Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me, #1)

by Kelsie Rae

“Nah, he’ll get over it.” “Ass,” he mutters into his coffee. And I laugh with him. “If Logan’s reckless enough to openly cheat on her at a party, he deserves me messing with her.”

“Because joking with my friend’s girlfriend is one thing but screwing her in the kitchen is probably against the roommate agreement, don’t you think?”

“He should’ve noticed before you walked out of his room. Before you came down the stairs. Before he recognized another guy was noticing you, and he didn’t like it. So tell me this, Sunshine. Why didn’t he notice you were wearing my shirt before you left his room?”

But when you’re the villain in your own story, it’s hard to stop yourself from fighting for the opposite in someone else’s. Even if it’s only for a minute.

“You’re not allowed to like my dress,” I spit through clenched teeth. His voice drops low and husky as he checks the hallway behind me, stepping closer. So close, I have to tilt my head up to hold his gaze.

“Then, you’re not allowed to be jealous,” he growls. “I’m not jealous.” “Could’ve fooled me.”

“Tell me, Sunshine.” He pauses, and I hold my breath. “Did he notice?”

“You’re a ray of sunshine, Ash. You’re the only thing I’ve been looking forward to since I moved back. Maybe even before then,” he admits, his eyes going hazy. “Since my dad died.”

“I think I might even see you in white one day, walking down an aisle toward me.”

“My dad died during my senior year of high school, Mr. Peterson. I know what it’s like to have too much space. Too much time between conversations. Do you know what I would give for him to be able to call me? To hear his voice again? You guys can still talk to Ash, but you don’t.” I scoff, blown away by how her own flesh and blood wouldn’t want to talk to her every hour of every day. “Life is short, Mr. Peterson. It’s short. And you don’t know when or how it’ll end. I know you’re not trying to take your role for granted as Ash’s parents, but she needs more. She needs to hear how proud you are of her. Not me. I already know she’s a badass, and I spend every day reminding her of it. But she needs to hear it from you too.” I raise my hands in surrender, take a step back, and let out a long, slow breath. “Okay. Now I’m really done. I’m sorry.” I force out another breath. “I love your daughter, and I want to make sure she’s being treated the way she deserves. That’s it. I love her.”

support would be nice. And it’s so hard doing it alone. Tackling projects, and school, and my future all by myself. It’s exhausting. Or at least, it was until I found Colt. He’s given me the support I crave without asking for anything in return.

“I’m really not,” he tsks. “He’s using you, Ash. He doesn’t like you. He doesn’t want you. Just like your parents don’t. He wants to flaunt you in my face to prove he won.” Tongue in cheek, he looks over his shoulder toward the main area, practically bursting with our fellow students, and lets out a low chuckle. “Honestly? It’s pathetic, Ash. I ended shit with you. Why does he even think I’d care?” He laughs a little harder. “Didn’t think you’d fall for it, though. You really think someone like Colt Thorne would want you?” Another scoff. “Tell me. How long did you wait until you jumped into his bed?” He lifts his hand and shakes his head. “Actually. I don’t even care enough to know. Run along, Ashlyn.” He steps aside, finally giving me space to slip past him. “Glad I could shine some light on the situation for you.”

“Nice catching up, Logan,” I spit, nearly choking on the lump in my throat, but I swallow it back. “I hope you catch an STD and your dick falls off.”

This isn’t some hockey tussle like when we’re on the ice. This is more. This is about Ash and how he hurt her. How he wanted to hurt her. How he convinced me to invite her to the party tonight under the guise of everything being good between us so he could cause her pain.