“Where were you?” Asher bellows perched on the kitchen counter.
“Holy shit! You gave me a heart attack.” I say, holding my chest.
“Where were you?” He asks again. He is pissed. He jumps off the counter and stalks towards me.
“What the fuck does it matter to you?” I say, angry. How dare he question me!
He backs me up against the refrigerator and I swallow hard. He cages me in.
“Where were you?” He asks with a steely tone.
“I was out.”
“With who?”
“None of your business.” I retort back.
“Answer me.”
“No.” I stare him down and he doesn’t back down instead he comes even closer. He leans down by my ear. His breath sends shivers down my spine.
“Who is he?” Is he jealous?
“No one.” I answer.
“Charleigh, don’t play around. Where were you?”
I push him off me.
“None of your damn business.”
“It is my business when your reputation could reflect back on me.”
“Oh, so it’s okay for you to leave with random whores, but I can’t?”
His jaw clenches.
“It’s not the same.”
“Sure…” I say with a roll of my eyes.
“I had to stay for a couple of shots by myself. Hair, makeup, new outfit… it took a while.”
“You had photos taken without me?”
“Wait, let me guess, I shouldn’t have done that either?”
“No, it’s fine, just… why would they only want pictures of you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, it didn’t take until two in the morning.” He says, looking at me expectantly.
“I went out with a friend and now I’m going to bed. We have school tomorrow.”
I leave him standing in the kitchen. Take that asshole! How does it feel to wonder?
I collapse in bed and listen as his footsteps take him into the room next door. I can hear him moving around and finally silence. He waited up for me. Does that mean he cares?
Why do I love someone so complicated? How did I get so lucky?
Chapter Eighteen
The pictures were up on social media by six o’clock in the morning. I was sitting at the breakfast table when I came across them on my phone. There were a lot of Asher and I together and some of me alone. Tammy walks to the coffee maker and pours herself a cup, inhaling the scent.
“Oh, thank god. I did not sleep well at all!” She says, taking a drink of her coffee.
“Yeah, me either.” I say, sipping mine and scrolling through the comments.
Most are positive and speculating if we are an item. Many are sad that he is unavailable, but mostly people are excited to see us sing together, how romantic, how cute are they…. shit like that.
“What has you so engrossed?” She teases. I show her my phone. She takes it from me, looking at the photos.
“Oh my, these are amazing! Charleigh, you look stunning!” She exclaims.
“What’s going on?” Asher asks, coming into the kitchen.
“The photos are up.” I say, not looking at him.
“Let me see.” He grabs my phone from his mom.
He starts scrolling and I notice he pauses on one. He stares at it for a few seconds longer than he had the others. His mom looks over his shoulder to see which one snagged his attention.
“Isn’t that one just gorgeous of her? She looks amazing, even a little heartbroken.”
“Which one is that?” I ask, curious to know which one caught his attention.
“The one with you on the chaise. It is absolutely amazing!” She says with a smile.
Asher continues through them and hands the phone back to his mom.
“Did you read the comments?” I ask Asher.
“I don’t care about the comments.”
“Why not? They are your fans.” I say.
“Charleigh, some of the comments are going to be bad. You have to be prepared for negative feedback. You have to brush it off. I don’t bother to read the comments. People act like they know us, and they don’t.”
“True.” I say.
“Piece of advice… never read comments or anything that allows people their opinions about you or your life.”
“He is right. Media can be amazing, but they like to misconstrue the truth.” Tammy says.
“Okay.” I say and eat the rest of my cereal.
I grab my bag and say goodbye to Tammy. I don’t say a word to Asher. I jump in my truck and head to school. Tomorrow is the big day. The concert is tomorrow night and we have a full schedule. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through today with all the anxiety I have for tomorrow. Nerves are causing me to strum my fingers on the steering wheel.
I finally turn into the parking lot and pull into a spot. I walk into the school without looking at anyone, but I feel their eyes on me.
“Hey!” Trix says, coming up to my locker.
“Hey.”
“Those pics of you and Asher are hot!” She says.
“They are just pictures.”
“Well, everyone thinks something is going on between you guys.”
“That was the point. The label wanted it to look like that.”
“Oh bummer. I really thought something happened.”
“Nope, sorry to disappoint.”
“Have you thought about the party anymore?” She asks with hope.
“I don’t think I will be able to go. The concert will go late and I’m busy from morning to night. I’m probably going to crash tomorrow night.”
“Well, if you change your mind, let me know. It’s probably a good thing, though. I heard Blake is going to be there.”
“Yep, definitely not coming then!” I say.
“I know right? It sucks. I just hope he doesn’t show up. By the way, he is pissed about Asher and you. He totally thinks you are hooking up. He was talking shit about you guys earlier.”
“I’m surprised he even came to school.” I state with a shrug.
“Yep, I guess he wants to graduate. He was on the verge of failing out last I heard.”
“Well, that’s what happens when you get stoned and miss school all the time.”
