I didn’t know what to say. “Ash…”

“You’re wasting time.”

“Thank you.” I didn’t look at him when I said it. I got into his BMW and drove away.

When I returned, my truck was exactly where I left it. I grabbed my things and walked to his door. The couple I was shooting was understanding about my lateness. I was lucky they were so nice about it. I wasn’t exactly cheap so it was inappropriate to waste their time.

I got to his door and knocked. I don’t know what I would have done if Ash hadn’t helped me. I would have been stranded until someone could come to my rescue. It’d been hours since I called Jace and he still hadn’t called me back. What was he doing?

Ash opened the door, his eyes guarded. He didn’t speak.

“I didn’t scratch your car.”

“I never assumed you did.”

I handed the keys back to him. “Thanks for letting me borrow it…”

“Sure.” He handed my keys over. “I got a new battery and now it’s as good as new—just don’t leave your lights on.”

“How much was it?” I opened my purse and snaked my hand inside.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said immediately. “Now we’re square.”

“What have I ever done for you…?”

“You cooked for me several times.”

“Because you helped me,” I argued.

“Just don’t worry about it,” he said quickly. He grabbed his bag then walked out. “I need to run. I’ll see you around…” He didn’t look back at me as he walked away. It was like we weren’t even friends anymore. The trust was gone between us. He was always still and uncomfortable when he was around me.

And I didn’t like that at all.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ash

I sat on the couch and drank my beer while I watched the game.

“I thought you had clinical today?” Livia sat beside me.

Scotty was in the kitchen, finishing dinner.

“I don’t have it this week.” Because I blew off my exam to help Alaska—again.

Livia studied my face. “Or you missed another exam?”

If painting didn’t work out, she could be a detective. “I may have…”

“Why did you miss two?” The concern was in her voice. “You can’t afford to miss any more patient care.”

I didn’t want to admit it. “I just missed it, okay?”

“Did Alaska have anything to do with this?”

Damn it. “She needed a new battery and she needed to get to work. Scotty picked me up and helped me out.”

Livia stared at me like she’d never seen me before. “Ash…”

“Don’t give me shit about it. I couldn’t leave her there without help.”

“No…that’s not what I was going to say.” Her eyes softened. “You’re so in love with this girl.”

“No, I’m not.” I jumped to my feet and headed to the refrigerator. I needed another beer—right now.

Scotty leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why are you in denial about this?”

“I admit I’m fond of her but I don’t love her,” I barked.

“You smashed her boyfriend’s skull with a beer bottle.” Scotty gave me a firm look. “Dude, you snapped. I’ve never seen you that angry before.”

“He did what?” Livia raised her voice.

I guess Scotty never told her. “I caught Alaska’s boyfriend cheating on her. I guess I just…lost it.”

Livia covered her face. “Did you tell her?”

I felt the anger come back. “She didn’t believe me.”

“How could she not believe you?” Scotty asked incredulously. “You saw everything.”

“He said he was working, so she called the firehouse to check. That smart fucker got there before she called and acted like he’d been there the whole time.”

“Seriously?” Scotty asked. “So, she’s still with him?”

“Unfortunately.” I downed half my beer, wanting to pass out.

“That poor girl.” Livia shook her head. “She deserves someone better than that.”

“I know she does.” I felt the depression sink in. “She’s the most amazing girl I’ve ever met. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s just…really cool. I don’t understand how he can be out with another woman when she’s waiting at home for him. How can she not be good enough for him?”

Livia gave me a look I’d never seen before. “She’s the one, Ash.”

I rolled my eyes. “None of this girl gossip shit. She’s just a friend and I care about her.”

“The most amazing girl in the world?” Scotty stared me down. “Those are your words, not mine.”

“You sacrificed two exams just to help her get to work. No offense, but your schoolwork is a lot more important than her photo shoots, which means you lied to her and never told her you were sacrificing your schoolwork for her. I have no doubt she would never let you go through with it. Therefore, you lied to her because you were determined to help her, no matter the cost. And you’ve never done that for anyone before, not even me.” Livia kept staring at me, proving her point. “Ash, she isn’t just a friend.”

I stepped away, needing my space. “She doesn’t feel the same way so it doesn’t matter.”

“How do you now unless you ask?” My sister followed me.

“She has a boyfriend and she refuses to believe he’s cheating on her.” I clenched my jaw. “It’s pretty clear she doesn’t have feelings for me.”

“Maybe she’s in denial just like you are.”

“No, I already hit on her once and she rejected me, coldly. She wants nothing more than my friendship, if that. I was stupid for ever getting close to her, for ever letting her in as much as I did. Because now it just hurts.” I walked out without looking back. My beer was still in my hand. I didn’t want to look at my sister or at Scotty. I just wanted to leave—to get out.

Sage met me at the bar. Of all my friends, he was the least annoying. He could be quiet when I asked, and he didn’t sick his nose in my personal life as much as my sister and Scotty.

Sage watched the game. “If the Padres don’t make it to the playoffs, I’m going to be pissed.”

“How much did you bet?”

“Two-hundred.”

“I hope you win—so you can buy me a beer afterwards.”

“Nah, I’d rather take a girl on a date.”

Sage was different than I was. He was looking for the right woman, not just someone to hit his sheets for the night. But that made him picky, and he was hard to impress.

“How’s it going with Alaska?” he asked.

“She’s just a friend,” I blurted.

“You’re sure about that?”

“Yeah.”

“Is she seeing anyone?”

I glared at him. “She has a boyfriend. And even if she didn’t, she’s off limits.”

He smirked. “I thought you said she’s just a friend?”

“You aren’t good enough for her.”

He shook his head slightly. “You’re in—”

“If you finish that sentence I’ll break my bottle over your head.”

He closed his mouth and watched the game again.

Smart decision.

“Can I say something? It’s not directly about her.”

“Why not? You’re going to say something anyway.”

“You really went psycho on her boyfriend? Because I’ve been hearing rumors…”

“He’s a piece of shit and he deserved it.” I felt no remorse for what I did.

“If he pressed charges, wouldn’t you have been kicked out of school?”

Medical school was different than traditional college. The standards were harder and they had strict rules about that type of thing. As physicians, we were held to a higher standard. Even a speeding ticket could cost my medical license. “I suppose…”

“And you risked that for her?”

“And she didn’t leave the fucker.” I hated thinking about it. My brain was about to explode.

“She must really be something…” He sipped his beer again and dropped the subject.

I didn’t go back to the Gaslight because it was too soon. I didn’t want to be spotted and questioned. I decided to lay low. There were plenty of things to do in Pacific Beach and La Jolla, and more bars than I could count.

“So…are you doing okay?” he asked. “In general?”