Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 186: Chapter 186

ASHLEY

For the last two hours, I have shred up and damaged every piece of expensive fabric within my reach, and I still haven’t managed to create anything breath taking. My mannequin is pockmarked with needle holes. My office is an eye sore. Frustrated, I plow through the fabric skimming my ankles and retreat to my desk.

I have never felt so talentless. My brain used to be cluttered with design ideas. I used to see fashion hits and misses whenever I looked at a person’s outfit. Even the sight of color used to inspire a whole new look in my head but today, I’ve got nothing! It’s a ghost town up in my head. I can’t even differentiate between color shades. What the hell is wrong with me? I wonder silently, cradling my head in my hands.

It’s their life. It shouldn’t matter as much. She’s my past and he is my blood. Why does it sting so much that my brother didn’t tell me about his relationship with my ex-wife?

Frankly, I don’t want anything to do with Demi. Marrying her will always go down in history as the biggest mistake of my life. Our union plunged me into one of the worst phases of my life, second only to Tobias’ abuse.

I absolutely miss the old me who didn’t give emotions the time of the day, the guy who enjoyed the attention of multiple women. I miss the guy that was super confident and secure in himself.

Now, I’m just a hot mess who’s still saddened by his singleness and reeling with shock over his brother and ex-wife dating, like I didn’t know that was inevitable. Maybe if Nicci didn’t give up on us, our renewed love story would have made Ashton and Demi’s relationship hurt less, because then I wouldn’t be so jealous that they got their happy ending and not me.

I have no clue why I feel so dead inside but I just can’t shake if off. I try to avoid Ashton as much as possible so I don’t go off on him over the Demi situation. That’s why I’m back to spending hours toiling in the office.

"Where are you?" Asher asks over the phone.

"At work. Why?"

"Why aren’t you here at the hospital? Didn’t we agree to talk to Skylar today, together, about everything."

I sit up in my chair. "No, that’s not what we agreed. You said we needed to give her more time to get comfortable around us before bringing it up. Today was just supposed to be a regular visit to take her home after her discharge from the hospital."

"Oh, so you do remember what today is and still decided to be a no-show?"

"Give my love to Sky but I have some pressing work to get done over here. I need to get the business up and running before father shuts us down."

You seem a little withdrawn lately and somehow, I suspect it no longer has to do with Nicci. Is everything okay? Do you

just need some time to process a few things." Shutting my eyes, I run a finger over my temple. "And it’s not about Nicci or anyone else for that matter. I’m having a creative block that has spanned weeks.

to freaking out. What if this is it? What if something’s snapped inside me

flirty quad anymore, thanks to Demi who guilt tripped me into pursuing one woman (her) only despite knowing from the onset that she was

out. If I lose my creativity, everything will be over for

"Ashley?"

"Yeah?"

come to the

stand and continue to sample more fabrics. "I can’t. I still have

saw

fabric slips from

an appointment. I thought you might want to

reasons why she would be there, I remind myself. And if she specifically chose the one hospital that my family sponsors, then she must be

"I’m on my way."

***

the hospital, Asher apologizes for luring me

a piece of my mind. "I invited someone over whom Skylar might not be thrilled to see but it’s necessary to spur her to bring up our parents. She’s clearly recovered.

brows arch suspiciously but before he can give a response, I spot Demi sitting outside Skylar’s room. "You’ve got to be kidding me." Slanting a

how much damage did Nicci do

is about that..."I trail off in surprise and my outstretched arm drops when the woman staring up at us from outside Skylar’s room turns out to be Cree Baxter. Am I

Asher pats my back before

clears Skylar for discharge after her test results

dart around the room till it rests on our anxious faces. "Oh hell no. I’m not going back to that cozy prison of yours. I have my own house. You’re welcome to

prisoner, Sky." Ashal tells her. "We’re glad you’re all better." He inhales softly.

down from her bed and reels out an address in a remote part