Welcome to my new short story, this one will probably have 3-4 chapters. I'm starting another short story on Sunday as well. Five short stories at a time and they will all get updated once a month. And I'll try and think of a way to let you guys know the schedule.
Anyway back to the story. So it always bugged me that they never resolved the whole Asher thing. Clare only says she's going to the cops they never tell us what happened and so I was very very very annoyed at the writers when I plotted this.
I own nothing but the idea.
This story is A/U.
Eli and Clare got back together at prom but she did not have cancer.
Alli graduated & Clare went to Paris instead of Alli. Imogen graduated but Dallas failed.
Adam is not dead and will not die.
Ch. 1 I Think I'm Gonna Crack
(CLARE)
I felt so good being here, I was being wooed by Universities and my senior year of high school didn't even start until tomorrow. Okay so this was the University of Toronto and not Columbia but none the less they had contacted me and sent me an invitation to their alumni gala tonight. I'd already talked to a number of professors who were impressed by my academic record and accomplishments. Before dinner I'd gotten a private tour of the campus, well semi-private there were three other high school students with me, from the dean himself. Now we were all mingling in the ballroom, enjoying drinks and talking about my potential at the school.
Every tenured professor and most of the notable alumni's were at this party. I'd spoken to just about everyone here already and while I still had my heart set on Columbia I was enjoying the star treatment for a night. Currently I was speaking with Professor William Ryder Dean of the journalism department. Yes I still wanted to be a journalist, Asher had not managed to kill my dream, he'd tainted it a little but even after the case got thrown out I still wanted to be journalist. Turns out mine and Jennifer's testimony alone were not enough for a case. Even though the case never even got close to trial Asher still got fired and his reputation had been ruined and that had a certain satisfaction in it. As there had never been a case there wasn't really any publicity but there had been some after Asher was fired and speculation as to why. Thankfully though Jennifer and I had been kept out of the public eye, but she still took a job with the Ottawa Citizen when they offered her a job six months ago, and I hadn't really talked to her since she moved.
"Excuse me I'm going to go use the washroom," I say when Dean Ryder is done telling me about his writing workshop this semester.
"Of course," he smiles.
I set my glass of wine down on a nearby table, marking the glass with my lipstick so I know which glass is mine. I was still two years under the legal drinking age but the University was the one giving me and the other students wine because they wanted us to be happy. I already knew I was a light weight thought so I had been slowly nursing my wine and was only on my second glass in three hours. I use the washroom, find my wine again and one of the male students who was on the tour with me strikes up a conversation. I only have a few sips of wine left so I finish it while he's talking to me, mostly because he won't let me talk. He's still telling me about how he's the smartest person in his school when I start to feel very hot and slightly dizzy. I believe I drank the last bit of wine too fast.
"I'm going to get some air," I tell the boy.
He just nods and starts talking to someone else. I hand my empty glass to a passing waiter and start making my way outside. The room starts to blur, I'm feeling very strange, maybe I ate something bad. When I get outside I lean against one of the pillars, before trying to sit on a step but then there are a pair of hands on my waist.
"I think we should get you home," it's a male voice but it's fuzzy, sort of like they're talking under water.
I try to speak but I don't seem to be making any sounds. I feel the guy lift me up and start carrying me to a car; I took a taxi so it must be his car. I can hardly see anything, most of the world is black and fuzzy, it feels like I'm in a dream sort of. I'm very numb and none of my senses seem to be working right. The guy buckles me in and closes the door, I start giggling for no reason as he starts driving. We reach an apartment building, I don't live in an apartment building but instead of telling him this I just start giggling again. He carries me inside and sets me on a bed as I hear a beep like something just got turned on.
"Undress," he tells me.
I barely hear the words and I try to lift my arms to unzip my dress but nothing seems to be working. He gets behind me and starts unzipping my dress for me, he gets really close to me, turning my head and kissing my shoulder. I feel all of this but I don't, I still feel like I'm in a dream and none of this feels real, my mind is so jumbled I have no idea what's going on and I keep giggling.
"Smile for the camera Clare," he says and then I'm laid back on the bed, his lips connect to mine and then there's only dark…
I wake up shivering and hearing the sounds of squirrels running on a tree. My head feels fuzzy, my body aches and tingles. My eyes open slowly and immediately close again when I'm greeted by the bright early morning September sun. I groan and roll my head, wood pressing against my skull causing me pain and I stop. It occurs to me suddenly that I'm outside, I roll slightly and manage to sit up, opening my eyes a bit and find that I'm at home on the deck in the backyard. The last thing I remember is being at the alumni gala and talking with that pompous boy, or rather having him talk at me and then…I don't remember a thing until waking up on the deck!
