Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ashley
I woke up on the couch in our old house, the quilt tangled around my legs, the morning light filtering through the curtains, soft and gray.
It’d been a couple of days since the wake, since Mom’s voice on that video broke me all over again, and I’d been drifting, numb but moving, Darryl’s dinner and breakfast keeping me going even if I barely felt it.
The plate from his eggs was still on the coffee table, his note tucked under it, Hey, eat this.
Call me if you need me. You’re tough, Ashley.
- Darryl and I smiled a little, tracing the words with my finger, the bracelet he gave me jingling softly on my wrist. The quiet was heavy, the house too still without Mom, and I was stirring leftover coffee in a mug when a knock pulled me out of it, sharp and quick on the front door.
I shuffled over, opening it to find Riva standing there, her hair in a messy bun, a bag of donuts in her hand, her smile soft but steady.
“Hey,” she said, stepping in, kicking off her sneakers, holding up the bag. “Brought you something. How are you doing?”
“Hey,” I said, closing the door, taking the bag with a small smile, and setting it on the hall table. “I’m okay. Tired, you know. Thanks for this.”
“No problem,” she said, following me to the living room, plopping onto the couch beside me as I sank back into my spot, pulling the quilt over my lap. “Seriously, though, how are you holding up?”
“Day by day,” I said, shrugging a bit, opening the bag, pulling out a glazed donut, and taking a small bite. “It’s weird without her. Quiet.”
“Yeah,” she said, grabbing a donut for herself, settling back, her voice gentle. “Miss her too. She was cool.”
“Cool,” I said, nodding, chewing slowly, the sweetness sticking in my throat. “How’s work?”
“Same old,” she said, taking a bite, wiping sugar off her chin with her sleeve. “Miss you up there. How’s Darryl been?”
“Good,” I said, my smile softening, setting the donut down, brushing crumbs off my hands. “He’s been here a lot. Cooked for me last night, left breakfast this morning with a note.”
“Note?” she said, grinning a bit, leaning forward. “What’d it say?”
“Just sweet stuff,” I said, picking it up from the table, handing it to her, my cheeks warming a little. “Told me to eat, said I’m tough.”
“Aw,” she said, reading it quickly, handing it back with a smirk. “He’s a keeper, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said, tucking it under the plate, my fingers lingering on the paper. “He’s been great. Takes care of me.”
“Great,” she said, nodding, her grin widening. “You know, I think he likes you. Like, likes you.”
“What?” I said, my face heating up fast, a blush creeping up my neck, my hands fidgeting with the quilt. “You think?”
“Oh, totally,” she said, laughing soft, poking my leg with her foot. “He’s all over you, cooking, checking in. That’s not just friend stuff, Ash.”
“Maybe,” I said, biting my lip, my cheeks burning now, looking down at my hands, then up at her. “He’s sweet, yeah.”
“Sweet,” she said, smirking bigger, leaning back. “You’re blushing. You like him, too, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said, my voice quiet, nodding a bit, the blush sticking as I smiled small. “A lot.”
“Thought so,” she said, chuckling, finishing her donut, brushing her hands off. “You two are cute. What’s next?”
“Don’t know,” I said, shrugging, pulling the quilt tighter. “He’s been here, but I’m a mess. Just taking it slow.”
“Good call,” she said, standing, stretching a bit. “I’ve got a shift soon, gotta bounce. You good?”
“Yeah,” I said, standing too, hugging her quickly, her arms warm around me. “Thanks for coming.”
“Anytime,” she said, hugging back, pulling away with a grin. “Call me if you need me, okay?”
“Okay,” I said, walking her to the door, waving as she headed out, her car rumbling off down the street. I shut the door, leaning against it, my face still warm from her teasing, Darryl’s note on the table catching my eye, making me smile despite the ache in my chest.
The day dragged slowly, me picking at the donuts, flipping through TV channels, until the afternoon faded and a knock hit the door again, steady this time.
I opened it, finding Darryl standing there, his flight bag over his shoulder, his uniform wrinkled, eyes heavy with tired lines.
“Hey,” he said, stepping in, setting his bag down, his voice rough.
“Just got off. Thought I’d cook for you. ”
“Hey,” I said, closing the door, my smile soft but firm as I shook my head. “You look beat. No cooking tonight.”
“Beat?” he said, frowning a bit, kicking off his shoes. “I’m fine. Let me make something.”
“No,” I said, grabbing his arm, tugging him toward the couch. “You rest. I’ll cook for us.”
“You sure?” he said, letting me pull him, sitting heavy on the couch, his head leaning back, eyes on me.
“Yeah,” I said, pushing him to lean back more, grabbing a blanket from the armrest, and tossing it over him. “Relax. I’ve got this.”
“Okay,” he said, grinning a bit, settling in, his hands resting on his lap. “Bossy.”
“Always,” I said, heading to the kitchen, pulling out chicken, some potatoes, and a bag of frozen peas, keeping it simple.
I boiled the potatoes, fried the chicken in a pan, the sizzle filling the quiet, Darryl watching from the couch, his eyes half-closed but steady on me.
“How was work?” I called, stirring the peas into a pot, glancing back at him.
“Long,” he said, his voice low, stretching a bit under the blanket. “Early flight, late one back. You?”
“Quiet,” I said, mashing the potatoes with some butter, plating them up with the chicken and peas, two plates of comfort food. “Riva stopped by, brought donuts.”
“Nice,” he said, sitting up as I carried the plates over, setting one in his lap, sitting beside him with mine. “This looks good.”
“Thanks,” I said, handing him a fork, digging into my own, the warmth settling me a bit. “Eat up.”
“Yeah,” he said, taking a bite, nodding slowly, chewing quietly. “Tastes good too. You’re spoiling me.”
“Fair’s fair,” I said, grinning a bit, nudging his leg with mine. “You’ve been spoiling me.”
“Guess so,” he said, grinning back, eating steadily, his shoulder brushing mine as we sat close, the TV still on low, some game show humming in the background.
We finished slowly, plates half-empty but enough, and I took them to the sink, rinsing quickly, coming back to find him stretched out, blanket pulled up, eyes heavy.
“Sleep?” I said, sitting beside him, pulling the quilt over me too, leaning into his side, my head on his shoulder.
“Yeah,” he said, his arm sliding around me, pulling me close, his hand resting on my waist, warm through my shirt. “Got tomorrow off, though.”
“Nice,” I said, snuggling in, my hand resting on his chest, feeling his heartbeat slow and steady. “What’s the plan?”
“Park,” he said, his voice soft, kissing my forehead quickly, his lips warm against my skin. “Spend it with you, if you’re up for it.”
“Love that,” I said, smiling up at him, my hand squeezing his side light. “I’m in.”
“Good,” he said, his arm tightening around me, his head resting against mine, his breath evening out. “Night, Ashley.”
“Night, Darryl,” I said, closing my eyes, my body pressed to his, the couch creaking under us, his warmth pulling me under, Riva’s words about him liking me still buzzing softly in my head as I drifted off, safe and close.