“Hey homewrecker!” Natalie says, coming up beside me with her arms crossed. I pull my books out of my locker and let out a deep sigh. I turn towards her.
“Yes?”
“Asher is totally using you.” She says with venom.
“Natalie grow up. I’m tired of your immature antics. Move on with your life and leave me the hell alone. I could give two shits about what you think about anything.” I say, exasperated.
“You are just like your mother. A whore.”
“Original.” I state and turn my back on her.
“You think you are so cool now because you get to sing with The Orphans, but I know the real you and you are going to choke. Good luck tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you humiliate yourself.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, Coach, but I have to go.” I say, shutting my locker. Trix and I walk away from her without another glance.
“Told you people thought you were together.”
“This could become a pain in the ass.” I say as I notice all the attention I’m getting.
“You are on your way to becoming a superstar! People are going to be jealous, hate you, love you, want to be you….”
“Ugh…”
“Hi Charleigh!” Some random girl says walking past us. I give her a wave.
“See.” Trix says with a laugh. More people say hi to me as we walk past and I’m already annoyed.
“Have a good day!” Trix teases with a wink as we part ways to our classes. I flip her off and she laughs.
When I walk into the classroom, people start whispering. Oh god, this sucks so bad.
“I’m coming to the concert tomorrow night!” One girl whispers to me excited.
&nb
sp; “Awesome.” I say back.
“Hey, Charleigh. I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime?” Brett asks.
“Didn’t you hear? I’m taken.” I respond. At least, something good comes out of our pretend relationship.
“Bummer. If you change your mind, here’s my number.” He passes me a piece of paper.
“By the way, you looked hot in those pictures!” He says.
“Thanks.” I put the paper in my folder, having no intentions of calling him.
The day goes on like that. More people buddying up to me, more guys asking me out, and even the teachers are being nice. How many times did they ignore me in the past? Now that they think I’m going to be something, it’s okay to talk to me? I’m not one to forget.
I make it to lunch and give out a relieved sigh when I see Trix sitting at our normal table. I sit down and she smiles at me.
“Tough day?”
“Weird day.”
I start eating my apple when Trix’s eyes widen.
“What’s wrong?”
“Hey, Charleigh.” Blake plops down in the seat next to me. He puts an arm around me, and I jerk away.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” I ask.
“Sitting with my girl.”
“Are you fucked up?” I ask. Trix chokes out a laugh.
“No, I’m clean. I should apologize for how I acted towards you. Let’s start fresh.”
“Not going to happen, buddy. Move along.” A voice says from behind us.
“Fuck off Stewart.” Blake says, grabbing for me again.
“Hands off before I break your hand.” Asher says, calmly.
“Whatever dude. I had her first. Let me know how my dick taste.”
“Jesus, Blake. Get away from me. You and I are never going to happen.” I say.
“Bitch.”
“Dick.”
Blake gets up and pushes past Asher. Asher clenches his jaw but sits down in Blake’s vacant seat.
“Now, what the hell do you think you are doing?”
“What’s it look like? I’m sitting with my girlfriend.” He says dryly.
“Don’t sound so excited.” I say with a roll of my eyes.
“Trust me, I would rather be at the dentist right now then sitting here with you.”
“Damn, that’s harsh. I would rather be getting my nipples pierced then sitting here with you.”
Asher snorts out a laugh. Trix looks at us with wide eyes.
“You guys are totally adorable.”
“Asher. What are you doing sitting at the loser table?”
“Oh, didn’t you hear, Asher and I are totally in love.” I bat my eyelashes at Asher and grab his arms.
“I don’t believe it.” She says with a cocky smile.
“Believe this, bitch.” I say and grab the back of Asher’s head, pressing my lips against his.
Suddenly, he grabs me around the waist and deepens the kiss. The world fades away and it’s just us. I’m lost to the dance of our mouths.
“Uh, guys, she’s gone.” Trix says, breaking into our little world.
We break apart and I blink a few times. We stare at each other for a few seconds and then Asher jumps up. He leaves without a word…. again.
“Holy shit… you can’t tell me nothing is going on! The whole school just saw that.”
“He always runs.” I say, pissed.
We finish our lunch and now there are more whispers and gossip flying around about us. I might have acted a little too hasty. I don’t like this kind of attention, but damn I live for those kisses.
Music class comes and Asher is missing. I haven’t seen him since lunch. I guess I really scared him off this time. We work on the song and I do my part, but it’s not the same without Asher. Finally, the bell rings and I pack up my stuff.
“Charleigh, good luck tomorrow night.” Mr. Brown says.
“Thanks.”
“Nervous?” He asks with a kind smile.
“A little.” I say with a short laugh.
“This is your time, Charleigh, make it count.” He says with a pat on my shoulder.
I ride to Asher’s house in my truck. The windows are down, and the wind is blowing through my hair. The radio is talking about the upcoming concert of The Orphans and the new lead singer, Charleigh Matthias. Butterflies are flying all over my stomach. I can do this….
