Page 12 of Forbidden Mischief

ZAYNE

I’m lying on the couch, flipping through my phone, when I hear footsteps behind me. The familiar creak of the floorboards gives it away—Asher. He always does that. It's funny how even the little things he does have become something I’m more attuned to now.

“Hey,” he says, leaning against the doorframe. I glance up, and he’s standing there, looking effortlessly casual in a way that drives me insane. “Got a minute?”

“Always for you,” I say without thinking, offering a grin I can’t hold back.

He chuckles, running a hand through his messy hair, looking almost nervous.

It's a rare sight, and it makes me wonder if he knows the effect he has on me.

“So, uh…” He hesitates for a second, then his words spill out quickly, like he's been rehearsing them in his head for hours.

“Pru and Harley are going to the movies tonight, and I was thinking…” He trails off, waiting for me to catch on.

“You want me to go with you guys?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral, but my pulse betrays me, picking up a little speed.

“Well…” He scratches the back of his neck, his blue eyes meeting mine with that familiar glint. “I was thinking maybe we could go… as a date.”

I blink, feeling my heart skip a beat. Did he just say that? Asher wants to go out with me… on a real date? It’s not exactly a just us date, but it’s almost like a double date, and I’m getting ahead of myself.

“A date?” I repeat, trying to play it cool, but my voice comes out a little breathless.

“Yeah,” he says, stepping closer, his gaze softening. “If you’re free. I mean, I get it if you’re busy. But…” He shrugs like he’s trying not to care, but I can see the hope in his eyes.

It hits me all at once. I don’t even have to think about it. The butterflies are already flapping in my stomach, and I can’t stop the smile creeping onto my face.

“I’m free,” I say, barely able to contain the excitement in my voice. “I’d love to.”

Asher’s expression changes, and for a moment, it’s like the world slows down. His lips curl into a grin that’s so wide it almost makes me forget how to breathe. “Yeah?” He’s practically glowing, and I realize, in this moment, how much I’ve been hoping for this—hoping for him .

“Yeah,” I repeat, my smile matching his. “It’s a date.”

His grin widens. “Great. The movie starts at seven.”

“Perfect,” I say, feeling a warmth spread through me I can’t quite explain. It’s more than just excitement; it’s hope. Hope for something more between us.

As he turns to leave, I catch his eye one last time. “Asher…”

He pauses and looks back, waiting for me to finish.

“I’m looking forward to it,” I say, my voice quieter now, but the words feel like they hold more weight.

“Me too,” he says, his smile softening, and then he’s gone, leaving me with nothing but the sound of my racing heart and the feeling that this is the start of something real .

A few hours later, Asher taps on the door to my room, his usual calm demeanor hiding the fact that I can practically feel the nervous energy between us.

“You ready?” he asks, leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. His shirt fits just right, hugging his muscles in that way that drives me insane.

I swallow hard. “Yeah, let’s go.”

I grab my jacket, trying not to think too much about the movie night we’ve planned. It’s just a movie, right? Just a casual hangout with Prunes and Harley. Nothing to get worked up about. Except, my heart’s pounding like I’ve just run a marathon.

Asher and I ride together, the drive smooth but charged with an energy neither of us is willing to acknowledge—at least, not out loud.

Every time his gaze flicks over to me, I feel it.

That undeniable pull. He knows. Hell, we both know what’s going on between us, even if we’re pretending like we don’t.

I catch him looking at me again, his lips curving into a half-smile that’s way too confident for my liking. “Stop looking at me like that,” I mutter, my voice teasing, but my heart racing in a way that betrays me. “I’m not going to make out with you in the car.”

He chuckles low, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Who says I want you to?” His voice is smooth, like he’s in control, but there’s an edge to it, something playful that’s almost daring. I know he’s not oblivious. He’s waiting for me to break.

“You wish,” I shoot back, but the words feel like they’re out of my mouth before I can even think them through.

And then, my mind wanders. I picture leaning over, closing the distance between us, and feeling the warmth of his lips against mine— soft, urgent, everything I’ve been holding back.

The thought is enough to make my breath catch in my throat, and I have to quickly push it away before it gets too real.

He smirks, sensing it. He’s always been able to read me, even when I think I’m hiding everything. “You’re not fooling anyone, Zayne,” he says quietly, his tone still light but with an undercurrent that promises something more. “Not even yourself.”

I glance at him, my heart skipping a beat. “Maybe I’m just giving you a little taste of what you can’t have,” I tease, even though we both know I don’t mean it. Neither of us can resist this pull, and we both know it. The only question now is when we’ll finally stop pretending.

We get to the theater and spot Prunes and Harley waiting by the entrance.

Harley waves us over, her smile wide and bright.

