Chapter 24: Riding His Junior

ADDY

My eyes practically pop out of my head when I spot Asher from the corner of my eye.

~Oh, crap!~

I panic for a moment, then start scanning the room for an escape route, hoping my friends won’t notice my sudden distress.

~Why can’t I find a way out of here?~

I frown, biting my lip in frustration.

The last thing I want is to confront him right now.

The taste of strawberry gloss fills my mouth, making me feel sick. I quickly wipe it off with the back of my hand.

~Why did I even put this stuff on?~

“Care to explain why you’ve been avoiding me lately?”

I jerk my hand away from my mouth and look up at the one person I’ve been trying to dodge since Thursday.

~Stupid lip gloss! I’m throwing you away as soon as I get home.~

I force a smile onto my face.

“Who’s avoiding who? I’ve got to go... I promised Mom I’d help peel potatoes?”

The last part comes out more like a question than a statement. I don’t have time to worry about my unconvincing lie as I make a beeline for the exit.

~So much for being subtle.~

A hand grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks, and I freeze.

“I can help you with those potatoes if you answer my question first.”

He pulls me closer, and I catch a whiff of his cologne. I almost sigh as the scent fills my nostrils.

I swallow hard as he looks me in the eye.

~How can I tell him I’ve been avoiding him because I’m afraid Blake told him about my crush?~

~How long before he finds out I was the one who kissed him?~

~Oh, shit, shit, shit.~

The thought sends a shiver down my spine as I try to distract myself with happier thoughts.

~We have ice cream at home! How could I forget—~

“Buttercup!” He shakes me out of my daydream.

“I’ve been busy, and I’m fine, thanks!” I flash Asher a forced smile, wriggle out of his grip, and make a successful escape this time.

I hear a “What the hell?” behind me.

I ignore him as I rush down the stairs and out of the school building.

Suddenly, two hands grab my waist from behind, lifting me off the ground. I’m carried through the air—in other words, Asher’s carrying me—and I end up against the building.

He turns me around, his arms on either side of me, blocking any chance of escape.

“Busy with Xander?”

His raised eyebrows tell me he’s not happy.

“I only sat with him today because he needed help with the German homework due tomorrow.”

I try to sound annoyed, but my body betrays me, heating up under Asher’s intense gaze. He leans in closer.

“Really? Because when ~I~ asked you for help—”

“I was busy. That’s all. I wasn’t avoiding anyone.” I cut him off.

“Then why do you run away when you see me in the halls after class?”

“I really need to peel those potatoes.”

I try to sound serious, even though it’s hard with Asher so close. I give him my best ~leave me alone~ look.

“Answer my damn question, Addy. You can’t even peel carrots, and now you want me to believe your mom expects you to peel potatoes?”

I gasp, ready to protest.

~Stupid. Jerk.~

~I can peel potatoes!~

I push against his chest, my eyes stinging. A tear slips down my cheek, and I wipe it away angrily.

“Oh, you know, just busy peeling potatoes! I need to practice because I’m so terrible at everything?”

I look up at him, another tear rolling down my face.

~Why am I getting so emotional over this?~

~Pull yourself together!~

“Shit, Buttercup, I didn’t mean it. I...I just...damn!” He curses, reaching up to wipe away a tear that’s stubbornly making its way down my cheek.

~Tell him, Addy! Tell him you’re not crying because he insulted your cooking skills, but because you’re scared of his reaction when he finds out the truth.~

~Tell him you were the one who kissed him!~

~Tell him you like him!~

Asher’s hand brushes my cheek, and I catch my breath. “I didn’t mean to say that. You’re a goddess in the kitchen?”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Okay, maybe not, but you’re not terrible either?”

“Shut up, Asher!” I whine, avoiding his gaze.

“Mouth zipped, key thrown away. Just tell me why you’ve been avoiding me?”

“Didn’t you just say you threw away the key? You can’t talk anymore.” I look down at our feet.

“Seriously, what did I do?” His voice sounds worried, and I almost smile. So Blake hasn’t told him anything. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Nothing.”

“But why—”

“You really want to know?” I ask, looking up at him again. I must look like a mess.

He nods.

“I’ve been on my period. I get really grumpy when Aunt Flo comes to visit. I prefer to be alone during those times.” I blush as his eyes widen.

~What the hell, I was supposed to tell him the truth!~

“That’s it?” he coughs. I nod stiffly, and Asher breaks into a smile. My stomach flips as he starts to laugh, then pulls me into a warm hug.

~Holy!~

~Moly!~

~Banana!~

In the blink of an eye, he pulls away from me, as if he’s just touched a hot stove.

My stomach is a zoo, full of butterflies as he flashes me a nervous smile, running his hand through his messy brown hair.

“Sorry, I was just…”

I can’t help myself. I throw myself into his arms. He can’t just hug me and not expect me to want more. After all, he started it.

I hold him tight, pressing my face into his shoulder blade, in a way that’s probably more awkward than I’d like.

Asher tenses up and I cringe inwardly.

~Damn, why did I have to push my luck?~

I start to pull away when he suddenly pushes my head back to where it was before I tried to move.

~What the...?~

Did I imagine that?

~No way. I pulled my head away and he pulled it back.~

~Does that mean he wants to hug me?~

My breathing gets heavy again as I try not to hyperventilate.

~Oh my God.~

“You pulled away, and your earring got stuck to my cardigan. I just bought it, don’t want it ripping.”

