"Hey Asher?"

At the sound of Wes' voice, Asher stopped near the entryway.

"What's up?" Asher's voice sounded calm, but Wes could see he was nervous about something by the way he kept wringing his hands together.

"Just wondering where you're off to in such a hurry," Wes answered, but that wasn't his real intent. In truth he needed information. Information Asher wouldn't be eager to share with him.

"Who says I'm in a hurry," Asher sidestepped.

"Look I just want to know who you're asking out," said Wes.

"Who says I'm asking out anyone," Asher sidestepped again.

"I'm not that dense," said Wes in harsh tones.

"Fine, even if I am, I don't see how it's any of your business."

"Just tell me who you're asking," said Wes.

"So you can interfere?" said Asher. "I think I'll pass. Thanks but no thanks."

"I wish we didn't bet on that. It's not fair to the girls to lead them on if it's just for our own amusement."

"If I recall correctly you've kissed your fair share of girls for bets," said Asher.

"But that was before-"

"Before what? Before you became a sap?" Asher cut in harshly.

"No," said Wes. He was getting angry now. "Before-"

"Before you decided to tell me what to do?" Asher pressed.

"Before you decided to go after my girl," said Wes in a deadly serious voice.

"Your girl?" Asher asked as though Wes hadn't raised his voice. "I didn't think you even had a girl."

"I know you're going after Maddie," Wes continued in a deadly growl. "Your perverted thoughts are as apparent as blood on fresh snow."

"And if I am what's it to you?"

"I already told you she's mine," said Wes.

"But, is that the way she sees it?" Asher questioned, though he already knew the answer.

"Not yet," said Wes with a hint of disappointment.

"A day late and a dollar short it seems," said Asher with a smirk.

"It's still wrong to lead her on if you don't have feelings for her," said Wes.

"But I do have feelings for her," said Asher. His voice finally lost the angry, concerned tone it held before. Wes was briefly reminded of the old Asher he had admired; the carefree, happy-go-lucky personality that had died with his mother nearly a year ago.

"And I think she has feelings for me too." He turned to leave, but Wes stopped him with another question.

"How do you figure?"

Asher turned back to smile at Wes like a father would smile at his disowned, disgraced stepson. "Oh Wes, Wes, W-"

"Say my name again, and you won't be able to talk for the next two weeks," said Wes.

"I know that Maddie likes me because, on the day after I arrived, she made the effort to wear makeup and get dressed up. That's how girls say they're interested."

Wes huffed. He hated being talked down to. "It's just a coincidence," he said confidently. "The other girls probably just got bored and used Maddie as an art project. And even if she did do it to pick up guys," Wes got an unsettling feeling at this thought, but he plunged on anyway. "Then you should remember that you, Nathan, and Pete all arrived on the same day."

"She wouldn't be interested in Pete, or Nathan," Asher said.

"How do you know," Wes asked back.

"I just know. But if it makes you feel better we can steal her diary or something to see where her true feelings lie."

"Don't you dare steal her diary," Wes was indignant. The thought of Maddie being violated in such a way was below the belt in Wes' opinion.

"Fine then stop telling me who I can and can't date."

"You know I can't do that," said Wes.

"Then I'll steal her diary when we break into their room. If it doesn't confirm her feelings for me, I'll back off," Asher said keeping eye contact with Wes. "But until then she's still fair game. Agreed?"

Wes didn't like the deal, but he had no choice but to agree. "Fine, but if I hear one hint that you are using her, or treating her badly in any way, I'll put a fissure in your skull the size of the Grand Canyon."

"Great, I'm glad that that's settled." But Asher didn't sound very glad. "If you'll excuse me, I have a bet to win."

Wes didn't say anything. Just watched him leave. He stood staring at the wall until most of his anger had passed. When his heart had returned to its normal state he left the house to get some fresh air. But the sight that met him left him paralyzed with dread.

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