Chapter 32

"You look gorgeous, Avery." He complimented with a soft smile. As promised, Ashton picked me up at exactly 7. I wore a simple dress all credits to his wife even though she forced me to accept it. I informed her about our said talk with her husband. Whether they really have feelings for each other or not, I don’t want to get in between the two. They were a power couple much to a commoners view. Every move they make would instantly be posted online or in a front page. Therefore I was trying to be careful with them. Sierra was more than okay with it. Ashton must have informed her too. "So you brought me to a bar when the night’s still young." I raised my brow inquisitively. "I figured you need a drink." I scoffed. "You think." We sat down at the stool while he was ordering drinks for us. He then began speaking. "I’m sorry, Avery. I truly am. I didn’t know that he’s going to be a **** about it." He said straight on without delaying the main subject. I could tell he was serious and sincere of his apology. "You wanna know why I agreed to talk to you? That’s because I wanna know why you were the one who’s apologizing. If you’re actually the reason this shit happened, tell me, cause I’m not gonna hold back ruining your face. Damn Sierra’s gonna be so happy about it." Our drinks arrived and Ashton drank his in one shot before speaking. "I did warn him, Ave." I was surprised from his answer. "I know I was teasing him about you back then, how you were all hot and beautiful. I would joke around saying he should hook up with you. But that’s because I know it’s not gonna happen. Relationship wasn’t really his priority right now. And even if he’s good with family and friends, he wasn’t really good with women. He was awful. He would brush all of them off with an ugly scowl on his face. That’s why I didn’t take my jokes about you two seriously. It was impossible. I was just only infuriating him like I do every single time when I hang out with him. It was just hilarious..." He trailed off while staring at his drink. I began to drink mine. "It wasn’t anymore when I saw the way he looked at you. It was short and quick but I noticed it. I knew there was something there so I stopped. One night our friends finally knew about you. Brayden showed a picture of you to them." I wanted to ask what picture was it and how did it get to him but it wasn’t my priority right now. My priority was listening to him. "I saw how he reacted when we were making fun of him. He may deny it , cover it, but I know him well enough. He’s my best friend. I’ve known him for more than a decade. I’m not stupid enough to fall for his facade. After that, I warned him. I told him not to play with your feelings. Not to lead you on. Said it was just pure desire. Nothing more. But I know more than enough. You two kissed. I have seen the sexual tension between you two when you dance... or even just looking at each other. My breath hitched. My eyes widened. I averted my eyes to my drink. "I’m no fool, Ave. I may act one but I’m not." I have never seen Ashton so serious before. He was always happy about something. I saw how he cares for his friends and he would drop anything for him... even his mask. "I don’t know if you’re serious with him. But whatever you are feeling right now towards him, I’m sorry. It’s my partly my fault, too. I just want you to know that I don’t want him to get hurt and it’s the same for you. You grew on me, Ave. You’re my friend. You helped me and Sierra, too. I just think you don’t deserve any of this. You had to handle his shit when he’s overreacting about you ruining his plans about the land you’re living right now." I clenched my fist remembering what happened that day. "It’s fine. I deserved this."I said through gritted teeth. I then drink my shot in one go. He frowned." No. You don’t. Trust me when I say that. " " It’s fine, Ashton. Really. It was just a stupid one night stand. I have long accepted that." I smiled at him reassuringly. " I was just off guarded that’s all. I was conceited to think that I was good enough to relax you know." I saw how he looked so confused when I said the last part. I chuckled. " I appreciated the fact that you took an effort to warn him and right now, apologized. But I’m all good now. You talking to me right now made me feel better. Maybe I just need someone to talk to you know. You and Sierra are the best." I gave him a small smile." Thank you. " " Damn, Avery. You’re perfect. My friend’s a fool not to see that." I just chuckled." After deliberately squeezing out the truth from him, I scolded him you know. I mean Damian would have been fine sleeping with women. But he’s my best friend and you’re a fine girl, Ave. You’re the kind that I’d wish a great man for you. Well, Stefano’s supposed to be more than that." He rolled his eyes." That flew right out of the window." I just laughed a bit. Ashton was slowly going back to his playful side. " I think I have enough of men for now. Like for good. I was living a peaceful life not a while ago. Ryker must have jinxed it." I joked with a straight face. " Have you really looked at yourself, Avery? You should know that you wouldn’t be getting that peaceful life for now. I think New York isn’t really the best choice for you. " I scoffed with a chuckle." Oh trust me. I have already regretted it since I stepped foot in that apartment." We chuckled. He stopped and carefully spoke. "How are you and Ryker? I saw what happened. Well, that. I’m not gonna say sorry." He joked with a chuckle. "I’m..." I shrugged. "Meh. It’s nothing. I already told him I wouldn’t get back with him. What we had was an act of pubescent stupidity." I sighed. I traced the rim of the glass involuntarily. "I just didn’t think he’d really fall for me. He was a notorious playboy in school. I was just with him because I was a complete female version of him. But probably worse since I did drugs." "Ouch." "Hmmn... But I think it would be because I want to continue to fix myself right now. Relationship would hinder me. Though I admit what Stefano did hurt, but I would have understood if he just talk to me. If we’re on the same boat, I think we would’ve agreed to forget about it. It was nothing but a drunken mistake... even though we were completely sober. "I chuckled. I then drank the glass of liquor. " Maybe you should go talk to him. " " No. It’s fine if it’s like this. This could put a distance to us. He would continue to ignore me and I just move on and get this so called personal service to him be over. Like I said... I stll want to fix myself. That’s all I want to do. "