Page 15 of Casualties

“You’re just saying that to be nice.”Ace is looking at me in a way he has never looked at me before.

“I’m not at all; I'm serious.It was—wow!I don’t have words.”

I don’t know how it happens, but we gravitate closer to each other where we sit on my bed, thighs touching.He’s so close to my face, if I leaned even an inch, our lips would touch.

“Ace?”I stupidly break the lingering eye contact.He coughs, but doesn’t say anything, shifting the mood.It’s an uncomfortable silence, so I try to break it.

“Hey, I’m sure Morgan will be home soon, so you should probably head downstairs.I think Mom and Dad are bringing home takeout.”He stands up quickly.

“Right, yeah.I should, um.You’re amazing.”

“I am?”I try to mask a smile at his words.

“Your poem is amazing,” he corrects.My heart sinks, but hey, at least he thinks something about me is amazing.

“Right, the poem.Thanks for listening.”I smile at him, genuinely appreciating his attempt to make me feel better.

“I’m always here for you, Ains.Just say the word and I’ll make those dipshits eat their insults.I’ll see you downstairs.”

I want to stop him.

“Is Ashley Jacobs your girlfriend?”Cue the damn word vomit.Shit.That was a weird question to ask.Why would I care?

“I don’t have girlfriends, Ains.”.

“Oh ok, she’s just always hanging around you.”I need to play this cool.“Why don’t you have girlfriends?”I ask nervously.Why am I asking?This is none of my business.

“I guess I’m just waiting for the right girl to come along.”He holds my gaze for what seems like longer than he should.He sighs, and I swear I hear him mumble something under his breath, but I'm not sure what.

"Ains, you good?"Ace’s hand is on my shoulder, lightly nudging me out of the random flashback—a memory that once had me convinced Ace Maddox saw me as more than a friend or his best friend's little sister.

How does he have a copy of my poem?I’m so confused, because a boy who said horrible things about me shouldn’t be holding onto a moment I once kept dear to my soul.

“I’m fine.Um...How do you have a copy of my poem, and why is it pinned up?”I ask, needing the reason.

“Oh, that.Your poem was beautiful.I saw your notebook downstairs one day, and made a copy of it.”He turns toward me and reaches for a strand of hair that falls around my face.Softly, he brushes it back behind my ear.I shake as I feel his fingertips slide along the backside of my ear, down to my lobe.

“I thought you were just saying that to make me feel better.I never knew you meant it.”

He reaches for my hand and I let him grab it.“I would never tell you something that wasn’t true, Ains.I love your writing and I was your biggest supporter.That hasn’t changed.”I nod my head, because I honestly am not sure what to say.

"Can I have something more comfortable to wear for pajamas?"I ask nervously.Butterflies take flight in my stomach at the thought of wearing Ace's clothes.He walks to his dresser, opens the drawer, and tosses me a black t-shirt.

"I'm going to sleep on the couch downstairs.I'll see you in the morning."Without another word from either of us, he leaves me in his room alone.

SIX

AINSLEY

My eyes flutter open slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep.Unforgiving sunlight filters through the window, causing my head to twinge with pain.I lift my heavy head up off the pillow and begrudgingly walk to the bathroom, because Lord knows I have to fucking pee.Luckily Ace’s bedroom has its own bathroom.

I wash my hands after doing my business, and notice a toothbrush.I spread some toothpaste on the bristles and start to brush my teeth.It’s gross to use someone else’s toothbrush, but I’m desperate to get this fuzzy texture off of my teeth.I could kill someone with this dragon breath.I cup my hand, getting water from the faucet to rinse, and a second time to take a drink.The water is cold, and I can tell the few drinks I had last night made me dehydrated.

I hear voices coming from downstairs, so I move toward the noise.In the kitchen, I see Morgan and Cassie sitting at the bar—if you can call it sitting.They are both hunched over, laying their faces on the countertop.Ace is at the stove, cooking what smells like eggs and bacon.

Ah, it smells so good!And I’d love some toasted sour?—

My thoughts are cut off.“Good morning.I just popped two pieces of sourdough in the toaster when I heard you walk down the stairs.Butter is there, and I sliced some tomatoes, sprinkled with that bagel seasoning you like.”He looks cocky.It is my favorite breakfast.

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