by K Webster
“Good?” he asks, his eyes homing in on my lips, which are now sticky from the syrup.
“Why don’t you come over here and find out?” I taunt, licking my lips.
Ashton growls and reaches across the tray of food—the plate clatters and the cups spill—but neither of us pays it any mind as his mouth crashes against mine. His tongue darts out, licking across the seam of my lips before he pushes through, tangling his tongue with my own. “Mmm…” he murmurs against my mouth. “Delicious.”
“So, how are you really doing?” Drew asks. We’re sitting in the bottom row of the bleachers, watching the different events. Up until now, we’ve been watching in silence, neither of us sure what to say to each other. Ashton is on the other side of the pool with his team, looking the most focused I’ve ever seen him.
“I’m good. It’s cool to see Ashton in his element.”
On our way over, Ashton explained to me that a swim meet has several events, but each swimmer can only participate in four max, and today he’ll be swimming in four different events. He mentioned the names, but all I can remember is free and butterfly—not sure how much that will help me. He also said last year he held the record in three different events. It was interesting to see how animated he got while talking about swimming. Since I only met him this summer, and that asshole Travis got him removed from the first swim meet, I’ve yet to actually see him compete. So far, he’s swum in two events, winning both of them.
“I mean with everything that’s—”
“What are you guys doing here?” a voice says, cutting off Drew. I glance up and find Brayden, dressed in a pair of jeans and an Ice Hawks hoodie, with a beanie on his head, standing in front of us. My heart pitter-patters in my chest at the sight of him, and I have to close my eyes to shut those thoughts down. I’m with Ashton… I love Ashton… but seeing Brayden for the first time since he hurt me makes me realize you can’t just will your feelings to go away. Brayden and I connected on a deeper level and those feelings are still there.
“We’re here to watch Ashton,” Drew says, speaking up, since my voice wouldn’t work quick enough. “You?”
Brayden flinches but quickly schools his features. “Same. I had to submit an essay online, so I’m a little late.”
My first thought is, why is he here? Since when does Brayden support Ashton? The last I checked they hated each other—until I caught them kissing. Then it hits me that he had to submit an essay, and I feel bad that I haven’t been around to tutor him all week. I committed to help him and I’ve let him down. But at the same time, he let me down too.
“I didn’t know you and Ashton were close.” Drew voices my own thoughts.
“We, uh…” He averts his eyes. “We’ve been hanging out this week.”
A sharp pain lances through my heart. Ashton and Brayden kissed. Now they’re hanging out. The two men I care about and hurt me found comfort in each other. I shake the thought away. Ashton is with me now. He wants me. He said I’m enough.
When Drew doesn’t say anything in response, Brayden’s face falls slightly, and my stomach knots. Instinctually I want to go to him, hug him and tell him it’s going to be okay, but I refrain. That’s not my place—not anymore. But just because it didn’t work out between us, doesn’t mean I can’t still care about him, and if I can forgive Ashton, I can forgive Brayden.
“Why don’t you sit with us?” I offer, moving away from Drew so Brayden can sit between us. “Ashton still has two more events.”
Brayden’s eyes widen slightly and dart over to Drew. It takes a couple awkward seconds, but Drew nods once and edges slightly over as well.
“I’m a little shocked to see you here,” Brayden says carefully, once he’s seated. “When I saw Ashton before I left yesterday he was still acting like a growly, pouting little shit.”
I laugh softly, able to imagine Ashton just as Brayden described. “We made up…” I can’t say what I need to say next while looking at him, so I turn my attention to the pool as Ashton and several other swimmers prepare for their race. “We’re, um…” I clear my throat. “We’re together now.”
The horn blows and the swimmers start their race. The crowd erupts in cheers, and I’m thankful for the break in silence. Ashton warned me the races are quick, and he was right. Not even twenty seconds later and the race is over, and Ashton’s the winner. The other two events at least lasted a good forty seconds…
Ashton climbs out of the pool and grabs a couple towels, throwing one over his shoulders and wrapping the other one around his trim torso. His teammates pat him on the shoulder, no doubt congratulating him on his time. I don’t know what’s considered good, but the fact he was the fastest at only eighteen-point-thirty-three seconds is just crazy to me.
