Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Evie

I stepped out of Ryder's car and stared at Asher's apartment building ahead.

I couldn't forget how Ryder's eyes had lit up the moment I'd agreed to his proposal.

Mia had been even more excited, practically jumping for joy. She kept calling it the perfect revenge, reminding me that Ryder and I looked good together and that our pictures were already trending.

Maybe she was right.

Maybe pretending to date Asher's biggest rival wasn't such a bad idea after all.

“Wait…” Ryder's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned to him.

He stared at the building, recognition dawning on his face.

“This is—”

“Yes, it is,” I finished for him.

He nodded, understanding immediately. Surprisingly, he didn't ask questions.

“Should I come with you?” His hand reached for the car door.

“No, I'll be fine,” I assured him. “I'm just packing my things and leaving.”

His jaw tightened as he glanced at the closed door.

“Let me know if you need help, Evie.”

“I will.”

I turned and headed inside.

All I wanted was to grab my things and leave. No arguments. No drama. Whatever happened, I wouldn't let Asher get to me.

I pushed the door open without knocking.

“I’m just here to get my—”

My words died in my throat seeing Asher and Selena sitting on the couch.

“I thought I'd instructed you to take your bags and your filthy self out this morning before I woke up. Why the hell did you leave them?” Asher snapped.

“The bitch isn't just desperate but disobedient,” Selena mocked. “Not surprising, Asher.”

Bitch! My fists clenched, but I stayed calm.

My gaze fell on my bags in the corner.

“I had to look for an apartment and I couldn't carry them around. I finally found one, so I'm here to get my things.”

“Good!” he spat. “Take your nonsense and get the fuck out of my sight.” He stood abruptly. “And you know what? I shouldn't have to set my eyes on—”

A loud horn outside cut him off.

“Who the fuck is that?”

Frowning, he walked towards the curtain, pulling it aside.

The moment he saw Ryder beside his car outside, his entire demeanor changed.

His jaw clenched, veins bulging in his neck.

And I knew immediately that this was about to get ugly.

“What the heck is that bastard doing by my door?” Asher snapped, turning on me. Then his eyes narrowed. “Wait... don't tell me. The viral picture going around... he's the one who—”

I lifted my chin. “Yes, he is. I got a room in his apartment. I would be living with Ryder from now on.”

“What?!” Selena gasped, her smugness disappearing.

Asher's face twisted with rage, veins pulsing at his temples.

“The fuck you will!” he roared, marching toward me. “You’re not staying with that son of a whore!”

“Why’re you so angry?” I taunted.

“Why?” He laughed bitterly. “You actually have the nerve to ask?”

I raised a brow. “Yes, I do.”

“You’re moving in with another man, Evie!”

“And?”

His jaw clenched. “You think I’m going to allow that?”

“Allow?” I scoffed. “Who gave you the right to decide what I do with my life? You made it clear you didn't want me around. So what gives you the right to tell me where I can live?”

He dragged a hand through his hair, glaring at me. I held his gaze.

What the hell’s wrong with him?

One minute, he was throwing me out. Now he was furious because I wanted to live with his stepbrother. What would happen if he knew I'm now his fake girlfriend?

“Babe, you should let her go,” Selena stood up. “You should be happy your enemy is finally—”

“Get the fuck out. Now!” Asher roared at her so hard I flinched.

Why's he yelling at his girlfriend? I don't care though.

“What? Me, Asher?” Her jaw dropped.

“Yes, you.” His expression was ice-cold. “Get out. Now.”

“But I was only—”

“I don't care. Get out!”

Selena grabbed her bag, shooting me a hateful glare before leaving.

“You'll regret this, Asher.” She pointed at me. “And you will too.”

“Whatever.” I shrugged. “Face your boyfriend.”

“I aren't her boyfriend,” Asher corrected.

I ignored him.

Selena stormed out, leaving the apartment silent.

Finally, I could get my things and leave.

I turned toward my bags but I'd barely taken two steps before Asher moved in front of me.

I stopped.

“Now what?” I asked irritably. “Move and let me get my things so I can get out of your home.”

I tried to walk around him, but he moved with me, blocking my path again.

I frowned. “Asher.”

