Walking over to his bed, I plop on the corner and sigh in defeat.
Ash swings his legs over the mattress and rests his elbows on his knees. “Want to talk to me about it, or do you want to wait for Gwen?”
Looking over at him, I come to a swift conclusion. “I’m going to bother both of you.”
“It’s not a bother.” Ash’s kind brown eyes meet mine, and he offers me a sweet smile.
“Promise not to tell Zack?” I offer him my pinkie, and he meets it without hesitation.
This boy has no idea what he’s getting himself into. I start from the beginning, explaining how my feelings grew from a simple nickname. I inform him that I tried to avoid it, but no matter what I did, Rome would always manage his way back into my heart.
“You remember how I had his shirt at the party?” I ask, and he nods. “I was ignoring him to see if he would respond, and then we almost kissed in the bathroom.”
Ash doesn’t respond. His face is zoned in on mine, listening intently.
“We didn’t because neither of us want to hurt Zack. He gave me his shirt because he was tired of the football team eye fucking me. Since then things have been weird, and it’s about to get worse.”
“How?”
“Remember my mentorship?” I ask, and he nods again. “We’re going to be evaluating the football team.”
“Oh, I see. And you’re afraid you’ll end up with Rome?”
“Bingo.”
My palms meet my eyes, and I rake my fingers over my scalp. Ash sighs, and his silence makes my skin itch.
His leg starts to bounce, and he clears his throat. “You two are more alike than you realize... listen, Chrissy, Zack would understand?—”
“I don’t want to chance it. He’s been through too much. He’s finally getting over Rosalyn, and I can’t ruin that. If he finds out I have feelings for Rome and that Rome might feel the same, he would have a heart attack.”
“Chrissy . . .”
“No, Ash. Please, tell me what to do tomorrow. I can’t end up as his partner,” I plead.
My voice cracks, and my eyes water.
With another exhale, Ash presses his lips together. “So, don’t. Do whatever you have to do to avoid being paired up with him. But let it be known that I disapprove of this idea. You two are adults, and so is Zack. This is a train wreck waiting to happen.”
“What’s a train wreck waiting to happen?” Gwen walks into the room with Pickles in tow.
“Chrissy and Rome,” Ash answers for me.
“Oh,thattrain wreck.” Gwen kicks off her shoes and picks up Pickles. “I don’t know what’s happening, but what’s the plan?”
“Avoid him at all costs,” I say, trying to summon as much confidence as possible.
“Brilliant, I see no flaws in this at all.” Gwen’s tone is coated in sarcasm.
I draw my eyebrows together and squint. “I find your lack of faith disturbing,” I say in a deep voice.
Ash chuckles in response.
I knew that would get a rise out of one of them.
“My faith in you is fine. My faith in your plan? Now that’s a different story.” Gwen smirks at me as Pickles launches out of her arms.
“Five bucks that my plan works?” I extend my hand, and she meets it without a second thought.
