo for the botanical gardens etched on the box.
He took a step forward and lowered his voice. “I may have stopped in the gift center.”
Ashlyn opened the box and revealed a gorgeous pair of butterfly earrings. Colors of blue, pink, and yellow, sparkled in the soft evening light.
“Tripp,” she gasped. “They’re so pretty.”
Tripp thought he might come undone when she looked up at him. That was the look he wanted by the end of the day. He would have done anything to keep that look of happiness on her face.
“I noticed that you don’t wear much jewelry besides earrings.”
Ashlyn bit her lip. Of course he did, because he noticed all the little things. She closed the box and tucked it inside her bag. She pressed herself farther into the vehicle behind her.
“I have a question now,” she began, surprising Tripp. She could feel her hands getting sweaty from nerves. She couldn’t believe she was nervous now. “You said that you don’t kiss on a first date. What about on the second?”
Tripp could feel his head begin to spin as his heart nearly beat out of his chest with what he began assuming. “Depends.” He shrugged and took a step forward.
“On?”
Tripp’s eyes briefly fell to Ashlyn’s lips. He placed his hands on his SUV, at both sides of Ashlyn’s head, enclosing her, and leaned in, so they were only a breath away. “On if this is a second date.”
“Yes.”
Before she could get indecisive on him, he pressed his lips to hers. Her bag slipped to the ground and her hands flew around his neck pulling him in deeper. It had been something the both of them wanted all day.
Tripp took the opportunity to deepen the kiss and it nearly sent him over the edge into oblivion. The kiss in the library was good. The one in her bedroom, even better. This kiss was something different, and he knew that without a doubt she wouldn’t freak out or call it a mistake.
He pressed his chest into hers, wondering if she could feel the insanely erratic pounding of his heart. Playfully he bit at her bottom lip and the softest of moans from Ashlyn rippled through him.
Tripp pulled back slightly, barely separating their lips, just enough to say something. “You really need to head inside.”
Ashlyn shook her head and pulled him in for another deep kiss. Though she had kissed him twice before, she wasn’t prepared for how it would feel again. All she knew was that she wasn’t ready for it to end.
Tripp smiled and pulled back again. “If you don’t go in now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to leave.”
“And we do need him to eventually leave,” Poppy shouted from the bottom of the porch steps.
Ashlyn and Tripp sprang from each other like each was acid.
“Mom!”
“I saw the vehicle pull up and I was going to ask if your friend, and I use that term loosely, would like to stay for dinner,” Poppy mentioned quite casually.
Ashlyn couldn’t speak. If you could die from embarrassment, she was certain that the coroner was on his way.
Despite being anything but calm, Tripp played it off rather nicely. He ran a hand through his hair and took a step forward. He didn’t have a problem when it came to talking to adults. “Thank you for the offer Mrs. Jennings, but I need to be heading home.”
Poppy smiled sweetly. “Maybe another time.”
“Definitely.”
Poppy blinked rapidly and started back up the stairs. With her back facing them, “Try to refrain from putting on too much of a show for the neighbors.”
Chapter 30
“Hey, Emory,” Grace cooed, not bothering to greet Ashlyn. “We have a couple questions for you.”
Ashlyn closed her locker to see Melody standing next to Grace. She rolled her eyes. None of those girls cared about Emory. The only reason most girls talked to Emory was because Emory was one of the guys.
“What?”
“You go first,” Grace told a brightly lit up Melody.
“So, Deacon,” she began.
Emory rolled her nose up in disgust. “What about him?”
“He came to the party with your brother, and we had some nice moments. I guess I was just wondering, what’s his deal? He didn’t even ask for my number.”
Emory sighed. “Deacon doesn’t do serious relationships. He hangs out with girls but that’s about it. If you think he’s going to make the first move, you’re mistaken.”
“So, you’re saying that I should ask him out,” Melody asked excitedly.
“Sure. I guess.” Emory shrugged.
“Okay, now me,” Grace squealed.
“Are you guys serious,” Ashlyn huffed.
Grace narrowed her eyes but dismissed the comment. “Tripp didn’t come. I know he said he had a date, but I’ve asked around. No one knows of any g
irls that he’s been out with that go to this school. Do you have the inside scoop?”
Emory glanced up to Ashlyn. Ashlyn tried to keep cool. Things with Tripp were still a little fuzzy. They liked each other, but they hadn’t really established what things were between the two of them. She couldn’t have a strong reaction to Grace’s questioning.
