Chapter 13 #2
“When I found out about his injury a couple of weeks ago, his broken leg, I decided to come help.” He picks up his spoon again but doesn’t use it, just turns it over in his hand.
“I don’t know if he has anyone else, any friends who could help him out.
And I don’t get the sense that he really does, from what little I’ve seen of his life here.
He seems like he sort of keeps to himself.
But it’s so awkward and uncomfortable, being in his house, trying to make conversation.
We barely even feel like father and son anymore. ”
He pauses, and I can see him struggling with something, some emotion he’s trying to keep contained.
“And even though I want to help, even though I know it’s the right thing to do, it pisses me off sometimes.
” The admission comes out with a short, humorless laugh.
“Thinking that he wasn’t there for me back when I was eight years old and I needed my dad.
When I would have done anything to have him around.
And now here I am, dropping everything to help him when he needs something. It feels… I don’t know. Unfair, maybe.”
He finishes talking and blinks slowly, something almost like surprise passing over his face, as if he can’t quite believe he said all of that out loud, that he let so much spill out.
He clears his throat, his expression closing off slightly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to dump all that on you. That’s a lot of heavy shit for breakfast conversation.”
I reach out without thinking, resting my hand on his where it’s gripping his spoon. His hand is big and warm, and I give it a gentle squeeze.
“I asked,” I murmur. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know.
And I’m glad you told me.” I rub my thumb over his knuckles.
“I’m sorry, Asher. That’s a lot to carry around, especially for so many years.
And I’m sorry your dad wasn’t there for you when you needed him. You deserved better than that.”
“Thanks.” His voice is a rough burn, and our gazes meet across the table.
For a moment, we just sit there, my hand on his, our eyes locked.
I’m suddenly very aware of the fact that I’m still basically holding his hand, and that his thumb has moved slightly to brush against the side of mine.
It reminds me of last night, that moment by the Christmas tree when I swear we almost kissed.
The way his gaze dropped to my lips, something gathering between us that seemed to thicken the air.
I clear my throat and move my hand away, picking up my coffee mug again even though I’m not sure I can drink anything right now with my heart beating this fast.
“I thought my family stuff was complicated,” I say, trying to lighten the mood a little. “But you’ve definitely got me beat. My drama is just typical sibling rivalry and parental disappointment. Yours is like… Lifetime movie levels of complicated.”
He lets out a small laugh at that, and some of the tension leaves his shoulders. “Yeah, well. At least it makes for good therapy material, right? If I ever decide to go to therapy, which I probably should.”
“Probably,” I agree with a small smile. An idea occurs to me, and I perk up a little. “You know what I always do when I’ve got to do something I’m not looking forward to?”
“What?”
“I plan to do something fun afterward. That way I’ve got something to look forward to, you know? Makes the hard part easier to get through. Like a reward for surviving.”
He considers that, and a small smile curves his lips. “Like what? What kind of reward are we talking about?”
Ignoring the way my stomach swoops and my mind flashes through a couple of very inappropriate rewards I could offer him, I consider for a moment, tapping my fingers against my mug.
“Oh! There’s an ice rink in town, over by the community center.
You could go skating after you’re done at your dad’s. Get out on the ice, clear your head.”
His smile widens. “Actually, that does sound like fun. It’s been a while since I skated just for the hell of it, not for training or practice. How about we go at two? After I finish up with my dad?”
I do a double-take, nearly spilling my coffee. “Wait, we?”
“Yeah.” He looks at me like it’s obvious, as there was never any doubt. “It was your idea, so you should come with me. Unless you have other stuff you need to do?”
“No, I don’t have plans or anything. But I’ve never really skated before, except once when I was a little kid. I won’t be very fun for a professional hockey player to skate with. You’ll probably spend the whole time watching me fall down.”
“I can teach you.” He cocks an eyebrow in invitation. “I don’t mind. Actually, it sounds like it could be fun. I haven’t taught anyone to skate in years.”
My heart flutters with a confusing mix of nerves about the skating and nervous excitement at the thought of spending more time with him.
