Chapter 20

The second the words come out of my mouth, Ashton’s body goes stiff beneath me. “What?” he asks in a whisper.

I look up at him , still laying on his chest. “I think that we should tell our families. About you and me being together.”

“No.” His voice is low, firm, and resolute. “We can’t tell them.” He sits up, moving me off of his chest. Ashton scoots back against the wall, putting space between us.

Slowly, I sit up, looking at him. His face is full of fear, trepidation, and anger.

“Why not, Ash? We’re in love. We’ve been together for months. Sure, Matt will be upset, but he’ll get over it once he sees how happy we are. How happy you make me. And our parents…I think that our parents will be happy, too.” I don’t understand what’s got him so upset that he’s got that look on his face.

But he’s shaking his head no, a fast back and forth. “No. Matt will kill me. He thinks that I’m a player. He’ll beat the absolute shit out of me for even thinking about you that w