His Secret Obsession
Chapter 31

It's been two days since seeing Asher at their house. I had to come "clean" to Ronan about the Jacob situation to keep up appearances, which was nerve-wracking, to say the least. Seeing how angry Asher got and how he was trying to control himself..I'm pretty sure Carson thought it was even weird. He definitely wasn't hiding how he felt very well..but little does he know I already figured all of this out..and I can't lie..seeing him get jealous and how possessive he felt over me drove me crazy. My stomach exploded with butterflies and my body began to tremble, I was surprised I could even walk to the car with how much my knees were wobbling. It took almost an hour to finally calm my racing heart.

Once I got back home I was in for it.. Asher gave me a punishment over the phone for being "naughty" and not telling the guy I was taken. I mean..yeah I definitely blanked out and didn't quite understand what was going on at the time. I also made the mistake of not throwing away the paper yet. Of course, he asked to see it and that pissed him off even more. His anger wasn't towards me, I think he was frustrated by the fact that he couldn't do anything about it.

But I more than made up for that with my punishment..he made me touch myself and said I couldn't c*m until he permitted me to..making sure I was reminded of who I belonged to. I was crying by the end of it..that had to be one of the most frustrating things I have ever done. But when he finally gave me permission it was one of the best o*****s I had ever had..I can't even imagine what it will be like when Asher touches me himself..two more months..I have that much time to prepare myself. My goal is to gain more confidence by then..to show Asher that I want him and that I can initiate things too because if he made a move on me now I might just pass out..So maybe it's a good thing to have all this time to warm up to the idea..or I might just combust beneath his touch completely. I walked towards my front door as I heard a soft knock and opened it quickly. Standing there was Jackie as she held out a small potted plant and smiled broadly.

"Congratulations on moving in!" She said cheerfully as I took the plant with surprise. No one had bought me a plant before, well..no one had really brought me anything before other than Carson and Mack on the rare occasion. "Th..thanks..but you already saw my place." I added shyly, moving aside so she could walk in.

"Oh that didn't count, now you are officially moved in because you finally have a couch." She smiled and I couldn't help but chuckle..

"Well thank you, it's so beautiful." The pot had a mosaic design with tiles of blues, greys, and silvers..for some reason they reminded me of Asher's eyes and I quickly shook the idea away..what was wrong with me..I am comparing a pot to Asher's eyes..I have it bad.. "I just got you some devil's ivy, it's the easiest to care for so you don't have to worry about watering it when you start school." I nodded, feeling like this plant would be dead in a matter of weeks..let's just say I have no green thumb whatsoever and seem to even kill succulents..poor plant, I feel bad for you already.

I learned from getting to know Jackie more that she has a natural green thumb..like I'm talking she can pick up a plant from the side of the road and nurse it back to health kind of thing..she did do that once by the way. It was trash week and somebody left a pot with a wilted plant in it out to be dumped by Carson's place and she took it back home with her and miraculously nursed it back to health. She even sent me pictures of the whole thing, I think it's her superpower.

Carson told me that her place has plants everywhere, even the kind that crawls up the wall and drapes across her walkway, it sounds amazing.

Jackie asked to come over to get ready with me before we head out to the fair. Today was the day that Carson was going to make it official and it was so hard to contain my excitement. I guess there is a pretty big group going and I was surprised Jackie wanted to get ready with me and not her other friends.

I glanced over at her as she plopped down on the couch. She wore a pair of white denim shorts with an orange, brown, and white striped tank top. It was a really warm day today so I'm glad we are going out in the evening because I can't afford a sunburn with this pale skin.

Jackie's red hair was up in a bun and she had white Nike sneakers on. She always had such a cool casual style, it was still feminine but definitely functional, unlike half of the things Mack owned. That's why I was pleasantly surprised when Jackie offered me some of her old stuff because I really liked all of it. Today I wanted to dress super cute, but I am starting to doubt myself as the minutes pass. I always feel more comfortable in baggy shirts because that has been all I have worn for years. I know for a fact Asher will be there tonight so I guess I want to torture him..maybe just a little.

"Okay, what were you thinking of wearing?" Jackie asked, interrupting my thoughts as I quickly placed the plant on my coffee table.

"Well, I had a few options and wanted to see what you thought." I bit my lip nervously and she smiled encouragingly at me as I walked towards my room.

"I would definitely do shorts." She called after me as I nodded my head and picked up the two outfits I put together.

I brought them out and watched as Jackie stood up and studied them carefully.

"Ugh, I loved these shorts, they would look super cute on you. I definitely think those ones." She pointed to a pair of light-wash jean shorts. I tried them on earlier and they went up to my thighs but I actually didn't feel that exposed because they were a little looser and didn't ride up my ass..unlike the stuff Mack usually picks.

