Chapter 26
2036words
The bowling alley was only half full, leaving us with two empty lanes on either side of ours. Asher had ordered us some drinks and food while I had set up our names. Nerd for Asher and Panda for me.
“Panda,” Asher read, peering at me. “Because you’re black and white today?” he guessed.
“Pandas are my favourite animal. Adam also used to call me Panda,” I clarify.
“Awh, I like it, and if you cry, your makeup smudges you look like a panda,” He teased, earning him a solid shove. “So aggressive!” He beams. Going to take his shot. He hit down seven, throwing again and scored a Spare.
“Nice! We should make a bet,” I suggest, jumping up.
“Oh yeah, what should we bet on?” he urges.
“If you win, I have to kiss you,” I suggest. Asher raises a brow at me.
“If you want me to kiss you, just ask,” He grins, stepping closer to me. His eyes roaming down to my lips. I laugh, pressing my hands to his chest to push him away.
“But if I win, you have to kiss Shawn,” I counter.
“Oh... well, that got interesting!” Asher cringes at the thought, “I don't want to kiss him, does the top of the head count?”
“No has to be on the lips!” I laugh. “If you want me to kiss you on the lips if you win, then it needs to be excel stakes”, I challenge.
“I can’t believe I'm agreeing to this. You better be worth it, Winters,” Asher accepts. I smirk, pleased with myself. I take my go. Getting a spare. We laugh and eat as we bowl. Challenging each other to throw with our eyes shut, backwards and superman throw, before getting seriously competitive. In the end, Asher won. Much to my disappointment, it had been very close, with only 10 points in it.
“No!!” I groan. “There was nothing in it!”
“So should I claim my prize now or wait till later?” Asher weighed, walking toward me. I squeal, grabbing my bag and jacket, before bolting it toward the pool tables on the other side of the venue. Asher howling laughter following after me. I can't believe I had made that bet; it sounded like a good idea at the time. I had always been the best at bowling when I played with Storm, Adam and Loki. It had been a few years since we had last played, and I still had the skill. It seemed Asher, however, had luck on his side.
When I neared the pool tables, I froze dead. Oh my god.... he didn't....no fucking way. Loki Morganstar, in all his glory, was leaning ageist the bar, beer in hand. His black eyes piercing, a smirk playing on his lips. Asher appeared by my side, his gaze following mine.
“Seems everyone's out tonight,” Asher noted dryly. I honestly felt bad for Asher, and maybe he had been right about watching his back. Apparently, if Loki couldn't have me, he would make it his mission so nobody could. I let my eyes fall to the floor. I should have known better than to get involved with someone like Loki.
“let’s take that table,” Asher suggested escorting me to the one furthers away from the bar. I put the pound in, releasing the balls into the shelf under the table. “I'll grab us another drink”, Asher offered, already walking away before I could answer. I didn't watch.
I concentrated on setting up the balls in the triangle and taking my sweet arse time to organise it. But curiosity got the better of me. I dared a glance up toward the bar.
I couldn't see their faces; their backs were to me as they stood shoulder to shoulder at the bar. I could tell it wasn't a pleasant conversation. The bartender handed Asher two drinks. God, I hope this one was alcoholic. I needed it.
I turned back to the table, pulling the triangle away before setting the white ball on the other side of the table. Then found us both a pool cue. Asher came back a moment later, handing me a drink. I take a sip. Thank god. Rum.
“Thank you,” I smile sweetly at him, handing him the other cue. “My break?”
“Ladies first,” He nods, returning my smile. I bend over the table, lining up the white ball before making the shot. The balls bouncing, making that oh so satisfying clink as they connect. I pocket both stripes and spots. I examine the table, ignoring the piercing black eyes watching me. I choice spots and missed my shot.
“You’re Stripes,” I tell him. Going back to my drink, on our nearby table. I dare another glance at Loki, he was with a group of guys I didn't recognise, but his eyes were focused solely on me; I felt naked under that gaze.
I heard the balls clink and looked back to our table. A blush creeping up my checks. Asher had sunk one and was lining up another shot. I tilted my head slightly, checked out his arse as he bent over the table. It wasn't bad. Clink. Another ball sank.
“Dam, glad I didn't put a bet on this game,” I joke, gaining me another grin from Asher.
“I wouldn't of minded having you further in my debt,” he teased, winking at me. Someone probably Loki coughed loudly. Great, he was listening to us. I ignored him.
“I'm not sure there is more I could offer you, Whitethorn,” I taunt back. Asher walks over to me, getting in my personal space as he leans over to take his drink. “I'm sure we could think of something,” He flirts, his voice low. Then, something smashes across the room, making us both jump. Asher spilling some of his drink down my chest. I yelp a little. Fuck, that was cold.
“Shit, I'm sorry, Scarlett, ” Asher apologised, offering me his jacket.
“Oh no, it's okay. I'm just going to use the ladies room,” I reassure him. Putting my own drink down before squeezing past him.
