Page 28 of Broken Beauty

Joshua sizes Jace up, contemplating whether or not he could take him or not. While Jace and Joshua have a 'Who's dick is bigger contest?' my eyes go to Ash who is staring at me.

The alcohol in my system makes my head buzz and I can't help but give Ash a smile.

“Okay man, I didn't know she was your girl. Last time I checked, she was single.” I hear Joshua say before his footsteps leave.

My eyes leave Ash's when I feel Bridgette's hand leave mine. Jace grabs Bridgette by the waist and is holding her against him.

Wait, girlfriend?

“Um, last time I checked, she wasn't your girlfriend,” I say, grabbing Bridgette's hand and pulling her to stand next to me.

“Shut up, Ariella.” Jace grabs Bridgette's other hand and pulls her to his chest again.

I stop myself from raising my hand and slapping Jace across the face.

“Can you guys stop swinging me around? I feel like I am going to throw up if you keep doing that,” Bridgette complains. “And I'm not your girlfriend, douchebag. Get that out of your head.” Bridgette pushes herself off of Jace before walking away from us and towards the house.

Jace follows her with his jaw clenched.

I am about to follow but then Ash blocks me from following. “Move out of my way before I connect my fist with your face.”

Ash chuckles and his hands rests on my hips. “Your threats mean nothing to me.”

“I'm serious Ash, leave me alone. You've done enough for a lifetime.” I try to move out of his hold but all he does is pull me closer making our chests press against one another.

“No, I still need to have a little more fun with you.”

I can feel how hard and fast his heart is racing with his chest against mine. It almost sounds like music to my ears.

I lay my hands on his chest and reach up so that my lips are a centimeter away from him. “You always suck the fun out of things,” I whisper, my lips close to his.

“Oh yea?” Ash smirks but he doesn't move his face closer or farther from mine.

It's almost like slow sweet torture, not being able to kiss Ash.

“Why won't you kiss me anymore?” I ask, begging to know the answer.

I know that if alcohol wasn't in my system then I wouldn't find the courage to do this and I know for a fact the next morning I will be regretting this.

“Because you taste like shit, Ariella,” Ash says before I feel freezing cold water around me.

I feel myself sober up and I open my eyes and see that I am at the bottom of the pool.

Fucking jackass, he threw me in the pool.

I should drown on purpose just so I could ruin his life and haunt him forever.

It's peaceful down here anyways. Might be more peaceful in heaven now that I think about it. I wouldn't be able to hear Ash's annoying fucking voice ever again or be reminded of the haunted memories between us.

I never thought about killing myself, not when my mom died, not when Ash wasn't in my life anymore, not when I got bullied in high school, and definitely not when my dad was found with another woman who wasn't my mom a few weeks after her death.

But my head sometimes can't take it and it's so peaceful down here now that I think about it.

Might be the alcohol talking.

I'll just blame it all on that since it's easier.

I feel arms wrap around my waist and next thing I know I can breathe again and goosebumps cover my entire body as I shiver against a warm chest.