Chapter 2

I had to lie to Jane about my shoulder. If I had given her an edited version of what really happened it would only open the door to a zillion questions. I also didn’t think telling them my new boyfriend beat my old boyfriend into a bloody broken pulp would have been clever after the length we went to, to keep it secret. Billy and Joe had replaced everything in the diner by the next morning. We quit working at Luke’s after Sabrina’s attack and constant lurking around the place. My sisters’ and I always had to go out with an escort, which I didn’t mind because I spent more time with both Ash and my dad.

“Josh and Jane, meet my family. You remember my sisters?” I spoke fast to save Josh before he shrunk an inch more.

“Yes. Ann and Maria, it’s nice to see you again,” Josh answered politely.

“That’s Billy, Ann’s boyfriend and Joe, Maria’s boyfriend.”

“Lucky girls,” Jane muttered under her breath as her eyes travelled over Billy then Joe. Josh wasn’t too pleased about it, but he quickly hid his displeasure under a polite smile.

“And this is my…” I stopped, not sure how to introduce my dad. Everyone knew I was an orphan, calling him my dad would rouse questions none of us wanted to answer. “This is my uncle.”

“I thought as much, there is a slight family resemblance. It’s nice to meet you sir.” Josh shook his hand respectfully. My dad smiled, impressed by him. His eyes practically sparkled. “We have to go, but it was a pleasure to meet all of you.” He pulled Jane away. She was still ogling the guys as she was dragged away.

“That girl is your friend?” Ann asked bemused.

I shrugged. “Not really. She only used to hang around me because Josh liked me. I just got used to having her around.”

“Why didn’t you date him?” my dad asked with a perplexed look on his face.

“I suggested it but it only upset her. He would have been perfect for her.” Ash spoke with a laugh in his voice. I gave him a cut look before I answered my dad.

“I don’t know. He’s just not my type.”

“Steve and Ash are? You are beyond saving,” my dad said shaking his head.

“I’m a rebellious teen, Dad. My job is to give you sleepless nights and an ulcer.”

“You are excelling at that perfectly. Come on let’s go home.” He turned and headed for his Range Rover.

I followed them, but Ash pulled me back. “We aren’t going with them. I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise,” I said with dread. “Please tell me it’s not expensive.”

He laughed and pulled me closer to him. “You made yourself very clear on the price tag of my gifts. I’m giving you an intangible gift.”

“What is it?” I was glad he hadn’t spent any money on me. I kept the diamond pendant tucked away in my shoebox but today I wore it because Maria had insisted on it. I’d worn it twice just to please Ash, but it always felt like an expensive noose around my neck.

“You’ll see.” His face dropped and then he looked over his shoulder. “Someone wants you.” He sounded annoyed. I shifted to look behind him. George was walking towards us.

I laughed. It was amusing seeing Ash so irritated with someone he didn’t know, all because he asked me out. “I should have dated him.”

“That’s not funny,” Ash said harshly.

“Hi, George.” I stepped out of Ash’s embrace to talk to him. I was actually surprised he wanted to talk to me at all.

“Hi, Lee, and Lee’s current boyfriend.” George stressed on the current as he glanced at Ash before putting all his attention on me. Ash didn’t even answer he just stared at George, his face tight and his eyes lethal. I needed to end this chat fast.

“What’s up?”

“I wanted to invite you out. Remember the rain check?”

I heard a rumble roll in Ash’s chest. I shifted to stand in front of him, between him and George. “Sorry, I have plans today.”

“We could go out another day, maybe this Saturday?”

“She won’t be available,” Ash said between clenched teeth. George gave him an unconcerned stare before he looked back at me with his signature megawatt smile on his face.

“You’re eighteen, play the field a little. You’ll never have that chance if you glue yourself to one guy.”

Ash took a step forward, bumping into me in the process. I reached for his side and put my hand over his clenched fist. George was going to have a bad graduation day if he kept talking.

“George, I’m happy being glued to him. We need to leave, and you need to go party. I’ll see you when I see you.”

“If you change your mind you have my number.” He leaned towards me and kissed the edge of my lips. I saw Ash’s free hand shoot up. I caught it, pulling it down before he could grab George’s neck.

“Bye, George.” I pushed Ash back as hard as I could, he rocked on his feet but he didn’t move. George turned and left us. I waited until there was a good distance between us before I let go of Ash.

“One day I’ll rip his head off!” He growled.

Time to shift gears.

I drew circles on his chest with my fingers and whispered seductively, “How about you give me my present and we forget all about George?”

 Ash’s face relaxed, his lips curved up in a crooked smile. “Let’s go.”