A small laugh trickles from her lips.
“How could you not be focused on your own shit? Mom’s been putting you under the spotlight since you could talk.”
Ashley drags a deep sigh. “Still. You’re my sister and I hurt you and I’m sorry.”
Am I crazy or did she just…
She’s apologizing to me?
After what I did?
I cry twice as hard at her admission of regret.
“I’m the one who’s sorry. God, I’m so, so sorry, Ash,” I mutter through the sobs.
“Come here.” She stretches her arms in my direction, and I unbuckle my seat belt to give in to her embrace. I squeeze her a little harder before pulling away, and she winces, a groan of pain slipping from her lips.
“Shit, did I hurt you?” I worry as I lean back into the driver’s seat. I must be one hell of a hugger.
“No, I… it’s not you.” Ashley clears her throat.
I understand immediately.
“I knew it. He did hurt you.”
She doesn’t confirm my suspicions, but the way she shifts in her seat to alleviate the pain tells me everything I need to know.
“That’s why you broke up, isn’t it?” I figure.
Her eyes are pinned to the dashboard as she gives a weak nod.
“What happened?” I say through gritted teeth, marinating in fury.
Ashley sighs. “He took my phone and checked my DMs when I was in the bathroom. He saw I was talking with some guy about music, and he lost his shit. Called me a cheating whore. That’s when I knew he’d gone too far and I had to break up with him. I told him it was over, and he…” She flinches, reliving the attack. “He pushed me into the bookcase in my room. I fell to the ground. Then, he pulled me up by my hair and told me you’d slept together. I don’t know what would’ve happened if Rob hadn’t gotten there the next minute.”
I can barely think straight, every muscle in my body tensing up in anticipation of a fight.
“I’m still a little bit sore in my back, but it’s getting better,” she tries to reassure me.
“Ash, you have to report him to the police.”
“Rob said I shouldn’t.” She fidgets with her fingers.
“Fuck Rob! Your manager doesn’t know shit. Logan hurt you. You can’t let him get away with this.”
“No, he’s right, Vee. I’m just starting out in the industry. I don’t need a police investigation right now. I just want to move on, never see the bastard again, and focus on my career.”
I disagree.
I’d love nothing more than to drag Logan’s reputation through the mud and expose him for the lying, abusive scumbag that he is, but at the end of the day, it’s up to her.
Ashley pauses for a moment as if to replay the words she just said and laughs. “If you can even call it my career.”
“What do you mean?” I question.
“I don’t know… It’s just… Mom’s pushing me so hard lately I wonder if I’d be pursuing a future in music if it weren’t for her. I love singing more than anything, but I’d also love to have a life, you know? Away from the academy’s preppy assholes and the unbearable pressure.”
Unable to pinpoint the words to make her feel better, I pluck a page out of her handbook and open my arms for a hug. Ashley welcomes the hug, resting her head on my shoulder for comfort.