Chapter 225

‘I came to the studio,’ I said. ‘Daniel wouldn’t leave, so I did. Let me guess, you asked Geoffrey where I was again. Keeping tabs on me?’ ‘Didn’t have to. I guessed.’ Ashton changed the topic quickly. ‘Why’s that kid still there?’ ‘He’s leaving in a few days. Don’t worry. I’m not keeping him.’ ‘You free now?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Good. Come to the hospital. You’ll want front-row seats.’ *** Ashton and Dominic were already there when I entered the hospital room. ‘What are we doing here?’ I muttered, glancing around. Ashton stood from the narrow couch by the window, tugged me down beside him, and pressed his palm to my lower back. ‘Still sore?’ His hand moved lower, his thumb grazing the base of my spine. I shoved his wrist away and shifted on the cushion. My face burned. Dominic’s eyes stayed glued to his phone, thumbs tapping the screen like he hadn’t heard a thing. I exhaled slowly. I shot Ashton a look. He grinned. I narrowed my eyes and stared harder at him, the kind of stare that said: stop a