25. Asher
Asher
I stayed with Jade for the rest of the day and slept on Roxie’s shitty futon. I needed to make sure she didn’t burrow back under that fuzzy blanket she’s grown fond of. After we cleaned up from the bathroom, I made sure to feed her.
I prepared her an easy, quick sandwich while we waited for a massive order from the local Mexican restaurant. Complete with a huge fountain drink to get some sugar and caffeine into her. After she’d eaten the small snack, Jade said she was going to go shower and wash her hair. Of course, I asked if she felt okay enough to be alone, to which she just rolled her eyes with a small smile.
She might have acted like she was annoyed, but we both know she loves it.
After I pay the delivery guy and take our three-bag order, I hear the shower turn off. Doing my best not to get hard just knowing that she’s naked, dripping wet, and not far from me, I get to work setting out the food on Roxie’s short coffee table and find something light and funny we can watch. We don’t need any more drama than we’ve had over the last few days. No more bad feelings. Just happiness and light.
After a few minutes of searching, I land on The Office and wait. It’s the show she had me watch when I was needing a break, back when we first met. I think she’ll appreciate the gesture.
I sneak a few tortilla chips and jump up when I hear the bathroom door open, steam billowing out around Jade.
I swear to god, it’s like I’m in a music video. Time slows down as she walks toward me, a smirk crossing on her face while I watch as she flips her blonde hair, darkened from the water. She’s borrowing some of Roxie’s sleep shorts and a tank top, and fuck, does she wear them well. The fabric clings to her damp skin, showing how her nipples are pebbled from the temperature change. The low neckline absorbs the water dripping from her hair, making the white fabric turn more sheer.
She’s a vision. And I’m so fucking lucky.
“What’d you get? I’m still really hungry,” Jade says with a smile, no doubt laughing internally at my dumb, love-struck face.
Clearing my throat, I nod, make sure my mouth isn’t wide open, and hold my arm out to show her my haul. “Uh, I got us a little bit of everything. Enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, chips and guac, some queso, all the goods,” I stammer as I open the different boxes of steaming food. “Good timing too, everything’s still hot.”
“Thanks for getting this for us,” she beams and takes a seat on the couch, pulling the favorite fuzzy blanket over her legs. “Oh my god, it’s a Coke!” She picks up the Styrofoam cup that’s as big as her head and takes a long sip with a moan. “That’s so good.”
I can’t help but chuckle.
Jade glares at me playfully. “It’s been days since I’ve had a pop, let me enjoy it without your judgement.” She takes another long sip.
I put my hands up in surrender and sit next to her on the couch, digging into our feast. I intentionally didn’t bring plates out so we could just eat together right from the containers. I did that so I could see what she prefers and gravitates toward for next time. I never want to mess up a food or drink order again. I’ll learn her preferences so I can get her meals right every time.
“Oh, The Office, I love it,” she says excitedly, picking up a chip and dipping—yes, dipping, not scooping like everyone I’ve ever met—a chip into the container of guacamole.
“What are you doing?” I ask, picking up a chip myself and showing her the proper way. “Get a good chunk on the chip.”
“I like to spread it out,” she shrugs and dips a chip in again, barely getting any on the chip.
“You’re not getting any!”
“I’m getting the taste though,” she counters.
I shake my head. “Jade, you aren’t actually eating the guac.” She shrugs, does it again, and raises her eyebrow in challenge.
“You crazy woman.” I pull her close to me and kiss her. Letting her go, she smiles brightly and shakes her head.
“Turn it on,” she orders with a happy, loving, content smile.
“Yes, ma’am.”
* * *
We gradually finish eating—she definitely ate most of the enchiladas, so that’s going in my notes app—and sit back, watching Jim prank Dwight and smiling the whole time. She’s quicker to smile, to chuckle, as we cuddle up on the couch.
Jade slips further under the blanket and nestles her side into mine.
This right here. This whole moment is what I hope to have for the rest of my life. I know shit is going to happen, as it always does in life; but if the past four days have taught me anything, it’s that we can get through anything. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer and kiss the side of her head, breathing in her clean hair.
Perfect.
But like all good moments, they must come to an end. Or be annoyingly interrupted by my kid sister.
The door jiggles and opens as Roxie grumbles, muttering as she walks in, locking the door behind her. Her black hair is skewed all over, her red lipstick faded and smeared slightly. She looks… like she just got caught doing the walk of shame. Catching sight of us, Roxie freezes. My eyes narrow at her as my lips purse in question.
