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I sank to the floor, staring at the wall. The feeling of inevitability crashed over me. It was always going to end up this way, since Duncan had given me the bracelet of a dead woman and decided I would take her place.
I clutched my left hand, where Asher’s ring sat. I cradled it to my chest, hugging it tight, and sobbed my fucking heart out.
I stayed at hospital all day, numb. Cold had crept through my veins. Now, after hours of staring out at the fading sun dipping behind the skyline of the town, ice encrusted my heart. Asher had called me a few times, but I didn’t have the strength to answer. I couldn’t hear his voice and pretend I was okay when I had to end things with him. I was set on a path that had little to do with me and everything to do with the past and forces out of my control. I wasn’t going to end up with Trent. There was no fucking way. But I had to play along for now. In this game, timing would be everything.
Asher wouldn’t be the one to answer for how fucked up my family history was. That was my job. My responsibility. I was gazing out of the window as night fell when a motorcycle turned off the road and pulled into the hospital parking lot.
He was here.
I made my way downstairs, hands clenched in fists so hard my nails cut into my palms. I didn’t care. It should hurt. I wanted it to hurt.
He had just gotten off his bike when I reached him.
He shook his head after he took off his helmet, sending his dark waves scattering across his forehead. I could have looked at him all day.
“I’d have come up to you, Ice Queen. It’s damn cold out still,” he chastised me, reaching for me and drawing me into an embrace. Physical touch came naturally to him. He held my hands in his and blew on them.
“How are you so cold? Weren’t you inside? Have you eaten?”
“I’m not hungry,” I managed to get out. My lungs felt like they had been punctured and were slowly drying out, precious droplets of life puddling on the ground beneath us.
“In fact, I think you should leave,” I forced out.
Asher raised an eyebrow at me, taking my hands and guiding them inside his jacket. I shivered at the warmth. “Why’s that? Should I take you home?”
I shook my head. Fuck. I had to get this over with, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
“No. You can’t take me home. You can’t take me home ever again. This game between us…I think it’s run its course.”
Asher stared at me, stilling as my words sank through him.
“I just mean, there’s no point now, right? My dad isn’t even awake. It’s a good time to break it off. By the time he’s recovered, I’ll just tell him we broke up and that’s that.”
Asher’s eyes narrowed on my face. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
I swallowed hard and dropped his gaze. I couldn’t meet those steadfast dark eyes. I couldn’t tell Asher the truth. He was so overprotective; he’d never take Trent threatening him lying down. And then what? He’d get hurt, or in trouble for hurting Trent. I already knew the kind of influence the Fitzgeralds had in Hade Harbor.
No, this was the only way. The only person who’d really be hurt by this was me, and that was only right. Asher would get over it, much faster than I would. He’d have his full life of hockey and friends and family, a line of girls waiting to replace me. I’d be alone, just missing him every single day.
That was okay, though. It was only fair.
I sighed, trying to sound nonchalant. “I’m just over this. The pretense, the game. It’s exhausting. Let’s call it a day now, while we’re ahead.”
“Winter, look me in the fucking eyes,” Asher demanded.
Damn it. He was going to make this even harder than it had to be. Of course he was.
“What?” I managed to glance up at him. I closed my eyes, unable to look at him for long, tears already forming behind my eyelids. “Did I stutter? I think I was pretty clear.”
Anger clouded Asher’s features, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing right now, but it’s not funny.”
I tossed my hair, wishing I had half my previous confidence when dealing with this man, and shrugged. “I’m not joking, and I’m not playing a game. I’m over it. Let’s start the final stage of our agreement. I held up my part. You found your dad. We had the dinner, and I managed to hold off my fucking destiny a little longer. We’re all good. Let’s go our separate ways.” I folded my arms over my chest.
Asher was staring at me like he wanted to strangle me. I thought he was about to warn me of that intention when he spoke in a hard tone. “You’re over it? Then why are you fucking crying?”
I swallowed hard and willed the weakness from my face. “Am I? Just tired, I guess. So, anyway, there’s no reason for you to come here again, so I’ll just see you around campus.”
“Winter. Talk to me. What’s going on?” Asher’s voice was so deep and concerned, it only made those tears press closer to the surface.
