- 3.
It was dark when I got home.
The lights were on, which was strange. Dean
never came home, and Dad was in the
hospital.
I opened the door and nearly jumped out of
my skin. Dean was standing there, looking angry. “Ashley, where have you been? It’s
late.”
I didn’t want to deal with him. I turned to go
to my room.
Dean blocked me, his eyes narrowed. “Why
are you blushing? Who were you with?”
He grabbed my wrist, his eyes burning.
く
“Dean, I was on a date with my boyfriend. Do
I need to check in with you first?”
I yanked my arm away. “Isn’t Sarah looking
for you?”
His face twitched, and he looked away.
A familiar voice called out. “Dean, I didn’t
bring a nightgown, so…
11
“Ashley’s home.”
Sarah walked into the room wearing Dean’s
shirt, water dripping from her hair.
I grunted in response.
Dean went to Sarah, taking a towel to dry her
く
hair. His voice was softer than I’d ever heard
- it. “Sarah, you’ll catch a cold.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Dean, your sister’s here.”
Sarah snuggled against him. Dean glanced at
- me. “Let her watch. Maybe she’ll get over her
crush.”
They started making out. Dean picked Sarah
up and took her to his room.
I went to my own room.
Dean was never going to be mine.
I grabbed my phone and saw that the guy
from earlier had sent a bunch of texts.
[My name is Luke Harrison.]
[Since we’re getting married, when can I move
in with my wife?]
[Sorry, was that too forward? You said to call
when I needed you…]
[Honey, are you ever going to talk to me?]
He even added a crying emoji.
I put down my phone and touched my face.
Why was I so hot?
He seemed so reserved, but his texts were
L
so…
Did I feel bad for him?
My phone buzzed again. Luke was calling.
I picked up.
“Honey, why aren’t you talking to me?”
I stumbled over my words, “I… my phone
died…”
Why did I sound so guilty?
“Can I see you tomorrow, honey?”
I couldn’t concentrate.
“Honey?”
L
“Yeah, what?”
He laughed. “Want to meet up tomorrow?”
I agreed without thinking.
After I hung up, I was thirsty. I went to the
kitchen.
I ran straight into Dean.
The air was thick. His hair was messed up,
and his shirt was open, showing the scratches
on his chest.
“Who were you talking to?”
I tried to walk around him, but Dean lit a
cigarette.
L
“Ashley, Sarah and I are together now.”
“I know Dad wanted me to marry you, but you
said no.”
“You aren’t allowed to think about me again.”
I leaned against the wall. “Dean, I need to
make something clear.”
