13. Asher
Asher
THREE WEEKS LATER
How much things can change in three weeks.
I went from seeing Jade daily—getting to hold her, talk to her in person, wake up to her smiling, gorgeous face—to seeing her maybe every other day during the day. But more often than not, I’m woken up from my slumber late at night by a soft knock at my door and Jade standing there. She always looks exhausted, like the only time she sleeps is with me. She’s usually gone before I wake up though.
Tonight is no different.
I’ve started sleeping on my couch to make sure I don’t miss the knock. She doesn’t call me beforehand, not wanting to ‘burden’ me. Ridiculous.
It’s 11:30 at night and my TV is flickering with reruns of a ball game I’ve seen a few times with the volume down low. My eyes flutter with the effort to stay awake. The knock hits the door, barely audible but just in time, like she doesn’t really want to wake me up.
This stupid, wonderful, considerate girl.
I practically leap to the door and pull it open. My girl is standing there; her backpack slung over her shoulder, her head resting painfully against the door frame and her eyes so sunken in.
“Jade,” I breathe her name. What do I need to do to take care of her? Because I’m obviously doing a shitty job. “What’s wrong?” I ask, noticing her eyes are lined with tears and her cheeks are red. She’s been crying.
Someone made my girl cry. Every instinct I have yells at me to go beat the motherfucker that made her feel this way, but to avoid jail, I need to find out what happened first.
“I hate my roommate. She’s… She’s just awful,” Jade sniffles. I pull her into my arms, hugging her tightly. I close the door behind us, threading our fingers together as I pull her toward my room so I can make sure she sleeps well.
“What’d she do?” I question, trying to keep my tone even.
Jade sighs and I can hear the tears in her voice. “If I’m not available at her beck and call, she says I’m not actually trying to form a friendship. If I don’t stay in the room at every available opportunity, then she complains I’m never there. She’s just… controlling my every move. I feel like I can’t even breathe when I’m in my own freaking room! I can’t do homework when I decide to because she wants to go do something. I can’t sleep there most nights because she fucks any guy that looks at her and she kicks me out. I tried talking to her about it and she laughed, saying it was part of the experience. I just…” She sighs heavily and says, “I just want to be able to live how I want. I don’t want to feel trapped anymore and… she’s got all these fucking expectations that when I don’t meet them, she’s pissed off at me.”
I get why she’s so upset. She’s finally free from her mother in this regard, but now someone has already tried to occupy that controlling-bitch role in her life. Jade should be able to be free. She fought for it. She deserves it.
Your home is supposed to be the place where you can truly relax and just be. Not another place you have to put on a front. Typically, we already have to put on a mask everywhere else in life; your home should be the place where you can set the mask down.
I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pulling her in for a hug and wishing I had more to offer her. “What can I do?”
Jade sobs and her forehead drops to my chest. “Nothing. This. All I need is you.”
“Well, that’s easy then,” I say softly. “You’ll always have me.”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but can I crash here tonight?” She looks up at me with a sad, hopeful smile.
“You can stay here as much as you want. I’ll never tell you no.”
“What if you get really annoyed with me?” She chuckles through tears, but her grip on my waist tightens. “What if?—”
“I’m not playing the ‘what-if’ game, darlin’.” I cut her off with a kiss on the forehead. “Believe me when I tell you that you are always welcome in my home. It makes me feel better when you’re here. In my arms.” Cupping her face, I kiss her lips, salty with her tears.
“I’m always happy here,” she whispers and my heart beats harder for her.
“I’m always happy when you’re here, too.”
* * *
Pulling up to the building where Jade’s first class is, I prop the kickstand of my bike up and let the engine idle. Jade climbs off the back of my bike and I immediately feel the loss of her body heat against my back. That’s sad.
But I get to watch as she lets her blonde hair fall, like we’re in a freaking action movie, and it makes me feel better. The tresses drop and she shakes them out. The sunlight catches her hair, glinting beautifully. I’m mesmerized.
And so are a few other fuckers walking by.
I grab her hand and pull her to me, kissing her deeply. Probably a bit too deeply for a public setting, but I want to make sure everyone knows that she’s mine .
Pulling back, I kiss her softly. Once, twice, three times.
“Wow,” she says breathlessly and I just nod. If I say anything at all, I know I’ll embarrass myself because I’m toeing the line of getting lost in her.
