Page 22 of Charming
“Dude, are you going to introduce us or what?” One of them says with a smile. The other is standing there with his arms crossed and I can’t decipher the look on his face. There’s a touch of amusement, but wariness there as well.
“Ella, these are my friends, although right now I’m forgetting why.” He points at the one smiling first, “That’s Andy, and the other guy is Hunter.”
Clearing my throat I try to push away the slight embarrassment, “Hi, nice to meet you.”
Andy reaches his hand out, his smile growing, “Hi Ella, it’s nice to meet you.” His smile is wide and his blonde hair stands up straight on his head. He’s got a total surfer boy look going on. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that you’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“Oh, um, thank you,” I respond feeling awkward and glance at Asher to see a look on his face resembling pride as he nods his agreement.
“Hi, Ella,” Hunter says. “Asher and I have been friends since grade school, so I know him well. Considering that, mind telling me why you married him? I mean, I guess you could say he’s good looking, and he’s got the whole celebrity thing going for him, but I also happen to know that he has some really annoying habits too. For example-”
“Seriously, Hunter? Shut the hell up,” Asher laughs and pushes Hunter who then pushes him back and then they start mock wrestling each other until Asher’s phone starts ringing. He plucks it out of his shorts pocket and glances at the screen. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” He steps away to take the phone call.
Turning to Katie, I see her putting on her swimsuit cover up. “I’m going to go get all of us a bucket of beer from the bar. That cool with everyone?”
“Sure,” I shrug.
“I’ll come with you,” Andy says to Katie. “I think I want some food.”
“Dude, you’re always hungry,” Hunter says and Andy shrugs walking off with Katie, leaving Hunter and me alone.
Awkwardly, I turn to him, trying to think of something to say. “So, you said you and Asher have been friends a long time, how did you meet?”
His smile falls from his face and he stares into my eyes, “Cut the shit. I want to know what it is you’re after?”
My mouth falls open in shock at his complete about face, “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Asher is more than my friend; he’s like a brother. You may think he’s some stereotypical actor that lives fast and hard, but Asher isn’t like that. I’m not about to let you try and take him for some ride because you’re hoping to take advantage of his position and kindness.”
Completely struck speechless I’m not sure how long I stare at him before I shake off his words and start to get angry. Glancing over at Asher, I see his back is turned to us. Looking back at Hunter, I let the anger inside of me show on my face. “Excuse me? You have some nerve making an assumption like that. You don’t know shit about me.”
“Yeah well and you don’t know shit about Asher.”
“You’re right, I don’t, and this thing between us is exactly what I’m sure he’s already told you – a drunken suggestion that we clearly took too far. And we’ll handle it.” His face gives away nothing, but I keep going. “Whatyoudon’t know is that I’m a financially independent successful CEO of my own lucrative company. Not that it’s any of your goddamn business, but a relationship with Asher, in any shape or form, does not benefit me materialistically whatsoever. So fuck you. And fuck your assumptions, asshole.”
“Look, I’m sorry.” Hunter runs a hand through his hair in what appears to be embarrassment, but I’m past caring. “I’m just looking out for my friend, and I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t like this. He told me that you’re spending the week together,” he looks at me as if he wants confirmation, but I stare at him, giving him nothing. “I’m going to be keeping an eye on you. I don’t trust you, and I’ll do anything to protect him. He’s a good guy and I won’t let you ruin everything he’s worked so hard for.”
Before I can respond, Asher has returned, oblivious to what has transpired in his absence. “Sorry about that. It was my agent. I’ve been blowing her off so I needed to take her call.”
Looking away from Hunter, I smile into Asher’s face, “Everything okay?”
He returns my smile, “It’s fine.” He looks between Hunter and me, “You guys getting to know one another?”
Hunter smiles at Asher revealing nothing, “Yep. We sure are.”
Before I can even think about saying a word, Katie returns with a bucket of beer, “Alright, who’s drinking?” We all reach for a beer, Hunter and I plaster smiles on our faces and act like our conversation never took place, but I keep an eye on him out of the corner of my eye, and every time I look his way, our eyes meet making it clear he’s doing the same.
“What do you want to do tomorrow?” Asher asks me, sitting beside me on my chair, taking a sip of his beer.
“I’m not sure. What do you want to do?” Everyone around us is staring at our interaction and I feel uncomfortable. I don’t like being on display like a science project.
Likely seeing my discomfort, Asher stands and holds a hand out to me, “Come on, let’s cool off.”
Without a word, I place my hand in his and carrying our beer with us, we walk to the pool and enter it never letting go of our hands. The water is cool, but not cold, and feels great. The water isn’t deep – only four feet – and we walk to an empty corner, setting our beers on the concrete. I place my arms on the concrete and rest my head in them facing Asher. He does the same, facing me. “That’s better,” he smiles and I know he did this for my benefit. Gave us privacy. “So, I want to talk about this week.”
“Okay.”
“Is there anything you want to do that you haven’t done yet?”
