Page 98 of Broken Beauty

“That's because you are always ditching school and you’ve been going to parties a lot.” Bridgette blushes and now I assume that she isn't really going to parties, she is probably going someplace else. “What's with the blushing?” I raise my eyebrow at her.

Bridgette looks down at her hands. “Well, I'm not just going to parties, per se. I am seeing someone.”

My jaw hangs. “Who is it?”

“He's coming over today.”

I furrow my eyebrows. Jace is supposed to come over but not until later. My mind starts to piece it all together.

I have seen the lingering looks between Jace and Bridgette a lot lately. They have been hanging out but I didn't think they were hanging out that much. I noticed it after my birthday. I also know Jace has had a thing for Bridgette for a while. It's easy to read him because of how he manages to flirt with her but also tease her. I notice the way he looks at her like she is the only one in the room.

“It's Jace?” I raise my eyebrow at her and Bridgette nods. “You bitch.”

“I know.” She closes her eyes and sighs. “I feel awful for not telling you. It's just, things between us have been so good. I am really happy with him.”

“I can tell.” I give her a soft smile. “I know Jace has always liked you.”

“Really?” She furrows her eyebrows.

“Yea, it's obvious.”

“I never thought it was. I kind of compared my relationship with Jace to you and Ash.”

I furrow my eyebrows at this. “How so? If anything, Ash and I were toxic for each other.”

“Hell no.” Bridgette chuckles and she leans back into the couch. “You guys love each other too much.”

My heart breaks slightly once again. “He doesn't. The feeling between us isn't mutual.”

“How do you know?”

“Because he told me.”

“But you don't see the way he looks at you when you are looking somewhere else.”

“What do you mean?”

Bridgette smiles at me like I am playing dumb. “Ariella, that boy is in love with you. He looks at you like you are his entire world. He looks at you like you are the only one who can save him from his demons.”

I shake my head lightly.

No he doesn't.

The way Ash looked at me the other day broke my heart. He looked at me like his entire world fell because of me.

The way he spoke to me was filled with hate and I know for a fact that he said all of that because he wanted to hurt me.

The sound of knocking makes me look at the door. Bridgette gets up with an excited smile on her face. She answers the door and I look back at the TV, wanting to give her and Jace some privacy.

“Thank you for coming.” I hear Bridgette. “I am really happy you came. I already told Ariella and she actually had a suspicion about you.” Bridgette chuckles. Jace says something but that doesn't make me turn my head. The sound of Bridgette cursing catches my attention. “You aren't supposed to be here.” I turn my head and see Ash walk through the doorway.

My heart stops and so does time. His eyes connect with mine and I can't stop staring at him.

Ash is wearing a black fitted shirt that shows off his biceps and I can't help but want to run my hand across the muscle. He is also wearing gray sweatpants and my eyes go down to where his hips are. I can see the outline of his bulge making me cross my legs.

“Sorry, I didn't know that the two of them aren't on good terms,” Jace apologizes and I start to feel bad.

“It's fine. Ash and I are both adults. We can sit and watch a movie without tearing each other's throats.” I joke before looking at Ash. “Right?”