I realized tears were silently streaming down my face. I choked out, “Yeah, it hurts.”
Even though I was starting to accept what had happened, the sting of Ashley’s betrayal lingered. So, as Jason cleaned my cut, I sniffled and cried.
Jason wasn’t sure how to comfort me. He looked worried, then sighed. “If I’d known you were such a crybaby, I would’ve made my move sooner and protected you from this.”
“What?” I blinked, startled by the implication. I stopped crying.
He grinned. “Don’t cry anymore, okay?” He ruffled my hair, acting like the older, protective one, even though he was a year younger.
“Thank you for coming,” I said sincerely. “I owe you one. I’ll make it up to you.”
He chuckled. “That’s not what I want you to owe me.
I stared at him, speechless. He saw my confusion and smiled gently. “Don’t overthink it. Especially not tonight. Just rest.
I nodded meekly. Then his phone rang. It sounded like a work emergency. He’d probably dropped everything to come rescue me.
“Go,” I urged. “I’m fine. I’m so sorry for dragging you into this.”
After he hung up, I added, “You didn’t even get to eat dinner. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
20 360
chapter 2
His text reply came almost instantly: [At your service.]
I stared at the words, a strange sense of comfort settling over me.
11
288 Vouchers
I thought I’d seen the last of Ashley, but the next day, he was waiting outside my apartment, shivering and pacing. I’d blocked his number, so he had no idea when I’d be home. The scene was a painful echo of his first confession.
He spotted me and rushed over, grabbing my arm, then looking behind me, relieved. “I knew that Jason guy was just a prop. You wouldn’t actually date him!”
I laughed in disbelief. “Ashley, are you insane? Let go of me, or I’m calling security.”
“Ashley, I’m just looking out for you! That Jason guy… he looks shady. He’s not good for you. You used him to get back at me, fine. But stay away from him.” He was rambling, making no sense.
“Looking out for me?” I scoffed. “You’re saying he’s not a good guy? If you’re so concerned, why didn’t you say something yesterday? Oh, right, you had to take care of your sick girlfriend. So what’s the act today?”
He mumbled, “Emily wasn’t feeling well. I couldn’t just leave her alone. You understand, right?”
І
I burst out laughing. “Understand what? Understand that you want to have your cake and eat it too? Get out of my face.”
I wrenched my arm free. He tried to grab me again, but I pointed at the security camera. “I’m serious. I’ll call security. You wanna spend the night in jail?”
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