The Version of Me You Wanted

"By the way, Asher, what was it like being abused by thirteen people?"

Finn glanced back at me, one arm around Evelyn's shoulders, curiosity all over his face.

I froze.

Before I could react, Evelyn lightly tapped his forehead. "That's nasty stuff. You don't need to hear about it."

Then she looked at me, completely indifferent. "I spoiled Finn. He doesn't mean anything by it. Don't take it personally."

Finn smirked at me, waiting for me to blow up like I used to.

But I stayed calm. "An orphan who was never taught manners wouldn't know any better. Why would I care?"

With Evelyn protecting him in Hawthorne Bay, no one had dared bring up Finn's past in years.

His smile faltered, then came right back. "Yeah. Evelyn feels sorry for me, just like you do. That's why she even gave me the Andersen family heirloom ring."

It was the keepsake Mom had left me. I'd fought Finn over it countless times.

Now, I barely glanced at it. "Keep it if you want."

I paused. "I don't like things other people have touched anyway."

After our parents died, I couldn't stand the thought of leaving Evelyn alone, so I chose to stay in this world with her.

But now that I was leaving, I couldn't take any of this with me. Evelyn could give it to whoever she wanted.

When Finn didn't get the reaction he wanted, his smile disappeared.

Evelyn looked stunned too, irritation slipping into her voice. "Asher, you almost came at me with a knife over that ring. Now you're saying you don't want it? If you want it back, just say so. What's with the attitude?"

I shrugged. "I really don't care. What do you want me to say? Fine. Give it back. Will you?"

Evelyn went quiet, her face darkening. "You're not supposed to react like this..."

I gave a faint smile.

Apparently, Evelyn still remembered the me from three years ago.

Back then, I slapped Finn for the first time while trying to take back the keepsake our parents had left me.

In return, the heir to one of Hawthorne Bay's most powerful families was dragged downtown by his own sister and slapped a hundred times in public.

By the end, my mouth was split at the corners. The pain and humiliation nearly swallowed me whole.

"That's hilarious. Of course he cares. Dude just got out after three years in prison. Now he's acting like he doesn't care so everyone feels sorry for him."

I hadn't heard that voice in three years.

Hearing it again felt like another lifetime.

I turned. My ex-fiancée, Natalie Carlson, stood in the doorway with her hands in her pockets.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. We grew up together. You're not exactly marriage material anymore, but I still came to see you."

She gave a smug little laugh. "If you behave and treat Finn right, maybe I'll lower my standards.

"You'd only be my side piece, though. And you'd better show Finn some respect."

Finn looked way too entertained.

Everyone in Hawthorne Bay knew I was crazy about Natalie. I even had her tattooed across my entire back.

My eyes dropped to the bright red mark on her neck.

"But you disgust me."