HARDWIRED (Ashton Irwin)

Chapter 4

The door latched closed, and my eyes shot open. The room was pitch black, but the big digital clock on the end table read eight o’clock. The faint outline of a woman inched quietly toward the adjacent bed. Her neon dress nearly glowed in the dark.

“Alli?”

“It’s me.”

“Are you just getting in?” I rubbed my eyes, and slowly the details of my current reality were dawning.

“Yes, Mother,” she said sarcastically.

I switched on the bedside lamp, bringing her into focus. “Well, look what the cat dragged in.” I leaned back on my elbows and smiled. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days, which was almost true. Her mascara was smudged and her hair was in a state I’d never seen in public—only a few degrees below perfect.

“Ugh, I can feel you judging me.” She kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the bed still dressed.

“So are you going to tell me what happened?” I was now fully awake, which surprised me considering the current hour and my minimal R.E.M. sleep.

“What do you want to know?” she mumbled into the bedspread.

“Every sordid detail, obviously.”

Alli flipped herself over and stared listlessly at the ceiling. “I really like him.”

I thought I heard a sigh. Oh no.

“Jesus, Alli, please tell me you didn’t sleep with him.”

“What the hell do you care?” She slapped her hands down to her sides.

I bolted out of bed and met her glare. “I care, Alli, because I’m trying to project a professional image with our company, and I didn’t expect you to screw Ashton’s brother. Now he’ll tell Ashton, and oh shit...” I calculated all the possible implications of this indiscretion.

“Stop right there. I told him you would freak out if Ashton knew, so he gave me his word.”

“Unbelievable.” I walked over to open the shades to our room.

Alli cringed as light poured in.

“Well, what about you? I half expected to walk in on you two, the way he was eye-fucking you all night.”

“Alli, seriously. There is absolutely nothing between Ashton and me.”

“Bullshit.”

“I’m serious. I can’t screw up this deal. I told him last night that I wasn’t interested. End of story.”

“Ashton doesn’t strike me as the type who hears the word ‘no’ frequently. Also, you didn’t tell me he was drop-dead gorgeous.”

“Gorgeous or not, I’m here to work.”

“Erica, are you really mad at me about this?” She pouted her bottom lip a little.

Here came the guilt. “It’ll be fine. Just get some sleep. I’d be great if you could do a little networking today since we’re flying out tomorrow.” I couldn’t let her off the hook completely.

I wanted to be angry with Alli, but in truth, I was mostly worried for her. I’d given her the opportunity to let her guard down around Luke, who was likely a master womanizer.

I escaped to the bathroom where I silently fumed under the steady pressure of the shower. Determined to put the situation out of my mind, I focused instead on possible questions for the panel.

When I returned, Alli was fast asleep under the duvet. I dressed in our pre-approved outfit, a stylish black patterned blouse and bright white blazer with dark straight jeans. I slipped into the black pumps Alli had left at the foot of the bed and grabbed my bag. Time to work. Without any back up, again, I thought. I might as well get used to this.