No one is home because Glen and Mom are in Vancouver visiting Jake and then they're driving down the coast for an anniversary vacation and won't be back for another two and half weeks. I start to panic about all the possibilities of what could have happened last night; my mind racing with a zillion terrible possibilities and my heart starts pounding.
"Get a hold of yourself Clare! You probably drank the wine too fast, got tipsy and called a cab," I scold myself aloud, so that I'll calm down. "And was so tired I fell asleep on the deck when I couldn't get my keys in the lock," I rationalize to myself slowly trying to explain everything.
There is an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach that tells me something just isn't right. However I ignore it and just keep telling myself I drank more than I think I did and fell asleep on the deck. The alarm on my phone goes off and I see that I have my purse and everything in it. I turn off the alarm but that means it's time to get ready for school and my first day as a senior as well as student council VP. I brace my hands on the deck and push myself up, whimpering in pain as the movements cause several sharp pains to shoot through my abdomen and my pubic area starts to burn. I suddenly feel sick to my stomach and vomit over the side of the deck into Mom's rose bushes.
My body starts shaking for no explicable reason and I feel tears at my eyes. I take a deep breath and repeat again and again that I just drank too much. By the time I manage to get inside and in the shower I've convinced myself that I have a bad hangover, the food and wine did not mix well and that's all that's wrong. I simply refuse to entertain any other possibility; I had a wonderful night and just can't hold my alcohol. I shower quickly and I'm no longer shaking, I still don't feel great but I don't feel quite so terrible. I dress in a navy skirt, white blouse and navy blazer, a little dressy but student council is holding an assembly to welcome everyone to the new year. I'm not hungry so I don't bother eating and walk very slowly to school.
(ADAM)
The back stage door of the auditorium opens and Clare comes in looking just a little haggard.
"Veep you're almost late," Drew scolds her and she hardly looks at us as she walks past us to the stage.
"Sorry," she apologizes walking to the edge of the stage.
"Hey are you okay?" I question catching her arm.
"I'm fine, just didn't get much sleep last night," she responds giving me a half smile.
"Oh yeah how was the party?" I ask as Jenna and Connor join us.
"It was great, I had fun, there were a lot of people there," Clare tells me.
Her smile forces itself a little bigger and she's giving me one of her looks that says she doesn't want to talk about it so I drop it. Drew gives me a look nodding toward Clare, his way of silently asking what's up, and I shrug.
"Everyone's in and seated take it away Mr. President," Simpson says peeking backstage.
Drew goes on stage and welcomes everyone to new school year, then he introduces Dallas as Sports Rep, Jenna as Secretary, Connor as Treasurer and then me as Social Chair. Last is Clare as VP and she comes out smiling wide and looking like nothing at all is the matter. Drew introduces himself last and tells the students what they can look forward to this year. By the end of the assembly Clare seems to be in a brighter mood and doesn't look so tired, but when she goes down the stairs I notice that she's moving pretty slow.
"Are you sure you're okay? Did something happen at the party?" I inquire.
"I'm fine Adam," she snaps at me loud and sharp enough to make Dallas, Connor, Jenna and Drew look at us. "Sorry I'm just really tired I really didn't sleep well," she apologizes.
"It's okay, come on we both have Studies in Literature this period," I tell her putting an arm gently around her shoulders and walking her away from the crowd.
We stop by our lockers first and she seems okay again but I am worried. She makes it through both of her morning classes just fine but I'm still glad I have both classes with her so I can keep an eye on her. We eat lunch with the rest of student council in the student council office and Clare seems almost normal, at least she's not snapping at people but she's still moving slow, like she's hurting.
"Okay what's wrong with Clare?" Drew questions when we're paired together in chemistry next period.
"She says she's just tired," I reply lighting the Bunsen burner.
"I know what she says but she's moving funny and looks…spaced or something," Drew says.
"I don't know maybe she misses Eli," I shrug and Drew gives me a look. "Contrary to what you think I can't actually read her mind. I don't know I wish I did but she insists everything is fine and I haven't seen her like this except for…" I freeze and look over at Clare who's working with Becky.
