15. Isla

15

ISLA

T oday has been an exciting day, to say the least.

First, I got up late and almost didn’t arrive on time. Second, volunteers wearing matching t-shirts are hauling all types of materials to help with this project. Not that any of this is surprising, however.

Today is Sunday, an off day for hockey and Crestwood University’s Volunteer Day. The organizers told the hockey team they would assist in the construction of a house for a family in Crestwood. Because this is a big event all around, it means that I also need to be here to capture some shots of the team making their mark in the community. I’ve taken part in the past with Mom and Dad because of his job with the university, but this felt different.

So here I am. A little after the crack of dawn, listening to the sounds of power tools whizzing around me. Not to mention, it’s a very cool morning, and I’m left wishing I would have thought twice about wearing more than just a hoodie and jeans. But I’m here, taking photos of the guys doing their thing. On any other day, I would have been okay with being up this early, but everything becomes a struggle when you get only a little sleep the night before.

This is becoming a trend, and I don’t like it.

It didn’t help that I spent most of the night tossing and turning because I couldn’t stop thinking about Asher. Then, when I finally fell asleep, I had a dream about him too. The whole point of the conversation we had the other day was to help us move forward, not for me to think about him constantly even while I’m sleeping.

And what a wicked, wet dream it was.

Maybe Selene had a point. Dammit.

Regardless, I’d pay to be back in bed right now rather than to be paid to be at this event. However, I can’t, so I might as well do what I’m supposed to do and take some photos.

“Hey, Isla!” Wilder calls out. It looks like he’s the first one to notice me. “Glad you’re here to get my good side, the ladies will be disappointed if you don’t!”

I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling as I snap a few shots of him posing dramatically with a hammer. Leave it to Wilder to be this happy this early in the damn morning.

I make my way around the construction site, snapping photos of Crestwood’s hockey team as they work. I can’t help but wonder how many medical waivers needed to be signed to get the team here, but it was the right choice. Their progress this morning is impressive, and I’m growing more tired looking at it. The day is only supposed to last a few hours, and soon, I’ll be back in my bed, hopefully without any commentary from Tessa.

As I round one of the corners of the house, I freeze. Asher is there, working side by side with Knox. Based on what I’ve noticed during their interactions, I can’t help but wonder if they did this on purpose or not. If I’m able to figure out these two are at odds right now, the other guys have to know too.

I lift my camera, zooming in to capture their faces as their focus is on the task at hand. As if he’s heard me over the construction noise, Asher looks up, his gaze locking with mine. For a moment, the world seems to stop. The sounds of construction fade away, and it’s just us staring at each other across the distance.

Everything in me tells me to look away, but I can’t. I’m determined to decipher every emotion that I see flash across his face. Surprise is the main one I am able to pinpoint, but it doesn’t last long. What appears next is anyone’s guess, and the only one who could confirm it is Asher.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Knox glance up and start watching us. Having someone intrude on whatever moment this is, is enough to make me shift my attention. I look over at Knox, and it’s like he’s trying to piece together what is going on, but I’m not sure. I can’t help but wonder what conclusions he’s drawing.

Knox leans over and says something to Asher, who rolls his eyes at whatever is said. But it’s enough to get Asher back to work on the house and me back to taking the photographs I’m supposed to take. I continue moving around the site, focusing on capturing the day’s spirit because it will help the community and provide good social media content. Levi talks with some of the other volunteers while he works, and I see Wilder standing nearby, joking around with another group of people.

Blaise catches my eye as he works on his own, unfazed by the chaos around him. He’s off to the side, focusing on securing a section of siding. Or so I think it’s called. I snap a few shots of him before I feel like I’m intruding and decide to walk away.

The project continues, and I move around, photographing what everyone is doing so that we have a ton of shots to choose from for socials. The fact that I’m moving around helps bring some warmth to my body, but I’m still mentally kicking myself for not bringing some warmer outerwear. That’s what I get for rushing out of my room and deciding that not waking up my roommate is a priority.

After taking a few more photos, I step to the side to take a small break. I look around to make sure that I’m not in anyone’s way before I pull up the last photo that I just took on my camera. While reviewing some of my shots, I nearly jump out of my skin when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I whirl around to find Asher standing behind me.