“You aren't going anywhere, Evie Faye. Not anymore.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You must be joking. You seem to have forgotten everything you said yesterday and the day before about ruining my life and staying away from you. You practically couldn't wait to get rid of me, and now that I've actually decided to leave you alone, you're standing here telling me I can't go? Make up your damn mind and get out of my way.”

I shoved his chest, but he didn't even move. He was solid as a rock.

“Just watch me.”

He stepped aside and walked toward the door.

Seeing that, I immediately rushed for my bags and grabbed them.

But the moment I turned around, I gasped.

Asher stood by the door, a key dangling from his fingers.

He had locked the door from the inside.

“You've got to be kidding me.”

A horn blared outside, followed by a knock.

“Evie!” Ryder called. “Are you okay? It's been a while! Is that bastard doing something to you? Open the door!” He rattled the handle. “Why's it locked?!”

“What the heck is wrong with you, Asher?” I snapped. “Open this door!”

Asher smirked. “I told you I didn't want to see you anymore, right? Well, I'm taking it back.” He stepped closer. “Now I want you in my face and in my space. I want to watch you while I ruin you. You're not staying with my hated stepbrother. Not on my watch.”

His fingers brushed my lips, making my breath hitch.

His smirk widened. “That's what I thought.”

Before I could react, he snatched my bag and headed upstairs.

“Asher!”

He ignored me while Ryder continued pounding on the door.

“Open the damn door, bastard! What the hell are you doing to her?”

“She’s going nowhere, asshole. She's mine, and she stays with me,” Asher called from the stairs.

Mine? Was he fucking joking?

Then it clicked. Oh, I understand his game now.

He wants to control me, isn't it? He wants to play?

Fine. I'd play.

“Just so you know, Asher Blackwood…” He stilled, turning back to face me. “Ryder is my new boyfriend, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You want me to stay? Fine. I’ll stay. But you don’t get to throw me out anymore. Not even when my boyfriend comes visiting. Not even if we fuck everywhere in this house, on your precious couch, against your walls, even on your bed if I fucking feel like it.”

His eyes blazed. “What?!”

I smiled sweetly. “You heard me. You want to keep me close so you could break me? Fine. Then watch me love someone else right under your roof. Watch me smile for him. Watch me moan his name in every room you own.”

I tilted my head.

“You think you’re ruining me? Baby, I’m about to ruin you.”

Ryder’s muffled curses continued outside, but Asher had gone completely still.

He growled, and I knew I'd hit a nerve.

If he wanted me in his space that badly, I was going to make damn sure he understood exactly what that meant.

---

Monday morning came too fast.

I got ready, grabbed my bag, and rushed out of my room only to nearly crash into Asher.

We both froze.

For a few seconds, we stared before our expressions hardened.

I rolled my eyes. He glared.

Living together for barely a day had turned the apartment into a battlefield. Whenever we crossed paths, one of us would hiss and walk away.

The kitchen was even worse. Being in the same room was practically a declaration of war.

And ever since I’d told Asher that Ryder was my boyfriend, his hatred had only gotten worse.

Ryder had even come back yesterday to check on me and Asher had nearly lost his mind. He'd eventually locked the door again, ignoring every curse and demand I threw at him.

Living with Asher Blackwood was already hell, and I wasn't about to quit when the game hadn't even started.

I looked at him properly and noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes. He looked exhausted.

What's wrong with him?

“Get the heck out of my sight,” he snapped. “And make sure I don't see you at school. Make sure Ryder better—”

I rolled my eyes and tried to walk past him.

He immediately stepped in front of me.

“Asher, move.”

Instead, he planted a hand against the wall beside my head, trapping me.

“What the heck are you doing?”

“You don't get to roll your eyes at me, Evie. Do it again and see what happens.”

The intensity in his eyes made me swallow hard.

What the hell did he mean by that?

Before he could say anything else, I ducked under his arm.

“Fuck you, Asher Blackwood!”

I flipped him off and hurried away.

Behind me, I heard him suck in a breath.

I rushed into the kitchen, grabbed the hot coffee I knew was Asher’s, and hurried out before he could stop me.

If he wanted to annoy me, fine.

I could play that game too.