"Yeah I really liked these ones..now for the top, I picked out two options." I showed her a yellow tanktop that had small white daisy's on them and another top that was blue with white and grey stripes..

Now that I looked at it I think it's the exact top Jackie has on but just a different color..

"Oh definitely blue, then we can match! I actually thought of that shirt when I wore this.." She laughed, making me feel better like I wasn't some weirdo for picking the same shirt as her.

"Okay let me just get changed, did Carson say when he will be here?" I asked over my shoulder as I walked towards the bathroom.

"He said in about forty minutes, I guess we are meeting up with everyone else there." She informed me and I couldn't help but frown..so Asher wasn't riding with Carson, that seems odd.

"So..I wanted to ask, how are things going with Mack?" Jackie questioned curiously as I slipped off my shirt and froze..it was kind of a sore subject..she hasn't even responded to my text when I said I wanted to talk.

"Haven't heard from her since the last text.." I sighed..Mack and I have gone weeks without talking before, but it was always because she was traveling or busy..this...this was new and it made me feel weird.

"Yeah, I guess she blocked Carson on social media too." Jackie said quietly and I finished slipping on my shorts and tank top before walking out.

"Something else has to be going on with her..I just feel like she has changed so much since getting back." I admitted, feeling hurt by my friend but I still care about her a lot.

"I

I agree..Did you know she is dating Ethan now?" Her eyes snapped to mine as she looked me up and down carefully.

"She..what?! seriously?" I was shocked..but that totally explains why he was hanging around me, he must have been going for Mack the whole time. I knew it had to be something like that..it always was. "Wow Em, you look stunning!" Jackie gushed, looking me up and down with a huge grin.

"Oh..thanks." I felt my cheeks warming, I always feel so awkward receiving compliments.

"Let's curl your hair." She smiled, going to her bag as she pulled out a curling iron. I guess she was prepared for everything.

"But yeah..Craig called it quits after bumping into Asher at the mall. He apologized to Carson and said he knew he crossed a line he shouldn't have." She explained while plugging in the curling iron.

"I think Craig's a really nice guy." I blurted, feeling like in the few interactions we had he was always genuine and thoughtful.

"Yeah, I honestly think Carson was more pissed about it because he liked Craig too and he knew his sister wasn't exactly the settle-down type like Craig was looking for." So Carson was more worried about Mack hurting Craig? I thought he was just being protective of Mack like he always was with me..when did that change?

"So she moved on to Ethan..but don't tell Carson what I am about to tell you." She locked eyes with me in the mirror, placing a strand of my brown hair in the curler and rolling it up. I nodded my head, agreeing not to say a word.

"Well..my honest opinion of the whole thing is I think they want to make other people jealous..two other people to be exact." She muttered, making me wrack my brain who the other person could be..one of them is obviously Craig.

"I think Ethan wants you to get jealous and have some type of realization of what you are missing out on." She dropped that bomb on me as my eyes widened and I almost choked on the gasp I inhaled.

"What?! Me?" I blurted, wondering why the hell Ethan would think I am even interested..and why would I want him if he was with Mack?! That is the ultimate feeling crusher. Every guy I ever liked that Mack dated would make those feelings get squashed instantly. I wasn't the type to play games because I knew for a fact when it came to me and Mack..she always won.

"Is it that shocking Em?" Jackie laughed softly, making me blink my eyes rapidly as she continued doing my hair.

"I just..when it comes to Mack I was never even a choice or option." I looked down at my hands, hating how these insecurities are coming out once again. It's almost like every time I manage to take one step forward I end up taking another ten back.

"I don't think that's true Emery..I think you just take yourself out of the game. Ethan is a fucking creep though so don't even play that game." She grumbled, making me laugh and feel slightly better.

Before I could say anything else, there was a loud knock at the door causing both Jackie and I to look over.

"Guess Carson is here, let me go get it." She said excitedly as she placed the curling iron down and ran towards the door.

Suddenly I heard my phone ping and I grabbed it, checking my messages quickly.

Ronan74: Emery..promise me you will love me no matter what..please.

My heart stopped, reading his message I began to feel my stomach tighten with knots..what was going on with him?

Katina: of course I will..is everything okay babe?

Ronan74: I just miss you that's all.

He suddenly type back and I couldn't help but smile down at my phone.

Katina: I miss you too baby, but we will be together soon, then I will never leave your side.

I knew I would see Asher soon..so I might have added a hidden meaning to that one. Ronan74: You promise?

He messaged back, causing my stomach to flutter as I smiled like an idiot.

Katina: I promise with my whole heart..I love you baby..nothing will ever change that.

I sent the message waiting for another reply just as Carson and Jackie entered the room.

"Ready Em?" Carson asked, I could tell he was nervous from here..and I couldn't help but smile and nod my head. I have a gut feeling that tonight was going to be one to remember..I can't wait.