29. Asher
Asher
I don’t think I could be any angrier at the fucking universe for the hand it’s dealt to Jade. How could anyone treat her so badly?
I lived through my mom’s abandonment and her… trauma, but even she never talked to me like that. She would get drunk and become a vegetable; she’d get high and go find someone to fuck, pretending like Hunter and I didn’t exist. I thought being neglected was bad… but seeing how that devil woman talked to Jade, what she was willing to do after the first time Jade fought back?
Nothing compares to that.
Her soft snores fill the room as she sleeps, having cried so much that she passed out against my chest. As gently as I can, I lay her down on her new pillow and wrap her in her blanket like a burrito before sitting back and looking at her.
Jade’s eyes are red and swollen and her soft lips are slightly open as she snores. I frown at the sight of her cheeks; they’re flushed from tears and exertion and her blonde hair is stuck to one.
I have to get her out of here.
I grab the clean trash bag out of the trashcan by her bed and start packing.
* * *
“Asher… Ashe… Asher, help, please.”
I’m nearly done with packing the few things Jade kept here when she starts to whimper. “No… not you too, please.”
“Jade, Jade, baby, wake up,” I say gently, pushing her hair from her face. “I’m right here.”
Tears gather in her lash line as she squeezes her eyes tightly before she wakes up.
“Asher,” her voice broke.
“I’m here,” I say, kissing her lips gently.
“I dreamt you left me too. Decided I was too much work, too much drama and left.” A tear falls from her eye, staining her cheek as she looks at me with reserved fear.
“Never, I’ll never leave you,” I promise vehemently, threading our fingers together and trapping our hands between our chests.
My vow rests between us, heavy and powerful, and I think she believes it. But moreso, I think she wants to believe it fully.
Her mom really did a fucking number on her. Then my brother.
She has every reason in the world not to trust people and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to her that she can trust me. That I’m worthy of it.
* * *
“Let’s go,” I tell Jade, getting up from the bed and holding my hand out to her. “It’s time to start your new life. The way you want to live it.” I smile when she slips her soft hand into mine and I see a flicker of excitement in her eyes.
She jumps off the lofted bed and stands a little straighter, a little lighter. Like the weight of the world is off her shoulders.
“Yes, I just need to grab the rest of my stuff.” She looks around and sighs. “Not that there’s a lot here.” Jade pulls the comforter, sheets and pillow from the bed, bundling them up in her arms.
“I’ve got it all packed up already.” I put one hand in my pocket while the other gestures around the room. “At least, I hope I did. I figured anything that was on this side of the room was yours, so I threw it all in a bag.”
Jade looks around and sees my haphazardly packed trash bag and smiles. She wraps her arms around my waist, staring at me with those gorgeous green eyes. So filled with love and gratitude.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” she asks softly.
“Right back at you, baby girl.” I smile, tucking her hair behind her ear before our lips meet in a kiss. This one feels different.
Like it’s the start of something epic.
We walk toward the door and I step into the hallway, waiting for her to join me. Jade stands in the doorway, looking at the half-empty room with her back to me.
I know she has dreams, passions and ambitions that would be so much easier to accomplish if she got a degree, but I also think she’s been through enough and deserves a rest. She can always go back to school in the future.
The world is open to her now: no strings, no stipulations, no living for someone else.
She can decide exactly how she wants to live her life and I’ll be there supporting her every step of the way.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly, reaching out and placing my hand on the small of her back. Gently giving her my strength if she needs it.
Jade turns and peeks at me over her shoulder, fear and excitement in her eyes. A bright smile crosses her face and she answers, “Never better.”
She glances back at the room, tosses the key in her hand up in the air before turning toward me and kissing me.
“Together?” Jade asks, taking my hand and pulling me toward the elevator. She’s eager to get out of here and I can understand why.
I want to tell her that there’s no way in hell I’ll ever let us be apart ever again, but instead I just say, “Together.”