My eyes descend along his taut chest and lean abs, my lady parts tingling in memory of the way his hard body felt against mine this morning as he made love to me. The way he took such sweet care of me.
As he saunters over, his gaze meets mine. At first the expression on his face is cocky, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking, but then I can see when he notices Brayden next to me, because his face contorts into… is that guilt? No, I have to be seeing things that aren’t there. My insecurities are messing with me. I expected jealousy, anger maybe. The way he acted when I hugged Drew earlier. But I wasn’t expecting the pained look on his face he’s sporting as he walks over to us.
“You did so well,” I tell him, popping up from the bench and wrapping my arms around him. He smells like chlorine mixed with Ashton. My favorite smell.
“Thanks.” He pulls back slightly. “I still have one more race, but I have a small break.” His eyes land on my lips, and his tongue darts out, licking his own, like he’s warring with himself as to whether or not he should kiss me.
Instead of waiting for him to make a decision, I do it for him. The kiss isn’t long, but it’s enough to make me wish we were back at his place, where I could remove those towels and take my time exploring every inch of his body. When the kiss ends, I back away slightly.
Brayden stands and walks over. “Sorry I’m late, Ash. School is kicking my ass. Good job on the win, though.”
“Thanks, man.”
He and Ashton share a hug, which in itself is strange, but when they pull apart, the heated gaze in Brayden’s eyes is enough to make me feel sick. He’s attracted to Ashton. I glance over at Drew, wondering if he’s seeing what I’m seeing, and based on the way his jaw is tight, I would say he is. I move slightly so I can see Ashton’s face, but before I can catch his expression, he shakes his head and turns his attention to me.
“I’m in the last event, so once I’m done, after I meet with my team to go over the points, we can go.”
“No rush,” I squeak out. “We’ll be here.”
Ashton’s eyes bounce over the three of us, and then with a tight nod, he heads back over to where his team is.
“How are your classes going?” I ask Brayden after a few minutes of awkward as hell silence as we watch some relay type of race. When I asked Ashton why he doesn’t do those, he told me he doesn’t play well with others.
“Okay,” he says, “definitely miss my tutor.” He smirks playfully, but when he realizes what he just did, he tones it down.
“Don’t do that,” I tell him. “Don’t not be yourself. I know things are weird, but before we… dated, we were friends. And I hope we can go back to being friends again.”
“Yeah?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I smile. “Monday, I expect to see you at the tutoring center on time with my Starbucks coffee.”
Brayden chuckles. “Yes, ma’am.”
A little while later, Ashton’s race begins. Once again, like the damn fish he is, he blows everyone’s time out of the water, winning his fourth and final event. When he gets out of the pool, pumping his fist in excitement, I don’t miss the way Travis, who only won one race from what I can recall, glares at Ashton.
The team disappears into the locker room a
nd Brayden excuses himself, saying he still has more schoolwork to do, leaving only Drew and me.
“I think I’m going to get going as well,” Drew says. He steps toward me, until our bodies are close… too close. He reaches out and tucks a wayward hair behind my ear and smiles softly. “I know you said you’re good, but if you need me, day or night, I’m here. Okay?”
Before I can answer him, a squeaky feminine voice calls my name.
“Mia!” Ashton’s mom, Wendy, says, waving her manicured hand in the air. “I knew that was you!” I laugh to myself as she saunters over, dressed like she’s at a dinner party instead of at her son’s swim meet, while Curtis follows behind.
“How are you, my dear?” She pulls me into a hug, her strong perfume nearly knocking me off my feet. “Did you see my Ashton in action?” she gushes. “Like a dolphin!”
I laugh, wondering not for the first time why Ashton thinks his parents hate him. The few times I’ve been around them, they’ve done nothing but be supportive of him.
“I did. He’s amazing.”
