“Hey! What’re you doing?” Jill complained, trying to jerk her hand out of mine.
I slammed the door, leaning against it, gasping for air. My face burned as the rumblings of a volcano took form in my gut. I was ready to explode.
“What gives Zach?” Jill pushed her hip out, crossing her arms over her chest the way Mom did.
“What gives? What gives?” I roared, not giving a crap if I was overreacting. “What fucking gives with your friend?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Aspen was a perfect guest. Mom and dad really like her.” Jill acted as if nothing weird had happened. Like she didn’t notice her friend ignoring me. “And throw another F-bomb at me, and I’ll tell Mom.”
I growled, biting down on my tongue. “She ignored me like I wasn’t even in the room! Do you know what bullshit that is? Not to mention rude.”
“Cool your jets, hothead.” Jill rolled her eyes, placating me. “You don’t have to be a potty mouth about it.”
“Four words is all she said to me, Jill. That’s rude! Especially when I tried to engage her.”
“Engage her? You joined in the conversations, yes. But she didn’t have to speak to you directly. Maybe she didn’t have anything of relevance to say to you.” Jill snorted. “What? You like her or something?”
I scratched my head, dumbfounded.
Did I like Aspen?
There was something between us when we shook hands. But I would never admit it to Jill.
“Don’t. Just forget about her,” Jill blurted, interrupting my thought.
“Why should I?”
“She’s as pure as the driven snow. And you’re a rough and dirty dude who will only contaminate her. Aspen’s not your type at all. Plus, she’s my age. Ew!”
Pure as the driven snow? More like cold as ice.
“Well, thanks, sis. Love you too!”
“Don’t be hurt. Aspen’s not the right girl for you.” She pushed her glasses up her nose.
“You haven’t known Aspen that long. Maybe she is my type.”
“Zach, just don’t. I like her a lot.” She stomped her foot. “She’s my best friend!”
“Well fuck, Jill! Nobody said Snow can’t be your friend and date me too.”
With a body like hers… and those eyes, I had to have a shot with her. Even if she was my sister’s best friend and two years younger than me.
“Don’t be a jerk calling her names. Listen, there are tons of girls out there”—she pointed toward my window—“just waiting for you. When the timing is right, you’ll meet the girl of your dreams.” She shoved me to the side and darted out my door.
What if Aspen was that girl?
9
Jill
I had one speed today,overdrive. Aspen’s arrival fueled me with tons of energy… nervous energy. I couldn’t tell how Aspen was dealing with the loss of her baby or what Casso had done to her. My stomach twisted into knots every time I imagined her handcuffed to a bed or forced to…
I shook my head.Don’t go there.
Emotions weren’t something Aspen wore on her sleeve. I announced my feelings with a bullhorn out on the corner of Main Street. Opposites like us made for good friendships.
My eyes teared up, thinking about all my bestie had lost. I carried an enormous weight of guilt. How could I not know anything about her life in Seattle? What I’d observed seemed like a fairytale. Living in an elegant penthouse with a beyond handsome billionaire. But it had all been a lie to keep me oblivious to Casso Campbell’s psychotic ways.