I purposely detour, walking past the bar where Loki had been. I gave him the eye and gestured for him to follow me. He strode over, a cocky grin lighting up his face. I grabbed Loki by the jacket when we were out of sight, pulling him into the disabled bathroom with me—making sure to bolt the door behind us. I turn to him, glaring.
“I've never gotten laid on somebody else's date before,” he smirked, reaching out to touch me. I push hard ageist his chest, making him stumble back ageist the door. “Woah, baby, steady on,” He teased, licking his lips as his eyes travelling up my body.
“Loki, I'm not going to have sex with you in a public bathroom!” I fume. Tempted to lash out ageist his perfectly sculpted chest. Err, he was so annoying. Why couldn't God have put Asher's personality in Loki's body, why was the world so cruel?
“So your place or mine?” He winked.
“Don't you have something better to do with your Saturday night than follow me around?” I question, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Someone's got to make sure he keeps his hands to himself,” Loki shrugged. Seeming totally okay with the idea of stalking me like some kind of creep.
“Loki, what I do on my date is none of your goddam business,” I snap. “You need to go home. Now. Or I swear to god I will shag him just to spite you,” I threaten, my eyes hard.
“He wouldn't dare touch you,” Loki shot back, getting in my face.
“You want to bet?” I breathe, making my voice like silk, letting my fingers trail over his chest. “I can be... quite persuasive,” I let my fingers trail over the top of his jeans. His breathing growing heavy.
“Go home, Loki, or I'll test that little theory of yours,” I purr before stepping back. Loki blinks at me several times, stunned. I smile mischievously. 1 to me, Loki zero. He swallowed, turning to the door. Then stopped.
“Promise me,” He urged. “I don't want his hands on you,” Despite, myself I nodded, realising he couldn't see me, I quickly responded.
“He won’t,” I confirm. Loki nodded, exiting the bathroom. I gave myself an extra minute to compose myself before leaving. Walking back over to Asher, a fake smile plastered on my face. We played two more games of pool, flirting, chatting and laughing together. Though I couldn't help feel a little guilty. Asher deserved better than me. Drama seemed to follow me around like I had a neon sign above my head. I just wanted for one night where I could have been a normal girl on a date with a normal guy. I didn't know if that was something I would ever be able to offer Asher, even if we had a great time.
Asher drove me home at the end of the night. Parking the car a small distance away from my house. Far enough that we couldn't get overlooked, but close enough, he could watch me get to my door. I turned to him, a smile tugging at my lips.
“I'm sorry,” I sigh, looking up to meet his eyes. “I didn't know Loki was going to follow us.”
“You don't need to apologise to me, Scarlett. You’re a very desirable woman. You’re always going to have some guy trying his luck with you,” Asher points out “that's not going to scare me off,” He smiles his eyes trailing over my face.
“We did have a good time, despite everything,” I volunteered, giving him a sweet smile.
“I'm glad; I was hoping you would say that,” He remarks. His hand reaching up to cup my face, his fingers feather-light as they brush my skin. He leans forward, his eyes drifting to my lips. I didn't pull away as he moved closer. I looked down at his lips. His mouth inches from mine, giving me plenty of time to pull away. But I didn't. Then Asher pressed his lips ageist my own, a slow, soft kiss. I moved my lips ageist his. It was sweet, romantic. Then he pulled away. Leaning back ageist the leather seat. A small smile on his lips.
“You’re really beautiful, Scarlett Winters,” Asher remarked. “I don't need an answer straight away, but I'd really like to see you again. Maybe next time, I could kiss you without there being a bet?” He remarked hopefully. I smiled at him, giving him a slight nod.
“I should probably get back,” I declare, opening the car door.
“I'll walk you,” He agreed, opening his own door and stepping out. We walked side by side to my front door, not saying much. Asher's keeping his hands in his pockets. I wanted to say something to break the awkward silence that was building between us, but I didn't know what to say. Finally, we got to my door, and I turned to him, a smile tugging at my lips.
“Thank you for everything. I'll see you on Monday, I guess. Storm should be back to school then too,” I mumble, feeling really awkward.
“Yes, I'll see you on Monday,” Asher repeats. I could feel someone's eyes on me; that wasn't Asher's. Fantastic. I just hopped it was Adam and not Loki. I stepped toward Asher, awkwardly wrapping my arms around him, bringing him into a hug. Asher arms insistently wrapped around me, his head resting on my shoulder. I felt his breath tickle my cheek as he inhaled my scent deeply. His scent filling my nose. He smelt like freshly cut grass and clean clothes. It wasn't a bad smell. I finally pulled back.
“Bye,” I smiled one last time before heading into the house.
“Bye”, He replied before I disappeared inside, leaving Asher standing there alone. I leaned back ageist the front door and letting out a shaky breath. My head was doing somersaults. But before I could possess any of it. Adam's footsteps came strolling toward me. I looked up, meeting his eyes. He smiled weakly at me.
