In Your Arms (15 page)

              “Yes.”

              He's quiet, I guess deciding where he wants to begin. I hope this is a calmer conversation than we had a few days ago. I needed to know that I wasn't going to lose my best friend over this.

              “I knew.” he says and I look at him.

              “What?”

              “The moment you two saw each other, and she basically dismissed you, I knew. You crashed our date, and there wasn't another one after that. Ashton wanted to be friends with me, and I knew you two were hanging out. You also stopped going to bars, and I pushed you the night that we went. I thought maybe I was imagining it, or I hoped, I don't know. I thought she was perfect for me, but I was wrong. She's perfect for you, mate.”

              “You liked Ashton because you thought she was perfect, but I love Ashton because I know that she isn't.”

              “Love?” He raises an eyebrow. “I guess she does have you tightly wrapped around her finger.” He smirks.

              “I don't know if it's love, but I haven't felt like this...ever.”

              That's really the first time I've allowed myself to say something like that out loud, not just in my head. Even when I thought I was going to be married at eighteen, I thought that I was in love, but it didn't feel like this. Ashton is the real thing.

              “Don't mess this up.” Charles warns me.

              “I'll do my best not to.”

Day 5:

              “Explain to me why I have to go with her.” I ask Charles and my social media manager, Kelly. I'm not talking about Kelly, I would gladly go with her. I don't understand why I have to go with a reality TV star brat.

              “She's part of an audience you're not reaching. If you reach that audience, it means bigger turn out at your book signing tomorrow afternoon.” Charles explains.

              “By part of an audience, he means the women.” Kelly begins.

              “I have a girlfriend. I don't think she's going to be too happy with this.” They took my phone away, so I haven't been able to talk to Ashton. I have an odd feeling that's something is wrong, but I have no phone because of all the interviews I have to get through before the party.

              “I'll talk to her.” Charles says. “Plus, it's only going to be a few pictures with Gia for press, that's it.”

              “Fine.”

              “Now time to prep you for these interviews.”

              Gia kept hanging onto my arm and I would casually push her away then walk to another person. I barely know her, and it's awkward as fuck.

              Charles finally gets to the party and he has a worried look on his face. I motion for Kelly, and she takes Gia away so I can go talk to him.

              “How's your party going?” He asks. He looked nervous.

              “It's great. Did you talk to Ash on the phone?”

              “I did. She said it was fine, but she was busy cleaning out her apartment.” He scratched behind his ear and I knew that he was lying. It was something he's done since he was a child, a tell that works for me when we play poker.

              “Charles, what's wrong? Is she angry?” Wait. “Did you say she was cleaning out her apartment?” When did she get back to New York?

              “It's time for toasts!” I hear someone say over the speakers.

              Charles started heading up there before I could pull him back. I didn't care if it was my release party, I had to talk to her. I was not losing the one good thing in my life.

Chapter 24

Ashton Pennington

Day 1:

              I took my brother home around midnight. It was odd driving back in Chicago. It wasn't worth having a car in New York when there were taxis and there was the subway to get you around. It wasn't like my hometown, Evanston.

              I learned to drive at fifteen and the day I turned sixteen, I had my license. I loved the power of being able to drive, and I missed it while living in New York.

              “Want to tell me who the British guy was who answered your phone?” Matty asks, and I stayed quiet for a moment. I almost forgot that Braxton was the one who answered my phone. It's been a really long day and I was starving.

              “His name is Braxton. I'm driving to Luigi's to get pizza, you want a slice?” Luigi's is famous for their pizza slices the size of your face for five dollars. Luckily for me, they were open until two in the morning, and they were at the next exit.

              “Yes and don't change the subject.”

              “Fine. Ask away.” I couldn't hide it from my brother.

              “Does he make you happy?” Not the question I thought he would ask.

              I don't have to think about my answer because it's an easy question. “Yes, very.” He's someone who I have trusted so easily, and I've never been afraid that I've made the wrong decision by trusting him.

              “That's all I need to know.” I pulled off the highway and turned into Luigi's on the next street. This was a local hangout with the college campus just a few miles away. I used to come here all the time.

              Caleb unbuckles his seat belt. “I'll get the slices. Sausage, right?” I nod and watch him go into the restaurant.

              I think about what my mother said to me about moving back. She really wants us to be all close together, but I can't do that. If I move back to Evanston...I'll constantly be reminded of what happened here. What happened to me. That's torture I don't want to endure.

              I have to find a real reason as to why I can't return back here unless it's for a holiday. I considered mentioning Braxton, but that would just create too many questions. Questions I wasn't ready to answer until I talked with him.

              I grabbed my phone and texted Braxton.

              About to eat a pizza slice bigger than my face. My father is doing great, he should be released tomorrow.

              I'm not a big junk food eater, pizza is rare for me. Luigi's is the only pizza I eat, I hated any other unless I make it. I usually eat very healthy, but I do have a big sweet tooth. I thank my mother for that and all the Pennington bakeries.

              My phone buzzed.

