Chapter 315
In Love, Never Say Never Novel
John then turned to glare at Ashton. âShouldnât you be getting a rest too, Mr. Fuller?â he mocked.
Ashton smiled. âIâve always been healthy, you know.â
John stormed off, infuriated. The moment he left, Ashton squinted at me. âWhereâs the prescription?â
I pursed my lips and gripped the prescription tighter. âThere is none,â I replied calmly. âThe doctor told me to have a lot of rest and drink plenty of water.â
âScarlett,â he emphasized.
Annoyed, I left the hospital without saying a thing. He followed me into the car and put the matter of the prescription aside. âJoe invited you to South Metro for a meal. Are you going?â
I was going to say no, but I paused. âWhy did he invite me?â
Ashton started the car. âFor the thing we discussed over the call last time.â
I was surprised to hear that. So heâs going to apologize?
There was a saying that a manâs love could be measured by how his friends treat you. I considered it for a moment and nodded. âSure, Iâll go.â
It was still early when we came to South Metro. I thought we had come too early, so I asked, âDonât you think itâs a bit early?â
He nodded. âYeah. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner you get to rest.â
Rightâ¦
When I saw the trio in the room, I felt like laughing. I looked at Ashton. âI thought this is supposed to be an apology. Didnât think itâd be a trap.â
A frown creased Ashtonâs forehead, and he narrowed his eyes at Joe. âWhat is the meaning of this?â
Joe stood up and fidgeted. âAshton, itâs been a while since Rebecca could go around since her hospitalization. Sheâs just here with us. Iâm sorry for not telling you about this, but I promise itâll be fine.â
Jared sipped his tea, pulling himself away from the drama. Ashton glanced at Rebecca calmly. He didnât care if she was putting up a pitiable front, and he looked at me. âYou still want to do this?â
Joe looked at me apologetically. âIâm sorry, Scarlett. Iââ
Rebecca interrupted. âWhat am I, a chopped liver?â She looked as arrogant as usual with a hint of grievance. âSince Iâm obviously unwanted, Iâll leave then. Bye.â She took her bag and tried to leave.
Joe gave me another apologetic look. âSorry, Scarlett. Iâll send her off.â
âItâs fine. Everyoneâs already here whether we like it or not. Letâs get on with it.â I gazed at Rebecca mockingly. âYou donât mind sharing a table with me, do you, Ms. Larson?â
Joe took the chance to invite Rebecca back and happily made the orders. Ashton had always been a man of few words. So he simply sat beside me and chatted with Jared, looking cool as a cucumber.
Once everything was served, Joe stood up and gave me a toast. âA toast for you, Scarlett. I apologize for my rude behavior. Now that youâre Ashtonâs wife, youâre a part of the family.â He gulped the wine down graciously.
I peeped at Ashton again and found that he was still as inscrutable as ever.
Jared looked at me and paused for a moment. âThereâs a rule in our group. You have to down ten shots for it to be an effective apology.â
I looked at the ten glasses of wine before Joe, and I was taken back to the time when I was the one who had to drink. Theyâre really something, arenât they? Ten shots would be fine for a good drinker, but someone with a problem could end up injured or dead.
When Joe was going for the second shot, I shot up and looked at him calmly. âIâll be leaving if we arenât eating anytime soon.â
âWhat is the meaning of this, Scarlett? Havenât your parents taught you about manners?â Rebecca shot up and barked. She was already angry enough with me, and my obviously rude behavior lit the flame within her.
Her face darkened. âJoe went out of his way to apologize, and this is how you treat him? Are you trying to ruin their friendship?â
Frowning, I answered calmly, âMs. Larson, are you standing up for them? Because it sounds like youâre venting to me.â
âWhy you littleâ¦â
I cut her off. âI have no parents, so Iâm not sure what they would have taught me. You, on the other hand, have parents, donât you, Ms. Larson? They should have taught you to mind your own business and that sticking your nose where it doesnât belong is rude.â
âWho are you calling rude, Scarlett?â Seeing that she couldnât win against me in a banter, she gave Ashton a puppy-eye look. âAsh, are you going to just let your wife insult me like that?â
My, my, this woman is shameless.
Ashton frowned at her in cold silence. Obviously, he thought she saw everyone else as an idiot.