Ashleyâs pov He crossed his arms over his chest and the way his legs stayed firm on the floor reminded me of when he was about to have a light. His lips set into a thin line of disapproval.
His eyes, the beautiful blue color was now a deep blue, like hot steel. He was furious. For what I didnât know. My brows furrowed in confusion.
âYeah weâre close.â I nodded answering Blakeâs pending question.
I didnât lie but the look on Blakeâs face told me that I probably should have or at least worded it out better. Because the frown that marred his face told me he wasnât pleased with my answer.
Ryan threw his arm casually around my shoulders and pulled me towards him in a half hug.
âYeah thatâs my girl,â Ryan chuckles.
Blakeâs blue eyes darken considerably and drops to stare at the arm around my shoulders.He glares jaw clenching. And then it finally clicks. Blake was jealous. I didnât know if to be happy or alarmed. 2 I knew Ryan had good intentions, hell he always loved to joke around with Blake. Ryan and I were like siblings who joked around quite often. It was always normal for us to act this way. We had no feelings for each other nor do we want to. Just the thought of seeing Ryan in more than a brotherly way upsets my stomach. But Blake didnât know that. He didnât know that I only had eyes for him.
I pinched Ryanâs sides and he flinches away, glaring down at me. âWhy did you do that?â He whines lowly, rubbing his stomach where I had pinched.
I turn to him and glared then motioned with my eyes to look at Blake. Ryan looks confused at first but looks over at Blake. His mouth forms an âoâ then he chuckles in amusement clearly understanding the situation.
I turn to face Blake who was still glaring at the two of us. âReally? How long have you two been close?â He practically snarls.
Then his eyes stop on mine.
âDid I even know of this?â The way he asked me made me feel as though he was accusing me of cheating My heart dropped and I blinked back tears. I suppose I should understand where he was coming from but it honestly still hurts that he thought I could do such a thing.
I sighed. âWhat youâre thinking is not what is happening here Blake. Ryan and I have been best friends since forever. All three of us were inseparable. There was nothing going between us back then and certainly not now.â
âYeah man, I mean no offence Ash but just the thought of liking you in that way makes me want to throw up.â Ryan fakes a gag.
I turn to face him and narrow my eyes. âGee thanks.â I rolled my eyes and laughed. Ryan shrugs.
âSo youâre telling me I was okay with the way you two acted? You two are awfully close for only being best friends?â Blake asks and his voice is full of doubt.
I heaved a sigh. His questions irritated me. It was like he was waiting for me to confirm that Ryan and I had something going on that was more than friendship.
âRyan and I had always been this way. We grew up together Blake. I see Ryan as my brother and he sees me as his sister.
There is nothing going on between us.â I wanted him to trust me.
His blue eyes searched my face as if looking for any deceit before he nodded. âOkay.â He murmurs.
âOh crap I forgot, Kimberly sent cupcakes for you two. Itâs in my car, Iâll go get it.â Ryan rushes out already halfway out of the door.
Now it was just us two. It was awkward and the air felt tense around us. I chewed my lip and looked at him.
He clears his throat.â So whoâs Kimberly?â He questions. He was trying to ease the tension and it was working. I gave him a soft smile and his eyes softened from how hard it had been a few minutes ago.â Sheâs Ryanâs girlfriend. Sheâs also pregnant.â My eyes danced with amusement when Blake looked embarrassed.
He scratches the back of his head.â Oh.â
I nodded. âTheyâre in love. You know like those sappy couples that send goo goo eyes at each other even when theyâre in the same room and just a few feet apart. We were kind of like them before.â Then my voice lowers as if I was about to give him a huge secret. âDonât tell anyone but we were way worse.â I whispered my eyes twinkling with mirth. âWe were inseparable, like two peas in a pod. We kind of never wanted to part even when you were on deployment. Those days were the worst.â My voice cracks at the end and the air suddenly gets back tense. Blakeâs face saddens.â But you were happy right? Even when I left for months you never regretted marrying me?â Why did it feel like he needed to know the answer badly?
âThere is nothing I would trade that for. You were my life and even though you canât remember me and the times we shared, you still are. It was your dream to serve our country and even though you went with my heart every time you left I knew youâd bring it back when you came home. I will never regret marrying you Blake, Iâll do it over and over again.â I whispered truthfully. He breathes out a sigh of relief and then he smiles, pleased with my answer. âYou know I never took myself for a sappy guy who would make goo goo eyes with his lover but somehow I believe your words. But letâs keep this between us.â He chuckles. I giggled, wiping underneath my eyes. Somehow some tears had leaked out without me knowing Maybe thatâs why he changed the conversation, he didnât want to upset me more than needed.
2/3 My insides warm at the thought. âNoted.â I nodded and laughed when he sent me a wink âSo Kimberly made me promise to give it to yâall when it is still warm, she says the chocolate tastes better that way. But Itâs kind of cold so yeah lets keep this between us. A pregnant woman is seriously not to be messed with.â Ryan says coming back into the house with the box of cupcakes in his hand.
He sees us standing there and just smiling at each other happily.
He looks between us confused then smirks in amusement. âOkay who made the sexual joke? Was it you little Ash I didnât take you for the dominant kind.â