“Oh, they just got here,” Emory said as she nodded a few yards away. “You can ask him.”
Several lockers down, Tripp and the guys stood at Ellis’ locker. Maybe something had changed since Saturday. Ashlyn always thought that Tripp looked good, but as he stood there in a pair of designer dark washed jeans and a casual t-shirt tucked only slightly in the front, all she could think about was slamming him into the lockers and revisiting the end of their date that was sadly interrupted.
The four girls stared at the guys for a moment before Grace quietly whispered, “I can’t do that.”
“Fine.” Emory rolled her eyes. “Hey, Tripp,” Emory loudly called out, gaining both his attention and her brother’s.
“We’re standing right here! Shut up,” Ellis yelled back.
Tripp laughed. “What?” Perhaps he should have walked over, but something about the group ahead made him a little doubtful.
“Grace wants to know if you’re seeing anyone?”
Grace slammed her elbow into Emory, but it didn’t bother Emory. She suffered worse from her brother and his friends.
“Yeah,” Tripp answered calmly.
Ashlyn was anything but calm with the exchange. Surely Tripp wouldn’t say something stupid.
Grace sighed and softly whispered, “Well, can you ask if it’s that serious?”
Emory groaned. The only reason she was doing this in the first place was because she didn’t care for Grace and if Grace wanted to be humiliated, so be it. “Is it serious,” she yelled, much more loudly than needed. Ellis shot her a look of annoyance.
This time Tripp couldn’t refrain from looking to Ashlyn. Even with the distance separating them, he could tell that she was holding her breath, her eyes set on his. She was probably anticipating his answer much more than Grace. “Without a doubt, absolutely.”
Ashlyn dropped her gaze and she lowered her head, hoping that no one would notice the fire beaming from her cheeks. If the pounding in her chest had anything to say about it, the day was already proving to be too much.
Thankfully, Grace and Melody left, and so did the guys, leaving just Emory and Ashlyn with a few minutes before the first period bell.
Ashlyn could feel Emory’s eyes on her, carefully watching like a hawk, waiting to attack. She needed to say something first.
“Do you think you should have told Melody that,” Ashlyn quickly asked before Emory could mention Tripp.
Emory appeared stunned, not quite following.
“The stuff about Deacon,” Ashlyn clarified.
Emory waved her hand dismissing it. “Deacon doesn’t really date. She’ll be lucky if she can get a movie out of him.”
“Oh! There’s the bell,” Ashlyn exclaimed and darted off.
She could hear her friend’s shouts behind her. “That was low! You know you owe me details!”
✽ ✽ ✽
Tripp knew he should have been on the field by now, but when he heard her name mentioned at the lockers on the opposite side, he had to listen in, already knowing the sick voice behind it.
“I don’t get what’s the big deal,” an unknown voice went on. “I mean, she’s cute, but you said yourself, she’s never even stayed the night at your place.”
Tripp cringed when he heard that comment, but was quickly filled with relief at the realization.
“Yeah, she’s a good girl. That’s why I have Crystal though,” Eric replied.
“Stick with her then. Don’t waste your time on Ash.”
“I’ve put too much time into Ash. Plus, she has rich parents, and her dad is a lawyer. I’ve got too many things looming over my head that he could–”
“Maybe if you’d stay out of trouble,” the unknown voice interrupted.
“Dude. Shut up.” There was a pause, and Tripp thought they might be done. “Do you know I asked her for my stuff back? You know, just stuff that I’ve left there over the years.”
“And?”
“She hasn’t given it back yet. She’s sentimental and all. She’s holding on to it because she knows we’re going to get back together. We’ve had little spats, but she knows that I’m the only one who’s going to love her.”
The unknown person groaned. “I still can’t believe you told her that!”
Eric laughed. “Girls want to hear that. I still can’t believe she broke up with me after that. It’s those stupid friends of hers. We have an understanding though.”
Tripp didn’t care to listen any further. Eric was scum. Ashlyn had to see through whatever garbage he threw at her. Just as Tripp began to quietly slip out of the locker room, Eric’s last statement sent a chill down his spine.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan to get her back. It’s as easy as snapping my fingers.”
Chapter 31
“Hey, babe,” Eric announced, sliding in next to Ashlyn at lunch.
She wanted to scream. Of all the times he could have talked to her, he had to do it now, when Tripp and the guys were eating lunch with them.
