Chapter 28
1842words
I took Asher to the infirmary to get checked out. Adam had offered to take Storm to class for me, which I was grateful for. One less problem to deal with. I couldn't fucking believe Loki would do something like this. I really shouldn't have been surprised; it was who he was, after all. It just made zero sense as to why? I wasn't his girlfriend, and I wasn't even someone he was sleeping with. I was Adam's sister, Loki, and I wasn't even friends anymore. So why was he still acting like a protective arse? Did he think just because he couldn't have me, nobody could? Grow the fuck up.
I stood next to Asher while he sat upon the metal table, my eyes glued to the floor. He must have been saying something because the next thing I knew, he was shaking my shoulder.
“What, sorry?” I ask to look up at him.
“I was just saying thank you for stopping Loki. You didn't have to do that,” Asher repeated, his amber eyes missing their usual light.
“Don’t be silly. It’s my fault he wanted to beat the shit out of you in the first place,” I sigh, running my hands through my long curls.
“I brought that on myself,” Asher admits, rubbing the back of his neck. “I kind of told the guy's that I kissed you.”
“You did what!” I squeal, my eyes popping out of my head. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I really like you, and I kind of wanted to make Loki jealous,” Asher chuckles nervously. “Please don't hate me.”
“I don't hate you. I think you're stupid, but I don't hate you,” I tease, punching his arm playfully. He smiles, his eyes searching my face.
“You know my face really hurts,” He prompted, his eyes turning playful.
“Yeah, it looks like you took quite the beating,” I notice, my fingers gently touching his cheek again. Asher's hand hovering over mine. I meet his amber eyes. “What?”
“Well, you know, I heard that kissing can make you feel better,” Asher flirted, his eyes falling on my lips.
“I think Loki might have knocked a screw loose in you,” I tease, giggling at him.
“Maybe. I still want to kiss you, though,” Asher breathes, licking his lips. He leans toward me expectantly. Fuck it; maybe I can teach the guy to kiss properly. He did just take a beating for me. I press my lips to Asher's, kissing his first. He didn't hesitate a second before kissing me back, his lips following my lead. I put my hands around his neck, opening my mouth to him, my tongue licking across his lower lip. He opened, my tongue finding his, dancing ageists each other. Someone coughs behind me, making us both pull away, embarrassed.
“No kissing in the examination room,” The elderly Nurse commands, raking over us disapprovingly.
“Sorry”, We both murmured. Looking anywhere but at her or each other. She didn't seem to notice, instead moving forward, her hands already gloved.
“Fighting is ageist school rules,” The Nurse remarked disapprovingly, clicking her tongue. Wow, this old bat was a bitch.
“I know. Sorry, I wasn't the one to throw the first punch or any punches, to be honest,” Asher fumbles over his words awkwardly. She examines his face, prodding and pressing on it without much care, making Asher wince and curse.
“No swearing!” She barks. Making me giggle. Asher's eyes find mine dancing with amusement.
“If you’re not going to take this seriously, Miss Winters, then I must ask you to wait outside,” She turns on me, eyes displeased.
“Sorry, something tickled my throat,” I lie, coughing as if to clear it. She glares at me before turning back to Asher.
“Well, your defiantly going to have a nasty bruise here,” She says, poking the purple skin. “You haven't lost any teeth, thankfully, but it does look like you bit into your lip. You’re going to have some discomfort for a couple of days, but apart from that, you will be fine.”
“Can you give him anything for the pain or swelling?” I ask, earning me a glare from the Nurse.
“I can give him an ice pack for the swelling,” She said, opening a freezer under the counter to take out an ice pack; she handed it to me along with a cloth. Before storming out of the room. No goodbye, no thanks for coming it. Rude bitch. I shake my head, wrapping the ice pack in the cloth before pressing it gently to Asher's cheek.
“Thank you, Nurse,” He muses, smiling down at me.
“Shut up, nerd. Let’s go to class. You can walk me as you made me late,” I command, grabbing his bag along with my own before walking out the door. He smiles widely, following close behind.
(Loki)
I put off going to Adam's for as long as possible. I knew what he was going to say, how this conversation would pan out, and it wasn't good either way I played it. He knew something was up between Scarlett and me. Hell, the whole of six form had seen her basically bench me like a fucking bitch. I didn't actually care; you didn't get a reputation like mine by caring what people thought about you.
