"Bronx is going on your little date too?" I asked.
"Yup," she popped thepas she said it. "We're going to talk about you. Both of you, actually."
"That little fucker better have nothing but nice words to say about me," I warned with a smirk tugging at my lips.
"He only speaks the truth."
"So I'm fucked?"
"Pretty much," she smiled.
Once class ended, Ashtyn waited around to see what bullshit Reynolds had to say. I was tempted to stick around and eavesdrop, but I came to my senses and decided to wait outside the door. If that shit stain tried anything with Ashtyn, I would be right here, ready and waiting.
I couldn't wait for the day I could lay my hands on him. I knew it was coming. I could feel it.
13
Ashtyn
"Ashtyn,pleasecomeupto my desk."
The class had cleared out and I was ready to be on my way, not wanting to spend additional time at school. I walked my Converse-covered feet up to Mr. Reynolds as he shuffled papers around until he found a flyer of some sort.
"Ah, here it is. The high school feature atInspirar. I instantly thought of you. You're so talented and I love your dark interpretations of my assignments. Although the last painting you completed was a bit lighter, still enchanting. I was thinking you could submit that one."
"Maybe. Are there any prerequisites? I mean, my last painting is tame compared to my normal stuff. Don't they want something edgy and not so...safe?"
Mr. Reynolds leaned in closer, enveloping in his strong cologne. He needed to lay off it a little. It reminded me of the kids in middle school who bathed in Axe body spray.
"I want you to submit whatever your heart wants. If you want to be edgy, then go for it. I want you to stay true to yourself. This exhibit will draw in professors, other artists, and even other gallery owners. It's important to put yourself out there." His jaw ticked and his eye twitched down from my face and onto my body.
"I guess I'll have to think about it," I said, taking a step backward.
"Here," he shoved the brochure at me. "Take this. Think about it and let me know. Okay? You still have time to decide."
"Thanks, Mr. Reynolds," I said as I took the brochure and went to turn away.
"Ash, you can call me Daniel," he snickered. Like we were best friends or something.
I wanted to get the fuck out of here. Out of his smell and out of his sight.
"Ashtyn?"
I turned to him slowly. I tried to keep my face neutral, but I wanted to freak out.
"You can call your boyfriend off me. I've noticed he's a little territorial," he smirked. "I get it. He's uncomfortable. An older, talented, better-looking man talking to his girl. But he doesn't have to be so possessive over you. If you need any help, if you're in a bad situation or in trouble, you can always come to me for help."
What. The. Fuck. Seriously, what was wrong with this guy? He was crossing so many lines and boundaries. I needed to get out of the building.
"See you in class," I said as I cleared my throat.
I didn't know what else to say. I sure as fuck wasn't going to tell him that West wasn't my boyfriend. How would he act if I didn't have the protection of a muscular, testosterone-filled hothead at my beck and call? I shuddered at the thought. If he thought West and I were together, maybe he would keep his distance.
Once I got out of the room, I took off running, only to have a large hand grab my arm from an alcove off the hallway.
"Hey!" I shouted.
"It's just me. What the fuck happened in there? I couldn't hear anything," said West.