venture • lrh

thirty-seven

AFTERTASTE

*

Luke has been mad. The girl he started to love more than anything betrayed him. Of course, what he did to her wasn't right either. He took advantage of her when she was drunk. He could have made the decision not to say anything at all. He could have said nothing.

Either way, it's wrong.

She shouldn't have taken the bet, and he should've kept his dick inside his pants. So either none of them are to blame, or both. And not to defend Alexis, but she did try to call it off several times. But by doing that, she only made it worse for herself. Luke has been wanting to tell her too, but he couldn't. He wanted her, he loved her, and he didn't want to hurt her.

But Luke, he's so fed up with his thoughts. The thought that she never loved him in the first place, how it was all a lie. He strongly believes she was never in love with him at all. It has been a week. He hasn't texted or seen her and wishes never to see her again.

Luke has been considering inviting Ashton over to get the slightest distraction. Although they're best friends, he's unsure which side to pick. Ashton still is Alexis' roommate. Then again, Ashton can be friends with anyone. Luke won't stop being his friend if he happens to pick Alexis' side. He has a big ego, but he knows limits as well.

Alexis, on the other hand, she's not mad. She's just so disappointed in herself. She has been crying, saying she lost the first person she loved. Of course, she loves Calum (and loved Michael), but that was never romantically. Alexis hasn't been able to go to work or watch soccer games. She was defeated by a thing she had started.

Ashton feels for the girl. He knows that she loves him. He could tell by the look in her eyes how her entire body language changed. How her eyes light up every time she sees him. She managed to love him when nobody dared to get to know him. She kept him on his toes.

She is right for him.

Alexis won't admit that; Luke has too much pride to admit it. But Ashton? He loves to be a realist now and then.

"Alex," Ashton says softly, seeing her on the couch with one of his sweaters. The sleeves are wet from her tears. She has been wanting to wear Luke's sweaters. The brunette has many of them in her closet, but even seeing them hurt. Luke didn't reach out; he ignored her texts and calls. Ashton has told her not to bother him. Knowing Luke, he won't do shit with it anyways. She hurt him.

"Was it real? Was it real for him? He ended it like it was nothing." She finally speaks. She hasn't been able to talk.

"It was so much more real than you'd think," Ashton tells the girl. He sits next to her and wraps his arm around the girl. "It's not like he'd decide that easily; I know it felt like that, though." She looks up to meet his eyes. Her eyes are red and puffy. She hasn't been taking care of herself.

"I miss him," she admits. "And I want him to know the entire story. He'll only hear that it was a bet, but so much more happened." Ashton frowns at the brunette. He wasn't really there for their fight, but he heard some things.

So the two of them finally talk, much more than they intended. Ashton hears the entire story from her side. All the things she did and didn't do. Everything she said was true, and he could tell. He's always had a thing for telling the truth apart from the lie. That's why he's still single, according to him. People lie.

"It's too soon to talk to Luke about this," he says softly. "I'll keep you updated about when to reach out, okay?" She nods and places her head on his shoulder. She has never felt so empty. She never thought this relationship would come to an end so damn soon. What if she isn't made to be loved anyways? Her family never wanted her. Frank did, but he just wanted something else.