We Fall Like Ashes | Wildfire Series

Thirty: More Than Even

Nessa was dressed to kill tonight. Her short, tight skirt and strappy top didn't leave much to the imagination, and yet, it was still tasteful. She confessed earlier it was her first time going to a party since all the shit had gone down with her ex-boyfriend, the one who had taken her rejection from his attempt to win her back by posting a video of their first time online. Nessa's first time ever. And even though Jasper Monroe had been booted off campus, Nessa admitted she wanted to walk into tonight with a statement-making outfit.

I couldn't imagine putting on the confident face she wore and walking back into a space where a handful of people—likely more—had watched me lose my virginity. I supposed it helped that we were going to Grayson's house, where she had the backing of the entire OSU football team, but still. One of these days, I needed to steal some of Nessa's energy and use it to stand as tall as her.

"Pretty bold of you to wear that when your boyfriend has a heart condition, Nessie," Beau said with a wink before softening his voice and giving her a little elbow nudge as she walked up to him. "Deep breaths. You're gonna rock tonight."

"Beau!" She gave his arm a light slap, but she bit down on a smile, and it was easy to see how she appreciated the support and the compliment. Even if it came in a Beau-sort-of-way.

He laughed before turning back toward me. Once again, his eyes overwhelmed all my senses with their attention. How did he do that? How was he so warm, so reassuring with just a single glance? It was a look that told me he hadn't changed his mind about how he felt about me, even after everything I told him last night. And that meant more than I could ever explain in words.

"What if I dropped Nessa off, and we came back here?" he asked, his voice notably lower. Darker. It made my breath hitch.

Clearing her throat, Nessa took off toward the door. "I'll be in the car!"

My cheeks warmed as the front door opened and slammed shut. Obviously we weren't hiding anything from Nessa, but I hadn't been prepared for Beau to be so...obvious in front of her.

"It was your idea to go to the party, Beau," I pointed out.

"Yeah, but I changed my mind," he said, closing the space between us and circling an arm around my waist. "I don't want to share you."

"You've had me to yourself for the past two weeks."

Beau immediately began shaking his head at my response. "That didn't count. I didn't really have you, did I?"

"I don't know." I shrugged, glancing away from his intense gaze. "I think you've had me for longer than you realize."

He sighed, and I looked back to find him watching me with a lopsided grin. Beau dropped his arm and grabbed my hand instead, leading me toward the door.

"Maybe I'm remembering wrong, then," he called over his shoulder. "Because I could have sworn that you agreed we were friends before. And the way I want to have you isn't the least bit friendly."

****

Nessa grabbed onto my arm as we walked into Grayson's house, her whisper filling my ear from behind.

"You weren't kidding, were you?"

I shot her a look from the corner of my eye. "About what?"

"That Beau has another side."

I choked on a laugh. Nessa had no idea, and she wouldn't be getting more of one no matter how curious she was. That other side was just for me.

I answered by giving her a one-shoulder shrug. "Maybe."