Chapter 6: Rendered Speechless

ADDY

I stumble into the kitchen, grumbling under my breath. I grab the orange juice from the fridge and slump onto a stool.

“What’s got you down?” Dad asks, taking a seat across from me. I glance up at him and shrug.

“Just school stuff,” I mumble, taking a sip of my juice. My phone starts ringing and I instantly perk up, knowing it’s Kaylee.

“Buttface!” a voice yells through the speaker.

“Buttface number two!” I retort, laughing.

“Hey, you need to come up with your own nickname. Buttface number two is just lame!” Kaylee cackles, telling someone in the background to turn off the stove.

“Shut up, Kay. What’s going on? When are you coming home?” I ask, heading towards my room with the phone pressed to my ear.

“Not much. Grandma’s making me stay the weekend, so we can’t go out like we planned.”

“Oh.” I can’t help but smile. Kaylee’s grandma lives two hours away and Kaylee adores her. I can’t really keep her away from her granny. Plus, her granny is a hoot, which makes it even better.

I sit down on my bed.

“It’s been two days since he rang the bell. Has he been back?” she asks.

“No,” I mutter. “It’s not like I’m waiting for him or anything. I...just...you know…”

I fumble, struggling to find the right words.

“You want him to come over, don’t even try to deny it!”

I roll my eyes at her comment, but nod even though she can’t see me.

“It’s been two days though. Why ring the bell, just stand there, and then disappear? I mean, what’s the point?”

“You were the one who slammed the door in his face, and now you’re complaining? Girl, what am I going to do with you?”

“Shut up!” I whine.

“Don’t stress, Addy. If Asher wants something, he always gets it. He obviously wanted something from you, so he’ll come by again. You know I’m always right?”

I grunt in response.

“Spit it out.”

“Spit it out?” I ask, playing dumb.

“Why do you sound like a sad donkey? I can picture your face from here.” She laughs.

I huff, annoyed at how well she knows me.

“I saw Asher and Jalina cuddling by my locker yesterday when you ditched me for Granny.”

Kay mumbles, “What?” before bursting into laughter.

“Bitch, what?” she asks again when I don’t respond.

“You heard me, Kaylee!” I take another sip of my orange juice, frowning.

“Yeah, I heard you, but do you hear yourself? You’re complaining as if you don’t see this every day. Jalina’s locker is right next to ours, dummy. They’re always all over each other, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, and I complain every day.”

“Hmm, but you seem extra grumpy today.”

I hear her moving around on the other end of the line.

“He kissed me and now he’s walking around cuddling with that bimbo!” The line goes silent...and then I hear Kay erupt into laughter, just like I knew she would.

“Such a child!”

“Hey!” I protest, not agreeing with her at all. ~I was being reasonable!~

“Addy, he doesn’t even know who kissed him. You’re not together so you can’t really stop him from doing whatever he wants.”

“Wants?” I yell. “That leech is all over him 24/7. It’s not him!”

“Addalynn!” Kaylee groans.

~Uh-oh, full name. Not a good sign.~

“I guess you’re right. I just feel so stupid. I really should move on.”

“You really should, babe,” she says.

“Didn’t you say you have to be somewhere now?” I ask after a while.

“Yes, Gran is getting ready. I should go help her before she does something stupid.” She chuckles.

“You go help her. We’ll talk when you get back. I still have a mountain of physics homework.” I walk over to the sink to rinse out my empty glass.

“Okay, buttface, talk to you later then!” she says before hanging up.

I smile, looking down at my phone, thinking about how dull my life would be without Kaylee Heart, my best friend. I don’t need ~him~. He can do whatever he wants!

~Asher King, I’m going to forget you.~

With that thought, I head upstairs, ready to tackle my homework.

***

“Ash—Asher?” I stutter, my face a picture of disbelief. So much for forgetting him!

~You knew he was going to come by again!~

“Wha—what are you doing here?” I ask.

~Didn’t you tell yourself you were going to forget him? Why are you stuttering like a fool?~

“Are you going to let me in?” he asks, ignoring my question.

I lift my head to look at him, staring for a moment before stepping aside to let him in.

Asher kicks off his shoes and strides in as if he owns the place.

~Your crush is in your house and you’re stuttering like crazy... great, Addy!~

I catch a glimpse of his back before he disappears into the living room. This boy is a work of art.

~Damn, I need to stop ogling! I’m definitely not over him yet...~

~Act cool, Addy! Act cool!~

I pinch my cheek twice before following him inside.

“Why are you so red?” Asher asks, making himself comfortable on the sofa. I blush even more.

“Nothing major. Just spill it already!”

“Geez, why the rush to boot me out?”

I don’t respond, choosing instead to stare at my hands before taking a seat on the couch across from him.

Rush to boot him out? Yeah right! More like I’m itching to pounce on him. I lift my gaze to him again, my cheeks heating up... yet again.

~Asher King is in my living room! Be still my heart!~

“You a big daydreamer?” he teases with a smirk.

I return his smirk with a smile and a nod.

~He’s making fun of you, dummy!~

My smile fades into a frown as the realization hits me.

“Can you just get to the point, please?” I ask, sneaking another admiring glance his way.

~How can anyone be this good-looking?~

He nods in agreement, then drops a bombshell I didn’t see coming.

“I need your help, Addalynn.”

~Wait, what now?~