CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186

ASHLEY

For the last two hours, I have shred up and damaged every piece of expensive fabric within my reach, and I still haven’t managed to create anything breath taking. My mannequin is pockmarked with needle holes. My office is an eye sore. Frustrated, I plow through the fabric skimming my ankles and retreat to my desk.

I have never felt so talentless. My brain used to be cluttered with design ideas. I used to see fashion hits and misses whenever I looked at a person’s outfit. Even the sight of color used to inspire a whole new look in my head but today, I’ve got nothing! It’s a ghost town up in my head. I can’t even differentiate between color shades. What the hell is wrong with me? I wonder silently, cradling my head in my hands.

It’s their life. It shouldn’t matter as much. She’s my past and he is my blood. Why does it sting so much that my brother didn’t tell me about his relationship with my ex-wife?

Frankly, I don’t want anything to do with Demi. Marrying her will always go down in history as the biggest mistake of my life. Our union plunged me into one of the worst phases of my life, second only to Tobias’ abuse.

I absolutely miss the old me who didn’t give emotions the time of the day, the guy who enjoyed the attention of multiple women. I miss the guy that was super confident and secure in himself.

Now, I’m just a hot mess who’s still saddened by his singleness and reeling with shock over his brother and ex-wife dating, like I didn’t know that was inevitable. Maybe if Nicci didn’t give up on us, our renewed love story would have made Ashton and Demi’s relationship hurt less, because then I wouldn’t be so jealous that they got their happy ending and not me.

I have no clue why I feel so dead inside but I just can’t shake if off. I try to avoid Ashton as much as possible so I don’t go off on him over the Demi situation. That’s why I’m back to spending hours toiling in the office.

"Where are you?" Asher asks over the phone.

"At work. Why?"

"Why aren’t you here at the hospital? Didn’t we agree to talk to Skylar today, together, about everything."

I sit up in my chair. "No, that’s not what we agreed. You said we needed to give her more time to get comfortable around us before bringing it up. Today was just supposed to be a regular visit to take her home after her discharge from the hospital."

"Oh, so you do remember what today is and still decided to be a no-show?"

"Give my love to Sky but I have some pressing work to get done over here. I need to get the business up and running before father shuts us down."

"That’s not the truth and you know it." He sighs deeply. "What’s really up with you, Ash? You seem a little withdrawn lately and somehow, I suspect it no longer has to do with Nicci. Is everything okay? Do you want to talk about it?"

"I’ll be fine. I just need some time to process a few things." Shutting my eyes, I run a finger over my temple. "And it’s not about Nicci or anyone else for that matter. I’m having a creative block that has spanned weeks. I’m just struggling a bit to get back my mojo."

What I don’t communicate through my voice is how close I am to freaking out. What if this is it? What if something’s snapped inside me with everything that I’ve been through lately and ended my creative streak?

I AM NOTHING WITHOUT FASHION. I am not even the flirty quad anymore, thanks to Demi who guilt tripped me into pursuing one woman (her) only despite knowing from the onset that she was never going to build a life with me. I feel lost.

My brothers and I already share so much in common which makes it difficult for me to stand out. If I lose my creativity, everything will be over for me. I need to find a way to get my head back in the game.

"Ashley?"

"Yeah?"

"You should come to the hospital."

Sighing, I stand and continue to sample more fabrics. "I can’t. I still have a lot..."

"I just saw Nicola here."

The fabric slips from my hand. "What?"

"She’s here for an appointment. I thought you might want to know that. Hurry up."

Nicci’s at the hospital? Why? There a plethora of reasons why she would be there, I remind myself. And if she specifically chose the one hospital that my family sponsors, then she must be prepared for me to find out.

"I’m on my way."

***

When I get to the hospital, Asher apologizes for luring me out.

"Nicci isn’t here but Skylar is, and I need you present today." He continues before I can give him a piece of my mind. "I invited someone over whom Skylar might not be thrilled to see but it’s necessary to spur her to bring up our parents. She’s clearly recovered. Father might clue in on this very soon. I’m not sure how much longer we can wait."

"Who did you invite?" My brows arch suspiciously but before he can give a response, I spot Demi sitting outside Skylar’s room. "You’ve got to be kidding me." Slanting a burning look at Asher, I clench my fist. "Really? Why her? How exactly is she going to help us?"

Asher looks rather confused. "Ok, chill, bro. Just how much damage did Nicci do that’s got you riled up at the sight of literally any woman."

"This has nothing to do with Nicci so stop bringing her up. This is about that..."I trail off in surprise and my outstretched arm drops when the woman staring up at us from outside Skylar’s room turns out to be Cree Baxter. Am I seeing things? I thought...

Wordlessly, Asher pats my back before steering me inside the hospital room.

The doctor clears Skylar for discharge after her test results return sound.

"Finally! I miss my own bed." Smiling gaily, her eyes dart around the room till it rests on our anxious faces. "Oh hell no. I’m not going back to that cozy prison of yours. I have my own house. You’re welcome to visit if you miss me."

"You’re no one’s prisoner, Sky." Ashal tells her. "We’re glad you’re all better." He inhales softly. "So, where’s home?"

Skylar leaps down from her bed and reels out an address in a remote part of town. "I want to see Keith first. I have a few explanations to make."

"I’ll drop you at his place myself." Asher offers. "He and I didn’t get off on a good start. If we’re both going to be in your life, we might as well sort out our issues." She struggles to mask a hint of discomfort over his suggestion and nods vigorously when asked if she was okay with that. I exchange glances with my brothers and wonder why we are too afraid to bring up the elephant in the room.

"We’ll get going shortly but before that, someone wanted to see you."

Her eyes flash towards Asher. "Really? Who?"

Her door opens quietly but instead of Cree, Demi enters to our astonishment. I glance at Asher and tacitly, he registers his surprise as well. Then my eyes drift to Ashton. Did he ask her here? But even his face is mired in shock. Skylar is caught off guard by the meek expression on Demi’s face.

"Hi, Skylar."

"Demi?" Skylar glances worriedly at the rest of us. Hands akimbo, she fixes Demi with a cold stare. "What is this about?"

Demi avoids our eyes except Skylar’s. "I just wanted to apologize once again for hitting you. I had no right. I’m sorry you were hurt because of my actions. Please, do find a place in your heart to forgive me. I’d appreciate it if we can have a do-over."

I steal a glance at Ashton and notice a small smile tugging the corner of his lips. Bile tickles my throat before I tear my eyes away from him.

"Please?" Demi persists.

"Are you finally admitting that you pushed me?"

"I didn’t..." Demi inhales when Skylar rolls her eyes. "I didn’t push you. You slipped accidentally but if that’ll make us move past this, then I’ll take the blame as well. I really want a chance to redeem myself, Skylar, the same way your brothers here gave you a second chance despite everything that has transpired between you and them. Everyone deserves a second chance. This is me begging you for one. Please, I am nothing like you think. Give me a chance and I’d show you."

Now, the entire room is baked in an awkward silence. Uncomfortable with everyone awaiting her reply, Skylar finally bobs her head.

"Fine. You’re right. Everyone deserves a second chance or whatever. I forgive you." She flashes her hands to keep Demi back when the latter tries to go in for a hug. "That’s not necessary."

"Thank you." Demi replies meekly before signaling Cree to enter.

When Cree enters, whatever discomfort Skylar felt over Demi’s apology triples.