              I don't think I've ever seen you eat pizza. I don't believe you. Honestly glad to hear your father is doing better.

              I'll send you a picture once I actually get home. Currently waiting in the car for Matty.

              Brother or friend? I don't think I ever told him my brother's name.

              Younger brother.

              Okay(:

              I have to drive now, but I'll send you the picture.

              Matty stepped into the car with the two slices and I reversed out heading toward the house. I've honestly missed it.

              Although we were rich, my parents kept the two story house they bought as newlyweds. Sure we had houses in other states, but this was home. All the kids had the upstairs bedrooms, and my parents were downstairs.

              My sister Megan left this place when she was eighteen and she never looked back. We hardly ever talk to her or see her. I had to find out through tabloids that my sister is pregnant, very pregnant. One day, she just decided that she didn't want to be part of the Pennington legacy, and opted to marry a politician instead.

              I sent the picture to Braxton after I finished eating. I was full and ready to sleep. I made my way to the den first. It was my favorite space in the house, it was a glass room, and I loved looking at the stars. In New York city, there was just too much light pollution to see more than a few stars. I wouldn't mind falling asleep here tonight.

              My mind began to wander and soon I was dwindling into a deep sleep.

Day 2:

              I was cleaning out my bedroom at the house when I got a call. My mom mentioned that it would be a good time to get rid of stuff I didn't need since I wouldn't be living here full time. I was halfway done when I answered the call.

              “Hello?”

              “Hello, Ashton. It's Charles.”

              I froze. “Charles. Hi.” I haven't talked to him properly since I called him and told him that I wanted nothing to do with him.

              “Do you mind if we meet up? I need to have a serious chat with you.” I guess Braxton didn't tell him that I was in Chicago. Of course he wouldn't, he doesn't know anything that is going on between us.

              “Currently not in New York. I won't be back for another few days. What is this about?” I was confused.

              “I would have rather asked this face to face, but since you're not here...How long have you and Braxton been a couple?” What?

              How did Charles know? Braxton wouldn't tell him without my knowing, would he? We should've discussed this.

              “Since Christmas, about.”

              “Why him, Ashton?” I could hear the hurt in his voice. I felt absolutely terrible about this, and how he probably found out.

              “Charles, this has nothing to do with you. There is nothing wrong with you. You're one of the greatest guys I've ever met, and trust me I've met many horrible ones.” I sigh. “I am broken and I have pieces of myself missing, and Braxton makes me feel whole again.”

              “Alright.” He's quiet for a moment, and I think he's about to hang up on me. “I understand. I will support you two.”

              “Thank you.”

              “Don't tell Braxton that I talked to you. He wouldn't be very pleased to hear that I went behind his back.” I wonder when Braxton was going to decide to bring this up...

              “I won't.” I don't know why I agree.

              “I'll see you around.”

              I feel like a giant weight is off my chest. Now that Charles knows, we no longer have to sneak around. That's a relief.

Day 3:

              “Welcome home, dad.” I hugged him.

              “Hey, sweetie. Can I talk to you?”

              “Sure. What about?” He walks us over to the couch, and I notice my mother not even stopping to say anything to me. Which is odd.

              “I just got contacted by your ex-boyfriends lawyer.” I stopped breathing. He seriously wouldn't leave me alone would he?

              “I have nothing to say to Tanner or his lawyer.”

              “Who is Braxton Wright?” He asks.

              “He's a writer, his grandfather lives in the same building as Elizabeth. What did he tell you about him?”

              “It's not what his lawyer told me, it's what my PI found out about you, Tanner, Alex, and Braxton. Do you want to tell me or should I tell you?” I stayed quiet. “Ashton.”

              The tears started coming out before I could stop them. I couldn't look at my father while I told him what he already knew. Like I've said, if someone looks deep enough and asks the right people the right questions, anyone can figure out what happened.

              “I was just trying to fix my mess. I didn't want you all to hurt like I was hurting. I let Tanner manipulate me, and I was ashamed. I couldn't go back to that school, that's why I didn't want to go back.” I sobbed.

              “This was not your fault, Ashton. I need you to understand that. You were a victim. But Tanner won't make you his victim anymore.” He hugs me.

              “What did Tanner's lawyer tell you?” I ask.

              “Tanner's new legal team and sponsors all need to know why he has a sealed record in case they ever need to defend him for it. He's threatening to press charges against this Braxton fellow if you don't pay what you will owe Alex for breaking the contract.” I shake my head.

              “He's pressing charges against Braxton? He-” Oh my god. He hit him. “It was one punch, and he was defending me because Tanner was saying cruel things to me at Sarah's New Years Eve party.” I cried.

              “What is the relationship you have with Braxton Wright?”

              “We've been seeing each other recently, but we've known each other for two months.” He doesn't need to know all the history.

              “Jerry told me everything he found about Braxton. I've decided that for now, you're done making decisions alone. Tanner can't prove Braxton punched him, it's all hearsay. If I can manage to get you out of all this mess, I need you to do something for me.”

              “What is it?”