“Breath, Ash…” I instruct softly.
He takes in a deep breath before releasing it slowly.
After a few minutes, he relaxes just enough to push my hands away from him. He then leaps off of the horse before holding his hands up towards me.
I glance towards Drake and then Trevor before jumping down.
Once I’m on the ground Ash climbs back onto the horse before he takes off.
We watch as he quickly disappears from view.
“Damn it.” Drake breathes out.
“Go, Drake,” Trevor commands. “I’ve got Scarlett.”
Drake glances towards me for a brief second before he turns his horse to go after Ash.
Trevor jumps down before he motions for me to join him as he begins to walk back down the path. I walk along with him as his horse follows behind us.
Chapter Fifteen
After what feels like forever, Trevor stops and then turns to face me while rubbing the back of his neck. He sighs and then bows his head for a moment before looking at me again.
“I hope that you’re aware that my brothers are falling hard for you.” He states.
“I’m aware,” I reply softly before sighing. “And it scares the hell out of me.”
Trevor snorts. “I think they feel the same way.”
“Hell, I would be lying if I didn’t say that it scares me. I worry about my brothers, and I really don’t want them to be hurt. They’ve been through more than their fair share especially after what happened to their mother.” Trevor adds.
“I’m worried about them too. That’s why I’m with Troy. I’ve tried my hardest to keep my distance from Drake and Ash, but I swear nothing is working.” I reply honestly.
“My heart can’t take any more pain,” I add.
He nods and then begins to walk again. “Do you really believe that you’ll be leaving them soon?”
I shrug. “I honestly don’t know. My mother can be difficult. She likes jumping from one man to the next, but it seems like she really likes Benjamin.”
“If she is going to leave him is there any way that you can speed things up?” Trevor questions. “If you’re able to cut ties now with my brothers it will be easier on all of you.”
Sighing softly I stop. “There are a few things that I can do.”
“Then do it. If you really care about Drake and Ash then make it happen.” Trevor urges.
My vision blurs as my heart begins to ache. Trevor was right. I needed to push things along sooner rather than wait for them to fall apart later.
If I left now, then it wouldn’t hurt quite as bad.
At least that’s what I would keep telling myself.
“Don’t cry, Scarlett,” Trevor whispers. “I’m sure you’re a great girl, and one of my brothers would be lucky to have you in their lives but right now isn’t the best time for you or them. They’re still broken, and it seems as if you are too.”
I nod as I fight to hold back my tears.
“For this weekend just put some space between you and them,” Trevor instructs. “Don’t let either of them get too close. Instead, spend every second with Troy. If he’s supposed to be your boyfriend you should be with him anyway.”
“I will, but you know how they can be.” I laugh sadly.
He chuckles while nodding. “I’ll try my best to help you out.”
After a moment he sighs. “No more crying, okay?”
I nod and then give him my best smile while wiping the stray tears away from my cheeks. He grins in response before he moves to the side of his horse.
“I can see why my brothers like you so much.” Trevor states.
“Maybe one day you’ll be able to come back, and maybe, just maybe, one of them will be ready to make you happy.” He then adds.
After a few moments, he speaks again. “We should get back.”
I nod and then move to his side. Without a word he helps me climb up onto the back of his horse before he jumps on in front of me.
Sighing softly I wrap my arms around him before he kicks the horse to go forward.
****
The entire ride back I think about what Trevor had said to me. I couldn’t help but agree with everything that he had said.
I wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. I had a lot more work to do to make myself happy first before I could ever make anyone else happy.
But at the same time, I disagreed with Trevor.
Part of me didn’t believe that it would be good for me to leave Ash and Drake so soon.
A part of me was terrified to walk away from them.
And another part of me was convinced that maybe Ash or Drake could help me in some way. That perhaps we needed to be together more than we needed to be apart.
Once we reach the farmhouse, I release Trevor and leap down off of the horse before I practically run inside. I push past a few people from school before I find Troy in the kitchen.
Before he can say a word, I lean up and press my lips firmly against his.
He doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back.
Our kiss quickly becomes more as he teases my lips with his tongue. I open for him and moan softly as his fingertips skim across my skin just under the bottom of my shirt.
After a few moments, Troy pulls away to look down at me. “What brought this on?”
I shrug. “I had a good time, but I missed you.”
It was a lie but one that I could easily play off, at least for now. It was easy to do without Drake or Ash around.
As if on cue they walk into the room with us.
No one says a word as an awkward silence fills the room.
“Do you want something to drink, Scarlett?” Drake questions me, thankfully putting an end to that silence.
“You know my favorite,” I reply simply.
He nods and then grins as he reveals a new bottle of whiskey from behind his back. I laugh and then move forward to take it from him.
Instead of letting me have it Drake holds onto the bottle tightly. “I’m not giving you the entire bottle, not after what happened last time.”
