Page 95 of Use Me
“I need to do this.”
“Why?”
I ran my hands down my face and sighed. “Because he can’t win.”
“He’s not winning. If anything, you are.” Ashtyn waved her hand in my direction.
“Just let me do this. I need to do this,” I pleaded.
She stared at me for a beat and then handed me the phone. “Okay.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. After finding out that he was your bully, I did some research and read that confronting a bully is good for the bullied. Of course, I was never going to tell you that because of who he is. I thought it would be better to just let it be.”
I didn’t know about that. Having him once again try to ruin my life was the last straw. We weren’t kids anymore.
Before I talked myself out of it, I took the phone from her hand, found his number in her contacts and hit the button to call him. It rang twice before he answered.
“Ashtyn! Thank you—”
“It’s not Ashtyn.”
“Cole.”
“Yeah, it’s me. Stop calling my girlfriend!” I started to pace again. This time around the entire living room because I couldn’t stand still.
“I can call whoever the fuck I want.”
“Dude, she ain’t interested in you anymore.”
“You’re just her rebound.”
“I’m glad you think so, but I know differently.”
“I’ve known her longer, and she was mine first.”
“Why do you even care? You moved on with that blonde.”
He tsked. “I don’t care about her.”
“Okay, well leave Ashtyn alone or—”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Do I need to?”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t or I’ll—”
“Or you’ll what? Beat me up like you did in high school? I’m much bigger now, asshole, and like it or not, Ashtyn and I are together.”
“Not for long.”
“Yes, for long. Forever.” My gaze met Ashtyn’s, and she smiled. I tried to smile back, but the laughter in my ear caused me to close my eyes in frustration.
“So she showed you her Pinterest board? You two getting married now?”
“I don’t know about her damn Pinterest board.” Ashtyn rolled her eyes and sighed, shaking her head. “But yes, to answer your other question, if she’ll let me.”