“Hey guys, I didn’t think you’d still be up.” Roxie kicks her shoes off and scuttles to the kitchen, barely making eye contact with us.
“It’s eight p.m.,” I reply with a questioning tilt to my voice.
“Hmm,” she hums, filling up one of her cups with water.
Jade and I look at each other, questioning why Roxie’s acting so weird. Jade pushes the blanket off and holds her hand out as if to say, ‘I’ve got this.’ She walks over to where Roxie stands at the kitchen sink and puts her hand lightly on the small of her back, mutely asking what’s up. I watch with rapt fascination, hoping to overhear, but they are speaking quietly and also in one-word sentences.
“Yes?” Jade asks, furrowing her eyebrows together.
“Maybe.”
“Really?”
“Don’t.” Roxie points a finger at Jade but there’s no heat.
“Never.” Jade leans her forehead against Roxie’s shoulder in comradery.
“I couldn’t help it,” Roxie whines.
“Girl, I get it.”
Roxie sighs noisily, her head dropping back so she can stare at the ceiling. “I’m going to go shower and then pass out.” Roxie looks at Jade and takes both of her hands in hers. “Please, please, move in here. I’ll clean out the room you’ve been staying in so you actually have space. I need help on the rent. We know we get along and we’re best friends. So please, move out of those shitty dorms and stay here.”
I hold my breath and immediately move my focus from where they’re whispering to the TV. I force a chuckle at Jim’s dead-panned look to the camera, hopefully fooling them into thinking I’m not eavesdropping.
Although it’s really hard not to. This freaking apartment carries voices amazingly. That’s something to remember for the future. I wonder just how much it carries...
I guess we won’t be fucking here, especially if Roxie’s here. I don’t know if Jade could stay quiet enough when we’re together. She’s quite the screamer, much to my delight.
“Are you sure? I know I have a job at the shop, but I don’t have any cash saved up. It’ll be at least two paychecks before I can give you a full rent payment.” Jade picks at her thumb, looking down like she’s embarrassed.
Not that she should be at all.
“Girl, that’s fine. More than fine,” Roxie whispers, holding her hand excitedly. “Seriously, you don’t have to pay for a while. When we get set up and settled, we’ll talk.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to fuck this up.” Jade holds her hand and bites her lip. I know her well enough now, and I’m sure Roxie does too, to recognize she doesn’t want to feel like a burden.
“I’m so sure,” Roxie nods and smiles. “So fucking sure.”
Jade smiles back and nods. “Alright, if you say so. I’d love that, really.”
“Yes!” Roxie pumps a fist in the air and I try to hide a knowing smile.
If Jade doesn’t think it’s time to, or can’t, live with me yet, I feel a million times better knowing she will be here. Roxie’s like a pit bull; tough and scary when provoked, but the sweetest friend all the other times.
“Tomorrow we’ll recruit Asher and Ty to get your stuff from the dorms, and then you can try to get the school to refund the rest of the year for you.” Roxie fires off a plan and gives Jade a big hug which she returns.
Roxie runs off toward the bathroom and Jade stands still, watching Roxie walk off. And then the smile falls off her face.
“Baby?” I ask, stretching my arm out over the back of the couch. Jade looks at me and I can see it.
Worry.
“Hey,” I say gently, standing to cross the room as quickly as possible. “What’s wrong?” I ask, wrapping my arms around her waist, welcoming her into my arms.
“I’m so excited, so happy,” Jade starts to ramble. “Everything is going well. Everything is working out. I feel confident and like everything’s going to go my— our —way.” I nod, cupping her cheek and she leans into it for comfort. “That’s never really happened for me, Asher. One or two things seem like they’re working in my life and then the other shoe drops and tears my life into tatters.”
“I get it,” I reply softly, kissing her forehead. “I do. But I promise you that nothing, nothing , bad is going to happen. I won’t let it.”
Jade wraps her arms around my waist, accepting my promise. But I can still see some hesitation in her eyes. I hate that it’s there from years of hard time and bullshit, from bad people and those who chose to turn their backs on her.
Her happiness is my first priority. My honor to have, along with her love.
It’s an honor I won’t take for granted.
“Everything is going to be fine,” I offer softly, holding her in my arms and kissing her head. She doesn’t respond, but hugs me back.
I’ll take it…
For now.