Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,69

me a compliment like usual. “Ready to go?”

Disappointment washed through me. “Yeah.”

He walked out with his hands in his pockets. He wore his typical jeans and t-shirt. He never dressed up anytime we went to dinner even though it irritated his parents. He stared down the hallway like he was bored.

I locked the door behind me and we left. Instead of talking, we just walked in silence. Normally, Ash wouldn’t shut up. He rambled on and on about work or a new tattoo he designed. But now he was ice-cold. Hostility radiated from him so I didn’t bother making small talk. I had a feeling he wouldn’t respond at all.

We arrived at the restaurant and joined his parents at the table. They were thrilled to see me, like always. Despite Ash’s sour mood, it didn’t ruin the dinner. In fact, it didn’t seem like they even noticed. Perhaps he was always moody. I’d never noticed it myself but perhaps I was finally seeing a new side of him.

Ash put his arm over my chair but that was all the affection he gave me. He didn’t lean in and share quiet secrets with me. His touch didn’t feel warm like it usually did. I felt like I was escorting a client, someone I hardly knew and would never know. It didn’t seem like I’d known Ash for three months, intimately and romantically.

“Ash,” his mother said. “We’ve been thinking…”

Ash continued to look bored.

“We really think you’ve made a turnaround,” his father said. “Especially with this lovely young woman. We know you wanted to go back to school and that must be expensive…”

His mom pulled a check out of her wallet and placed it on the table in front of him.

Wow, they finally returned his money.

Ash stared at it blankly.

Did he not understand what it was?

He slowly grabbed the check and examined it. “Thank you.” Then he put it in his wallet. He didn’t jump on the table and dance around. It didn’t seem like he gave a damn at all. He sipped his wine then looked across the restaurant.

Both of his parents looked confused.

His mom spoke first. “Everything okay, honey?”

“I’m peachy, Mom.” Ash didn’t look at her as he said it.

His father leaned toward her. “Maybe they got in a fight on the way here…”

“Maybe,” she whispered.

Ash’s arm felt cold against my back. He’d wanted that money for a long time but it didn’t seem like he cared at all. It was like they gave him a check for fifty cents. When the check arrived, Ash immediately snatched it. “Since you just made a big payment…” He tossed the cash inside and immediately stood up. “Well, it was nice seeing you.”

What the hell? Now he was polite?

“Alessandra and I are leaving. Good night.” He hugged his parents quickly then allowed me to say goodbye.

I realized this was the last time I’d ever see his parents. Ash got his money back and now he would drop his ruse. He would come clean and admit he hired me after he cashed his check.

The thought made me sad.

“You’ve always been so kind to me,” I said to his mother. “I really appreciate it.” She was warmer than my own mom.

“Of course, dear,” she said as she hugged me. “We love you.”

My eyes softened before I hugged his dad. “Thanks for everything. I always feel welcome with you.”

“And you always will,” he said with a fond look.

Ash grabbed my hand and gently pulled me away. “Until next time.” He kept his hold as he walked down the sidewalk and passed two blocks. When we reached my apartment building, he immediately dropped the hold and put his hands in his pockets.

The air around us was so heavy it was suffocating.

“You got your money back. Congratulations.”

“Yeah…about time.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t more excited.”

“It’s just money,” he said quietly.

What was his problem? He acted like I did something terrible to him. What was he so upset about? I wanted to kick him because his act was getting old. I was surprised he even walked me to my door since he was so sour.

I didn’t unlock the door. Instead, I faced him. “So…this is it?” He didn’t need me to play a part anymore. He officially no longer needed me.

“Yep. I guess so.” His voice was colder than a freezer. “Thanks for all your help. You’re off the hook.”

“I’ll miss your parents…they were really nice.”

“I’m sure you’ll forget about them soon enough.” The look in his eyes was frightening. He stared