The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 7
JUNIPER
“But luckily for Asher, I don’t like being a third wheel. I’ll take a raincheck on that dinner date, perhaps when it can just be the two of us,” Axel said. He winked at Asher, and Asher’s jaw tensed in response. Axel took a step back, seeming pleased by the reaction. He put two fingers on his forehead before saluting us. “See yah around.”
Asher didn’t say anything as Axel walked away. Even after Axel was out of sight, Asher was stiff. I reached for his hand, feeling guilty.
rry if I upset you,” I said. It was obvious he hated that I invited
nice. Axel just… riles me up sometimes. He’s a good guy, but he enjoys torturing me too much.”
bickering was a normal part of being related to someone.
eem to have a talent for that.
ch of the brothers.
ow many of them have you met?”
Professor Harrison, but he told me not to worry, since it’s clear I’m innocent.”
talked to Ethan?” As
s. Asher didn’t seem like the type to lie, though, so I didn’t know what to think. He was saying one thing while my instincts were saying the opposite.
want to get dinner?”
you asking me on a date?”
that I invited Axel to get food, too?”
ly ignoring his comment.
have an idea.” He grabbed my hand a
e school cafeteria.
’s a surprise.”
ar was smooth, and it looked expensive, but it wasn’t a sports car. It had five seats, but it was still nicer than anything I had driven before.
student store.
he passenger door and gestured for me to get in.
ere wasn’t a spec of dust on the dashboard.
oard, making it seem like the car was from the future. I couldn’t imagine owning a car like this in the future.
this car would.
ld warmth to combat the fall chill in the air.
ith me likely wasn’t special. That thought made my heart sink. I wanted to be special to him.
nly date me to try to use my status to further themselves.”
them from birth. I didn’t think about all of the drawbacks that came with that kind of life.
judge of character. I can see the fake people from miles away. It makes the genuine ones shine even brighter.”
my character?” I asked.
kindness—even those who don’t deserve it. It’s why I was drawn to you in the first place.”
r, but I didn’t feel sorry enough to attempt to apologize to her.
ugh the city with ease.
’t know how I got lucky enough for Asher to fall into my life like this, but I knew I wanted whatever this was between us to continue growing.
re simple, just a blouse and jeans, but they were not appropriate for a nice sitdown restaurant.
casual and fun.”
t was more intimate than just hanging out with a friend, but I didn’t want to just jump into dating someone I had just met.
nfidence was outstanding.
now that?”
en wrong about you yet. I plan on keeping that up. Something you’
genuine a person is, like you, but I know when a guy is flirting just to get something in return.” Asher glanced at me, so I decided to elaborate. “I’ve lear
y before, only for him to use me and break my heart in the process.
orry. I plan on winning your heart fair and square,”
used to, but looking at the menu made my stomach growl.
gave me a moment to decide what I wanted to eat, before he ordered the food. He switched to his signature smile as he talked to the girl at the window, and she seemed to swoon as he spoke. Seeing other girls swoon for Asher only reminded me that I had to be careful not to fall too fast, but it was
right in. Whatever this pull to him was made it nearly impossible to resist his charms.
r, and she was completely enamored by him.
them on my lap. He rolled up his window and took off.
nger.” My heart thundered thinking about the way she looked at him. I was jealous, but I didn’t want Asher to know that.
glanced at me, smirking. “She was just being n
Looks like you got lucky.” I laughed, wondering how many women did things like that.
ing.
. “Of course not. I just think it’s crazy that you get free things by flirting. S
eep it out of his reach, since he was restricted to the driver’s seat.
gesture?”
was interested in me. Happy?” Asher pout
d that I got him to admit it. “Only if you split your free ice cream with me.”
orked hard for that ice
ng to hide any hint of jealousy I was showing.
kidding.
that so?”
widening just slightly. He leaned in, and his breath hit my face. It wouldn’t take much from either of us to turn this into a kiss. “Just tell me what you want, and your wish is my co