Beholden (The Belonging Duet, #2)(77)

“I’m coming, Jesus. Calm your tits.”

“Well, I’m going to miss my flight if you keep screwing around.”

“We have plenty of time.” Ashton rolls her eyes and walks away. “I’m gonna grab my keys.”

This is the last time I’ll be in my apartment. The memories besiege me of when we moved in and I smile remembering us fighting over the paint color. Ashton of course won, which is why we have a blue living room when I wanted brown. I smile thinking of the scuffmark on the floor that we covered up with a rug because we dropped a table. Ashton and I arguing over food, which couch to buy, and so many other things happened right here.

This is my home. It’ll always be my home.

I glance at the photos on the wall and my chest squeezes when I see the one of me, Ashton, and Gretchen from high school. I know I’ll never find friends like them again and even though there’s the phone and internet, it’ll never be the same. When I need a hug, or to be slapped around, they won’t be able to.

Ashton comes up behind me and tackles me to the ground hugging me. “Don’t leave me!” she says in an exaggerated panic and starts to tickle me.

“Ash!” I squirm and try to fight her off, but she holds me tight.

“You can’t leave if I hold you against your will,” she laughs and sits on my back.

“Get off me, you *! What are you doing?” I try to wriggle, laughing while she assaults me.

Ashton starts to bounce up and down, not letting up. “This is a struggle snuggle. Don’t fight it—it feels better if you let it happen.” She giggles and lies on top of me. “Let it happen,” she whispers and pets my hair.

She’s lost her mind. That’s the only explanation. Girl has completely cracked.

“I’m going to give you a struggle if you don’t get off me.” I laugh so hard there are tears running down my face. “I’m gonna pee my pants!” I burst out.

She laughs and falls off me, lying next to me on her back looking at me. “Ohhh,” she sighs and smiles. “I had to make us laugh or I’d cry again, and we all know that’s a bad idea if I have to drive.”

My heart warms and I return her smile. There’s so much history between us, so many times we’ve laughed or cried together. I’ll miss her more than I can fully express. She’s my partner in crime and my world will be boring without her.

“You know you’ll always be my better half?” I say as I sit up.

Ashton follows and smoothes her dark red hair into a ponytail. “Yup. I know, but one day Prince Charming is going to come along and sweep you off your feet,” she pauses and stands. “Hopefully he delivers your ass back to New Jersey. Come on, you’ve got a plane to catch.”

She grabs my hand and pulls me up. We head to the car and Ashton suddenly stops short.

“No more stop—” I start to say and freeze when I see Jackson leaning against a black stretch limo smiling.

Ashton turns blocking my view. “This is goodbye, Biffle,” her eyes fill with unshed tears. “I’m going to miss you so much. Promise me we’ll Facetime every day. Promise that no matter how amazing these people you meet are, they’ll suck in comparison to me.” A tear falls on her cheek and my chest tightens.

“I promise. They’re no Ashton Caputo.” I smile and she pulls me in to her.

“I love you. I’m so f*cking proud of you, my friend. You’re going to kick ass, take names, and be sexy as hell doing it. Don’t doubt yourself, Cat.” She wipes the tears running freely down her face. “I never have.”

“I’m going to be so lost without you and your craziness.”

We hug a little tighter and I hear Jackson approach, “Catherine, we have to leave if you want to make your flight.”

I nod and pull her close once more. “Goodbye, Ashypoo.”

“Bye, my love pie.” We both sniffle and break apart.

Jackson grabs my bag and my hand as I look back once more. Ashton stands there holding her middle with tears streaming down her face. He hands my bag to the driver and helps me in the car. Looking out the window at her standing there, my tears fall faster. This is so hard. I want to stop the car and fix my best friend because she doesn’t cry. She uses her sarcasm and wit to avoid hurt, but she’s hurting.

Jackson’s arms encase me and I take the comfort he’s offering. Once again, in the back of a car, this man holds me together. Only this time it feels like it’s me who died. There’s no doubt that this is what I want, this job is everything I’ve ever wanted for my career—yet the things I feel like I’m losing are ripping me apart. I want it all. The love of my life, my best friend, and this job—but I can’t ask them to come with me and I can’t stay here.

“I know this is hard, believe me I know, but it’ll be okay,” Jackson says as his fingers graze the skin on my arm.

I pull myself upright and brush the tears off my face. “I’m so sorry,” I say shaking my head trying to dispel the sadness. “You’re here.”

“Of course I’m here,” he says tenderly, drawing me back against him. “You weren’t leaving without me seeing you.”

My heart sputters and I take a breath inhaling the masculine scent that is Jackson. God, I’ve missed his smell. It’s comforting and arousing at the same time.