His Secret Obsession

Chapter 5-Feed Me

Carson reached out, grabbing my arm firmly and began dragging me off to somewhere more private.

"Carson, what's wrong?" I rushed, confused by what was happening.

"We need to talk." He grumbled, his tone was more serious than I would've liked and caused my stomach to drop. He seemed mad, really mad.

Carson hastily pulled me into his dad's office, turned on the light, and closed the door.

"What the hell are you wearing Em?!" He asked, his eyes wide with shock as he looked down at my body. I almost forgot how revealing the top was.

I quickly crossed my arms over my chest, trying to hide my cleavage.

"Mack picked-"

"Of course, she did. Listen, you don't have to do what she says you know. This..” He motioned to my outfit. “It just isn't you." He proclaimed, making my heart drop.

Of course, this isn't me. I can't pull something like this off. I must be embarrassing him, I didn't even think of that.

"I'm sorry. I will go change right now." I rushed, ready to run the hell out of here when without any warning, Carson took off his hoodie and shoved it over my head.

"No need, you can just wear this." He stated while pulling my trapped hair out of the hoodie and freeing it. His hands lingered subtly by my neck as he looked down at me intently. At least Carson had a shirt on underneath or that would have been really awkward.

"And Em, stay away from Ethan, he's bad news. I know he keeps following you around so I want you to stick with me, okay?" He brushed my hair back as I nodded, the alcohol fully kicking in as I swayed slightly.

Yeah, Carson noticed that..

"s**t, are you drunk?" He asked, tilting his head to the side as he met my gaze.

A bright smile formed on my lips as the urge to laugh filled me as I nodded my head, trying not to burst into giggles.

"Maybe a little." I confessed, slipping my phone into the front hoodie pocket that Carson had just put on me.

"Oh god, your dad's going to kill me if he finds out." He muttered under his breath, causing me to giggle again.

"Yeah, you're not leaving my side." He declared while pulling me along and putting his arm around my shoulders.

"I never thought I would see the day Em." He laughed now, smiling down at me warmly. I couldn't help but return it.

"Thanks for letting me come to the party, I know it's kind of a hassle to have to keep an eye out on me and Mack. I promise I won't drink anymore." I began to ramble, feeling guilty for Carson leaving his own party just to make sure I was okay.

"Of course Em, I know you’re a good girl." He smiled, rustling my hair with his large hand causing me to frown. Just then we appeared back at the group as he saddled up next to the redhead again.

"Okay, sorry about that. Jackie, this is Em, my other little sister.. non related." He added, making me laugh as I stuck my hand out, offering it to the girl.

"Nice to meet you." I smiled as she took my hand before smiling brightly. She was freaking gorgeous.. I could tell Carson really liked her just from the way he was staring.

"You too. I have heard a lot about you. It’s great to finally put a face to the name." She added sweetly. Carson told her about me?

I glanced around the circle, feeling slightly embarrassed with how drunk I already was when I locked eyes with one particular person, Asher. He was everywhere tonight.. what the hell.

Asher stared at me intently, that liquid courage finding its way back as I met his gaze . My eyes stared into his just as fiercely as I swear I felt something. A spark, jolt, fireworks.. Something or maybe all of the above.

Just then I remembered my phone, the conversation with Ronan making my stomach drop. I hope he wasn't mad at me. I quickly took it out, opening the chat once more.

Katina: Hey I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to drop off like that. To be honest I might be a liiiittle drunk. I never really drink so It's coming on strong haha.

Katina: But I just wanted to say, I meant what I said before. Okay sorry, I will leave you alone now.

I quickly tucked my phone back and tried to listen to the conversation. Carson was debating about some type of movie and how the remake was better than the original.

I just listened as I examined the room, seeing Asher obviously not into the convo as he was on his phone too. Then I looked behind him, seeing Ethan leaning against the wall. His eyes locked onto mine as he lifted his beer up and gave me his best lopsided grin. I just smiled softly, feeling my phone vibrate once more as I looked away from Ethan and pulled it out.

Mackenzie: Hey, can you try to keep my brother busy? Craig just got here.

I blinked down at the message, looking up at Carson who was now staring down at my phone with an annoyed look on his face.

"I'm guessing you saw that?" I asked sheepishly.

Carson just sighed heavily before shaking his head back and forth in a disapproving way.

"Mackenzie's her own person, it's her bad choices she has to live with." He added with a cold tone, surprising me completely.

"Really? You don’t care?” My jaw hit the floor. This was news to me.

Carson leaned down, getting closer to my ear.

"There's no changing her. I found the more I push the harder she pushes back. So I'm trying the 'don't give a f**k' approach tonight." He explained and I really couldn’t disagree with him on that.

Mackenzie was the kind of girl that if she was told no, she would fight tooth and nail just to get that yes. I on the other hand was a one-time no and listen type of girl.

I quickly felt my phone vibrate once more, thinking it was Mack again.

Ronan74: How many drinks have you had?

My stomach dropped. s**t, I think I completely made a fool of myself. Now I seemed like the uncontrollable drunk girl.

Katina: Four shots. Well, do jello shots count as a shot, or since it's a solid would it be a bite? So two shots and two bites of alcohol.

Suddenly I heard someone laughing loudly in the group. Glancing up I realized it was Asher laughing, the sound not only surprising me but Carson. He must have said something pretty funny. Asher quickly cleared his throat and turned his attention back to his phone.

