Page 23 of Forgotten Prejudice

I brushed my fingers over the place Kai had punched me, deep down believing I deserved it. On top of it all, my wrist was killing me. It didn’t seem broken, but I was pretty sure I sprained it when I fell. Taking a deep breath, I checked myself in the rearview mirror. I looked like shit and felt even worse, and I wasn’t at all prepared to face Mom or Aiden. They’d ask questions, and knowing me, I’d probably tell them everything, which I didn’t want to do. What Kai did to me tonight was wrong, and I knew Mom and Aiden would see this as an assault, while I… it was complicated. Kai shouldn’t have used me the way he did, and I shouldn’t have allowed myself to be used, but I did, and the last thing I wanted was for someone to interpret what happened between us the wrong way. Because even if I felt dirty as fuck, with Kai’s dried cum still coating my thighs, I’d agreed to it. While he was drunk and probably high on some crap, I was sober and still chose to be used.

I had no idea what made me pick up my phone next and dial Soren’s number, but he’d already answered before I could stop to reconsider it.

“Ashton.” His voice, soft as always, was like a medicine to my aching heart.

Closing my eyes, I breathed in and enjoyed this slight comfort.

“Ashton, are you there?” he asked again since I hadn’t spoken yet.

“Yes, I’m here, sorry…”

“Is everything okay? You sound off.”

Nothing’s okay—absolutely nothing.

“Sorry I called,” I muttered while fisting the sleeve of my hoodie. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”

The line went quiet for a few seconds until Soren spoke again.

“Where are you?”

“In my car.”

“Did you have anything to drink?”

I shook my head.

“Ashton?”

“No… No, I didn’t.”

“Are you capable of driving? Or do you want me to come and pick you up?”

He’s so damn considerate.

“Yes.”

“Yes, what? You didn’t answer my question.”

I’m so pathetic.

“Yes, I can drive.”

“Good.” He let out a breath of relief. “I’ll text you my address, and you come over here, okay?”

I hoped he would say that, and now that he had, I felt guilty. Was it okay for me to go over there and seek his comfort, considering what I’d done with Kai? Was it okay for Soren to hold me while I was still wearing Kai’s traces?

“Ashton.” Soren’s firm voice snapped me back to focus. “I’m waiting for you.”

Closing my eyes, I nodded to myself.

It’s about time I be selfish, too.

“I’m coming.”

After driving all the way to West Hollywood, I arrived at Soren’s house. It wasn’t exactly a building but more of a combination of luxury condos built close to one another with a private park in between, making the whole residence look like a fancy resort.

Reaching Soren’s door, I rang the bell, then stepped back and shoved my hands into my jeans pockets. I had no fucking idea what I was doing here, looking this dirty and cheap. Soren would probably have one look at me before realizing I was nothing but a lame-ass kid, then kick me out.