Page 19 of Casualties

Me

Yeah.It’s next weekend right?

Dad

Right.Well something came up at work and we are unable to attend.I know you hate those types of events, but I need someone from the family to be there to show support.Can you do me a solid and go?

Me

Ugh.Dad.I do hate those things.Do we really have to be there?

I see the dots pop up and wait as he types his response.

Dad

Son, please do this.I added two more seats to our table, so bring Morgan, Ainsley, and Cassie.

Me

Fine, fine.I’ll do it.

Dad

Great.Thank you.Your moms shipped your tuxedos to the local dry cleaner near you.They should be ready Friday.I'll have a car pick you guys up from your apartment at six Saturday evening.Talk soon, pal.

Me

Sounds good, Dad.

I groan as I drop my phone in the cup holder that sits between Morgan and I.Of course this happens when I already have so much going on.Other than my plan to meet up with Ainsley, I was shooting for school and work being the only things on my agenda for the next few weeks.Morgan notices my displeasure as I start the car up aggressively.

“So you want to tell me what text has your panties in a twist?”

“Don’t worry, once I tell you, your attitude will mirror mine.My dad is bailing on the fundraiser he and my mom were supposed to attend, which means you and I will be going in their place.He also had the bright idea to buy two extra seats at the table for Ainsley and Cassie.”He stiffens at that, and now he looks as displeased as I feel.

“Fuuuck…Dude, you know I hate those stupid-ass fundraisers.It’s a bunch of uptight rich people.Men talking about stocks and golf.Women talking about charities and summer houses.It’s fucking boring, and you’re telling me I have to sit through all of that with the Evil Queen herself?Fuck.”Yeah, that is exactly how I feel.Well, not about comparing Cassie to the Evil Queen, but everything else.

“I already agreed, and the moms shipped our suits to the cleaners, so it’s a done deal.”I turn the music up to drown out his disgruntled moans as he turns away from me, looking out the passenger window.

At this point, it is what it is.Glass half full, though: Ainsley will be there.With more one-on-one time, we can hopefully continue fixing whatever fucked us up.I start driving to the apartment, letting my mind drift off to what I will say to her tomorrow.As for the rest of the night…Morgan and I have a shit-ton of work to do.

EIGHT

AINSLEY

Cassie is already in pajamas under the covers while I settle into our dorm.This morning was a rollercoaster of emotions.Between everything that happened last night with Ace and Jackson, to this morning when Ace lit my body on fire, touching me in a way no one has before, then Morgan and Cass’s battle in the car, my mind is exhausted.I walk to Cass’s bed to talk to her, but see she has her headphones in.

I guess no talking for now.

I turn on the shower in our ensuite bathroom to an extremely high temperature.Hot enough to where your skin is bright red once you get out.I should be taking a cold shower to freeze this heated feeling in my core, but gross, who wants to take a cold shower?I choose to sizzle.

I lean against the shower wall, thinking about everything that went down last night.I have no idea why Ace lost his shit on Jackson for talking to me.It was just talking until…I kissed Jackson.I’ve never kissed anyone before.There was the time I thought Ace was going to kiss me when I read him my poem, but he didn’t, and I was left feeling stupid to think he ever would.I don’t know what came over me with Jackson, except I wanted to prove that Ace can't tell me what to do.

My mind travels to the brief,veryhot moment in his room this morning.I'm not sure what the hell that was.Ace has never touched me in a sexual way, and before I left for Stanford I was under the impression he never thought of me as anything more than his best friend's sister.

I groan out loud in frustration.

It took an entire summer for me to mend the wounds of my heart.That was slapping a Band-Aid on it and calling me better.Now I feel the Band-Aid is getting ripped off a scab that hasn’t fully healed yet, leaving a reopened bloody mess.Ace has me questioning everything between us all over again.It's like I'm back in my house, preparing to tell the boy I love just how deep my feelings go for him.

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