"Except for what Adam?" Drew inquires hitting my arm
I lower my head and motion for Drew to lean in too and he does. "Last year around her birthday she was acting a lot like this, I mean without looking like she was in pain," I enlighten my brother. He had dropped out and wasn't here at that point, and he didn't really know Clare other than being my friend, so he wasn't paying attention to her life. "I didn't find out until a few months ago but her co-op mentor sexually assaulted her, kissed her and tried to assault her in his car and she didn't tell us."
Now Drew's looking at Clare differently, the look he has on his face is the one he gets with me when he's worried and trying to protect me. Both he and Clare have a spare period next and I know they were going to the student council office to work on some stuff, so I know Drew will keep an eye on her. When the bell rings I tell them I'll see them after school for the meeting and head for my geography class, confident that Clare is in good hands with my brother.
(CLARE)
"We should schedule a dance for November, after Halloween and before winter break," I tell Drew looking at the calendar, we've been in the student council office for 45 minutes and school was almost out but we had a student council meeting after school.
"Adam's social chair, he can schedule it, Connor made a budget and Dallas is getting together a calendar for sports events until winter break. We should have a dance this month, welcome all the new kids maybe a beach party theme," Drew suggests.
"Sure let's bring it up to Adam," I comment as the bell rings and as soon as the bell rings so does my phone. I pull it from book bag and don't recognize the number but it's a Toronto number so I answer, "Hello?"
"Meet me I know school is out."
The sound of Asher's voice sends a chill up my spine, my body goes stiff and my jaw clenches.
"Go to hell!" I say sharply and hang up Drew is giving me a concerned look.
"Who was that?" Drew asks.
"Telemarketer," I respond but I get a flash of Asher's face in my mind and I shiver.
"Clare I've never even heard you utter a swear word before just now so who was it really?" Drew questions.
"Someone I didn't want to talk to can we drop it now?" I question as the door opens and Dallas comes in with Adam.
Jenna and Connor follow close behind and I call the meeting to order before Drew can ask any more questions. We're in the meeting for just over an hour, Connor leaves with Jenna to walk her home and short cut through the park so they can make out. I walk out with the brothers and Dallas, we get down the steps and they turn to go to the parking lot.
"You want a ride Clare?" Drew offers.
"Sure thanks," I nod.
The four of us walk to Drew's car and I'm given the front seat. My house is just a couple blocks down so it only takes a minute to get there. I thank Drew for the ride, wave to Dallas and Adam and go to my front door. The house is quiet of course and I lock the front door before going up to my room to do homework. Turning on my laptop while I get stuff out of my bag, I open my e-mail and see an e-mail from an address I don't recognize. Given the call I got today instinct tells me that the address is Asher's but curiosity gets the better of me and I open it. There's no body of text just a video attachment and against my better judgment I click on the video.
It's me on a bed, the night of the alumni party; my dress is unzipped and pulled down. A man is kissing me, you can't see his face, he's not looking at the camera but I know it's Asher! The truly sickening fact in this video is that I'm smiling! My eyes are closed and you could almost argue that I'm sleeping except that I am smiling! I don't remember any of this; I don't remember being in his apartment or even seeing him that night. The videos only five seconds long and that's all that's on it but I feel like vomiting and burning off any skin he touched. I watch the video again trying to find how he altered it, that can't be me I don't remember this!
The third time I watch it I get a flash of a memory, Asher's face as he talks to me but I can't make out the words and the memory fades. Then a new one comes, Asher putting me in a car, then a memory of Asher carrying me to a door. All of them fast fractured flashes of memory, I try to fit the pieces together but I don't know how they fit together and so much of it is still not there, it's like being given a 1000 piece puzzle with only three pieces in the box and trying to make a whole picture out of them. My body starts shaking and I suddenly feel sick, a myriad of horrid possibilities flashes through my mind. The pain I was feeling this morning comes back in a torrent and I jump up running to the washroom and throwing up! I rinse my mouth and make it back to my room, tears are streaming down my face and I'm so terrified at what might have happened last night. My chest is tight, my heart pounding, my breathing reduced to quick terrified shallow breaths and I pick up my phone. I'm ready to called Adam when my phone rings again, it's the same number as last night and I know it's Asher, I answer because I'm more afraid not to.
"He…hello," I'm barely able to get the word out I'm shaking so much.
