beverly hills - asher adams

15

"Drink water. You're way too drunk and if your mom sees you like this when you get home, she's gonna flip." Layla informed her best friend as they walked along the halls of Asher's new house. Both of them had gotten tired of playing poker so they decided to take a walk outside.

"My mom likes to watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians on repeat and be in bed by nine." Allie chuckled. "I think I'm good."

Ever since the separation with her husband, Amelia Hastings had become a regular parent—not like Allie knew what a regular parent was. She had friends over for tea, flipped through magazines and started playing Candy Crush. It was kind of sad. Allie loved that her mother was out of that terrible relationship with her father, but seeing her mom take a break from work was very depressing.

"How's she taking it? The separation?" Layla still held the water bottle out for her blonde friend to drink, which she begrudgingly did.

"As good as you can, I guess." Allie ran her finger along the bare white walls of Asher's house. "I wonder why he doesn't put any paintings up like he did in his old house."

"Maybe they remind him of his mom. You know that's a tough subject to talk about." Layla bit her lip. "Speaking about tough subjects, have you spoken to your father ever since the party?"

Allie stopped walking and turned to face Layla. "No...and why does it feel like you're quizzing me about my parents?"

"Because that's exactly what I'm doing."

"Why?"

"Because you rarely talk about your family life and I'm a very concerned friend. If you're not okay, you can always talk to me."

"Layla, I'm fine." Allie finished the bottle of water and found a trash can in another empty room to throw it away. "My mom's fine. My dad can jump off of a cliff for all I care. And that's okay!"

"That's not okay."

Allie shrugged. "How am I supposed to forgive him for what he did? He's a liar and a cheater and when I confronted him about it he just gave a pathetic speech about how he was sorry because of his actions. He's only sorry because he was caught. And I can't forgive him for that. I don't think I ever will."

"Allie..."

"I would rather talk about something else." Allie's eyes brightened. "Did you see how I set up Olivia and Spencer? You should be so proud of me—considering how you have no feelings towards him whatsoever."

Layla sighed. Sometimes Allie could be so stubborn. It was a trait she admired, but it got so frustrating because she knew that at some point Allie would snap, and it wouldn't be good for any of them.

"I'm obviously proud. That's something I would have done. You're the best matchmaker of the century."

A smug smile came from the blonde. Layla definitely had feelings towards Spencer, it wasn't that hard to tell. But if she wasn't going to cooperate, Allie would set Olivia up with him. Or worse, maybe they would get jealous over him. That would be a sight to see. "I know, I just love hearing it."

Both girls stopped walking aimlessly around the halls when they heard the engine of a car revving. Curious to find out what it was, Allie and Layla made their way outside to where about three dozen people were watching JJ and Asher get out of his father's beloved Porsche. JJ must have used a dare chip on Asher because otherwise there was no way in hell that Ash would let anyone step foot in that car.

Asher immediately let out a deep sigh, wrapped his arms around Allie and dug his face into her neck while paying no mind to JJ, who was claiming that he was the best driver in Beverly Hills. "Where you been?"

"Walking around your surprisingly empty new home. Maybe you should invest in some paintings or—," A silver glint in the corner of Allie's eye took her attention. The Porsche was in reverse and was going backward. "Asher, Asher the Porsche. Oh my God, the Porsche."

Fear struck in her boyfriend's eyes at that moment. He bolted to get to the car before it could crash into anything but by the time he had caught up to the car, its entire side had been smashed in between a southern wall of the house and someone's truck.

Minutes later the party had seized down and people decided that it was time to go home. Asher's party was legendary, as they always are, just this time it's legendary in a not-so-good way. The tow truck company picked up the Porsche and Asher was just sitting on the curb in defeat.

Layla had gone home and after the entire pool fiasco with Olivia, she disappeared. Spencer was still at the house wandering off so she must have called an Uber or something.

Allie wasn't sure what to say to Asher when she sat next to him. This had never happened to her. Her parents never had anything so beloved that she would get grounded for weeks if it was ever broken. But the look of terror in Asher's eyes was concerning. What exactly would Asher's dad do to him if he found out his car was totaled?

"Are you okay?"

"I've been better."

Allie reached for his hand to hold, but he recoiled in an instant. He didn't want to hold her hand. Fine.

"When is your Dad coming back to town?"

"Tomorrow."

"What do you think he's going to say when he sees that his car is missing?"

Asher shrugged.

"I think you should just come clean. Tell him you threw a party and see what happens. Hopefully, he won't be too angry."

No reply.

Allie fiddled with the charms in her bracelet. "Do you need money to fix that? I have a thousand in my wallet in my car. I can go get it for you if you want. You don't even have to Venmo me back—,"

"I think you should go home."

Allie's expression deflated. "What? I'm just trying to help you."

"That's what you think you're doing. You're just making it worse by thinking about yourself. Go home."

"Thinking about myself? What's that supposed to mean?"

Asher rolled his eyes. "Allie, the only reason you give money to charity is that you like to post it on your Instagram story. I think you know what it means."

That was not true.

"I'm offering money to fix this mess for you. How the hell am I thinking about myself?"

Asher's tone got a bit louder so that anyone who was lurking could hear him. "This isn't something you need to worry about! Go home and worry about your dad who doesn't give a shit about you. Not mine."

So, he was mad that she brought up his Dad. It was not her fault that his father was mean. But he crossed the line bringing up hers. Asher knows that she hates her father. That was wrong.

A surprised scoff came from Allie. "Just because you're angry doesn't mean you have to take it out on me. I'm trying to be nice."

Asher raised his eyebrows as if he was shocked. "For the first time in your life."

"Seriously? Fuck you."

Allie stood up from the curb and walked off in the direction of her car. She passed Spencer on her way and pointed to Asher. "Careful. He's being a dick right now."

What the hell was wrong with Asher?