“Hey, you okay?” His voice is barely audible over the construction noise.

I nod as the fear leaves my body. Being this close to him and feeling the weight of his hand through my hoodie is too much. Now I’m thinking about him touching me in places I vowed he never would again.

It’s crazy that you can both hate someone and want to fuck them at the same time. I take a step back to create some distance between us.

Asher’s hand falls to his side, and I can see the hurt flash across his face before he masks it with a neutral expression. “I just wanted to check on you. Saw you standing over here alone.”

I force a smile, trying to ignore the way my body reacts whenever we are alone together at this point. “Yeah, I’m good. I’m just taking a quick break to review some photos I’ve taken so far.”

Asher nods, his gaze drifting to my camera. “How are they turning out?”

“They’re looking good,” I reply, turning the camera so he can see the display. “Everyone seems to like this project. It’s nice to see the team coming together for a good cause.”

He leans in closer, squinting slightly as he studies the photos. His expression softens, and I hate myself for noticing the change. It’s something I would have picked up on when we were dating. Apparently, it’s still a skill I have when it comes to him.

“You always had a great eye for catching the perfect photo,” he murmurs before sucking in a deep breath. “Looks like that hasn’t changed.”

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way his words make my stomach want to flip upside down. “You’re way too kind. I’m sure I’ve gotten better over the years, though.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second. There’s one more reason why I came over here.” Before I can blink, Asher takes off his black coat and tosses it over my shoulders.

“W-what are you doing?” I ask. I hate that I’m stuttering because of him.

“Keeping you warm,” he says, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. This would be the norm in a different lifetime, but it makes little sense here. However, I’m cold, so I’d be silly not to take him up on it.

I slip my arms through the sleeves, instantly feeling the warmth from Asher’s body heat and coat. I hate that the coat smells like him, a cologne that I’m very familiar with. It smells like a sea breeze with hints of citrus that I remember from years ago.

“How did you even know I was cold?” I ask, trying to keep the emotions that are surging through me in check. Why does he still use the same cologne that I used to love?

Asher shrugs, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “I’ve known you long enough to pick up on the little things, and I saw you shivering. You didn’t seem to be wearing many layers, so I made an educated guess.”

I hate that he’s right. I hate that he still knows me well enough to pick up on these little things. It’s been years since we were together, yet he can still read me like an open book. It’s unsettling and comforting all at once.

“Well, thanks,” I mumble, pulling the coat tighter around me. “I appreciate it.”

Asher’s smile widens, and my traitorous heart skips a beat. “Anytime, Isla.”

Before I can respond, I hear Levi’s voice from across the construction site. “Hey, Ash! We need your help over here!”

Asher glances over his shoulder, acknowledging Levi with a nod. He turns back to me, his expression apologetic mixed with something else. “Duty calls. I’ll catch up with you later, yeah?”

All I do is nod, because I’m unsure what else to say. Asher holds my gaze for a moment longer, searching for something in my eyes. Whatever he finds seems to satisfy him, and he turns to jog over to where Levi is waiting.

I watch him go, my fingers curling into the sleeves of his coat. His warmth and scent linger, and I fight the urge to bury my nose in the fabric.

I love this cologne, and the memories it resurrects are from happy times—not when my heart was breaking into a million pieces.

I shove those thoughts to the side and take a few more pictures before taking another small break. My hands are getting cold, and I want to give them a chance to warm up.

When I place my right hand in the coat pocket, I gasp. I pull out a regular-sized bag of the original Skittles. I flip the candy around in my hand, stunned that I’m holding this item. Is this a peace offering of sorts?

Despite the complicated emotions swirling inside me, I tear open the corner of the bag and pop a few Skittles into my mouth.

Pure bliss spreads through each one of my taste buds. The burst of fruity flavors on my tongue is heaven, and I know I shouldn’t be eating candy this early or basking in the joy this small gesture has given me. But dammit, it’s a bag of Skittles.

My eyes land on him, and as if he can feel me looking at him, he turns his head, so his gaze is on me. It only takes a second for me to find the answer to the question that has been burning in my mind for the last few minutes.

This had been his plan the entire time.