Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,65
the hell? If you’re going to start locking the door, I’m going to need a key.”
“Why don’t you just knock?”
“Because it’s loud and annoying.” He walked inside without being invited. “I always leave my door unlocked.”
“Well, I don’t want to just barge in on you.” Especially when you had beautiful women open the door in just a t-shirt.
“I don’t care,” he said. “If you walk in on me rubbing one out, you can help me.” He turned to me, and quicker than I could process, he pressed his lips to mine and gave me a slow kiss.
I fell prey to his touch immediately. His mouth always felt so good and I loved it. But I knew I couldn’t kiss him and touch him anymore. I ended the kiss prematurely and pulled away.
The look on Ash’s face told me he knew something was off. “What? Does my breath stink?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then give me some sugar.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I wasn’t sure why I was nervous to tell him. It’s not like he would care. He had his own relationships when I wasn’t around. “I think it’s time we end our relationship.”
He cocked an eyebrow like he didn’t understand me. “What?”
Was that really so absurd to him? A woman breaking it off before he did? “I started dating this guy and I can’t fool around with you anymore.”
“What?” He stepped back like I stabbed him. “You’re seeing some guy? Since when? Who is he?” He was talking like he was in a panic. His eyes were wide and he was breathing hard.
“Shelly set me up with him last week. He’s her brother.”
“What?” he said for the third time. “I didn’t know you were dating.”
“Well, I need to move on sometime.”
He remained in place, still confused and stricken.
Why was he being so weird about this?
“I don’t understand…”
“What don’t you understand?”
“I just…didn’t know you were looking for something serious.”
“Well, I’m not,” I explained. “But Shelly set me up and wouldn’t take no for an answer. So I just went.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and a pissed look overcame his face. “Then why does that end our relationship? You just said you weren’t serious with him.”
“I think it’s pretty shady to start dating someone while sleeping around with some other guy. That’s not fair. What if it does turn into something more?”
He shifted his weight and opened his mouth to speak. When nothing came out, he closed it again. “Do you like him?”
“Yeah, he’s nice.”
“Have you slept with him?” he demanded.
“Whoa…that’s personal.”
“Answer me,” he said. “We tell each other everything.”
“I haven’t even kissed him. We only went out once and we’re going out again on Saturday.”
He scratched his head like none of this was adding up.
“We can still be friends and hang out. We just can’t be fuck buddies anymore.”
He stared at the ground with his jaw clenched.
Why was he being so weird about this?
“So…that’s it?”
“Yeah.”
“We’re just…done?”
What didn’t he understand? “Yes.”
He nodded his head slowly. “Who the fuck is this guy?”
My eyes widened. “Why are you being so hostile right now?”
“I just want to know who he is. He better be good enough for you.”
“I really don’t know him that well.”
“And it better not be Tony.”
“It’s not.” Now I was growing irritated.
“You know what? I have to go.” He headed to the door and practically ran.
“Okay…”
He walked out then slammed the door behind him.
What the hell was that about? It was like he was mad at me. But I did nothing wrong. Was he angry I didn’t tell him about the date before it happened? Or was he just irritated he wasn’t getting laid like he thought? He could screw whomever he wanted but I had to stay monogamous with him? That didn’t sound right.
Then what was his problem?
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ash
She was seeing some guy?
What guy?
Who the fuck was he?
Why was she dating at all?
She didn’t want to sleep with me anymore?
Was this really happening?
I walked inside my apartment and immediately grabbed a beer. I chugged the whole thing while standing in front of the fridge because I was so desperate for the distraction. Then I grabbed another one and kicked the door shut.
When did this happen? Last time I was over there, everything seemed fine. I didn’t realize she was active in the dating world. She stopped her relationship with me because she thought she could find something better?
What was wrong with me?
I felt betrayed. I hadn’t been with anyone else since we got together and neither had she. She