Bared To You (Sinful Nights)

2: Betrayal

Ashley

I needed to play it cool and ask Abel about the scent later, at the afterparty. Of course, my plans for a semi-calm, totally-not-obsessed confrontation went straight to hell the moment I walked in, I could see the tension between Hayden and Abel as they clashed again on my arrival at the after party of the match.

"Back off, Blackwood," Abel was snarling, his face flushed. He looked ready to launch himself at Hayden.

Hayden just stood there, tall and infuriatingly composed, his dark eyes narrowed. "Maybe if you weren't so busy preening, you would have known and have time to learn how to play well, stop being a sore loser, Abel!"

My stomach clenched. What now? I pushed through the throng of bodies. "Abel, what's going on?"

His head snapped toward me, his jaw working. "This fool is busy yapping nonsense. Can you believe the nerve?"

Hayden's lip curled. "Just pointing out the obvious. Some people need their priorities checked."

"Oh, I will check your priorities," Abel spat, taking a step forward.

"Guys, seriously." I stepped between them, palms raised. "This is ridiculous. Abel, I was just talking to Maya about the upcoming history test. Hayden, butt out, for once." I glared at Hayden, trying to convey all my building-up anger.

He held my gaze for a while and then finally, with a sigh, he turned and pushed his way through the crowd.

"See? He's always gotta stir things up," Abel grumbled, his arm snaking around my waist. "You okay, Ash?"

I forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just peachy. Let's just... let's just forget about it, okay?" I tried to sound placatory, smoothing things over.

Abel tensed, his hand tightening on my hip. "Why are you always defending him, Ash? You always take his side, even after he starts the fights."

"I do not!" My voice was sharper than intended. "I told him to leave, didn't I? You are being paranoid."

"Am I? Or are you too blind to see how he looks at you?"

A cold dread seeped into my bones. "Don't be dramatic. He's just... competitive. We have been like this since forever. It's nothing more than that." I hated the way my voice wavered, hated the way I had to try to convince him.

"Whatever," Abel retorted, shoving my hand off his arm. He went in the opposite direction, disappearing into the crowd.

"Abel!" I called after him, feeling a knot of frustration tighten in my chest. "Abel, don't be stupid." He didn't answer.

Fine! Let him sulk. I will try to talk to him later, I can understand he is angry now and that is why I decided to just let him be.

For a while, I was restless and I wasn't sure I could give him the space he might need, I needed to find him and clear the air.

It took me a while to walk through the sweaty bodies, the booming music making conversation impossible. I finally spotted Abel near the vending machines, I tried to call out to him but I stopped when I noticed he wasn't alone and he definitely wasn't sulking like I had presumed.

His arms were wrapped around Brittany, the cheer captain, who was wearing less fabric than a napkin. They were locked in a kiss that looked anything but platonic. I gasped, as I was finding it hard to breathe.

Rage flooded me and I didn't even think, I just acted. I marched over and slapped Abel so hard his head snapped to the side.

The kissing stopped and Brittany gasped. Abel's eyes widened with shock. "Ashley! What the hell?"

"What the hell, Abel? What the hell?" My voice trembled, but I refused to let a single tear fall. "We are done! You are so done!"

He stammered, reaching for me. "Ash, wait, it's not what it looks like..."

"Oh, I think it's exactly what it looks like, Abel! You are a scumbag!" I didn't wait for him to try and explain. I just turned and ran, pushing past the gawking faces that were starting to gather.

"Ashley!" I heard Abel yell, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. The humiliation, the betrayal... it was too much.

Maya suddenly appeared beside me and held my hand. "Ash, come on. Let's get out of here." She wrapped her hands around me and pushed me towards the door.

We went outside, the breeze was overwhelming as I leaned against the wall. "I'm so sorry, Ash," Maya said softly, squeezing my hand.

I cackled. "Of course, you are. Everyone's sorry for me. It's just great."

"I just found out, I swear," Maya said quickly. "Caught them last week during night practice. He was 'helping her stretch...' I thought maybe it was nothing. I didn't know how to tell you. You were already so stressed. And you know, honestly? Most of these sports guys are like that. Testosterone machines. You think they just save that energy for the court?"

My heart sank, she knew. Everyone probably knew. I was the last to find out.

"Thanks for telling me," I deadpanned. "Really appreciate it."

Maya winced. "I should have said something. I'm sorry. But you deserve better, Ash. Way better."

I didn't answer her, I just moved trying to escape the suffocating feeling overwhelming me.

The rest of the night was a blur, I remember dancing with a few random guys, vaguely aware that Maya was trying to keep an eye on me. I remember shots of something that tasted suspiciously like gasoline mixed with regret. Somewhere between tipsy and dizzy, I stumbled over to some sophomore I had barely spoken to, until I suddenly felt a hand yanked me back, so hard.

I stumbled, nearly losing my balance. "Hey! What the..." I turned to see Hayden.

"What do you think you are doing?" he growled, stepping between me and the bewildered sophomore. His eyes were like chips of ice, cold and dangerous.

"What's it to you, Blackwood?" I slurred, trying to pull away. "Go back to your own party."

"You're clearly not in your right mind," he bit out, his grip tightening on my arm.

"Oh, and you are?" I retorted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. The truth was that I don't know why I said that. I was pissed at Abel and his betrayal. I was annoyed that my best friend knew but did not tell me. And I was angry that Hayden was here interfering with my life again.

He sighed. Without another word, he scooped me up in his arms. "Hey! Put me down!" I protested, half-heartedly struggling against him.

"Shut up, Ashley," he muttered, his voice low and rough. "I'm taking you home."