"Meet with me now or I'll send the video to your boyfriend. I'm sure Eli would love to see it," Asher taunts.
"No you can't, I'll go to the cops, show them the video," I reply tightening my jaw and fist as anger begins to take over the fear.
"They'll never believe you and I already removed the video, besides even if they do see it all they will see is you enjoying yourself. And you came to my place willingly, I have witnesses at the University and my apartment building that saw nothing but a tipsy girl happily going into my apartment," he informs me.
"No I wouldn't, I didn't g…" I start but stop as I begin to remember bits and flashes that fit with the earlier ones. Asher catching me on the steps and saying he would take me home, him carrying me into his apartment and me giggling, a lot of giggling. "I was drugged, it wasn't willingly I was drugged," I say softly.
"The drug is no longer in your system and all anyone will remember is that you were tipsy. Now are you going to come and meet me or should I send the extended video to your boyfriend with the aspirations of film making?" Asher asks in a taunting tone.
"Okay, I'll…I'll meet you," I say quietly.
I don't know what else to do Asher's right the cops probably won't believe me and the case against him was thrown out. If I go to the cops and try and tell them this they'll probably think I'm crazy. I already have two incidents of bringing "false accusations" against Asher. They weren't fake but it doesn't matter nothing ever came of them so they are classified as false on my part. If I do it again I could be accused of stalking Asher, or accused of harassing him again. If I wasn't so scared, if I had time to really process this logically then I would know that going to meet Asher alone is bad idea, that I should call Eli, or Dave's dad or at least Adam because that would be a sane, rational, logical thing to do. However at this moment I am not capable of sane, rational or logical thinking. I am only operating out of fear right now, I can't think about anything beyond the fact that Asher just asked me to meet him at his apartment, and I have no choice but to go.
(ASHER)
I wait impatiently for Clare to arrive, there is a small chance that she actually went to the cops and they'll show up instead. Doesn't matter though I'm not just acting on impulse here, this plan was carefully thought out. I spent months crafting it just right and waiting for the perfect opportunity. One that presented itself when I knew she'd be going to the alumni gala last night and I put everything into motion. Jennifer and Clare had the gall to press charges, the case had been thrown out, I was never even formerly charged but it lost me my reputation, my job and my family for good. After rumor got out that I'd been questioned for sexual harassment I couldn't get work at another paper and had to work as a freelance writer now. I still had powerful friends and a few connections though and I was going to put them to good use.
Finally there's a knock at the door and I open it grinning at Clare and taking pleasure in how very petrified she looks.
"Come in Clare," I say stepping aside so she can come in.
"What am I doing here?" She questions through clenched teeth trying not to show her fear but I see it and am enjoying it.
"I was fired, my reputation ruined," I inform her.
"You assaulted me! You sexually harassed me! You deserve what you got," she barks and tries to leave but I stop her.
"You ruined my life now I think I deserve something for my trouble," I respond pulling her back by her arm.
"What the hell are you talking about?" She asks with clenched teeth.
"Break up with Eli," I tell her.
"You're crazy I'm not breaking up with Eli I love him," She replies.
"Break up with Eli or I'll use my connections at NYU to get him thrown out and ruin his aspirations," I tell her.
"Even you can't do that! I'm going home! Stay away from me, leave me alone! You're insane!" She screams at me, yanks her arm back and runs out of my apartment.
She'll be back though, she just needs a little incentive and to know that I mean business. So I get my phone and send her a text telling her that she has 24 hours or things will become much worse. Then I call a friend of mine at NYU and ask him for a favor.
(CLARE)
I run from Asher's apartment and back to the car, I feel sick just having talked to him. Enraged that he would even ask me to do such a thing and terrified of what he might do. He sends me a text and tells me I have 24 hours or he'll make things worse. The thought of what he could mean by worse has me shivering. I drive home upset and agitated, barely able to make it home or get my key in the lock. I run up to my room and curl up on the bed, I cry for a few minutes and then takes some deep breaths to calm down. It takes a time but I gather myself enough to talk and call Eli.
"Hey how was your first day of school and first day as VP?" He asks.
"It was fine, good I mean; Drew's not such a bad president. When do you move into your dorm?" I ask him.
"Tomorrow, I got the building and my room number today. You okay you sound kind of upset?" Eli questions.
"Yeah I just miss you, you left so early this summer and I was in Paris, I haven't seen you for two whole months," I reply.
