He Must Never Know

ASHER

“If you keep flunking your classes, you'll have to sit back on hockey.” Those words were enough to send me into a spiral. It sounded more like a threat than a statement, especially coming from this man's mouth. And when I said this man, I meant my father.

He was tall, with a frame that made him look huge even when he sat behind his office desk. His hair was slicked back with gel, and his eyes bored into me with the kind of disgust reserved for a creature he regretted bringing into the world. I met his gaze, already so pissed that he suddenly cared about my well-being.

Since when did he start the perfect father persona?

Unless one of his many connections at school called him, he had no business sticking his cock into my life.

But I didn't say that — I couldn't. Instead, I muttered.

“I'm not even interested in business, and you know it.”

Why don't you let your perfect son handle the family business, and leave me the fuck alone?!

I still didn't say that.

Father sighed, pushing his laptop aside.

He rubbed his temple, probably tired of my antics. Who wouldn't be?

I was stressful to deal with.

“Immanuel—” he called.

It's Asher to you sir, but okay.

“You should focus more on business. Hockey won't take you anywhere, and you know it.”

I didn't. For all I knew, it meant everything to me. An escape from this shitty life I lived.

“Look at your older brother. Press is doing so well — why don't you just…”

Be like him?

“Be like him,” he said, disappointment written over his face like a signboard.

“Are you done?” I asked in the flattest tone possible.

I didn't particularly hate Press, but the age old comparison… it ate me up until I grew numb to it.

“Immanuel, I mean it. If you fail any other class, I'll tell the coach to drop you. I don't care if you're valuable to them or not,” he said, finality in his voice.

I nodded obediently, before leaving his study. Father always did what he said no matter the extent it took him to get it done.

Still… I was his son.

I scoffed, entering my room.

Son? That word held no meaning towards him.

Immediately, I reached my desk, I grabbed my keys, and headed out. I wasn't spending another day with this man around.

***

The coffee shop where she worked made damn good coffee. I'd tried it once, and their butter biscuits had practically melted in my mouth. Somehow, Ellie always ended up working at the best places. The club, the coffee shop, even the flower shop. The girl had a talent for it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted someone familiar. She was with someone taller, wearing a pink hoodie that had Lakers written on it.

I stopped just behind them, and stared at her.

“Speak of the devil,” I muttered, letting out a small laugh.

Ellie stood beside her brother, Liam. He seemed to be scolding her about something before reaching up to fix her messy hair.

She folded her arms, pouting while he brushed it with his fingers.

“He dotes on her that much, huh?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

If I didn't know better, I'd think they were dating. Still, their similar features made it obvious they were related.

Just as I was about to move on, she looked over, and our eyes met.

Sweet Jesus, she had the perfect set of eyes.

Fuck me or call me a loser, I wanted to make her cry. Tears made the eyes even prettier.

My lips curled into a smirk. I gave her a little wave before rolling up the car window.

What was I even doing?

If Liam Dominik caught me with the shit I was playing at, he'd have my head, and that … that would end badly.

I peered through the glass, watching her throw glances at the car. Liam turned, and I had never been so grateful to have pulled up the frame.

Soon enough, they left, and the breath I didn't know I was holding left.

Liam and I hadn't always hated each other. There was a time when we could tolerate each other's nonsense. Then that thing happened. The thing that destroyed whatever bond we'd had.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” I muttered, leaning back in my seat.

Father was right about one thing.

I was a total disappointment.

***

ELYSSIA

No. No. No. No. No. No.

Why the hell was Asher in the parking lot, of all places?

When I thought I had dealt with him, he shows up when I'm with my brother.

Why do I even bother?

Liam would kill him if he found out Asher was messing with me. So why was I getting so worked up when Asher was the one whose ass would get beaten?

“Don't you have to meet up with your guys?” I asked, distracting him from looking back.

“Tonight. Training starts soon, and those beasts want to drink as much as they can before it begins,” he joked, leading the way.

We were out for ice cream, his treat. I suspected he felt bad after scolding me like that, and interrogating me about Asher. Well, that was a fair exchange if you ask me.

“Would you? You mentioned an upcoming test, so…”

Liam laughed, his shoulder jerking. “Yes, and I'll ace it. You don't trust your big brother, do you?”

I leaned close to him, and he wrapped his arm around my upper waist.

“I do. But don't get ahead of yourself,” I teased.

Things were going fine between us. My life was normal and quiet with Liam around. And I wished it never ended, until that darn night that changed everything.

Asher was chaotic — so chaotic that he always left me speechless.

And now, he was like an infection I couldn't get rid of. Something that refused to heal, no matter how badly I wanted it to. And something told me this was only the beginning. Things were going to get much worse, and I'd be seeing more of him.

One thing was certain, though. Liam could never find out about whatever was happening between Asher and me.