I enter the house and find Asher pacing back and forth in the front room on the phone.
“Michael, I don’t know if this is going to work.” He says. I stay hidden in the entryway.
“I know…. it’s just…it’s not you. I miss you, man.”
“No, nothing is going on between us. The label thought it would strum up some PR. Yeah, I know it did. It’s blowing up everywhere.” He says, running a hand through his hair.
“Mike, you know how I feel about this. I’m not into relationships and if I was… it wouldn’t be with Charleigh.”
“Right back at ya!” I say, walking into the room.
“I want to talk to him.” I demand with my hand out.
“Hey, Charleigh is here and what’s to talk you. I love you, man. See you soon.” Asher says, handing me the phone.
“Mikey!” I say.
“Hey, Char Char!”
“Oh Mikey! It so good to hear your voice!” I say.
“How’s everything going?” He asks.
“As good as can be expected.”
“I heard about everything with your mom and Tim. You okay?”
“Yeah, Tammy and Asher are helping me out.”
“I wish I could be there.” He says, sadly.
“You need to be there so you can get better. I need you to get better.”
“I know and I’m doing really good, Char.”
“I’m so glad to hear it.”
“I hate to cut this short, but I have a meeting to attend. Good luck tomorrow night. You will be amazing.”
“Thanks, Mikey. I love you.”
“Love you too, Char Char.” We hang up and a few stray tears fall down my cheeks. I wipe them away quickly.
Asher is gone from the room. I start to click off his phone, but something catches my attention. His wallpaper on his phone is of me. The picture of me on the chaise. I swipe his apps out of the way. What the hell does this mean?
“Give that to me.” Asher commands with his hand out. I didn’t even realize he came back into the room.
“Why do you have my picture on your phone?”
“Charleigh…. don’t.”
“Why not, Asher? Why the hell not? Why do you keep pushing me away?!”
“Charleigh, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow, just let it go.”
“No, I want an explanation. I want to know why you keep denying that there is anything between us!”
“Charleigh, stop…”
“Asher! I can’t live like this! I need to know what happened between us. I need to know how you feel.”
“Charleigh, nothing is going to happen between us. Final. I don’t want a relationship and I don’t want you like that.”
“Why?”
“Quit questioning it! Just let it be! Why can’t we just be friends? Why does there have to be something more?” He says, getting agitated.
“So, you are okay with me going out with someone else? Because the other night, it didn’t seem like you were okay with it!” I yell at him.
“Do whatever you want, and I’ll do whatever I want!”
“So, I can bring a guy home and screw his brains out in the room next door to you?” His face pales slightly.
“Do whatever you want.” He repeats with a clenched jaw.
“Fine.”
“Glad that’s out of the way.” He says. No, I’m not letting it go.
“Asher, I just….” I struggle with the words.
“Charleigh, I’m not talking about this anymore. You need to let it go and we need to concentrate on the concert tomorrow.”
“But I
think it would help me understand the kisses, the tension…. I feel a connection with you I can’t hide anymore. I just want to know why you keep pushing me away!”
“Charleigh, please.” He says, pleading with his eyes.
“No! I want to know the truth!”
“Fine! You want the truth!”
“YES!” I scream at him.
“BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!” He yells out, turning my world upside down.
Chapter Nineteen
Asher storms out of the room after that declaration. I’m standing there in shock. Did he just say he loved me? Then why is he acting this way? He avoids me the rest of the evening not even joining Tammy and I for dinner. I barely sleep all night in anticipation of what tomorrow brings and Asher’s confession. I’m so confused. If he loved me then why is he pushing me away? What do I need to do to change his mind? I swear he is driving me insane.
I wake up after a few hours of sleep and hear people downstairs. When I emerge from my room, I’m greeted by a team of people. Tammy is pulling cinnamon rolls out of the oven and Asher is casually sitting on a chair in the living room with his feet propped up on a coffee table. He is scrolling through his phone without a care in the world. He looks well rested and that pisses me off. He doesn’t even glance at me.
Henry, Ralph, Liz, and Roxy are all here among many strangers. They look up when I enter the room cautiously.
“There’s our girl!” Roxy exclaims. People say hello and Tammy gives me a hug.
“What’s going on?”
“You are a phenomenon! Those pictures have exploded all over the internet! They love you and that means all these people love you!” Roxy says with an excited smile.
“I told you so.” She whispers.
“They haven’t even heard me sing.” I say. I look over and catch Asher looking at me, but then he glances away.
“Doesn’t matter. There is so much hype surrounding Asher and you right now. It’s crazy! The Orphans are in every social media outlet and their songs are playing everywhere.”
“We are going to head over in an hour to do the sound check.” Liz announces.
Tammy gives me a plate with a cinnamon roll on it.
“Honey, eat up. Today will be a little hectic.”
Lucky Me Page 17