27. Asher
Asher
We made quick work of getting presentable and heading over to Jade’s dorm. She held on tightly to my waist as I leaned us on the bike to take a turn quickly. She didn’t seem panicked about it anymore though, just moving her weight with mine, so I’ll take that as a win.
The roar of the engine drowns out my thoughts; the vibration of the machine under me helps blank out my mind so I can truly be calm before meeting Jade’s mother.
I could see right off the bat that Jade wasn’t keen on us meeting. I quickly clocked that she wasn’t embarrassed of me or any of that shit, but she was worried her mother might scare me off.
Nothing will keep me from Jade, now that we’ve worked past all this shit. She is mine. For life.
I promised myself, and everyone that mattered, that I would protect Jade.
That means from her mother, too.
I wasn’t going to let that woman bully her into anything. But I don’t want to make Jade’s relationship with her even more strained if she wants her in her life.
I pull into one of the parking spots in the front of the dorms and cut the engine. I can practically feel Jade’s anxiety. Not to mention, we’re here and she hasn’t let up on her tight grip on my shirt. She’s slightly shaking against my back.
I remind myself that, as much as she needs a protector, she has to fight some dragons on her own. But she’ll never be alone. I’ll be standing right behind her, letting her slay them and welcoming her with open arms, telling her how fucking amazing she is when she’s done.
It’s her choice if we go inside.
Putting my hand over hers, I just hold her to me. Letting her gather her strength and courage, hopefully giving her some of mine.
I hear her sigh through the visor of the helmet and she sits up. I know this is going to be hard for Jade, standing up to her mom and also probably getting hit with some out-of-bounds shit that her mom will say.
But it has to happen.
I know it, Jade knows it. It has to happen so Jade can be happy.
Jade deserves to be happy.
I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she is.
* * *
We walk into the dorm hall, hand-in-hand. Every single time I’m here, I attract the eyes of every student we pass.
I get it. I’m tall, big and covered in tattoos. Not to mention, I definitely look too old to be here, but they don’t need to fucking stare. I put on a blatant ‘don’t-fuck-with-us’ expression and wrap my arm over Jade’s shoulders, claiming her for any stupid little fuckers who might have other ideas.
Especially for any of Hunter or Kyle’s little halfwit buddies they might have set on her.
That reminds me—I need to sweet-talk Pam into telling me if Hunter moved out. I guess it doesn’t really matter now, since Jade’s moving in with Roxie, but I still want to fuck up his life a little bit.
I know I beat his face in, but I’m still feeling a little bloodthirsty.
Jade waves half-heartedly at Pam, who’s sitting behind the reception desk. I think we’re almost in the clear of not having a big conversation, but then Pam waves us over animatedly. Groaning, I try to keep walking, but Pam fucking starts going ‘ psssst, psssssst ” louder and louder, before almost yelling it.
“Come on,” Jade says quietly, gesturing to the side with her head and veering off to see what Pam wants.
Ugh.
I try to keep myself from rolling my eyes but follow my girl.
“There’s a scary-looking woman here looking for you, Jade,” Pam says quietly, covering her mouth with a clipboard. It’s like there are people watching us and are interested in what we’re saying—I swear, Pam is an idiot. “She knew what room you were in and signed in.” Pam pushes the sign-in chart—that I had no fucking clue existed, since I just barreled through to Jade’s room—and clear as day, I can see it.
Samanatha Henderson, Mother.
Damn, even her handwriting looks sinister.
“Thanks, Pam,” Jade mutters and I can tell there’s a little wobble to her voice. Jade straightens her shoulders and hands the chart back to Pam with a nod. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I wink at her and see a faint blush on her cheeks.
I love this woman so much. Fuck.
I walk behind Jade and watch her back. I can see her struggle to put on a strong front as we walk to her doom. She steps into the empty elevator, standing to the side so I can come with her, and her face is cold, expressionless. But the fire in her eyes tells me she’s gearing up for war.
She presses the button to her floor and takes a deep breath. Keeping her eyes forward, Jade doesn’t look at me. She doesn’t say anything or move closer. She’s not giving me anything to go on, so I wait.
I wait for her to dictate how this goes. But I want her to know she’s not alone in this. I don’t know if I should touch her; if I should hold her hand or pull her into me.
“Jade?” I whisper, letting my voice carry through the rickety elevator.
“Yeah?”
“You’ve got this.”
Jade turns to look at me, the emotionless mask on her face breaking as she smiles at me.
“Thank you,” she whispers before sighing again. “I hope your opinion of me doesn’t change after you meet her… and hear all she’s undoubtedly going to say.”
“Nothing will change how I feel about you.” My heart beats strongly, and solely for her.
The elevator door dings and she surges up to kiss me quickly.
Light fills the small space as the decrepit elevator door opens and Jade steps back, ready to take on the monster down the hall.