The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders #4) - L A Cotton Page 0,35
was... a little harsh.”
She reared back, confusion clouding her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, babe. She made Max out to be a complete asshole.”
“It wasn’t necessarily about Max.”
“It was so about him. She dumped him, and yet she stood up there making it sound like he was some possessive narcissist, which we both know couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“Huh. I guess I didn’t think about it like that.”
“He wanted more, and Faith freaked.”
“It’s just slam poetry, Ash. You don’t need to get so upset over it.”
“I’m not upset,” I sighed, running a hand over my head. “I just think it’s a little unfair.”
“You know what she’s like.” Mya brushed her nose over mine, stealing a kiss. “She’s all for girl power and independence.”
“And making her ex out to sound like a total asshole apparently,” I grumbled.
“It’s their business. Who are we to say how someone should or shouldn’t feel? Max was a good guy, but he was kind of intense, always glued to her side. I guess she felt smothered.”
“Is that what earlier was about?” I asked, the chips falling into place with a resounding thud.
“What?” Mya’s gaze widened.
“When you said I didn’t have to come tonight. Did Faith say something to you about me?”
“I...” Mya let out a small breath. “Not exactly,” she admitted. “She’s just in a weird place and wants to make the most of her newfound freedom.”
“So she did say something to you?”
Un-fucking-believable.
“She didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Did you?” My body vibrated with a sense of impending doom. I couldn’t really explain it, but I knew this wasn’t going to end well. Yet, for some reason, I couldn’t let it go.
“Asher, stop... this is silly.”
“I don’t think it is,” I said.
First Mya, then Diego and Rex, and now Faith’s stupid poem.
“Do you feel smothered by me?” Before I could stop them, the words spilled from my lips, and Mya’s breath hitched.
“Where is all this coming from?”
“Answer the question, Mya,” I ground out. The chatter and laughter went on around us, but it barely penetrated the roar of blood between my ears.
“You’re being ridiculous.” Her gaze went over my shoulder. “They’re coming back. Please don’t make this into something it isn’t.”
But the seed was planted, and I couldn’t shake the feeling, I wasn’t really welcome here tonight after all.
Standing, I shoved my hands in my pockets. “I’m going to hang out with Diego and the guys. I’ll see you back at the apartment later.”
“Leaving so soon?” Faith shot me a smug look.
“Yeah,” I replied. “I guess it wasn’t my scene after all.”
And then I got the hell out of there.
Mya
“I should go after him.” My chest constricted as I watched Asher walk away from us. He’d been so upset, so weird over Faith’s poem.
But then, I’d screwed up earlier.
I’d seen the dejection in his eyes when I'd suggested he didn’t have to come.
God, I should never have said anything. We always spent Sunday together. And I loved it. But Faith was in a weird place and Asher was a lot like Max. When he loved, he loved with his entire being. It had taken some getting used to, being the center of his universe, but I never felt smothered.
Overwhelmed sometimes, sure, but never smothered.
“Let him go.” Faith shrugged, taking a long slurp of her drink. “You guys can kiss and make up later.”
“She’s right, you know,” Bella, our other friend, said. “A little time and space never hurt... besides, makeup sex.” She waggled her brows.
“Ugh, no thanks.” Faith rolled her eyes. “Max was always so clingy after an argument.”
“So, the poem,” I asked, changing the subject. “Was that—”
“About Max? Yeah... he was just so stifling sometimes. It was like I couldn’t breathe. He’d want to talk about our life after college, having a family and settling down...”
“He thought you were the one,” Rex said, frowning.
“I guess. But it’s college... we’re supposed to find ourselves and spread our wings. Not... clip them.”
“It’s why I stick to my three-date rule.” Bella nodded.
“But what if you met the right person?” I asked.
“Like you and Asher?” She gave me a warm smile. Unlike Faith who glowered.
“What?” I glared back.
“Asher is a nice guy, but do you really think he’s the one?”
“Faith,” Rex hissed under his breath.
“No, it’s okay,” I said, feeling a trickle of irritation up my spine. “Let her make her point.”
“All I’m saying is, you met in high school, under… difficult circumstances. You went through something huge together. That kind of trauma can bind two people together.