The Perfect Spiral (by Ashley Constantine) novel Chapter 93

93 of 106: Chapter 93

2%

“You’re not nothing to me, Alex,” he whispers in my car, but I don’t respond and continue walking away

from him.

I bump into Wes standing at the door. His navy blue suit hugs his ripped body perfectly.

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere, sweetheart!” Wes turns to face me. He leans in to kiss my cheek, giving me a tight hug with Adam.

“Hey, buddy! Don’t you look sharp in your suit! Got all the ladies chasing you, I see. Taking after your uncle,” he pinches Adam’s cheek, but Adam is too focused on his chocolate to notice anything right

now.

Once again, I set Adam down on the tiles, letting him run to Noah and Eden to give them candy. My back is starting to ache from carrying him in heels, so I rub my hands over the tender muscle.

“Hey, Wes! Don’t you clean up well,” I tease, watching the little kids run around with each other. He chuckles lightly while sipping on his beer bottle.

“You look beautiful as always, Alex.”

I thank him, shifting my weight to ease the pressure on my feet. God, I hate these heels.

“Knox,” he nods.

“Wes,” Knox echoes. They stare at each other, causing a bit of tension between them. I can feel it.

“How’s Lauren?” Wes smirks at him, casually sipping from his bottle.

“How’s Zara?”

Wes begins to choke on his drink and I pat him lightly on the back. He swallows it down in one big gulp, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. This allows me to look at him skeptically.

What happened with him and Zara? Are they together too? His eyes meet mine, trying to read my emotion, but I keep it as neutral as possible.

Clenching his jaw, he asks, “How was the stripper last night?” He narrows his eyes at Knox, who huff’s out through his nose. He’s practically breathing fire.

Why am I still here?

“Bullshit,” Wes calls him out, bobbing his head up even more at the fire–breather.

“Maybe you can fill us in on the twins you had?” Knox continues to provoke him. This is going to end only one way. It’s always the same with these two.

“I think you’re talking about yourself, Carter. Threesome, was it?” Wes smiles smugly at Knox.

Chapter 93 of 106: Chapter 93

21%

“Stop it. Both of you. You’re supposed to be best friends and you’ve done nothing but fight each other since the start of the year.

I don’t know what it’s about, and frankly, I don’t care. This is not the day to fight. Drop it! Now!” I

stand level with both of them.

The tension between them is palpable, and I can’t help but feel caught in the middle. “What happened with Zara? Is she okay?” I ask, my voice laced with concern. Knox’s cryptic words had me on edge.

Knox’s laugh is bitter, a stark contrast to Wes’s silence. I’m lost in their unspoken words.

“Zara had trouble walking the other night,” Knox says, a smirk playing on his lips. I don’t like the direction this conversation is taking.

“Why? What happened?” I press, torn between wanting to know and fearing the answer.

“Nothing-” Wes starts, but Knox cuts him off, his tone smug.

“He fucked her so hard she couldn’t walk. Isn’t that right, Wes?” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise, my jaw dropping. I look between the two of them, my gaze lost in the distance.

“That’s not true, Alex. I was drunk. I don’t remember anything,” Wes says, his voice strained. I feel like an intruder in this conversation, but I’m rooted to the spot, unable to escape.

“Great excuse,” Knox retorts, crossing his arms as if he’s heard it all before.

“And what’s your excuse for getting back with Lauren? Did she drug you? No, you willingly took her back as your girlfriend! At least I can honestly say I don’t remember the fucking night, Knox,” Wes retorts, his voice rising in frustration.

“Fuck off, Wes! It’s none of your damn business. She’s not my fucking girlfriend!” Knox’s voice matches Wes’s in intensity, their heated exchange making the hallway feel like a furnace.

“Is that what you keep telling yourself? Or is that what you tell her to keep her hanging on?” Wes points at me, dragging me into their argument. I don’t want any part of this.

“Shut up, Avery! I’m not stringing her along-”

“You are,” I interrupt Knox. Silence descends upon us. I realize they’re both looking at me,

“Baby doll, I’m not stringing you along. I just… I just need some time. To figure things out,” he says, voice soft as he takes my hand. Wes turns away in frustration, running his hands through his hair.

his

“Don’t bother. Don’t come near me. Either of you. You’ve caused enough trouble with your fighting. I hope these pathetic fights aren’t because of me, because I won’t be the reason your friendship falls apart. I’m staying away from both of you. Leave me alone.”

Chapter 93 of 106: Chapter 93

41%

I retreat inside, where Hannah and Ben are at the bar. I order five shots of whiskey and down them all at once, then order a Long Island iced tea and take a generous sip.

