Page 44 of Casualties

“Ainsley, it’s so nice to meet you.I am Levi Davis, Jackson’s father.I've heard nothing but wonderful things from my son.”I know what he says is a lie.He was just as surprised as I was that Jackson introduced me as his girlfriend.

“Nice to meet you, sir.You have a beautiful home.”As he shakes my hand, I notice the subtle way his eyes skim down to my bare legs, then back up to my face.Gross, I was just checked out by Jackson’s old dad.I quickly take my hand out of his as Jackson scoffs, obviously seeing the quick eye-fuck he gave me.

“Ainsley, why don’t you walk around and explore downstairs?I need to meet with my father in his office for a few.”

“It was nice to meet you, Ainsley.I look forward to Jackson bringing you over again.”The way he says that sends a chill down my spine.Regardless of his handsome features, he gives me the ick.

“Yeah, sounds good.”We part ways, and I roam through each room, eyeing the beautiful matching furniture and décor.I didn’t miss Jackson telling me his mom is never here, but his parents are still married—I saw the wedding ring on his dad’s left hand.Maybe Mr.Davis gives her the ick too, and she chooses to stay away.Still, that seems sad for Jackson.It’s obvious he doesn’t get along with his dad.

* * *

Twenty minutes later, Jackson walks down the stairs looking more irritated than he was before.When he notices me standing at the front door with my shoes back on, he fixes his face back into a smile.“Did you get everything you needed?”I’m not asking what his dad needed him to pick up, just trying to break the tension.

“Yeah I did.Let’s go.”Short and to the point.He holds my hand as he walks me out of his lavish family home.

“Hey, is everything okay?You look angry,” I ask with concern.

“I’m fine.My dad has this way of constantly putting me on edge.The work he has me doing is—” Abruptly, he stops what he was going to say and tries to close the door but I stop him.

“Jackson, it’s okay, you don’t have to explain if you don’t want to.”I give him the out.He has some deep-rooted issues with his father, and we just started dating.

“Yeah it’s a long story, maybe for another day.”I nod, taking that as his answer.“I have some errands to run, so I’m going to drop you off at your dorm, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine.I want to get ahead on some assignments for the week,” I say, not wanting to sound too excited at the idea of going home.

Once in the driver’s seat, he turns to face me as I do the same.His hands come up to my face, pulling me in for a kiss.It’s nothing remarkable, no tongue, but sweet nonetheless.A smile forms on my lips as he kisses me again.

I break the kiss when my phone dings from multiple incoming texts—I took my phone off “do not disturb” when I got in the car.I open them, immediately regretting not waiting until I got home.

Ace

I don’t care what your brother says.You and Jackson are not happening.End it or I will find a way to make you end it.

Then another text after that.

Ace

Try to understand that I am only looking out for you.He's bad news.

The last text pops up.

Ace

I guess you are choosing to be a bad girl.Fine have it your way, but your bratty behavior will not go unpunished.

I quickly black out my screen, turning my phone over on my thigh.I look over at Jackson to see he's staring at me.

“Who was that?”he asks with an accusatory bite.Why does he need to know who's texting me?“It was Ace.He was asking if I knew where Morgan was.”Great, now I'm a liar.

He nods slowly, letting my answer ferment in his mind, not necessarily believing me.“Ainsley.”He rarely calls me by my name.“You’re my girl, and while I can understand you have a history with yourbrother's best friend,” I don’t miss his emphasis on brother’s best friend.“I hope you can put effort into what you and I could be, and not continuously give your attention to someone that doesn’t deserve it.”

I read him loud and clear: he's not cool with Ace and I being friends.I don’t agree with his approach, but I do agree with the fact that Ace and I should not be constantly around each other.Not if I want Morgan’s suspicions to subside, and not if I truly want to give a relationship with Jackson a chance.

The dynamic between Ace and I needs to change.He is in no place to control who I choose to date, and if he pushes me, I'll push back.

TWENTY

ACE

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