My Grumpy Valentine (Hope Peak Valentine’s Day)

1. Asher

1

Asher

The music in Willow Hope is loud and welcoming as I walk past clouds of cigarette smoke and fruity vape hits. The outside of the bar is always busy, constantly crowded with adults using the time to socialize and catch up on everything they missed out on since the last time they met up.

Thanks to the week reaching an end, business is booming more than ever. As much time as I’ve spent here during my free time, the sight is nothing new. With this many bodies on the outside, I can only imagine the crowds gathering on the inside.

As I make my way in, I’m enveloped by the warm, bustling atmosphere, left sliding between crowds, brushing up against the coolness of bodies, and almost getting pulled into a lively conversation with familiar faces. The laughter from a corny joke rings in my ears, the scent of spiced food wafts through the air, and I’m where I feel like I’m meant to be.

Everyone knows everyone in this small town, and this hotspot shows it. Thankfully, I’m able to excuse myself, as I’m needed elsewhere.

Hope Peak might not have many places to socialize, but Danny really picked the best place in town to meet up.

Finding him isn’t a challenge. Not when he claims the same table tucked away in the corner that we always hang out at during our nights of unwinding. He’s cradling a glass of water instead of a beer, much to my surprise. Oh man, he’s really going all out. Staying sober to make an impression, it seems.

Today is supposed to be special. It’s all about meeting Danny’s new girlfriend. It’s a whole event when it comes to a man like him. Despite his constant assertions that he never wants to settle down, he’s now more than ready to pop a cork and celebrate this significant milestone in his life.

Alas, our once-promised bachelorhood is cracking at the core as Danny succumbs to love, and I am left behind to live a life of being single all by my lonesome.

Since this man and I are inseparable, he’s trying to ease me into the concept of being a permanent third wheel.

A few beers and a greasy meal should make the acceptance easier. I’m not sure my heart is going to be able to heal any time soon. I’m going to have to find someone else to put up with my shit without getting heart eyes because his girlfriend is in the same room.

Spotting my arrival, he’s on his feet instantly. Like he’s seeing a friend for the first time in years, he draws me into his arms for a hug. He’s always the affectionate type. The smile on his face makes it too hard to hold it against him.

By the time I’m planted down at the table and signaling down a waitress with one impressive pair of tits to bring me a beer, I realize the seat to his right is empty.

“Don’t tell me you already scared the poor woman off,” I joke as a bottle is placed in front of me. Thanking the cute brunette, I try my hardest not to let my eyes wander past her pouty smile.

The stretched-out logo of Willow Hope is testing my strength. That low-cut shirt is begging for tips, and if I stare at the deep-cut cleavage for too long, I’ll have one to give. Maybe in the bathroom or behind the building.

From how this waitress is eyeing me, wetting her bottom lip, and squirming in those little bitty jean shorts, I’m sure I’d let her drag me wherever she pleases.

No. Shit. I’m here to support Danny, and my focus will be entirely on him, no matter how enticing the woman’s gaze might be. Just for tonight, I will be leaving the bar alone.

“She’s running a little behind. You’ll get to meet her soon enough.” He taps his fingers against the table, his body stirring.

Is he nervous? This is more serious than I thought. He looks like he really cares. Fuck . Who is this man sitting in front of me? I hardly recognize him.

“Well, she’s not making a very good impression by being late,” I muse as I sip my beer. The drink eases the tension growing in my shoulders as I look at the empty seat.

He’s yet to show me any photos, having just dropped the biggest bomb only a couple of days ago after I questioned his strange behavior. Seeing him deny every advance, call his nights early, and get caught daydreaming, I should’ve put the pieces together on my own.

I can only imagine what kind of woman he snagged to think he’d be willing to settle down with her. Ever since he set up this introduction date, I’ve tried to picture her in my head a thousand times.

Danny loves blondes, targeting those with baby-blue eyes. He likes them with long legs and tan skin, too. If I keep his type in mind, I try to piece together an image of the woman. Sexy and mature, with a sultry smile, I bet.

Maybe it won’t last. His relationships never typically do. However, there’s something twinkling in his eye about the entire ordeal. Something about this feels more concrete. Like he’s already gone and picked out a wedding ring and is hunting down the perfect date to tie the knot.

Fuck, maybe he already got her pregnant. That’s why he’s moving so quickly. No, if he had a kid on the way, he would’ve told me.

My knee bounces under the table as the seconds tick by. After finishing one bottle, our waitress eagerly gets me a second. As she’s leaning over the table to set it down, I catch her name tag. Ashley.

I thank her, rotating the bottle with my fingers.

“How come you waited until now to tell me about her?” Seeing his smile widen as that dreamy, lovesick expression emerges, I feel a knot in my stomach.

I can’t even begin to imagine what that kind of love feels like. To make someone turn so soft and into absolute mush. Always caught in a daze, mind filled with one person. The thought of losing all that freedom? Ugh.

“Wanted to make sure she was the one first.” He sighs as he rests his cheek against his hand.

Does this guy hear himself when he talks? He sounds like a sap. I’m definitely going to be the third wheel now.

He spends the next ten minutes filling me in on the little pointless facts about the woman. Whenever she arrives, I’ll know her favorite color is blue, and that she does puzzles as a hobby. Never one with less than a thousand pieces, of course. She likes a challenge.

Because puzzles are exciting . Okay, Danny.

As time continues to trickle by, I can’t help but wonder if there is any chance of him getting stood up. It would probably tear his heart in two. Might need Ashley to bring us both a round to fill the cracks.

The likelihood of him being left behind diminishes when I see him sit up straight, his face lighting up like the sun erupting from the horizon in response to the hurried sound of footsteps.

“I am so sorry.” A sweet, song-like voice apologizes from behind in soft gasps. “My boss would not let me leave. I swear, he’s going to make everyone quit at the rate he keeps overworking us.”