“I’ve got to go,” she laments, nodding absentmindedly, but doesn’t make a move to leave.
“I know you do.” I slip my hands down to her thighs and hold her. She’s wearing these denim cut-off shorts that drive me crazy. Her legs are long and lean and so freaking soft. Always so soft.
My eyes look over her shoulder, making sure those guys won’t mess with her. That they know she’s got someone who will protect her.
I see looks of envy from all the fuckers around. I can’t help but smirk like an asshole; but I know what a gem I have. I won’t let anyone take her from me.
“Will you text me later?” I look up at her, smiling brightly at the same gone-for-each-other smile she has on her face. “I have a client that’s going to run long, they always do, but I’d love to take you out for a late dinner and maybe convince you to come stay at my place tonight.”
Jade tries to cover a smile, but I see it. It’s there in its sweet, excited glory.
She wraps her arms around my shoulders and looks up like she’s trying to decide.
“Hmm,” she taps her chin a few times. “That’s a hard decision. I just don’t know.” She laughs as I start tickling her sides.
“Oh, come on,” I kiss her, “please?”
“Okay, okay,” she nods breathlessly. “Kind of a no-brainer.”
“I thought so,” I say and kiss her softly again.
“I get done for the day at four, but I’ll stay on campus until you tell me you’re done.”
“Okay, it’s a plan.” She steps backward and I try not to let it show but I’m already saddened by her leaving.
“I’ll see you later,” she says, then mouths, “ Daddy .” I bite my lip and shake my head. Jade smiles even brighter, holding her backpack straps tighter before turning away from me.
“You’ll pay for that, baby girl,” I call after her. All I hear is her twinkling laugh before I rev my engine and head to From The Ashes, only thinking about that sweet sound and how long today is going to feel.
* * *
I slip my backpack over my chair, plopping down at my desk, already in a bad mood. It’s probably not the healthiest thing that I’m this fucking addicted to her, but I’ll deal with that if it becomes a true issue.
Sighing loudly, I rub my hands over my face and shake it out. I have to get my head together. Someone is entrusting me with permanently tattooing their body, and I don’t take that lightly.
I pull my sketchbook out and also my notebook where I keep my client notes so that I can get to work making their next piece. The ding of the bell sounds a few times, but I know I have a few hours to kill before my client comes in.
“Hello, you fuckers. How are you today?” Roxie’s voice booms across the shop, cutting through Ty’s gun buzzing and the music overhead.
“Wow, Roxie,” I shake my head. “Were you raised in a barn?”
She sets her bag down at her desk and pulls the goggle-looking pitch-black sunglasses off her face to stare right at me. “A zoo, actually.”
I scoff and turn back to my work. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“Rude,” she calls out before stomping over to my desk. “Why are you such a mopey dick today?”
Groaning, I drop my pen. “I’m not a mopey dick.”
“Are too.”
“Roxie,” I drag her name in warning.
“You are!” Her eyebrows piece together as she turns to rest against the edge of my desk. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. I’m just trying to get my work done before my client comes in. She’s wanted every change and alteration on this side piece, so I want to have a solid foundation before she gets here.”
“It’s not because Jade’s classes have started and she’s being a good student and paying attention instead of messaging you 24/7?”
“Oh, shut it, Roxie.” I throw her a dirty look. “We’re two separate people and can survive independently of each other,” is what comes out of my mouth. But what I really want to say is, ‘I really just wish she wasn’t so… unhappy with the aspects of school and her life here. I wish she didn’t feel so trapped in her dorm. I wish she got along with her roommate. I love that she comes to my bed every night, fuck do I love that, but I hate that she has tears in her eyes. I just desperately want to protect her and make sure she’s happy at all times.”
“You’re not the only one that went from talking to her everyday to barely hearing from her. Only this time, you see her every night, not me,” Roxie pouts.
“You sound jealous, Roxie.”
She chuckles, crossing her arms over her chest.“I miss her. I know we kind of became fast friends, but I felt a good vibe with her. She was a good roommate, too.”
“I’m sure she’d rather be living with you still than in the dorms, to be honest,” I say with a sigh. Sitting back in my chair, I stretch my arms over my head before holding my hands behind my neck.
