Chapter 2 Chapter 2

I wiped away a stray tear, refusing to cry over a man who had once meant everything to me but had now chosen cruelty.

By now, I was probably already a headline.

‘The Lowly Scholarship Girl and Hockey King’s Ex Is Back and Desperately Kissing Him.’

But fuck it. I didn't care anymore.

Mia had helped me escape the arena and stayed by my side all day, until her roommate got into a minor accident and she had to leave.

Now I stood alone outside my new apartment.

I knocked but no answer.

Frustrated, I opened the door.

A low moan followed by the unmistakable sound of flesh against flesh made me freeze.

Seriously?

After the chaos of today, all I wanted was rest and a way to avoid Asher for the next few months.

Instead, my new roommate had apparently chosen my moving in day to entertain someone in our apartment.

I should've backed out, but it was nearly midnight. Besides, I'd already texted her.

With a tired sigh, I dragged my suitcase inside.

Then my legs froze at what I saw.

Right there in the living room was a live porn show.

A man was on top of a blonde, his broad shoulders flexing with every movement as he slammed into her. Her legs were wrapped around his waist, fingers tangled in his hair as she moaned.

Oh my God.

Like a pervert, I couldn't look away.

He gripped her hips, moving with raw, almost animalistic intensity as sweat glistened across his muscular back.

My throat went dry.

What kind of shameless roommate had I gotten myself?

Heat crawled up my neck, spreading across my cheeks as a traitorous pulse stirred low in my belly.

What the hell's wrong with me?

Then he lifted his head and our eyes locked.

My stomach dropped.

No fucking way.

It was the same man I'd spent all day trying desperately to forget.

Asher. Fucking. Blackwood.

And now he was only a few feet away, railing into my roommate like she meant nothing but a whore.

The man who'd turned my return into a nightmare hours ago was fucking there, looking completely satisfied and utterly unbothered.

I couldn't believe it.

After everything he'd done to me earlier, how could he look so damn consumed by pleasure?

The naive part of me expected him to stop. To look embarrassed, guilty, to feel anything human. Instead, the bastard smirked.

Then his hips snapped even harder, his eyes locked on mine like he was deliberately putting on a show.

The girl beneath him cried out, her body shuddering.

“Enjoying the show?”

I spun around, face burning.

Of all the men in the world, why the hell did it have to be him?

Behind me, fabric rustled.

I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately trying to erase the image from my mind. But it was already burned into my memory.

The way he moved. The way his hands gripped her. The way his eyes had locked onto mine like he wanted me to remember exactly what I'd lost.

My traitorous mind dragged me back to years ago, when it had been me beneath him, when he'd whispered my name and worshiped my body.

That memory would haunt me for days. Maybe forever.

“What the hell are you doing here again, Evie?” he asked behind me, his voice smug. “Want more kisses, hmm? I knew my lips were too tempting for you to stay away for long.”

I turned toward him and, thankfully, found him wearing sweatpants.

But those damn muscles were still on full display.

Seriously? Drooling over my most hated enemy?

“No,” I snapped. “I’m not here for something that boring.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Boring, really?”

His gaze dropped to my suitcases.

“What’s all that?”

I frowned. “What?”

“Are you moving in?”

Before I could answer, the girl turned.

I froze, seeing Selena. The same person Asher had cheated on me with years ago.

God! How shameless and unremorseful could he be? My jaw gritted.

“Wait... aren’t you the girl everyone was talking about? The one who kissed him earlier? His ex-girlfriend?” She asked.

Why’s she acting like she didn't recognize nor remember me? Bitch!

“Yes, she is.” He chuckled. “I guess I’m just too handsome for her to resist. She seemed to enjoy it.”

“I—I wasn’t watching you!” I snapped. “And I’m not here for whatever you two are talking about.”

His amusement disappeared.

“Then tell me what the fuck you’re doing here,” he said coldly. “I thought I made myself clear about staying out of my way, Evie Faye.”

“The last time I checked, you don't live here, and this isn't your house. I should be the one asking why you're still here, especially now that you're done with your nonsense.” I glared at him.

Selena grabbed her purse and stopped beside me.

“Stay away from him, Evie Faye. He's mine now,” she whispered, then grinned at Asher before walking out.

Whore. She'd been pretending all along, hadn't she?

Wait...Was she my roommate?

Hell to the no! Maybe she's a friend to my roommate.

I expected Asher to follow her but he didn't.

“Why’re you still here?” I demanded.

“’Cause I live here.” He shrugged.

I blinked. “No, you don't. You can't.”

My gaze swept around the apartment from the hockey bag, the number 27 jerseys to the half-open boxes.

My eyes widened, realizing this was truly his apartment.

Asher Blackwood was my roommate?

“Oh, hell no.”

“Yes. Hell no,” he shot back. “There’s no fucking way I’m living with someone like you either. There must’ve been a mistake.”

“Yeah, there must be. I can't live with someone like you either. So the feeling is mutual.”

I pulled out my phone, desperately searching for another housing but nothing.

I couldn't go to Mia's either. She already had two roommates, and there was barely enough space as it was.

Fuck! I was stuck with him.

“You got one already?” Asher asked icily. “Good. Now move out.”

“You're seriously throwing me out tonight? Have you got no remorse left, As—”

“Don't you dare say that name.” He sneered. “You aren't worthy of saying it again.”

I swallowed hard. “Fine. I'll spend only tonight here. I'll sort out housing tomorrow. They're already closed for today.”

My exhaustion was turning into genuine distress. I didn't want to sleep under the same roof as Asher Blackwood either.

But where was I supposed to go?

My scholarship covered housing, not a last-minute hotel. And the little money I had left needed to last until I found a job.

“I don't care what happens to you,” he said firmly. “You aren't staying here.”

Something inside me snapped.

“Of course you don't care!” I snapped. “Nothing ever matters to you. You wreck someone's life and walk away like it means nothing. Then you chase anything in a skirt like nothing happened!”

I wanted to remind him how he'd cheated on me years ago on my birthday, while I'd waited for him like a fool.

And now, he'd just fucked the same woman again.

But I couldn't say it, not yet.

“Listen carefully, Evie Faye.” His voice was a warning. “You don't get to say I wrecked your life when you were the one who started it.”

I clenched my fists.

“And just so we're clear…” He smiled, coldly. “This’ only the beginning.”

The hatred in his eyes made it hard to breathe.

“I…I—”

“I'll let you stay tonight,” he cut me off. “Not because I care. I just don't want you running away before I get my revenge….Sleep on the couch. And be gone before I come downstairs tomorrow.”

He turned and walked upstairs, leaving me staring after him.

I could survive one night, I'd no choice.

Dragging my luggage to the couch, I sank down.

My phone rang immediately and my stomach tightened when I saw its mum.

“Evie Clair Faye!” Mum exploded the moment I answered. “What’s this trash I’ve been hearing? I told you to stay away from Asher Blackwood, and you decided to kiss him on your first day!”

I closed my eyes.

“Tell me it isn't true!”

“Mother, it isn't what you think. I—”

“Mum…” A tiny voice interrupted. “Please, do what Granny says. I don't want to suffer.”

A tear slipped down my cheek hearing my little boy.

“I will, baby,” I whispered. “I promise.”

“Good. Do everything you can to make Blackwood hat

e you,” Mum ordered. “Don't forget why you left him years ago.”

The call ended.

If staying away from Asher was what it took to protect my life and my son, then so be it.

I would make him hate me.

No matter what it took.