After a few more minutes of listening to the group talk, I felt my phone again.

Ronan74: Maybe you should eat something that doesn't have alcohol in it.

Ronan responded and I wondered if he was annoyed with me.

"Who are you texting?" Carson asked, glancing down at my phone as I quickly closed it and put it in my pocket.

"Just a friend from a game I play with online." I said, wanting to change the subject as I noticed Carson staring at me suspiciously.

"I think I might go get some food." I slurred, leaning into Carson as I tried to steady myself.

"I'll go with you." He responded and I felt guilty. Now Carson was practically babysitting me at his own party.

"No, it's okay, I want you to have fun." I waved my hands trying to make my point and before I could drive it home, Asher stepped in front of us.

"I can take her." He offered, his words shocking me. He wanted to take me to get food? Was he confused by who I was or what I needed?

"You sure bro?" Carson asked, glancing between us and covering up his laugh as he watched me frown instantly.

"Yeah, let's go." Asher said, gripping my wrist with his large hand. I looked back at Carson as he laughed once more. He knew how much Asher annoyed me lately and how I found him frustrating, so this must have been pretty humorous for him.

My wrist began to tingle, the feelings Asher brings out of me somehow becoming even stronger when I'm drunk. I quickly shoved that thought to the back of my mind and followed behind him blindly, letting him pull me to the kitchen.

"Let's grab some pizza, you need water too." He stated firmly while glancing at me over his shoulder.

All I could do was nod my head compliantly. Still trying to debate if this was a dream or not. Asher McNeal was talking to me.

I couldn’t help but notice how Asher naturally commanded the attention of the whole room as he walked in. Every girl gawking and staring. I guess no one is immune, not even me for the most part.

His height alone was a head-turner every time he went anywhere. I felt like a small child being pulled by their dad. That thought made me laugh as he looked at me with amusement.

Asher brought me over to the counter and turned me to face him. Suddenly his hands went to my waist, causing me to yelp as he swiftly lifted me up onto the counter. My stomach flooded with butterflies from the contact as heat crept up my neck.

Why does he still have this type of effect on me?

He steadied me on the counter, our eyes meeting for a brief moment as he watched me intently.

"Don't go falling off now." He muttered as he slowly backed away, reaching for something in an ice bucket.

His words put fear in me. Would I fall off? My fingers quickly gripped the edge of the counter as I watched him reach down, grabbing a bottle of water as he strode back to me in three long steps.

I let my head fall back, peering up at him as he wrapped one arm around my waist, holding me in place so I wouldn’t fall. The feel of his large palm on my back making me wriggle on the countertop as I tried to keep my composure. My heart felt as if it might burst. No one had ever touched me like this. Well, if they did, it didn't feel like this.

"Drink." He ordered once the fear of me not falling off passed.

I was about to reach for the water when Asher pressed it to my lips, tipping it back for me and helping me drink. His eyes were glued to my lips as I gulped the water down.

"Now eat." He set the water down and was now trying to shove a slice of pizza in my mouth.

Who the hell was this guy?

I locked eyes with Asher once more and took a bite.

"Who are you?" I mumbled with a full mouth, not realizing I said it out loud until he responded to me.

"What do you mean?" He asked me curiously.

His tall stature bent slightly to meet me halfway, causing his shaggy light brown hair to fall in front of those stormy gray eyes.

"Well, I mean you are just acting weird. I feel like most days you don't even remember my name. Now you’re feeding me pizza." I laughed, taking another bite of pizza as he continued to study me. I couldn't help but let out a satisfied moan from the delicious greasy food.

"I remember your name." He grumbled, his shaggy hair still covering his eyes as I instinctively reached my hand up, brushing it to the side.

Asher froze at the contact, his eyes widening, making me realize my mistake as I hurriedly pulled away from him, embarrassed.

"Well, it's not Emily, just in case." I laughed, feeling awkward about what I just did and trying to make light of it. He probably doesn't even remember calling me Emily, why am I even bringing this up?

Suddenly Ronan flashed through my mind , making my stomach drop. He has probably been waiting for me to respond all this time.

I took another bite of pizza that Asher was holding for me and reached into my pocket, pulling the phone out.

Checking my messages I noticed he hasn't responded, causing my stomach to drop. Maybe he was done talking to me. I quickly shoved the phone back into my pocket and frowned.

"What? Is that your boyfriend?" Asher suddenly asked, pulling me from my thoughts, and causing my cheeks to warm.

"Boyfriend? No.. Well, I mean.. no." I stammered, embarrassment filling me as he looked at me curiously.

"You don't like him?" He inquired with a raised eyebrow and I wondered how much of my conversation with him he read.

"That's not it.. I just don't think he likes me." I confessed, feeling a pang of hurt from voicing it out loud.

"So you do like him?" Asher asked intently, his gaze burning into mine and making me feel puzzled for a moment.

"Yeah, I do like him."

There..I said it.

Not only did I admit it, but I confessed that I liked Ronan to the last person I ever thought I would admit anything to. Who knew I would get drunk and spill my heart out to Asher about another man that might not even exist really. I mean, I have heard a voice, but that's about it.

Just then a booming laugh filled the kitchen as Asher stiffened in front of me. His hands sliding down and gripping my waist even tighter.

"Hey Em! There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere." Ethan smiled, causing me to smile back naturally. Why did I get the feeling that Asher doesn’t like this guy?