Page 72 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
“Putmethrough that?”
The embers in the hearth crackle as more of them die and turn to ash.
“I thought maybe there was a way we could make this work. But it’s obvious now it won’t.”
“Because one drunk asshat took a swing at me?”
“It won’t just be him.”
“I don’t care, Jasper. You protected me, Olivia protected me, Todd, Simon, Katie, Mason. We have friends, we don’t have to do this alone.”
My voice has risen and echoes in the rafters. Jasper looks stricken; his eyes glance to the exits—he’s terrified someone might hear us.
“Wearealone,” he says. “I’m sorry. I know… I know this isn’t what you wanted.”
My jaw starts quivering, and I want to argue, to tell him he’s being a dick, acting like the jerk from the summer. But I don’t say anything. It’s one U-turn too many. I can’t keep fighting, keep chasing him.
“Is that how you really feel?” I ask, voice trembling.
“Yes.”
“Then so be it.”
Jasper looks up, shocked, as if he has any right to be. I’m giving him what he wants. I’m backing down.
Before he can say anything else I turn and leave. Passing the fireplace, I notice the embers have gone dark. Soon they’ll be cold too.
WHERE YOU STAND
“What’s up?!” Aisha says, her face beaming through my phone screen. “Merry Christmas, dude. How’s that mountain air treating you?”
The sun is shining too brightly through a gap in my curtains, I rub my eyes and lie back on my pillows.
“Merry Christmas,” I croak. “The mountains are…wild. How are things with you? What did you get up to yesterday?”
There’s so much I need to tell Aisha, but for the moment I just want to hear her talk and pretend like I’m back in New York.
“It’s pretty chill here to be honest. My parents took Troy and me out for dinner in the West Village, and look what Troy got me.”
She holds her wrist up to the camera so I can see. She’s wearing a delicate silver chain with a sparkling wolf charm dangling from it like a Christmas bauble.
“Ohhh pretty,” I say.
“Isn’t it gorge? He’s the best.”
“And what did you get him?”
“He thinks we need to spend more time together, so I got us tickets for a couples cooking class.”
“Fun.”
“So lame, right? He also got a new Xbox game, because, you know, straight guy so…”
I laugh and for a second I’m glad someone is in a normal, happy relationship.
“But enough about me, what’s going on with you? Is Jasper behaving himself?”
I give her a look and immediately she knows something’s up.