"I know I'm sorry but you know I couldn't pass up the opportunity to work on Brett Barnett's movie. I'll be home at Thanksgiving, it's not that far away," Eli says trying to sound optimistic.
"No you had take that opportunity, you would have hated yourself if you didn't and me too. I just wish you were here to hold me," I tell him almost under my breath but he hears me.
"Clare what happened?" He asks with a worried tone.
I want to tell him, I want to tell him everything and have him come home to hold me and fix this. God how terribly selfish and dependent does that sound? I can't tell him, I won't, I'm not going to stress Eli out and he'll feel like he needs to come home to save me. No I can handle this, I'm not going to worry Eli and Asher was just making threats, I just need to show that he can't scare me.
"Nothing, just been home alone too long, I'm hearing noises outside and they're freaking me out," I lie.
"Why don't you have Jenna come over or sleep at the Bhandari house?" Eli suggests.
"She's already sleeping at Becky's tonight," I reply.
"Then call…" Eli pauses for a second, "you need more girl friends, or gay guy friends. Maybe you should make friends with Tris," Eli jokes.
"I think I'll call Adam, maybe I can sleep over or he can sleep here," I reply.
"Adam's not gay but he does think of you like a sister or something so that works too. But he should probably sleep there, Drew and Dallas are at his house," Eli comments and I can hear the distasteful look he gets on his face at the thought that I might be sleeping in a house with Drew and Dallas.
"Eli! Drew is engaged and Dallas made one pass at me while I was tipsy I think I'll be okay," I admonish him.
"I'm joking, call Adam I'll talk to you tomorrow after I move into the dorm. I love you," Eli says.
"I love you too, talk to you tomorrow," I reply and hang up then immediately call Adam.
"Hey what's up?" Adam asks when he answers.
"Getting a little freaked out being home alone so long I guess. I'd call Jenna but she's already sleeping at Becky's," I tell him.
"Hang on," Adam says into the phone and I hear him running on stairs so he's either going up from the basement or down from his room. "Hey Mom Clare's parents are still out of town and she's getting freaked out can she sleep over? She can take my room," Adam requests.
"Sure honey," Audra replies.
"I'll come get you," Adam says into the phone and we hang up.
I pack a bag quickly and grab my backpack, lock up my house and when Adam rings the doorbell I go out and lock my front door.
"I'm surprised your mom went away for three weeks and just left you," Adam comments as we start driving back to his place.
"I'm seventeen Adam," I respond.
"Yeah I know and you were fine last week so you going to tell me what happened? You've been…off all day," Adam comments.
"I told you I'm just tired," I respond.
Not sure he believes me but he does stop asking questions. When we get to his place there's an extra car parked outside, Adam must see me looking at it and trying to figure out who the car belongs to.
"Owen's hanging out with Drew and Dallas," Adam explains and I nod. We go in through the basement and the guys look over at us eyeing the bag in my hand. "Clare's sleeping over," Adam informs them.
"I knew something was bugging you, who really called you this afternoon?" Drew inquires.
"What phone call?" Adam questions.
"I told you it was a wrong number," I snap at Drew without meaning to but my nerves are a little raw at this point.
"No you said it was a telemarketer," Drew says giving me a worried look and now they're all looking at me with concern.
"Whatever I barely slept last night I'm just tired guys," I tell them sounding as convincing as I can.
"Have you eaten? Mom made orange glazed chicken with sweet potatoes and salad," Adam offers.
"Food would be good, I haven't eaten much today," I reply.
"I'll get you a plate," Adam says and goes up the stairs.
I set my bag down and sit on the end of the sofa about a foot from Owen. I watch them play games for a minute and then my phone rings. I'm afraid it's Asher again but it's just Eli.
"Hi Eli," I answer with a happier tone than I had earlier, for some reason Owen rolls his eyes when I say Eli's name.
"Hey just calling to see how you are, you sound better," Eli says.
"I'm at Adam's, I'm sleeping over and it's a full house so I won't get scared by anything," I tell him.
"I'm sleeping over too," Owen says loudly.
"Who was that?" Eli asks.
"That was Owen, I'll be fine, Adam's giving me his room," I inform my boyfriend as I can just imagine what's going through his mind.
"Okay, call you tomorrow," Eli says and hangs up.