“I got your text last night.”
Ashlyn wanted to vomit with how he said those words. All her text said was that she found all his crap and she’d be dropping it off soon.
“When are you coming by,” he asked seductively, whispering in her ear.
Ashlyn scooted over, closer to Kayla. “When I get time.”
The sooner she gave him his stuff back, the sooner she’d never have to speak to him again.
Ashlyn glanced up at Tripp. They hadn’t been affectionate toward each other all week, at least not in public. There were times in science that he pulled her hand beneath the table just to hold for a moment, and he did go out of his way to casually walk her to some of her classes, not to raise suspicion by making a habit of it.
Now he wouldn’t even look at her, and she knew why. None of her friends should have to be subjected to Eric.
Ashlyn abruptly stood. “Can we talk in the hall a moment?” Normally she’d ask him to step into the courtyard, but she didn’t even want anyone seeing them from the line of windows.
“Sure thing, babe.”
Tripp didn’t allow himself to get jealous as they left. He knew Ashlyn, or at least he thought he did. Everything he overheard in the locker room had to be Eric’s sick mind imagining that Ashlyn would be dumb enough to take him back.
The look on Ashlyn’s face as she stood from the table didn’t look like someone who was still smitten by her ex. It looked like someone who wanted to take an axe to her ex.
✽ ✽ ✽
“Stop calling me that,” Ashlyn poked at Eric’s chest as soon as they were out of the cafeteria and away from her friends. She didn’t need her friends for her to tell Eric to shove it.
“I always call you that.”
“When we were dating! And you know what, I hated it,” she screamed. “Look, I’ve got everything of yours from over the years and I’ll drop it off. Then I want you to leave me and my friends alone.”
“I know I haven’t been the best boyfriend, but I’m going to change that.”
Ashlyn wanted to pull her hair out. He was infuriating. Without thinking about repercussions, “I’ve moved on.”
The playful and flirtatious look on Eric’s face changed in an instant. Ashlyn knew that he was seeing red. She shouldn’t have lost her cool and let that slip out.
“Who,” Eric growled.
Feeling bold, “None of your business.”
Eric gave an evil laugh and took a step forward. He reached out to touch her face but she stepped away and crossed her arms. “If it concerns you, it’s my business.”
They were startled by a female nearby clearing her throat.
Ashlyn looked up to see Crystal. She obviously wasn’t too happy. After a moment more, and seeing the shiny piece of jewelry hanging from her neck, above an exceedingly lowcut blouse, Ashlyn knew why.
“Can we talk,” Crystal spat, glaring at Eric.
“Give me a minute.” When Crystal didn’t leave, only purse her bright red lips, “I said give me a minute,” Eric repeated.
Crystal’s confidence faltered and she stomped away like a whipped puppy.
“Now, where were we,” Eric sighed.
“Oh, let it go! I saw the necklace.”
Eric’s lips tilted on one corner in a smirk. “You didn’t want it.”
“Obviously, you’ve moved on too, so please leave me alone.”
Strangely Eric didn’t say anything when she walked away. It was an ominous feeling for Ashlyn. She was more than happy that Eric was with Crystal, but if that were the case, why couldn’t he let her go?
✽ ✽ ✽
“Sorry about that,” Ashlyn told Tripp when she took her seat next to him in science.
“It’s alright.”
Ashlyn knew it wasn’t, but she also didn’t want to talk about Eric anymore. When Tripp went quiet, Ashlyn nervously began picking at some dried paint on her arm.
Tripp felt the need to say something. Ashlyn couldn’t control a psycho’s actions. “Where did all the paint come from?”
Ashlyn blushed. “I woke up early to finish my last piece.”
“Ah, for the art exhibit tomorrow.” Not wanting Ashlyn to think that he was bothered by lunch in the least, he took her hand and played with her fingers beneath the table. “Are you still not going to tell me about the other two.”
“Nope. You don’t get special privileges just because you’re my boyfriend.”
Ashlyn felt Tripp’s hand still in hers. They hadn’t used those words.
Tripp hated that she had just said that. He had planned to officially ask her out after her art exhibit that Saturday. Although, if he were being completely honest, he was far beyond a silly title when it came to feelings for Ashlyn.
Ashlyn pulled her hand from his and busied herself with getting her space set up to take notes.
“Well, you kind of ruined it now,” Tripp whispered softly.
Picturing Different Page 21