“Easy there, sweet cheeks. I don’t want to have to carry you to bed,” Ben teases, but I’ve had enough of everyone treating me like I’m fragile.

“Fuck off,” I snap, storming off with my drink in hand. I make my way outside, seeking solitude, but it doesn’t last long. I hear footsteps behind me and try to hide, pressing my back against the cold, gray wall and closing my eyes.

“Alex! Alex! Al-” Ben’s voice grows closer. He’s found me. I try to run again, but he grabs my wrist and pulls me back.

“Alex, talk to me. What’s wrong? Stop running away. I’m faster and won’t hesitate to tackle you, even in that dress,” he says, his playful tone coaxing a smile from me despite the situation.

“There’s that smile I love! Now, talk to me, sweet cheeks,” he says, his voice soothing.

“I told Wes and Knox to leave me alone because they keep messing with my head. Both of them. Did you know Wes slept with Zara the other night? And Knox wants me to give him time… Ben, I’m so confused. I didn’t expect Wes to wait for me, but it still hurts. And what Knox did… going out with me, sleeping with me, then getting back with her… Ben, what did I do wrong? Why doesn’t anyone want to be with me? Is there something wrong with me?” I ask him, my voice filled with confusion and hurt.

Between Drew, Knox, and Wes, I just don’t know anymore. My mind is racing, and Ben, sensing my distress, pulls me into a comforting hug.

“Listen, Alex, I know they’re messing with your head. But they both really like you. I didn’t know about Wes and Zara, but it sounds like they don’t want people to know. Come on, let’s go up to the balcony and have a few drinks together.”

“Why can’t we do that inside?” I ask as he leads me up the back steps.

“Because I want to tell you how perfect you are, sweet cheeks. In private.” We settle onto the outdoor sofas, sipping our drinks in the warm night air.

“I’m not perfect, Ben. If I was, I’d be able to keep a guy around. I’m not committing to anyone because I’m scared I’ll get cheated on again. I’m finding it hard to trust people.”

He leans forward, resting on his elbows, and nods. We sit in silence, watching the navy blue sky, the stars twinkling above us. The soft yellow glow of the surrounding lights allows me to soak in the quiet, the only sound being the distant chirping of crickets.

“When I was in college, I attended a football team party at one of the frat houses. The girl I’d been dating for a year vanished for a while.

Chapter 93 of 106: Chapter 93

59%

“I searched for her, checking all the restrooms, the party rooms, even outside, but she was nowhere to be found. I called her repeatedly as I continued my search, eventually finding myself upstairs.

“I heard moans coming from one of the rooms. I recognized them. They were hers.

“I opened the door to find her naked in bed with another guy…” He takes a long swig of his beer, as if trying to wash away the bitter memory.

“God, Ben, I’m so sorry…” I cover my mouth, looking at him with empathetic eyes. I know what it feels like to witness such betrayal. To be wounded by it.

“You know what the worst part was? The guy she was cheating on me with was my best friend…”

My heart aches for him. I can’t fathom doing that to someone. It’s such a cruel act.

“I haven’t spoken to either of them since that day. The ironic part is, they started dating after I broke up with her, only to split three months later. Their relationship was built on the thrill of sneaking around.”

He finishes his beer and leans back, taking in the view. The empty bottle clinks as he sets it down on the

side table.

“After that, I became a bit of a playboy. I partied nearly every night and slept with half the college. If a girl approached me in a tight dress, I’d take her upstairs without a second thought.

“None of it meant anything to me. My heart was completely shattered after that relationship. I haven’t been in one since. I couldn’t feel any emotion for years after it, never got attached to anyone.

“I was the king of the ‘Nail and Bail‘ scene. I didn’t feel any enjoyment being around any girl. Until I met you.” A small smile tugs at my lips at his words.

I lean back to join him, pulling my legs up onto the sofa and resting my head on my palm, my elbow propped against the back of the seat. I turn to face him.

“I felt an immediate connection with you, Alex. It’s never happened to me before. When I saw your commercial during halftime at a friend’s house, I thought you were sexy as hell.

“When I met you at the beach, I had to talk to you, mainly to get your number. But when you responded with such ease, it felt natural between us.

“You had this look in your eyes, like you were broken inside. A look I’d worn for years. When we were out on the water and you opened up to me, I knew you didn’t like talking about yourself.

“But you needed it. I knew we’d hit it off.” His hand reaches out to touch my arm, the one propping up my head. He shifts closer to me.

“I could’ve sat there listening to you all day. Even when you spoke about Carter. When you wanted to know about me, even though we’d just met, I knew you felt a connection too. I knew then that I loved

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify