The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 6

JUNIPER

I waited outside the cafe for Asher to show up. I was excited about seeing him, and I ended up getting to the cafe early. There was a slight chill in the air, but I refused to wait inside. There were too many people in there, and crowds made me nervous in a way I had never experienced before. As president of the student council, I had been to countless student events. I had given speeches in front of large crowds. People had never made me nervous.

Things were different now. I couldn’t stand to hear the whispers about me anymore. The only place I felt safe away from the horrible rumors was when I was in my room with my headphones in. Everywhere I walked, I felt like I heard people saying my name, and I no longer knew how much of it was true and how much of it my brain was creating in anticipation.

drink he got.

e you paid yesterday.”

n, now could I? Plus, if I pay, I can consider this a date.” Asher smiled brightly, and it made my stomach flutter. It was similar to the smile he used on others when he was flirting to get his way, but this smile felt personalized just for me.

a date with you,” I challenged, even though the idea of going on a date with Asher sou

the time I walk you back to your dorm, you’ll realize that this was the best date of your life.” A

ve your work cut out for you. I’ve been on some pretty spectacular dates.”

currently dating someone?” Asher’s face seemed to pale at the idea, which only amused me

gue, because I was curious about his reaction.

oing to make you happy.”

that still made my heart flutter. For a long time, I had been on my own. Moira’s parents made sure I had basic necessities, but they weren’t very giving when it came to love.

ctly, kind sir?”

“By making you fall in love with me.”

ing, “Mate,” but she was purring, eager for more attention from Asher. She had never reacted like this to any other guy I had dated before, either.

opping these rumors?”

oke, making my heart flutter even more. Even the slightest touch made it difficult to focus on the conversation, and I couldn’t tell if he was doing it on purpose or not.

r she had no intention of stopping.”

hide from him. “Then maybe you should confront her in person.”

back.” I didn’t know what I would do once I got my diploma with the valedictorian title, but I knew it would open doors to me that weren’t there before.

easy to hear the things people are saying. Sure, you could keep your head down until the next bit of juicy gossip comes along, but Moira tried to destroy you. Something tells me this isn’t s

now. I want the truth to come out, and I want Moira to reali

re time.”

en we can run away together. That way you won’t be alone.”

would do that?”

im my entire life, even though it had only been a day.

run away with him.

that’s settled, let’s get this date started,” Asher said, taking a step b

w I was being stubborn, but even though I felt the pull towards Asher, I was still afraid to dive head first into something new, especially when school was supposed to be my priority.

yes sparkled as he looked at me.

Plus, you didn’t ask me to go on a date with you. You asked to meet up for coffee. That’s not how you ask someone on a date.”

te with me?” Asher asked

pt away too quickly. “You’re not going to give this up, are you?”

ice suddenly asked.

itched as I saw Axel approaching us. I had been so swept up in the conversation

“Of cour

like a protective barrier. Tension filled the air around us, but Axel only smirked at Asher’s interaction.

king Juniper that question, not you,” Axel said, shoving his hands in his pockets. He ignored Asher and looked at me instead. “If he’s bothering you, just sa

er down my spine, and I resisted the urge to shift under his gaze. His eyes made it hard to breathe, and his presence excited me. There was something pulling on my chest, urging me to step forward. It was sim

de me feel a rush of adrenaline.

te, because I have homework to do.”

e they supported the idea of me going on a date with Asher on the surface, there was an underlying presence saying, “Dates with me are much more fun.”

pporting that.”

ack off, and Axel was taunting him in return.

s. Axel or Asher? Asher or Axel? It all seemed to muddle together.

ddenly.

me strange looks, making me feel foolish at the sudden outburst.

er yet. Maybe the three of us could go get something to eat together.” I knew it was a bad idea to have both of them together based on the tension I already felt, but it was the first idea that popped into my head. Plus, I wanted to spend more time with Axel to figure out why I was feeling a pull towards him and Asher.

blame him. Just a moment ago, he had been trying to get me to go on a date with him, and if Axel jo

where to be,” Asher said in response.

rted.

oked between the two of them, and