Already feeling a tease form on my tongue for making us both wait for plenty of minutes now, I plan on giving her a little bit of a hard time. Smiling, I turn to get a look to see what little bird has gotten Danny twirled around her finger.

Wavy brown hair caresses round, freckled cheeks coated in the pinkest flush I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Apologetic green orbs gaze at us behind long eyelashes. Full lips form a hesitant smile as she takes us both in. Panting from running, she catches herself on the corner of the table, her hand landing right next to my empty bottle.

One look at this woman and my smile is gone. My heart clogs my throat, and every swallow feels like a lead weight as my pulse races. Suddenly, I can’t remember what words I want to say.

I can’t even remember the day of the week.

Danny’s on his feet before I realize I’m gawking at this woman.

“Asher, meet Penelope. Pen, this is the guy I was telling you about.” He’s drawing her into his arms, and she looks so relieved to see him. She’s short enough that her face nestles against his chest, and I watch her lips part to release a sigh.

When she smiles more confidently at me as she releases him, I know something is wrong with me.

This sensation in my chest is unfamiliar. There’s a sudden tightening around my lungs that makes breathing feel impossible. What is this? Why does my tongue feel like it’s swelling and making speaking an impossible feat?

“Asher?” Danny sounds concerned, “you alright man?”

Clearing my throat, I force a smile and nod my head. Needing to collect myself fast, I inhale the rest of my beer and blame how my head spins on the booze. “Sorry, I’m just trying to understand how you managed to win over such a beauty with your looks.”

He scoffs, rolling his eyes with that happy smile. “Fuck you.”

Penelope giggles. The grip on my lungs grows tighter. As she settles in the seat across from me, her foot brushes mine, and she apologizes again.

Ashley brings her a glass of tea with a slice of lemon. I order two shots of tequila, and Danny gives me a look. First impressions mean a lot, and I get it. He doesn’t want his girlfriend to think his best friend is an alcoholic who tends to act too loose when he’s had one too many.

Well, I’m not loose. I’m freaking out. If I’m drunk, I don’t have to think about what I’m currently feeling. I don’t have to acknowledge what I’m horrified to guess is jealousy. Jealousy.

What the fuck.

While they tell me how they met, I shoot one shot back. Oh yeah. I’m going to need a few of these if I’m going to have to listen to a story about them bumping into each other at the grocery store.

She’s new to town. Of course she is. Hope Peak is too damn small not to know everyone and their kids.

“Asher is practically my brother,” Danny boasts with that proud grin of his. “About all the family I have. I don’t know where I’d be without him. Met him in high school, and we’ve been inseparable since. We’re nothing but troublemakers. Ask any of these employees.”

I hope she doesn’t. Right now, I’d rather she not learn about my behavior. Even if Danny and I are alike, I’m the one who can’t keep his dick in his pants. He’s the one who seems to have his life together.

His words should make me feel all warm and gooey inside. Instead, it’s more like a knife to the chest.

All because I can’t stop looking at this woman. Even with a fuzzy mindset, I’m staring like she’s available. Taking in every inch and wishing I was the one next to her instead of across from her. She’s filling my mind like any beautiful woman would.

No, that’s not right. I’m not picturing fucking into a mattress or imagining what her mouth would look like if her lips were wrapped around my cock.

Instead, I’m wondering what it would look like if I awoke to find her curled against my chest after one of the best nights of sleep. How would she look if the sun cast its golden glow on her, illuminating her silhouette in a warm embrace? Or what kind of face would she make if I told a joke she found hilarious? Would she toss her head back and laugh loud enough to catch every eye in the room or try to stifle her giggles so they’re left just for me?

Fuck, I’m wondering if her hair is as soft as the rest of her. My mind is in a terrible place right now, and I can’t even recognize the voice in my head.

Every time I force myself to look away, I’m yanked right back.

“You must be a pretty good man,” she muses softly as she stirs the straw in her cup. If she were like the women we normally seek out, she’d sneak glances my way through her eyelashes in a way to test the truth behind her words. Instead, she wastes no time looking back at the man at her side. Looking at the man she’s in love with.

Danny snorts at her ignorance, giving me a mischievous look. If he wanted to, he could reveal what kind of man I really am. I’m not good at all.

Not only do I refuse to settle down with women, but I don’t consider their feelings when it comes to getting what I want. In truth, I’m scum. The worst of the worst.

I don’t want Penelope to know. It’s not like it matters since there’s no chance she’ll become mine. However, lack of relationship aside, I don’t want her feelings to shift.

I want her to keep smiling at me. I don’t want her to turn her nose or think I’m not worth her time.

Fuck, what is wrong with me?

The second shot only makes things worse. I let my mind unwind and crave things I can’t.

I’d never dream of stealing a woman from my best friend. Especially not someone he genuinely wants to settle down with. The thought of it churns my stomach, knowing how much it would hurt him.

This woman doesn’t look like some hook-up. No, she looks like the marrying type. The one to want a kid or two, maybe even a dog. A golden retriever, probably.

Will this tightness eventually waver off? Or will I have to suffer while I watch these two fall so deeply in love that it grows into Danny needing my advice on which wedding tux makes him look the best? God, I’ll be his best man.

Fuck me.

“He’s usually more talkative,” Danny explains softly, eyeing me. “Can’t ever get him to shut up on a normal day.”

Scoffing at his words, I don’t deny them. “Just giving this lovely couple the limelight. Don’t worry, I’ll annoy the hell out of you two during our second date together.”

Joking mostly, I’m not sure how in the hell I’m going to survive another moment like this. Maybe once the shock is no longer a factor and my heart beats normally again, I can pretend everything is alright.

Everything has to return to normal eventually, right?