“I’ve heard a few things from her about the roommate. She sounds controlling as hell.” Roxie makes a disgusted look.
“Yeah, she really is,” I sigh. “I have to get ready. I’m hoping I can actually take her out tonight.”
“Good for you, boss man. I have a good feeling about you two.” Roxie shakes her finger in my face and walks off towards her own desk.
Sighing, I turn my attention back to my artwork, tweaking it here and there to reflect what Sharon, my client, asked for. She’s younger than my other clients, but she’s older than me and going through a bit of a mid-life crisis, so she’s getting this huge tattoo that spans her hip to her upper ribcage.
It’s a good tattoo, though, I made sure of that. Not too busy, not too many details that will make it age poorly. It’s a sunset on a beach, with a dog running through the shallows, water splashing around their paws.
It’s huge and colorful, specifically done in the watercolor technique, which is challenging to say the least. Hopefully we’ll get a good foundation done today and then finish in the second session. She’s going to be hurting after the four hours we have scheduled today.
“Asher!” I hear my name through the shop, a nails-on-the-chalkboard kind of yell, signaling that Sharon has arrived.
Taking a deep breath, I put my professional face on and vow to try to get through this day as fast as possible to see Jade.
“Sharon, hi.” I give her a polite nod. “Let me sanitize and get ready and I’ll call you back.”
“Okay,” she says worriedly, looking at her watch. “The timer doesn’t start until you start tattooing right?”
“Yes, not a problem.” I’ve tried telling her that the “hour” I’m charging her for doesn’t start until we start, but she asks me every time.
This is going to be a long day.
* * *
Fifteen minutes left. I can endure fifteen more minutes.
My hand is starting to cramp as I’m taking more and more moments to shake out my dominant hand to keep it steady. Sharon’s lying on her side, a bikini suit top on and a blanket covering her upper body to help keep her warm. Luckily, as frustrating as Sharon has been as a client, she doesn’t like to chit-chat while I’m working, which I appreciate.
Buzz, buzz.
Buzz, buzz.
My phone is buzzing on my desk. Eh, I’ll ignore it. I only have a few minutes left.
Buzz, buzz. Buzz, buzz. Buzz, buzz. Buzz, buzz.
Fuck, now someone’s calling me.
“Ty!” I call out, thankful his client is taking a break. “Can you come check my phone please?”
He jumps off his desk, striding over, and picks up my phone quickly. Usually, he just reads the name of whomever is calling me so I can determine if I need to pick up, but this time, he just answers.
“Are you okay?” Ty asks and I pull the needle from Sharon’s skin. “Calm down, chica . Calm down. Where are you now?”
“Ty?” I turn abruptly.
“Okay, go back to your room and I’ll send Asher now. Yes, yes, don’t argue with me. Do you think he’ll… No, okay. Go lock the door. He’ll be there in a few minutes.” Ty walks over to me, pointing to Sharon’s side and gesturing with his finger to tell me to start wrapping her up.
“What the fuck is happening?” I snap. Fear grips me as I start cleaning up Sharon, wiping her skin and putting saran wrap over top.
“It’s going to be okay, I promise.” Ty hangs up the phone then grabs my backpack and bike keys.
“I’ll clean your station and get payment from her. Your standard fee, right? Minus the fifteen minutes.” He pushes the objects into my hands. He’s calm and tactical, the way I’ve seen him be in fights, but I’m about to punch his fucking eye in if he won’t tell me what happened.
“Ty, what the fuck is going on?” I shout at him.
“She’s in a co-ed dorm?” Ty asks, shaking his head. “ Sólo un maldito tipo malvado. The guys… The guy… he came into the common room, or passed through, and she’s terrified.”
That’s all he had to say.
All the blood rushes from my face and I grip my keys tighter.
“Where is she?” I snarl.
“She said she was going to the café. She wanted to be in a public setting so nothing could happen. Toward the back,” he says, handing me my bag.
“Make sure Sharon’s not mad, explain that there is a family emergency, she’ll get fifteen minutes off today and fifteen minutes off the next session for the delay,” I rush, giving Ty orders to take care of my client. I stride out of the door angrily, not giving two fucks about the disgruntled noises from Sharon as Ty tries to calm her down and Roxie steps in to help. I might have lost a client, but I couldn’t care less.
“Hold on, Jade. I’m on my way,”