“Okay,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “I can handle that. I mean, how hard can it be, right?”
“That’s the spirit.” He nods encouragingly, grinning now.
“Actually, could you maybe give me a ride into town on your way to your dad’s?
I was thinking about doing some Christmas shopping and visiting some of my favorite Maplewood spots.
Get some of the nostalgic small-town experience while I’m here.
Then you could swing by and get me after you’re done with your father? ”
“Sure, that works. Where do you want me to drop you off?”
“There’s a little boutique on Marigold Street. I can give you directions.”
“Sounds good.”
We split up to get ready, him heading back to the guest house and me going upstairs to add another layer to my outfit and grab a scarf and some ear warmers. I throw on a bit of makeup and pull my hair into a quick ponytail, not bothering with anything more complicated than that.
When we meet back up outside about thirty minutes later, the cold air makes my breath visible in little puffs.
“Ready?” Asher asks, clicking his key fob to unlock the rental car.
“Ready.”
He pulls out of the driveway, and I give him directions to the boutique as he drives. As we get into Maplewood proper, I watch the familiar streets roll by outside my window, noticing what’s changed and what’s stayed exactly the same since I left.
Not too long later, he pulls up outside Faded Glory, a cute little boutique that’s been there since I was a kid.
As I’m reaching for the door handle, getting ready to thank him for the ride, I catch sight of Daniel crossing the street about half a block away.
He glances in our direction and pauses on the sidewalk, clearly having caught sight of us.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath.
“What?” Asher follows my gaze, tensing slightly when he spots Daniel. “Oh.”
I turn toward Asher, about to ask if he can drop me off somewhere else instead or just drive around the block so I don’t have to deal with Daniel right now. But before I can get the words out, before I can even finish forming the thought, he leans over the center console.
His hand comes up to palm the back of my head, fingers sliding into my hair, and then he’s kissing me.
Heat sparks through me immediately, racing down my spine and pooling low in my belly. This kiss is nothing like our first one under the mistletoe that was a performance for my family. This is hotter and more intentional, his tongue darting out to trace the seam of my lips until I open for him.
It brings back memories of that moment yesterday by the Christmas tree, and for a second, I let myself do everything I wanted to do then.
I reach up to cup his jaw, feeling the slight scratch of stubble against my palm and the way his muscles shift beneath his skin as he deepens the kiss.
His tongue delves into my mouth, and I respond without thinking, losing myself in the taste of him, the warmth of his body leaning toward mine, the way his hand tightens slightly in my hair.
The kiss breaks after what feels like both forever and not nearly long enough, leaving me a bit dazed. We’re both breathing harder than we were a few minutes ago, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.
Then Asher glances over toward the sidewalk, and I do the same.
Daniel is standing there with a distinctly disgruntled look on his face, his expression sour as if he just tasted something he doesn’t like very much.
As we watch, he shakes his head slightly, changes course, and walks away in the opposite direction.
Asher and I lean back into our respective seats, and I have to work really hard to keep my voice steady. “Thanks. For making him go away.”
Asher rubs his thumb absently over his bottom lip, a gesture that only serves to remind me how those lips felt against mine a few seconds ago.
“Of course,” he says, his voice a little husky. “It’s the least I could do after the advice you gave me this morning. About having something to look forward to.” He glances at me, and there’s something in his eyes I can’t quite read. “I’m not dreading the day like I thought I would be.”
I grin, pleased by that. “Good. That was the whole point.”
My heart is still beating much faster than normal as I grab my purse and reach for the door handle again, opening it and clambering out onto the sidewalk.
“Have fun shopping.” He leans over a bit to catch my gaze before I close the door.
“You too. I mean, not fun exactly with your dad, but… you know what I mean. See you at two.”
He chuckles, and the sound makes my stomach flip. “See you at two, bright eyes.”
I close the door and then watch him drive away, his taillights disappearing around the corner. I stand on the sidewalk for a moment longer than necessary, still feeling the phantom press of his lips against mine.
And as I turn to head into the boutique, part of me wonders if I’ve already broken my promise to Samantha about not getting too invested.