My mouth falls open and I nearly cry out in frustration as I try to pull my head away again, this time realizing that I am indeed stuck.

“Didn’t you hear me? Wait, let me help you.” Asher brings his hands up, unhooking my earring. My heart is racing, and I wonder if he can hear it.

~Why do I always start hyperventilating when he’s around me?~

“So what did you hug me for?” he asks casually, and my eyes nearly pop out of my head.

“You hugged me first!”

“That was just because…forget it. You should go and peel those potatoes.”

~Seriously?~

~SERIOUSLY?~

“Right, peel potatoes!” My voice is flat as a wave of disappointment washes over me.

~What the hell were you thinking? That he would hug you and declare his undying love for you?~

~Idiot.~

He steps back, giving me room to walk away. I try not to let my mood get the best of me, and I think about the ice cream that’s waiting for me at home.

I adjust my backpack on my shoulders and head toward the parking lot, only to remember that I still don’t have my car.

Great! One stupid conversation with Asher and I forget everything else.

I’ve been walking home for two weeks and I suddenly forget, all because of a jerk.

I pull out the water bottle from the side pocket of my bag, unscrew the lid, and take a big gulp, trying to swallow down my frustration.

I’m somewhat relieved that Asher didn’t follow me. I feel like punching him and kissing him at the same time, and those emotions are too conflicting for the situation right now.

I turn again, ready to go home, only to bump into a solid chest.

I look up to see Asher smirking at me.

“Need a ride?” This time he’s holding out a helmet and my eyes widen.

~Did he bring his motorbike?~

I look around him to see it, more than eager to get on his bike. A few seconds pass before I remember that he just upset me and that I don’t want to get on the bike with him.

~Idiot.~

“And?”

I shake my head. “No thanks.”

Asher’s smile falters a bit, but only for a second before it’s back on his face.

“Fine, then, you can ride Asher Junior. I’ll teach you.” He pushes the helmet in my direction.

My mouth spits out the last gulp, my eyes bulging.

~He had his first kiss a few months ago and he already wants me to ride him?~

Being the idiot I am, my eyes slowly trail down from his face toward his crotch, my mind wandering to wicked places.

“WHAT? NO!” Asher cries out before covering his crotch with his hands and turning around, shielding himself from my view.

“I meant my bike! You can ride it, while I sit behind you. I know that you like bikes.”

I don’t even have time to be embarrassed about the fact that he hadn’t suggested that I should ride his dick but his bike... and that I had already imagined dirty—very dirty—thoughts of me and Asher.

~Not that I’m going to tell him that.~

“Oh God, oh my God! Holy AHAHAHAHAH please don’t tell me that you’ve told anyone else that you call your bike Asher Junior.”

“Shut up, Buttercup!” Asher whines before throwing his arm around my shoulder, pulling me down. “Leave it to you to make me embarrassed about the dumbest shit ever.”

“What do you mean, dumbest shit ever? You have to rename your bike. Asher Junior?”

Asher puts his hand over my mouth before dragging my laughing ass toward his bike.

“Fine. Then I’m going to call my bike Addalynn, after you.”

I raise an eyebrow at him.

“What? Temporary name until I find a better one.”

I laugh, suddenly feeling much better.

~I missed him.~

“You can’t find a better name than mine.” I smile at him, and he rolls his eyes. “I just thought it was a he?”

Asher shakes his head. “My bike is a she, even if I call her Asher Junior.”

I burst out laughing, trying to contain myself.

“What?” His questioning gaze sends me into another fit of laughter.

“Stop saying Asher Junior.” I push at his chest, and this time he laughs as well.

“Why, is it bothering you?”

~No, I’m just getting unwanted images in my head!~

He wiggles his eyebrows, and I roll my eyes before walking the last few steps toward his bike.

~This is a dream come true.~

“Are you done ogling the bike? Get on.”

I stare at it for another second before taking off my bag and shoving it into his chest. I climb onto Addalynn with ease, turning my head back to grin at Asher.

He puts my bag on his back before climbing on as well.

My hands glide over the sleek details as I grin. Two arms come into my view as Asher places the helmet on my head, strapping it in place.

“Where’s your helmet?” I ask, craning my neck to look at him.

“On your head, but I’ll make do.” He flashes me that goofy grin of his, and I tighten my grip on his bike, turning my gaze elsewhere.

Asher edges closer, his thighs brushing against mine. My butt is practically in his lap.

~Oh, my gosh.~

I inch forward.

~Focus, Addy. You’re about to ride a bike.~

Asher’s hands find my waist, pulling me back against him.

~Oh, crap.~

~Is he trying to make us crash?~

“Ready?” he asks, leaning in close.

~Might as well make the most of this situation.~

I guide his hands, wrapping them around my waist.

He stiffens at the gesture.

“Someone’s eager to have me wrapped around them?”

I snort, mentally screaming ~yes~.

~I’ve been dying for you to hold me since you moved here.~

“Shut up, Asher. I’m just looking out for your safety.”

He manages a confused “Huh?” but I ignore him, firing up the bike.

“How many times have you driven one of these, again?”

I laugh at the worry in his voice.

“Relax.” I tilt my helmet-covered head back onto his right shoulder, meeting his gaze. “I won’t show off my wild riding skills to Asher Junior today.”

Asher’s grip tightens around me, his eyes going wide. I don’t give him a chance to respond.

“Hold on tight!” I shout, zooming off into the sunset, my cheeks burning.

~I need a cold shower.~