“What happened last time?” Troy asks curiously.
“She ended up in my bathroom half naked and cuddling my rug.” Ash laughs.
“I also had nearly three bottles of whiskey,” I argue before turning to look at Troy. “Plus, it didn’t help that you were passed out in my bed.”
“You passed out in my bed before you ended up in Ash’s room.” Drake chimes in.
I groan and roll my eyes dramatically.
Troy gets an odd look in his eyes as he studies me and then Drake and Ash. After a moment he clears his throat before reaching out to take the bottle himself.
“Maybe we should all do shots together.” He pushes.
Drake and Ash grunt in response while I remain quiet.
While Troy moves over to a cabinet to grab some glasses, Ash reveals an opened bottle of whiskey. He lifts it to his lips before taking a long drink.
Once he pulls it away, I snatch it from his hands.
His eyes remain glued to mine as I lift it to my lips to drink. No one says a word as I drink nearly half of the bottle's contents down.
Pulling the bottle away I grin mischievously.
Drake reaches out to take the bottle from me, but I pull it away from him with a bark of laughter.
He curses and tries again.
I manage to dodge his attempts as my laughter grows. Before anyone can stop me I dance my way into another room while music begins to play loudly throughout the house.
As Troy catches up to me, I tip the bottle back again while swaying my hips to the beat.
Troy’s hands hold my hips possessively as he nuzzles his face against my neck.
****
As the sun sets and the night is in full swing, I lead Troy upstairs to a bedroom where he could pass out instead of leaving him on the couch where he had intended to stay.
He had tried to keep up with me drinking, but he hadn’t been able
to.
“Lay down with me.” Troy slurs as I cover him up.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I reply gently.
He groans while closing his eyes. “The room is spinning.”
“Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” I reply.
He groans again and grabs my hand for a brief moment before releasing me. I walk out of the room and shut the door behind me. I lean against the door for a moment before sighing.
I manage to walk down the hallway, but before I can make it too far, I’m suddenly pulled into another room.
The door shuts behind me, bathing the room in darkness.
Hands grasp my hips as a warm body presses against mine. Even though I couldn’t see who was in front of me, I already knew that it was Ash.
Our connection was undeniable.
“Ash…” I whisper.
“Kiss me…” He pleads breathlessly.
“I can’t, Ash,” I reply.
“Then I’m going to kiss you.” He replies before leaning in to press his lips against mine.
I’m powerless to push him away. I didn’t want to. His lips felt good against mine, and I wanted more. I wanted to feel his body against mine.
We begin tugging at each other’s clothes and before I know it we’re lying under the covers with our bare bodies intertwined together.
“You can’t leave me, Scarlett,” Ash stresses as he cups my face in his hands.
“I won’t,” I promise him.
A moment later he presses his lips to mine as he connects us as one.
I moan softly, and he grins against my lips. “You’re my girl, and you always will be.”
Chapter Sixteen
The sun’s rays coming through the window warm my bare skin. I smile and open my eyes while stretching my arms above my head.
I freeze in place as memories from the night flood into my mind.
“Shit,” I whisper.
Last night had been a blur, but I still remembered what I had done, and who with. I had gone against everything that Trevor had wanted me to do.
I had crossed a line that I wouldn’t be able to take back.
Suddenly Ash sits up. His eyes widen as he looks down at me.
“Oh, shit…” He breathes out.
I raise my brow in question as I gaze up at him. “What’s wrong?”
“All of this.” He answers. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I promised Drake that I wouldn’t do this.” He pauses before placing his head into his hands. “Damn it…”
“And I promised Trevor that I’d keep my distance,” I reply while sitting up next to him.
He releases a long-winded sigh. “I barely even remember last night.”
Resting my chin on his bare shoulder, I wrap my arms around his waist. “Then maybe we should recreate what happened. We’re already in trouble; we might as make it worth it.”
Ash glances at me with a wicked grin. “You are too perfect.”
“Shut up and kiss me,” I demand.
His grin grows before he pushes me back against the mattress while he moves his body over mine. “As you wish…”
Without another word, he presses his lips against mine while his hands roam over my body.
After a moment he pulls away to look down at me. “If we do this again can you promise me one thing?”
I nod. “Anything…”
“Break up with Troy, and if you’re able to stay, I want you to be with me and only me. I know you like Drake, but he can’t love you like I can; like I will.” Ash replies.
“I will end things with Troy, but what are we going to do about our parents? There’s no way that my mother will let us be together.” I argue.
“We can keep this hidden.” He insists. “We won’t tell anyone, even Trevor and Drake.”
“I don’t know, Ash.” I sigh.
Ash strokes his knuckles across my cheek. “We can make this work, trust me.”
“Alright…” I give in. “Let’s just hope that this isn’t a short-lived relationship.”
He nods and then smiles before he presses his lips against mine again. My heart soars as I wrap my arms around his neck.