She’s always been like that—full of energy, always knowing how to make people feel at ease.

But there's something different now. An edge to her smile that suggests she knows something I don’t, and I’m not sure I like it.

“You two took forever to get here,” Prunes teases, raising an eyebrow at us. She’s already laughing, the glint in her eyes that tells me she knows exactly what’s going on. “Did you stop to have a quickie?”

I give her a quick glance, not bothering to smile. "Shut up," I mutter, my tone flat.

Prunes just grins wider, unfazed. Asher chuckles, like nothing’s out of the ordinary.

But the tension between Prunes and me is palpable.

She’s always had a way of getting under my skin, and I can tell she’s enjoying it more than she should.

I stay silent, my gaze flicking toward Harley, who’s the only one I’m willing to engage with right now. Prunes can keep her teasing to herself.

We find our seats, and the movie starts.

Asher and I sit next to each other, our shoulders brushing for just a moment.

The instant contact sends a jolt of heat through my core, and a slight shiver ripples down my spine.

I glance over at him, but he’s focused on the screen, like he doesn’t even feel it.

Prunes and Harley are seated on the other side of me, with Prunes next to me and Harley at the far end.

The proximity of our bodies makes the space feel smaller, charged with an energy neither of us is willing to acknowledge.

But he has to feel it. He has to . My heart’s racing.

Halfway through the movie, my fingers brush against his—just the lightest touch, but enough to send a spark up my arm. I freeze, and I’m sure he does, too. Neither of us pulls away. It’s like we’re both waiting for the other to make the move, but neither of us does.

“You two are killing me,” Prunes mutters, loud enough for us to hear but not for anyone else to catch.

Harley laughs softly. “It’s the fingertips for me,” she teases, her voice dripping with humor. “Isn’t that just the best way to start a secret romance?”

Her eyes flick to Prunes, a subtle softness to them. There’s something unspoken there, something I can’t quite place. But it’s not my business. I keep my attention on Asher, where it belongs.

I sink lower in my seat, trying to hide the blush creeping up my neck.

Asher chuckles, but he’s not pulling away, either.

His fingers remain where they are, a gentle brush of warmth that sends a spark straight to my core.

If anyone else saw, they’d probably think we were just two guys sitting too close. But we know better.

“You need to get laid too,” Prunes jokes, nudging Harley’s side. “It’s fun. Believe me.”

Harley shoots her a quick, almost defensive look, but there’s something else behind her eyes, something I can’t quite place. She’s not laughing this time. She’s blushing.

“I don’t—” Harley starts, but Prunes just smirks and raises her hands in mock surrender.

“Whatever you say.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, but it’s playful, not serious.

Asher’s grin fades into something a little more intense, his eyes darkening for just a moment before he clears his throat. “Yeah, no one’s supposed to know yet,” he says quietly, keeping it just between us.

Prunes rolls her eyes. “You two are adorable,” she says. “Honestly, just kiss already.”

The movie plays on, but I can barely focus. The air between Asher and me is thick, charged. Warmth from his body pulls me in, impossible to resist, and I want nothing more than to close that tiny gap. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want to touch him.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Harley says quietly, her voice low enough not to interrupt the movie.

I glance over at her, frowning slightly. “What?”

“You’re thinking about kissing him. You can’t hide it.” She smirks. “It’s okay, Zayne. We’re all rooting for you.”

My breath hitches. “Harley…”

“I won’t say anything. Promise,” she adds quickly, but there’s an unmistakable knowing look in her eyes. “But you should probably act on it sooner rather than later. You’re not fooling anyone. And you’ve never been one to go slow.”

“Yeah,” Prunes adds, “if you two don’t get together soon, I’m going to have to start charging for the therapy sessions. Watching this slow burn is killing me.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, and glance at Asher. He’s smirking, and my stomach flutters. I’m not freaking out. I’m not pushing him away.

And just like that, the weight of it all presses down on me.

Maybe Harley’s right. Maybe it’s time to stop pretending like I’m not completely aware of what’s between me and Asher.

It’s not just attraction—it’s something deeper, something real .

But it’s also new for me. I’ve never had feelings for another guy before.

I don’t know how to do this, how to move forward with it.

But no matter how much I try to talk myself out of it, I can’t keep running from this pull.

I nod, trying to steady my nerves, but every part of me is screaming to just give in. To lean over and kiss him, to feel the heat of him against me without worrying about the world.

The movie continues, but it’s all background noise now.

I’m lost in the way Asher feels next to me, in the way his fingers brush against mine again, this time lingering for just a second longer.

I want to pull him into me, to press my lips to his, but I hold back.

This is new. It’s forbidden. And I don’t know what to do with it yet.

But I know one thing for sure.

I’m not going to be able to play it slow much longer.