CHAPTER 96: SOMETIMES THE PERSON WHO LIKES YOU... ISN’T THE ONE YOU’RE CHASING

I stepped back inside the house, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

But then something made me pause.

I looked up.

There she was again....the middle-aged woman from yesterday, standing on the upstairs balcony, leaning against the railing with a cigarette pressed between her fingers.

Her robe was sagging off one shoulder, her hair was tied up in a tired-looking bun. She looked at me the same way she did yesterday.

"Nice boyfriend you’ve got there," she said eventually said, puffing out a cloud of smoke.

I blinked, unsure whether to smile or not. "Thanks..."

She took another drag. "Just... be careful, alright?"

My brows lifted. "Careful?"

She nodded toward the street where Dominic had just driven off. "Rich boys like that... they’re different. They got secrets. Always thinking ten steps ahead. They don’t like people like us unless they’re trying to feel better about themselves. They take what they want and leave the rest. Seen it too many times."

The air suddenly felt colder. I don’t think Dominic is one of them.

"Okay," I said quietly, not really knowing what else to say. "Thanks again."

She shrugged like she didn’t mean any harm. "Just sayin’. You look soft. Don’t let them eat you alive."

I nodded once, then stepped back inside, locked the door behind me, and leaned on it for a second.

My heart was fluttering....but not from her warning. From him, from Dominic.

I couldn’t stop thinking about his pretty face, his lips, the way he touched me last night, how loved he made me feel... made my heart do that stupid flutter thing.

I still can’t believe he said it back. He said Ilove you too.

God, I couldn’t stop blushing. My cheeks hurt. I pressed a hand to my face. I probably looked insane. Like a kid after his first kiss....except it was so much more than that.

I felt light. Like I could actually breathe.

Even if I still didn’t know who was behind yesterday’s anonymous messages, or what they wanted... just for now, I didn’t want to think about it. I just want to hold on to this feeling.

I didn’t even realize I was still standing there grinning at the door when my phone buzzed in my hoodie pocket.

June.

I answered with a smile. "Hey, Juney."

She screamed into the call. "ASH! Finally! Oh my god!"

"How’s Alia doing?! Did you get any feedback from Blackwell? Is your mom’s surgery still tomorrow? What’s goin on? Spill every tea."

I laughed, collapsing onto the couch. "Oh my God, chill, June."

"No, I refuse. I will not chill! I need updates, Ash."

"First off all, thanks for yesterday. For everything."

She sniffed dramatically. "You’re welcome. I deserve flowers. And a handwritten letter of appreciation."

"And chocolate," I added. "And probably a statue in your honor."

"Ugh, finally someone gets it."

I chuckled. "Okay, Miss Diva. I got the email this morning. Blackwell reinstated my scholarship. I can go back tomorrow."

She squealed again. "YES! Oh my God, I’m so happy! I was so scared they were gonna screw you over. You deserve to be there, Ash. Wait, wait you didn’t answer me though, how are you doing?"

"I’m okay," I said. "Still processing a lot. But... I’m okay. How are you also doing?"

She sighed. "Fine-Ish. You know me. I just... I needed to know everything’s okay. I couldn’t sleep."

I felt that, and I love her for it.

"...Also, how did you even convince Ian to drive you yesterday?" I asked. "You two seem... kinda close."

She snorted. "Ian? Please. That jerk."

I raised a brow. "Oh?"

She scoffed. "Exactly! You won’t believe what he did on our way back, he pulled over to smoke. Said he was ’toocold’ and needed to calm down before driving again."

I blinked. "Isn’t that... illegal? Or is it just drinking and driving that’s banned?"

"I don’t even know," she groaned. "It’s not like we have licenses or Teslas. And anyway, if he did get arrested, his daddy would bail him out in five seconds."

I chuckled, reaching for the bag of groceries near the table. "That’s fair."

" I missed talking to you like this." I sighed.

"Same baby. I was so scared yesterday, it’s not easy without you. I even started talking to Ian, Ash. Ian. That’s how low I sank."

"Youpoorthing." I stared laughing.

She snorted.

Then went on, "Also, don’t come for me...you’re really close to Dom. The second I told him Alia was missing and you were out in the rain, that man sprinted into the rain to look for you."

"Yeah... not that close," I lied. "We bonded over Liam’s case, that’s all."

I was lying to my bestfriend, and I felt bad about it. I have to tell her the truth, sooner.

"Hmm," she said suspiciously. "You sure?"

"Yeah." I lied again.

"Honestly, I don’t even know what I would’ve done if Dominic hadn’t picked you up earlier. You were out there in the rain, and you weren’t answering. I thought..."

She cut herself off. I felt it too.

"Are you planning to leave Ren for Ian?" I asked, trying to deflect as I walked into Alia’s room.

She gagged audibly. "EWW. Oh my God. That would be the worst decision of my life."

I chuckled, watching Alia still fast asleep. I leaned down, tucked the blanket higher over her shoulder as she mumbled something in her sleep.

"Why would it be a mistake? He’s a jerk, yeah. But he’s hot and handsome." I said, stepping back out and gently shutting the door behind me.

She was quiet for a second. Then...

"Ash... you don’t know Ian. He’s like... a walking pornstar," she hissed. "He’ll sleep with literally anyone. I’m not even exaggerating."

I nearly choked, as I burst out laughing, grabbing the grocery bag near the door. "JuneHalloway. How the hell do you even know that? Did he offer to sleep with you?"

"Eeew, no! It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later. But I’m not giving up on Ren. Not yet."

"Hmmm... okay." I chuckled.

"Do you think Ren will ever... you know, see me that way?"

I paused, the keys to the apartment dangling in my hand as I stood by the door.

"...Of course," I said quietly. "At this point, I don’t think anything’s impossible."

June exhaled softly. "You mean that?"

"Yeah."

She didn’t say anything for a second.

I hesitated at the door, my hand still resting on it.

"Also..." I added, "Ever thought there might be someone else? Someone you’ve overlooked?"

"Someone else?" she echoed.

"Yeah. Like... someone who already sees you that way."

"You’re not talking about Ian, are you?" She asked slowly.

I grinned. "Definitely not."

"...You’re being weird."

I shrugged, even though she couldn’t see me. "Just saying. Sometimes the person who likes you... isn’t the one you’re chasing."

"Wait! Who are you talking about?"

"I didn’t say anyone," I smiled, stepping out the door with the grocery bag. "Gotta go get groceries. Love you."

"Ash Rivera!" she shrieked. "You better tell me now!"

I hung up before she could trap me, still smiling to myself.

Because I knew.

And maybe... one day, she’d know too. And see Marcus the way he sees her.

I stepped outside, and shifted the grocery bag in my arm and pulled the list from my pocket.

I added another note beneath it:

"Mom’s hospital stuff."

I’d need to get her flowers, a blanket, maybe something soft for her to hold. She always liked those little scented lip balms too.

Would she be in pain? Would she be able to eat?

I should just get her something... or anything to make her smile when she wakes up.

If she wakes up.

I swallowed that thought fast.

No. She would wake up. She had to.

And when she did, I wanted everything to be ready.