Page 13 of Casualties

Ace glares at me with pure venom, but doesn’t say anything… yet.I follow behind him, keeping my distance, because… fuck him.This man blinds me with rage.He has no right to act like an alpha dickhead, metaphorically peeing on me to claim his territory.Is it just a pride thing?Why would he care?

We get to the Gen 1 Ford Bronco Ace has been working on since his parents bought it for his fifteenth birthday.It has come a long way.I slide my hand along the matte cream exterior.It has a leather vintage rag top that I have always loved.Who doesn’t love the top down in a car?The interior is new—he must have replaced it while I was away.I always dreamed of him loving me like he loves this car.

“What’s the issue, Maddox?”I ask once we’re on our way.His eyes are focused on the road in front of him, hands gripping the wheel so tight, his knuckles are turning white.

“You have dorm security, right?”He sighs, still refusing to look at me.

“Yes.”

Ace flips his car around and starts driving the way we came from.

“You have dorm security, and that means you won’t be able to get a drunk Cass in without being noticed.You both are staying at our apartment.”He doesn’t look put out in the least at this.I know he is right, but I never planned to spend the night at their apartment.

“Fine, but I hope you have a comfortable couch.”He might think I mean for us to sleep on, but no.Cass and I will either take one of their beds and they can share the other, or both can sleep on the couch and we will take each of their beds.He doesn’t respond, but it’s fine… he’ll get it.

* * *

Their townhouse is nice, and nothing like the frat house we were just at.The living room is spacious, with a dark brown coffee table and end tables that match the leather sectional perfectly.Sand-colored walls offset the dark décor, giving the room some semblance of brightness.They have a massive flat-screen TV and a bunch of other electronics I couldn’t describe.I walk into the house following behind Ace, while Morgan holds Cass up as best he can.

“I’m going to take her upstairs, I’ll be down soon.”Morgan is drunk and you can tell by his slurred speech, yet he’s still somehow composed.I smile and nod to him, thankful I’m not the one who has to take care of her tonight.

“Do you want something to drink?”Ace asks me in a deep tone, gesturing toward the kitchen.

I feel like being a brat.

“Sure, got any bourbon?”I offer up a confident smile with a subtle wink.He’s not amused.He forces a side-cocked smile, shaking his head no.

“Yes, we have bourbon.Will I give you any?Not a chance in hell.”He tosses me a water bottle with a sarcastic smirk on his face.Water it is, but in all honesty I didn’t want bourbon.I wanted to rile him up, and I’m not sure why.I should just go to sleep and continue ignoring his presence, but he makes it really hard to do that.

I’m apparently incapable of making good decisions when he’s involved.

“Why were you such a prick to Jackson?All we did was talk.”I know I shouldn’t want to carry on a conversation with him, but I ignore that part of my brain.

“He was too close to you, and you did more than talk.You’re too good for him.”The breath he lets out after saying that is long.I’m so over this overprotective, controlling behavior.

“So what?No one can get close to me?If I’m not hanging out with you, Morgan, and Cass, then I can’t hang out with anyone?”I shift my body toward the bar stool and have a seat, gesturing for him to continue.

“That’s not what I’m saying.I just think you should be focusing on college.If you feel the need to meet new people, then make sure it’s people worth meeting.Jackson is a tool, and the biggest fuckboy in school.He doesn’t deserve your attention.”He brushes his hand through his hair aggressively.

“What makes you any different?A little judgmental, don’t you think?”He’s a manwhore, and shouldn’t judge Jackson for indiscretions he himself indulges in.

“So you think I’m a fuckboy?”He tries to stifle a laugh as he asks.

“I think you sink your dick into anything that walks, regardless of what kind of person they are.What makes you any better than Jackson?”Shit!I know I shouldn’t have said that.It’s going to lead to more questions I’m not willing to answer.

“Exactly what kind of person do you think I am, Ains?And since when do you talk like this?”He looks at me incredulously.

“A lot has changed, Ace; I have changed.I’m not a little girl who needs you guys to protect me all the time.I grew up, and you both need to deal with it.”Rolling my eyes at his stunned expression, I drive on.

“Don’t think for a second your opinion influences me in choosing who I spend time with.You or Morgan.I’m a big girl and can handle myself.”There, now the conversation should be over, but that’s wishful thinking on my part.

“This isn’t you.You aren’t the girl that goes to parties and gets drunk.You're not the girl who lets frat boys flirt with you.”The level of audacity this man has is beyond words.Fucking prick.He’s still pissed at me for kissing Jackson.But he doesn’t know me, not anymore.I am a changed woman, and he doesn’t get to rain on my parade.

“It’s been an entire summer since you’ve seen me, and a lot can change.Did you want me to stay your little nerdy follower forever?You need to get over it and move the fuck on.I have no interest in diminishing myself for you.”I square up my shoulders with pride.

Ace mutters something under his breath.I can’t make out what he said, and choose not to ask.

“Can you show me what room I’m sleeping in?I have no intention of sleeping on the couch.”It's then I realize Morgan hasn’t come down from putting Cass to bed, and I’m curious to know where he ended up crashing.Hopefully it’s in Ace’s bed so I can go to sleep with Cass in his room.

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