Chapter 4
Jamie took me to Luna Lounge for a drink or three.
The second I got into the ca
the car, Brandon’s name lit up on my phone.
I declined the call.
He called again.
I put it on silent.
Jamie glanced at me through the rearview mirror, cautious but curious,”
“He didn’t chase after you? Just let you walk out like that?”
I pulled the corners of my lips into a dry smile.
“He was naked.”
Jamie smacked the steering wheel.
Motherf–what the hell.”
She exhaled hard, then asked, “So who is she? The side piece–you recognize her?”
I thought of the keychain in my coat pocket.
Ashl
Monroe.
Jamie frowned. “Ashley… wait, that sounds familiar.”
“We’ve met her before.”
“We?” she repeated, eyebrows shooting up as the gears turned–then suddenly, her eyes widened..
“No way–It’s that girl?!“!
Half a year ago, Brandon had joined us for a casual day of shopping. He’d gone to get us coffer while Jamie and I browsed.
Suddenly, chaos broke out in front of one of the escalators.
A group of women were beating a girl to the ground, screaming insults, spitting threats. It was brutal.
The girl looked terrified, trying to shield her face, her voice shaking as she pleadeds
“You’ve got the wrong person! I swear, I’m not some homewrecker!”
One of the women yanked her up by the hair, shouting. “You think we’re blind?! He spent all his damn money on you!”
“You shameless slut either cough up the cash or I’m stripping you naked so everyone can see exactly how you seduced him!”
Then came the slap–sharp and violent.
The girl staggered, bolted, and crashed straight into me.
I gasped and stumbled back
Just in time, someone caught me–Brandon, back with our drinks.
He steadied me, murmuring gently, “You okay?”
Security arrived and broke up the fight, escorting the attackers out.
The girl, face tear–streaked and dress dirty, ran to us, begging
“Please, they’re probably waiting outside to jump me again! Can I get a ride with you? Please?”
She must’ve seen the suspicion in my eyes, because she quickly pulled out her keychain and thrust it forward.
“I swear, I didn’t do anything. My name’s Ashley Monroe–I’m a sophomore at Rosebridge University. Ballet major.”
“I post dance videos online. That’s all I do, I promise. They’re just crazy jealous!”
She kept pleading with wide, tear–filled eyes–voice trembling, phone in hand–like I was the only person who could save her.
Her dress had footprints on it. Her shoes were gone.
And I softhearted idiot that I was told Brandon to drive her home.
On the ride, she’d asked what we did for work
When she heard Brandon was a lawyer, she lit up and asked for his card, Said she might need help “if this ever happens again.
“We should’ve left that fake–ass ballerina on the sidewalk” Jamie groaned from the driver’s seat, practically growling
“Bet she had her eyes on Brandon from the moment she got in the damn car.”
I didn’t respond.
But I couldn’t forget I couldn’t forget how Brandon looked at her tonight, carrying her gently from the bathroom with soft, protective eyes, as if she were fragile.
I curled my fingers into a fist.
She knew how to cry pretty, and Brandon Carter–apparently, he couldn’t resist a good performance.