This moment was perfect.
Of course, it comes to an abrupt end when someone knocks on the door.
Ash and I freeze as Drake speaks. “Ash, have you seen Scarlett? I can’t find her anywhere, and I’m starting to get worried.”
“Did you check with Troy?” Ash calls out.
“No, I haven’t talked to him yet.” Drake sighs.
“I’m sure she’s there,” Ash replies while moving off of me so that I could begin gathering my clothes from the floor.
“Can you come out and help me?” Drake then asks.
“Give me like five minutes.” Ash answers.
Drake grunts in response and then walks away.
Once I’m dressed, and Ash has his jeans on, we move to the door. He pulls me close to kiss me quickly before pushing me out the door.
I rush into the room across the hall while Ash exits his room and then walks the opposite direction.
As he disappears from view, I run down the stairs and then slow down until I reach the kitchen where the smell of freshly cooked pancakes fills my nose.
Trevor glances back at me with a grin. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I reply.
“I hope you’re hungry because I made enough to feed an army.” He states before looking at me in question. “Did Drake find you?”
“Is he looking for me?” I ask while trying my best to look confused.
“Yeah, he was pretty freaked out that he couldn’t find you,” Trevor replies. “So, where were you hiding?”
“I fell asleep in the room across from Ash’s.” I lie.
He turns to face me while studying my eyes. “So, you fell asleep in my room? Did you sleep well?”
I shrug. “I passed out on your floor and somehow ended up under your bed, so not really.”
He snorts and shakes his head in amusement. “You were pretty drunk last night. I guess that explains why I never saw you in my room and why no one could find you.”
“Yeah, I was pretty wasted,” I reply.
“Anyway, how do you like your pancakes?” He questions while turning his attention back towards the stovetop.
“I like them stacked with lots of butter and syrup,” I reply.
“Just like Ash.” Trevor laughs.
“What’s just like me?” Ash asks as he walks into the room.
“She likes her pancakes like you do.” Trevor answers.
Moments later Drake and Troy walk into the room. They stop and breathe out in relief seeing me.
“Where the hell have you been, Scarlett?” Drake asks as he moves to stand next to Trevor.
“Turns out she passed out in my room and rolled under the bed,” Trevor answers for me. “Can you believe that; she’s just as bad as Ash is when he gets drunk?”
“Speaking of crazy drunken nights what the hell happened to your back, Ash?” Trevor laughs as he points towards Ash who had his back turned to us while searching through the refrigerator.
His back was covered with red scratches from my fingernails.
Ash turns and then leans against the counter while popping open a beer. “I had one hell of a girl sleep with me last night.”
“She must have been a wild one.” Troy chuckles lightly.
Ash glances at me as his grin grows. “Oh, she was.”
My face heats as I bow my head to keep anyone from noticing. The last thing I wanted was to give away what we had done here and now.
“Alright, alright, I doubt Scarlett wants to listen to your dirty deeds. Let’s talk about something better, like what we’re all going to do today. What are the plans?” Trevor asks as he places a plate stacked with pancakes in front of me.
“I’m not really up for riding,” Drake replies.
“I wouldn’t mind going again, but maybe someone could te
ach me how to ride so I can go on my own horse this time.” I chime in.
Ash raises his hand. “I’ll teach you.”
“I’m up for lounging on the couch while playing some video games,” Troy states next.
“I’ll join you then,” Drake replies.
“And I’ll join you two.” Trevor laughs. “My head is killing me, and the thought of riding is making me nauseous.”
A comfortable silence fills the kitchen as everyone grabs a plate and stacks of pancakes before we begin eating together.
****
Once everyone is done, we go our separate ways.
Trevor, Drake, and Troy move into the living room while Ash grabs my hand to lead me through the house and then outside.
We don’t stop until we reach the barn.
Inside Ash spins me around before placing his hands on my hips while pushing my back against the nearest stall.
His lips assault mine as I wrap my arms around his neck.
After a few minutes, Ash pulls away reluctantly. “I could do this with you forever, but I have a feeling Trevor will come out to check on us sooner rather than later.”
I nod and then motion towards his lack of clothing. “It would be a lot easier to stay away if you had a shirt on.”
He snorts. “Why would I do that when I can show off my battle scars from our night together?”
“You naughty girl...” He teases.
His laughter dies down, and he sighs. “Alright, I’ll go get a shirt. Don’t move.”
I nod and smile.
He grins and then rushes out of the barn.
I sigh happily before I move further into the barn. A few of the horses poke their noses out at me, and I bravely pat them as I walk by.
“Scarlett…?” Troy suddenly calls out.
I turn just as he walks into the barn.
“What are you doing out here?” I ask curiously.
He shrugs while placing his hands into his pockets. “I wanted to spend more time with you instead of playing video games. I figured that I could watch Ash teach you how to ride.”
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