Page 13 of The Consequence of You
Somehow, he’s built up more of a rapport with Mr Charles in a couple of hours than I have in two years. And Robert Charles is the entire reason I started volunteering here in the first place.
At the thought of them becoming friends, my chest tightens. I’ve had plenty of time to talk to Mr Charles, to tell him how sorry I am for my part in how he ended up here, but I’m nothing but a coward.
Every week I turn up here, trying and failing to find the courage to tell him the truth.
Now Asher is volunteering here, it’s going to be even harder to talk to him.
I need to get out of here and clear my head. I turn onmy heel and rush down the corridor to the staff room to get my things.
I grab my bag and coat and I’m halfway out of the door when Asher’s large form blocks my exit. He nods at my hand clutching my car keys to my chest.
“Going somewhere?”
I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing I’m upset, so I just nod and try to squeeze past him. Except at the last minute, he drops his arm and blocks my way. I’d have to seriously shove past him to get out of the room, so I step back.
“Excuse me. Can I get past, please?”
“No.”
“Please?”
“Our shift doesn’t finish for a few hours, Calliope. Where are you rushing off to?”
“I’m going home.”
Asher makes a show of checking his watch.
“Bit early for that isn’t it? It’s only two o’clock. Why are you leaving?” Of course he won’t let me pass, he’s making it his life’s mission lately to annoy me. I don’t have the energy to argue with him today, so I ignore his question.
“Please let me go, I need to leave.” Despite my best efforts to not have him notice I’m upset; it’s getting harder to hide it. He tilts his head, studying me in a way that has me feeling exposed. After a few seconds he speaks, his tone soft, thoughtful even.
“I could let you pass, but I don’t like the way you’re being so cryptic, so I’m not going to. You clearly don’t want to tell me why you’re running out of here, so I’ll drop it for now, but I know Grayson and Dahlia would string me up by my balls if I let you run off when something isclearly bothering you. So don’t tell me. That’s fine. But I’m not letting you leave.”
Is he for real? Since when does he look out for me on behalf of our friends, and why now? No doubt he’s just using it as an excuse to be his usual infuriating self.
Exasperated, I shove my things back in my locker and slam it shut.
“Fine. You win. I’ll finish my shift.”
The grin that splits his face is sudden and striking, and the surprise of it takes my breath away for a second. I don’t think, no,I know, I’ve never been on the receiving end of a genuine Asher Pennington smile before. It’s devastating, and it makes him even more physically attractive, if that’s possible.
My mouth dries and I look away before he sees my reaction. Jesus Christ, it’s a good job he doesn’t do it regularly, as I’m not sure there’s a woman alive who would be able to think straight in the presence of that look. No wonder he’s got away with so much shit over the years. He is beautiful.
Damn him.
When I look back at him, he’s almost preening. The prick knows the effect he’s just had on me.
We’re still locked in our silent exchange when Susan finds us.
“What are you two doing in there? If you’re at a loose end you can come and give me a hand with something. Follow me.” She’s brusque but likable, so we both follow her without complaint. I’d rather be folding bedding or taking rubbish out than spend another minute in the staff room with Asher.
My relief is short-lived when Susan leads us to an empty bedroom. The room is small, other than a couple ofpaint tins, some brushes and a small step ladder in the corner. Susan strides across the room and flings open the window.
“I’d like you to spend the next couple of shifts decorating this room for a new resident we have arriving next week. Between you, it shouldn’t take too long.” Asher quietly groans under his breath and I flick him a look telling him not to be rude. When we signed up to this, we knew we’d be asked to do a range of things.
After what happened earlier, I’m glad to have something useful to do away from the residents, even if it is with Asher.
The door slams shut, leaving the two of us alone in the echoey room.