Adam comes down with food for me and I eat with the guys, then I take a shower and do my homework in the basement with everyone just to be safe. When I'm done with my homework I go to bed, Adam changes the sheets on his bed for me, he takes a pillow and blanket then says goodnight. I sleep fitfully all night long and have a terrible dream where Asher is using me as a human marionette and laughing. I'm woken from the dream by my phone ringing, I pick my phone up and look at the display, it's Eli calling but it's just after 5am why is he calling so early.
"Eli? What's wrong?" I question with a sleepy yawn, certain that the only reason he'd be calling me at this hour is if something was wrong.
"The housing office called and said I lost my placement in the dorms," he says angrily and he's practically yelling. "Then the board of admissions called to tell me there's a problem with my transcripts and I'm going to lose my spot and be put on the waitlist!"
"What?!" I exclaim sitting up rapidly.
"Guess you'll see me after all because I'm coming home," Eli growls.
"Asher did this, I can fix this," I think to myself as Eli rants a bit more. "Eli I know you're upset but I'm sure it's just a computer glitch. Just try and calm down, I'm sure they'll call back and tell you that it's been fixed," I try and reassure my boyfriend.
"It better be, I can't afford an apartment but I guess it won't matter if I've lost my spot because I may never be let back in. I don't know I'm going to do Clare," Eli sighs.
"Just breathe Eli I'm sure it will work out," I tell him and then under my breath, "I'll fix this."
"Yeah you're probably right, sorry I woke you," he apologizes.
"It's okay I know you were upset," I tell him.
"Get back to sleep Clare I'll call you later," Eli says and hangs up.
I get up and quickly get dressed, grab my stuff and tiptoe downstairs, leaving as quietly as possible through the front door. When I'm outside I sit on the front step and call Asher.
"I don't know what you did but please fix it, don't let Eli lose his dream," I beg him when he picks up.
"I'll fix it but you have to break up with him," Asher tells me.
I grind my teeth, tears gathering at the corners of my eyes. "Yes anything please just fix this," I plead with him.
"Where are you I'll pick you up, I want to hear you break up with him," Asher tells me.
"Fix whatever you did first," I assert.
"Hang on," Asher tells me and puts me on hold, he comes back on a few minutes later. "You should be getting a call in a few minutes, call me back when you do."
Asher hangs up and I wait, sure enough Eli calls just a couple minutes later.
"Hey sorry to wake you again but I just wanted you to know that I got a call from the admissions board. They said it was a computer error and they'd clear it up with student housing, everything is fine now you were right. I feel really bad for waking you up and yelling," Eli apologizes.
"It's okay I know how scary and upsetting that must have been, I'm glad everything is fixed now," I say trying to sound happy.
"I have to go I have so much to do but I'll call you later," he tells me.
"Okay talk to you later Eli," I say and hang up. As soon as I'm off the phone Asher calls back. "I can't break up with him right now he was already stressed, I'll do it this evening," I tell Asher.
"Fine, where are you I'm coming to get you so I can tell you how things will be from now on," he informs me.
My stomach sinks, my chest gets tight and my heart begins pounding. I give him Adam's address and he tells me he'll be here in ten minutes. I quietly go back in and start writing a note for Audra that I went to school early.
"What are you doing up?" Owen inquires and his sudden voice makes me jump.
"I have to do something," I reply finishing the note and posting it to the fridge.
"You want a lift it's kind of early to be walking?" Owen offers.
"Have a ride thanks," I tell him walking for the door.
"Where are you going so early?" Owen asks.
"None of your business," I respond and leave through the door.
Owen follows me to the door but doesn't come out since he's only wearing boxers. Asher pulls up a few minutes later and I get in his car.
"CLARE!" Owen calls after me running from the house but Asher is already driving away.
"I'll break up with Eli tonight I already told you, what more could you possibly want?" I ask him.
"Oh so much more Clare," he says with an evil grin and I become certain that Asher is the devil.
"What does it matter to you if I'm dating Eli or not anyway? You didn't care when you kissed me or when you tried to assault me in your car," I point out.
"You won't completely belong to me until you break up with Eli," Asher responds and I'm certain that I can see horns on his head in the rearview mirror.
"I will never belong to you, I still love Eli, my heart will never belong to you!" I bark back at him cross my arms.
"It's not your heart I care to possess," Asher informs me.
I catch a sharp breath in my throat, my heart getting tight and pounding hard, my legs clamping together as I realize what he does want to possess!
Update Friday February 21st from right about here, with possibly some more Asher pov and some Owen.