Love Has a Color

He Can Explain

"Where the hell have you been! You're almost an entire hour late and you haven't been answering your phone. I couldn't leave because Asher isn't here either so Sarah and I have had to keep everyone settled and in the conference room because they were all trying to leave. This is an important meeting Scarlett!" Violet yells as she runs up to grab my arm and drag me down the hallway. But, she doesn't go without noticing Asher first. Damn. "Um...did you two- did you get here together? And you both look like you've been hit by a bus. What is going on here?" 

I give Asher a good once over, checking out his appearance. He doesn't really look all that bad. His hair is wild as always, he barely has half a bag under his eyes, and his shirt is actually buttoned to where it should be. I, on the other hand, do look like I've been hit by a bus. My dress is wrinkled at the edges, my hair is frizzy and sticking out in all directions from the messy bun I created, and I am drained of the usual color I possess.

I try to think of an excuse, but Asher beats me to the response, calmly explaining everything. "Yes, I drove her. I left my phone at her office yesterday so I went by her place this morning to see if she needed a ride, and if she could let me into the office to grab it." He then pulls his phone out of his pocket as if waving it at her will prove what time of day he picked it up.

She gives us both an evil eye clearly hesitant to buy our story. "Okay, even though that was obviously a lie I'm going to ignore it because we're very late right now. So please, get moving!"

We walk swiftly down the hall with Asher right behind us. I lean closer to Vi so only she can hear me. "I'll explain everything later, you just need to have my back in here okay?" She nods and mouths the word 'good' to me and we all enter the office. "Hi everyone. Please, take your seats and we'll get things started as soon as possible. I'm so sorry for the wait, we sent an email intending to ask you all to be here at 9, but actually said 8. I sent Violet the email and she just forwarded it like she was told."

Asher then steps closer to me to address the room as well. "It was just a failure to communicate by us, and we apologize. So, let's just get this done as quick as possible and get you all back to your days, yes?"

We quickly get through the meeting and send everyone back to work. When it's just the four usual suspects in the room, Violet walks to the door then turns to point a finger at Asher and I. "You, in Sarah's office. Now." We both look at each other, then Sarah who just shrugs and walks out.

We mope over to her office like scared puppies that just peed on the couch. "I think she was just talking about you," Asher whispers.

"Oh no, Mister. She pointed to both of us. Besides, this wasn't all my fault." I grab his arm and yank us into the room.

"Okay, tell me everything that happened from the moment I left the office yesterday," Vi orders me. I explain everything, that is up until the part I can't remember. Asher tells his half, remembering just a little more of the night than me. "You two slept together?! I knew it!"

"Okay, Violet, first of all keep your voice down. Second, we didn't sleep together," I tell her.

"Well, we kind of slept together. But I think sleeping was actually all that went on," Asher adds. I glare at him and give him a good smack on the arm.

"Either way, it doesn't mean anything. It was just a drunken mistake, and now we can all get back to the way things were. Hating each other so that the world keeps turning. Now, I'm going home because I need to shower. For like, four hours." I stand and make a quick get away before anyone can stop me. I get out the door and walk around the corner, staying out of sight in case either one of them, Violet in particular, comes after me. But, no one even walks out the door. I sneak back over to listen in and see what they're saying to each other.

"Of course, not. I really care about her. I would never hurt her. I realize that sometimes I may an ass, but I'm not evil," I hear Asher say. Of course not, what? I curse at myself for not getting over here in time to hear what Violet had previously said.

"So you really don't remember a thing?" She asks.

"No. I remember everything through the end of the second bottle. I don't even know if we drank more or when we went to bed or what happened after that. I barely remember what we talked about. I don't know, I just want to stop talking about it. She clearly doesn't have feelings for me, so let's not act like this matters." I hear shuffling and decide to make a run for the stairs, so he doesn't catch me in the elevator. I'm not sure if anyone actually left the room or not, so I may have missed more of that conversation. As much as I'd like to stick around and hear what all they have to say, it's probably better neither of them catch me eavesdropping.

On the drive home I can't help but think about what Asher said. He really cares about me. I feel a little bad about what I said up there, and I'm not really sure why I said it in the first place. Maybe because I'm scared. I fall too easily into these traps. I get too attached too quickly and become blind to everything. Asher is no exception to that. I know that with his stupid face and that stupid giant heart I've dug my way into more than once, I'd fall for him the second I let my guard down. The second I let myself really feel something for him, I would get hurt. Because that's what always happens.

I wanted to say that I'm both disappointed and not disappointed that nothing happened last night. Disappointed because I want something to happen with Asher. But, not disappointed because if something were to happen I'd want to remember it. I'd want to be there for it, to see his face and hear his voice. Feel his skin and his breath and his hands all over me. I'd want to savor and cherish every moment, because for some reason I can't help but want this man in every way. For some reason, when I'm with him he makes me forget everyone and everything else. Forget Lucas and that witch, forget anyone that's hurt me, forget about the heartache and pain I've been caused. As much as I hate to admit it, I just want him.

But, none of that will ever happen. None of those feelings matter. With my luck, if I were to admit that he is special to me he'd disappear or find something else. Someone better, someone worthy of his time. He'd find a girl who has everything he wants and needs. Someone who's more than enough. That someone can never be me.

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AN:
Sorry this chapter's a little shorter than usual. I intended it to go longer but decided to split it up and felt this was a good place to stop. Let me know your thoughts, and don't forget to vote! Thank you for reading☺️