“Andrew,” Curtis says. “I’m surprised to see you here. The last I checked you were in Flint kicking some Raptor butt.”
Drew laughs tightly. “We did, sir. Got back earlier. Just thought I would come out to support my roommate and school.”
Curtis eyes him speculatively, then a wide grin splits across his face. “Good man.”
We chat while we wait for Ashton. He shows up, dressed in sweats and a hoodie, his hair messy and sticking up in several different directions. It’s apparent he showered in the locker room when he normally waits until he gets home.
“What’s everyone talking about?” Ashton says as he steps between Drew and me, each of his hands on one of our shoulders. “My ass in my speedo?”
Curtis groans while Wendy laughs.
“Tell ’em, MiMi. It was the highlight of the event.” He kisses the top of my head.
“He’s not wrong,” I say, giggling.
Curtis, used to our antics, shakes his head at Ashton. “We’re all proud of the way you won all your matches. Impressive.”
Ashton shrugs off his dad’s words. “Did you expect anything less?”
“I didn’t,” Wendy says, grinning. “Let’s go to Edmond’s and celebrate. Bring your friends, love. We have to discuss the Atlantic Pointe athletic program’s fundraising event.”
“Sounds boring.” Ashton wraps an arm around my waist. “Nah, we’ll pass. Ready to go, babe?”
“Babe?” Curtis’s brows furl together as his eyes bounce back and forth between Ashton and me.
Ashton flashes me a wicked grin that says he’s about to take great pleasure in fucking with his dad again. “Yeah, about that. I’m into chicks now. Well, one really. You can stop being ashamed, Dad.” He smacks my ass playfully. “Now you can have grandkids. You’re welcome.”
Oh my God.
Mom laughs, always the first to enjoy my inappropriate jokes. Dad’s face turns beet red. I guess this fucking embarrasses him too. Whatever. No matter what I do or say, it’s never the right thing.
“Ignore him,” Mia says to Dad, trying to smooth out my words. “We’re not having kids right now.”
“Check back in six weeks, though,” I throw out. “My girlfriend and I fuck—ow!”
I let go of Mia to rub my arm where Drew elbowed me. He shoots me a warning glare to knock it off. Who made him Daddy Junior?
“We’re going on a date,” I grumble. “We’ll have to take you up on that super boring fancy dinner where we watch Mom get plastered another time. Right, babe?”
Mia just shakes her head. “You’re such a brat.”
“I’m holding you to it.” Mom’s eyes glitter with amusement. “Bring your friend, too. The more the merrier.”
Fuck that.
Drew can stay his ass home. I’m not about to let my mom flirt with my fucking roommate. That’s sick. Thankfully, Dad shuts her down.
“I’ll text you and we can set up a dinner,” Dad says. “Come, dear, let’s head to Edmond’s and give these kids their privacy.”
Mom hugs me and then Mia before waltzing away with Dad stalking after her.
“Mommy Dearest is a fucking cougar,” I tell Drew. “Stay away or I’ll cut your dick off.”
“Dude,” Drew chokes out. “Don’t sweat it. I’m not going to hook up with your mom.”
“Good.” I hold out my fist, waiting for him to bump it with his. He reluctantly bumps my fist. “See you later, man. Mia and I are going on a date.”
Drew’s lips thin out. I know he’s annoyed at the fact Mia and I made up while he was gone, but he’ll just have to get over it. We fixed our shit. The end. Drew can be pissy, but he knows how much I want this thing with Mia to work. He and I played around, and while it was hot and fun, I don’t love him like I do Mia.
“Thanks for coming,” Mia says, pulling away from me to give Drew a hug. “See you later.”
Drew frowns, but eventually nods. “Later.”
As soon as he’s gone, I tuck Mia back under my arm and lead her out of the building. We pass by Travis and I grin at him. Fucking loser. He glares at us and it makes me giddy as fuck. I hate that guy.
“Watch your back,” Travis mutters.
“No, dude, that’s what you do since you can’t ever catch the fuck up to me. Go home and cry in your Cheerios or call your mommy. No one here cares.”
