Oliver

Something about Ashton has always intrigued me.

  At first, it surprised me that she was able to make Tyson want to settle down. Before he met her, he'd never dated anyone for more than a couple of weeks. It wasn't that he didn't treat girls right, but he just didn't know how to be a good boyfriend. I mean, I wasn't a good role model for that. But Ashton changed the way he thought about this. She was young - twenty one - sweet, and she gave him her attention in a way he'd never seen.

  I remember the first time I met her. I remember that I felt something deep in my chest when I saw how she looked at him. Tyson was a year older than her and about as mature as a kid in high school, but she thought it was cute. Or charming. She liked the things about him that other girls hated. It was so...strange. It confused me and intrigued me.  

  When I was around them, I felt that good feeling. We hung out often, we had drinks together on Friday nights and had dinner with Mom and Dad on Sundays. She was just always around, like a part of Tyson, after just a couple of weeks of them dating. I got used to her being in my life. I still had my own life - work, friends, girls. But I liked the part of my life where I got to hang out with Tyson and Ashton. I enjoyed annoying them and making fun of their sweet relationship. I - was - two years older than Tyson. It was always my job to tease him. I know I got on Ashton's nerves, but she never seemed to really mind.

  I loved her laugh. And I liked when she would tell me off or show her fun side. I just really liked her as a person, even though I liked pushing her buttons. That still applies, now, apparently.

  All of this - and more - is why I was so shocked when they broke up. It was more like being blind-sided. Just a few days before, I hung out with them at Tyson's apartment. She still looked at him the same as she did when they first met. Almost two years later, they still had a strong connection. I was still as amazed by my brother then, too. That Monday, Tyson didn't answer my call. That Wednesday, he was still avoiding my texts and calls. By Friday - a week later - I showed up at his apartment like I usually would. He finally admitted that he and Ashton broke up.

  Cue the shock.

  That day, I acted like things were fine. I hung out with him and we had a few drinks but I didn't ask what happened. He didn't share any details, either. That night, I laid in bed wondering. A week past and then two. I still saw my brother often. We still went to dinner at Mom and Dad's on Sundays. But things felt wrong. Tyson wasn't himself - or he was too much like his old self, maybe. Three weeks after Ashton disappeared, Tyson up and left.

  Now, everything is so different between Ashton. We aren't friends. We aren't co-workers. The job will be done in a week or two and I'll have to start actually working in uncle Johnny's office again. We haven't had any deep conversations. I want so much more out of her, but I don't know how to go about it. I don't know how to tell her that I don't want to lose her again.

  I know she was pissed, I could tell, when I said I'd find out what happened between her and Tyson. She looked horrified that I was even bringing it up. I wonder if she did something wrong. I never wondered this before - before, it always seemed like Tyson was the one who fucked up. But now? I just can't tell.

  I don't know how to plan on finding out. Ashton sure wont tell me. Sable came in to the office yesterday to bring me lunch and I could tell that she is feeling hostile about everything. About me. About Sable.

  I have no idea what I'm going to do.

*

  It's Saturday again before I know it. I didn't go to Ashton's office yesterday. In fact, I took the whole day off. I just needed a day to reset, so I went for a long run and then drank a few beers by myself. God, I miss Tyson. Some days I still pick up my phone to call him and it hits me all over again that he's really gone. It hurts so bad. My parents don't talk about him, which is even worse. We still have Sunday dinners together. Once in awhile, I bring Sable, just to change the mood. But I don't want my mom to think it's serious between us.

  Speaking of Sable, she's already texted me three times this morning. I didn't take her out last night because I had three beers and couldn't drive. I could tell she was mad about it, but I promised her I'd take her out today.

  Buzz. Are you still asleep? It's after 11AM.

  That's the third text, so I decide to answer.

  Me: I'm up and showered. What are you up to?

  Sable: Waiting on you. I thought we were going out.

  I sigh, because I have no idea what she thinks I have planned. I have nothing planned. I never got the memo on how to be a romantic boyfriend and with Sable, it feels forced all the damn time. I like her company, but I hate how she expects so much.

  Me: I can pick you up in an hour? Lunch and a movie?

  I'm making this up as I go, and I definitely haven't showered yet, but I know she likes going to the movie theatre. We haven't gone in a couple of weeks.

  Sable: Perfect. See you soon babe.

  Pushing off the couch, I stand up and cross the room to start my coffee. I've been being lazy all morning and now I need to get going. My coffee is brewing a minute later, so I head up to the bathroom to shower and get dressed.

  I'm in jeans and a v-neck t-shirt when I grab my travel mug of coffee and head out the door ten minutes before I'm supposed to be at Sable's. It takes me fifteen to get there, so I should text her, but I don't. She can wait.

  Starting my car, I toss my phone to the passenger seat. Before I back out of the driveway, I pick it up again. I can't stop thinking about Ashton. Not her, per se, but her and Tyson. I thought about her last night, when I was drinking. At least I didn't text her. I thought her in the shower - that was awkward for a minute - and I'm thinking about her now. 

  What happened?

  I pull up her number and open a text conversation. I rarely text her and only ever about something to do with her project. I know better, now. She was angry about my flirting texts. Thinking back, it was highly inappropriate. But drunk Oliver couldn't stop himself. Sober, tired Oliver can - but I don't want to. 

  Me: Ashton, I was wondering if we could meet tonight. Maybe for dinner? To work on the website?

  She's going to know that I don't want to work on the website. We were supposed to work on it together on Friday, but I called to tell her that I wasn't coming up. I even emailed her the photos she needed. She likely already got most of it done. She's an amazingly hard worker and would never slack the way I do. She's probably going to know that I want to talk about Tyson. And she'll probably turn down my offer for tonight. But at least I put it out there. 

  When I pull up to Sable's apartment, she's already waiting outside for me. She gets into my car beside me and leans in to kiss me, then asks why I'm late. I bite my bottom lip, annoyed. She's wearing a short dress and her boobs are on display. She looks so good. I put my hand on her thigh as I get back onto the main road to drive to her favourite Mexican restaurant. I'm going through the motions - I kind of always have been, with her. I tried really damn hard to not let her figure that out, though.

  When we get seated at the restaurant, Sable decides she needs to go to the bathroom before we order. I know she's just going to touch up her make up or fix her hair or whatever girls do, so I use that as an excuse to look at my phone. It's crazy how bad I want Ashton to have replied.

  She hasn't.

  I'm disappointed all through lunch, even though my meal is good, as always. Sable tells me about work, and about how her best friend, Jane, just got engaged. I'm barely listening. When we are finished, I pay and tip the server well and then Sable slips her hand into mine as I leave again.

  The movie theatre isn't far, and I drive straight there even though the movie we decided on doesn't start for an hour. I just want to get this day over with. Maybe when I bring Sable home and then get back to my house, Ashton will text me back. Maybe I'll convince her to come over, or meet me somewhere.

  Maybe I'll actually get some answers.