Shit. I took another long toke of my joint, needing it to chill me the fuck out. I couldn't get into a fight with Adam. It wasn't that I wouldn't win; it was because I would win that I wouldn't do it. He was Scarlett's brother, my best friend. I couldn't do that to either of them; there was no turning back from that. So if he swung for me, I would take it like a fucking man. It’s not like I didn't deserve it. I did. I deserved a hell of a lot worse. It was Adam's sister for fuck sack. If the roles had been revered and he was a fuck boy who was after Storm. I'd do a lot worse than that. Fuck. I was in trouble.
That was without even considering Adam approved of Asher. Yes, Asher was a good guy. He would treat her right. But that doesn't mean I liked it. Adam had told me to stay away from her; I was his best friend.
In comparison, Asher was a fucking stranger. Yet Adam trusted him with Scarlett over me? Scarlett was my family. I knew I had a reputation, but I would never do anything to hurt her. Hell, I hadn't even fucked another girl in over three weeks. I wanted Scarlett. She was fucking with my head, and I didn't like it. I needed to get her out of my system, which is precisely the kind of thinking that got me into this mess in the first place.
I took another long toke, throwing the butt into the ashtray, breathing the smoking into my lungs, before letting it out. I couldn't put it off any longer. I needed to confront my demons. Or, in my case, Scarlett's big brother. I walked through the house and straight out the front door. Going over to their home. I didn't even need to knock. Adam came to the door within seconds of me entering their yard. His eyes were unyielding.
“You took your fucking time,” Adam growled.
“I had shit to do,” I shrug off, walking past him into the house, keeping my hands in my pockets. I wander into the living room, not bothering to sit down. It wasn't going to be a long conversation. Adam glared at me, not saying anything, his arms crossed over his chest, an expectant look in his eyes.
“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I grumble.
“You can start by telling me what the fuck is going on with you and why you’re suddenly so interested in my sister's business,” Adam questions, looking both angry and betrayed.
“Nothing, man, I'm just looking out for her,” I deflect, trying to keep my temper in check.
“Bullshit!” Adam dismisses, moving closer to me, his hands clenching and unclenching. “Stop lying. Tell me the truth, you fancy her!” He demanded. I thought about lying, tell him what he wanted to hear. But there was no point; he couldn't hold it ageist me for thinking she was hot. I couldn't name one straight guy that didn't.
“I'm not fucking blind; she is obviously attractive,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck.
“She's my sister, you piece of shit!” Adam growls.
“Yet, you let Asher date her!” I counter, feeling rage stir inside me. Calm down. Calm the fuck down.
“I don't like it. But at least Asher's not a man whore like you. He's been in love with her for years!” Adam argues, moving closer.
“You think he's better than me?! Scarlett will never be happy with him; she deserves more,” I snap. I needed to stop before I said something I would regret, something I couldn't take back. But it was getting harder to keep my control.
“And you would know, right? Do you think you could make her happy? You’re a fucking Joke,” Adam dismissed, laughing bitterly.
“I've known Scarlett her whole life. I know shit about her that you don't even know. So excuse me for wanting what's best for her,” I deflect. Adam shakes his head, not even bothering to reply to my words.
“Tell me what's really going on, Loki. Are you jealous? Is that it?” Adam presses.
“Jealous?” I laugh. “Of him? That's a fucking joke, right?” I snicker.
“You are so jealous. And you don't even realise. You freaked out at the party, worse than I did. Followed her on her date. Beat up, Asher, when you found out he kissed her. How do you think she will ever fancy you after everything you did, everything you are. Is beyond me,” Adam remarked bitterly.
“Yet, she kissed me first,” I blurt, insistently regretting it as the words leave my lips. I had let Adam get under my skin. Now he knew. I had kissed his little sister. I didn't even see the punch coming until it was too late. His fist connected with my eye, and I staged back, unprepared for the blow. Pain throbbed in my skull, and my vision blurred. He had fucking baited me. Adam knew me better than I knew my own name. He knew I would slip up, my rage getting the better of me. I couldn't take that back. Scarlett was going to fucking hate me.
I didn't strike back. Instead, I find my balance, not meeting his eyes. Shame clear as day, written all over my face. My rage vanished.
“Get the fuck out!” Adam growled. I didn't insult him by begging for forgiveness; it wasn't my style anyway. I left without another word. Walking across the lawn to get to my own house. Before I could reach for the handle to my own front door, it opened.