I flip him the bird as we leave.
As we drive down Main Street downtown, my chest squeezes with anxiety. I don’t date. I fuck around. So the fact I have to take Mia out on the perfect date now, I’m kind of panicking. Where the hell do chicks like to be taken to on dates?
I see a few restaurants that are fancy as fuck, but quite frankly, we’re not dressed nice enough. I didn’t think this through when I decided to take her out right after the meet.
“You okay?” Mia asks, squeezing my hand. “You’re tense.”
“I’m just trying to think up the perfect place to take you to dinner.”
I see a swanky steakhouse and whip into an open spot right out front as a car leaves. Shutting off the car, I glance up at the place hoping like hell they’ll let us in dressed like college slackers.
“Ashton…”
“You love steak,” I tell her. “Let’s go.”
I pop out of the car, thrumming with nervous energy. I’m overwhelmed by the feeling that I’m not doing this right. Quickly, I round the vehicle and open her door. She frowns at me. Fuck. I’m definitely screwing this up. I reach down and take her hand, pulling her out of the car and into my arms. I start to walk toward the door of the steakhouse, but Mia’s feet are planted firmly to the ground.
“Ashton.”
I clench my jaw, hating how my stomach is flipping like it’s in a barrel tumbling down a hill. “What, my beautiful girlfriend?”
She rolls her pretty brown eyes. “That.”
“What?”
“All this”—she waves at me and the steakhouse—“isn’t you.”
I scowl. “Neither is dating a woman, but we’re here, Mia, and I’m just blindly navigating this unknown territory.”
Her palms slide up my chest, calming the storm of emotions brewing inside of me. She stands on her toes and kisses my lips. “Can we go to the pizza place with the arcade? It’s right across the street. Please?”
I love that place.
Slowly, I nod, because I’ll give her whatever the hell she wants. “Yeah, MiMi. Whatever you want.”
Her fingers thread into my hair and she pulls me down to her lips. “I want you to be yourself. Just be you, Ashton. Fancy steakhouses aren’t you. Can you do that?”
This fucking girl.
“Yeah, brat, I can do that. Let’s go.”
We walk hand in hand across the street, the anxious weight lifting with each step we take. Once inside of the pizza parlor, the scent of garlic and melted cheese chases away any lingering doubt.
It’s just Mia and me.
This is natural for us.
I guide her over to a booth near the arcades and slide in next to her. It feels good to put my arm around her as we share a menu. I thought maybe it’d be weird dating a girl in public, but I find it easy because it’s Mia.
The server comes by and we order a pizza half with that nasty pineapple shit on her side and something more fucking human on the other side. While we wait, we head over to the games. I put a twenty into the machine and get us a bunch of quarters.
“What do you want to play?” I ask, nodding at the ancient machines that have been around since the ’80s.
“Pac-Man.” She bounces over to it and sits in one of the chairs. “See if you can beat me, boyfriend.”
I laugh as I sit opposite of her. “Gotta warn you, MiMi. I’m going to whip your ass at this game just like always. Your girlfriend card has been revoked for the duration of this game.”
“What if I show you my boobs?” she taunts, her brown eyes wickedly gleaming.
“We could negotiate then,” I say with a smirk.
I put in some quarters and we begin a heated match. She yells at me and I laugh, but ultimately, I destroy her in Pac-Man. Every time she gets mad, she throws a quarter at me. A kid, maybe seven or eight, lingers nearby, snagging up all the abandoned coins.
“You’re such a cheater,” she whines. “You probably came out of the womb playing this game.”
“Nah, I was like five when I begged my mom for the arcade game in my room.”
She shakes her head. “You’re so damn spoiled, Ashton Carter.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
Her eyes roll and she stands up. “Since you’re a big winner, win me something from the claw machine.”
I let her pull me up from the machine and guide me over to the one filled with stuffed animals. I shove a few quarters in.
“Which one do you want?” I ask, analyzing which toys are easiest to snag.