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Ash was at the door. Going for a drink. Can you stay with Hannah for a bit? Sorry to put you in this position.
A few moments later, my phone dinged with a text notification.
No prob. I’ll bring her to my place. Give you and Ash space to work things out.
I rolled my eyes at my friend’s hopeless romantic streak. I feared she’d learn the truth about happily ever after by someone breaking her heart.
The pub was dark, but since it was after the work rush, but not too late, it wasn’t very crowded. We were able to find a booth and Ash ordered himself a vodka tonic and me a glass of white wine.
“So what did you want to see Ben about?” I asked as the waitress brought our drinks.
“I wanted to discuss business.”
I frowned. Had something gone wrong with his buying Ben’s share of Jet? “Is there a problem with the club?”
“Only that Ben isn’t a part of it anymore.”
I looked into his face and saw sincerity. It made me feel bad that he didn’t truly understand Ben’s feelings towards him.
“And I know what’s going on with McAdams Enterprises. That Ben is trying to sell off as much as he can, but will still probably declare bankruptcy.”
I hated that he’d been poking into our business, and yet, it made sense that he had. For one, I was sure he wanted to know what was up with the Jet deal, and second, we’d all been friends at one time. “If you’re worried about us, don’t. We’ll be fine.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t doubt you or Ben have the ability to bounce back, but I can help you keep the company mostly intact.”
“Why? You and Ben aren’t close anymore.”
Ash tilted his head. “Does he know about us?”
I inhaled a breath. “Now or then?”
“Either.”
“He knows about six years ago. He’s not happy about it.”
Ash looked down at his drink, wiping the condensation from the sides with the tips of his fingers. He finally looked up. “I know I fucked up. With you and Ben. What better way to make up for my mistakes than to help you both when you need it most?”
At first, I thought it was nice of Ash to want to help us. But then I got caught up on the one word: mistake. He saw this as a way to make up for his mistakes, one of which was sleeping with me.
“So, you think by saving the company my brother will forget you fucked me?”
His head jerked back at my language. “I want to fix our friendship, Beth. I handled a lot of things wrong. I wasn’t there for him when he needed me as your dad got sick and the company started to suffer. I want to be there now.”
“What happens when he finds out that you’ve fucked me recently?”
His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. “What’s going on Beth? Why are you getting angry?”
“You said this bailout is to atone for your mistakes. One of those is me, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
I scoffed. “Thank you, but we don’t need your pity money.”
He reached over to take my hand. “I’m not letting you go until we discuss this.”
“It’s a waste of time, Ash,” I said pulling my hand away. My heart was ripping for the young girl who loved this man six years ago. It was a mistake. One he would probably will away if he could. Then again, I’d come between him and my brother. I felt some guilt over that. Had I not pursued a relationship with Ash, my dad’s company might still be crumbling, but Ben would have Ash and the club, and maybe wouldn’t be drinking. So maybe Ash was right; I was a mistake. Except for Hannah.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“I’m tired of being a mistake you have to atone for.”
He recoiled at my statement. “Beth—”
“Between you and Ben, I’m just a pawn. An object you two spoiled brats are fighting over. But I’m not a toy. I’m my own person who made my own decision. I shouldn’t have to live my life around what you or Ben wants.”
“Of course not—”
“If Ben wants to waste his life away in a bottle and burn my father’s company to the ground, let him. I’ve got my own life, my own plans, Ash, and it doesn’t include either of you selfish jerks.”
His eyes were wide as they listened to my rant. Feeling a little embarrassed by my outburst, I scooted out of the booth.
“You two can do whatever you want. I’m done.” I strode to the door, feeling such pain at walking away from a man I still clearly cared for, and yet I felt the strength that came from being on the cusp of leaving Ben and Ash’s drama behind.
17
Ash – Friday
What the fuck just happened? I watched as Beth made her way to the door of the pub wondering what I’d missed. I’d told her I wanted to make things right with her and Ben, and she got mad. What had I said to make her think I only saw her as an object? A pawn?
