Rivalry

ELYSSIA

I didn't know why I'd agreed to come here, and now, I regretted every bit of my decision.

Maybe the heavens had rejected my prayers because as I pushed the bathroom door open, the familiar scent hit me — the same one that had been lingering around me for a week.

Asher.

Of all the places and times to see him, it had to be in the bathroom with some girl who sounded like she'd just run a fucking marathon.

And the worst part you might ask? She smelled like lavender, the same perfume that Justin's new girl wore. I scrunched up my nose, and cleared my throat to announce my presence.

“I need to pee,” I said, trying so hard not to look surprised.

Asher's head snapped towards me, his eyes widening as though I'd just caught him doing something terrible.

I had, except it was none of my business.

He put the girl down, and she quickly slipped on her clothes.

Strangely, he helped her fix her hair like the gentleman he was.

That was laughable.

I waited for the girl who was grinning from ear to ear to leave, while he followed behind her.

“We'll see, Leah,” he said, stopping right in front of me.

Leah, so that's her name?

“What are you doing here?” he asked like he owned me or we were in a relationship.

I rolled my eyes, my fist clenched as I contemplated whether punching him would have any effect.

“It's none of your business,” I gritted my teeth, and made to walk in.

I actually needed to pee.

Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and pulled me close, leaving barely any space between us. He leaned in, and whispered.

“You keep amusing me, Ellie. You didn't strike me as the party kind.”

“Well, you did,” I retorted, breaking free of his hold.

If I could wipe that silly smirk off his face, I would do it a hundred times over. I strode into one of the stalls, pretending like his gaze wasn't cutting through my skin.

Note to self: Next time a colleague coaxes you into attending some random party, follow your gut and decline.

Asher Lumen was everything I should avoid, but the bastard kept showing up everywhere—teasing me, getting on my nerves, and making me consider telling Liam.

I later found out we took some classes together.

Why did I care to know?

Well for one, he was a pain in the butt, and I needed to avoid him at all costs.

Second, he attracted so much attention that being around him was overwhelming.

And finally, I hated being on edge — and he did just that.

When I stepped out, he was gone, so I headed back into the party, ready to leave when I spotted Liam.

His eyes narrowed at me, and the deep frown plastered over his face was enough to tell me I was in trouble.

In two strides, he was beside me. He grabbed my arm and led me outside. His grip was firm, so I didn't resist until we stepped out of the building.

“You told me you went studying with friends!” He exclaimed, the lines on his forehead deepening.

Why was everything so overwhelming? I had to deal with Asher, now my brother who had a knack for precision was all up in my business.

“I lied!” I snapped. “My friend invited me over, and I was even about to leave—” I turned away from him and opened the car door.

“I'm not a baby anymore, so stop that. It's embarrassing.”

I slid into the backseat, resting my head onto the headrest. An exasperated sigh escaped me.

I shouldn't have acted that way towards him, especially knowing everything that weighed on his shoulder. After all, we've been alone together for years, it wasn't his fault he was always so on edge.

Liam got into the car, and started the engine without saying a word. We drove in silence, the tension hanging between us as we made our way down the road.

Then, he let out a loud sigh.

“I'm just worried, sweetheart. After mum passed, it's just been…” his voice cracked. He didn't have to explain because we were together when everything happened.

“I'm sorry for causing a scene,” I said, raising my head to look at him. From the rearview mirror, his eyes were plastered onto the road, but his lips trembled.

He'd taken her death harder than I had. Maybe that was why he still struggled to let go, even though I'd made peace with it years ago.

Liam chuckled a little, then glanced at me. “You didn't cause a scene, Ellie. If anything, I did. Now, I have to explain to my teammates why I dragged you out.”

That should've been funny. It truly should, but knowing that Asher Lumen was part of his team was… nauseating.

I leaned back into my seat, staring up at my palms.

He was right. I needed to focus more on getting my degree, and keeping my scholarship. Everything was a distraction, especially that guy.

“Asher…” I muttered unconsciously, and before I realized what I had said, it was already too late.

Liam slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop. I lurched forward, almost knocking my teeth against the front seat.

He turned to me, his lips twisting into an unusual expression.

“He was at the party. Did he touch you?” The hatred and disgust in his voice sent rattles down to my spine.

How much did he dislike this guy?

Taken aback, I shook my head vigorously. This was a chance to tell him about Asher. About the party and how I spent the night with him… in his bed.

“I… I just heard he's taking some classes with me. I didn't know he studied psychology,” I stammered, so badly that I thought Liam would see through my lie.

He didn't, because he turned back to the road.

“He doesn't. He majors in business. Don't come close to him, he's a distraction.”

With those words said, he started the engine and sped off, this time without a word.

Asher had a way of affecting both of us, for better or worse. And for my dear brother, the effect was catastrophic. When we got home, I went straight to my room, and onto my bed.

Another mental note — a very important note to keep in mind: NEVER BRING UP ASHER LUMEN TO LIAM.