53. Ashley
ONE MONTH LATER
It’s eight in the morning, and I’m already showered and dressed, but Sean hasn’t moved a muscle since I got out of bed. He celebrated St. Paddy’s Day a little too hard yesterday, and now he’s dead to the world. I partied too, but unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of sleeping in. I have to go to a meeting with my counselor in half an hour.
I spent the night at Sean’s place. Sometimes, my house gets too busy with all my roommates and their friends. Sean only shares an apartment with Darren, and the Warriors goalie is the mellowest person I know.
Not wanting to wake Sean up, I walk toward the door on my tiptoes. I open it slowly, but all my care is for nothing. The moment the door is open, Dots, Sean’s dog, comes running in and jumps onto the bed.
“Hey, buddy. Good morning,” Sean croaks.
“Dots, come down,” I command, but the dog ignores me. Sean has never bothered to train his dog properly.
Sean looks at me. “Where are you going, babe?”
“I have a meeting with my counselor, remember?”
“Oh shoot, that’s right. I forgot. Can I get a kiss before you go?” On cue, Dots licks his face. “Not from you, you doofus.”
I laugh. “Well, I’m not kissing you now. I gotta run.”
I close the door behind me and rush to the front door. Kissing Sean is never a quick affair in the morning, and I’m already running late. I also don’t want to give Sean the chance to ask me again what the meeting is about. I gave him a vague answer before, not wanting to get into it yet.
I’ll find out today if I was accepted to the art residency program in Europe. If I was, I’ll have to move at the end of the semester after I graduate. When I applied, I was keen to leave Sean and all the heartache behind. But now that we’re back together, I’m torn. The residency is a great opportunity, but after so much suffering, I don’t want to go through another separation.
Stop stressing about it, Ash. Wait until you know for sure you got in.
Easier said than done.
SEAN
Since I was already awake, I took Dots out so he could do his business, but when I returned, I went immediately back to bed. I drank way too many Irish car bombs last night. I don’t even remember getting home.
I wake up to someone kissing my cheek. I don’t need to open my eyes to know Ashley’s back.
“Hey babe. How was the meeting?”
“It was good. I can’t believe you’re still in bed.”
“I did get up to let Dots out.” I yawn. “Where is he, by the way?”
“Playing with Darren’s dog. I brought food if you’re hungry.”
“Yeah, I could eat.” I loop my arm around her waist and pull her into bed with me.
“Sean!”
“You left without a goodbye kiss.” I hide my face in the crook of her neck, then place open kisses upward until I find her earlobe and bite it.
With a moan, she arches her back, digging her nails into my forearms. “The food will get cold.”
“That’s what microwaves are for.”
“The door is open. Darren could walk in on us.”
“You know he won’t.” I nudge her legs open with mine and grind my pelvis against hers. I’m so hard, it hurts. Thank fuck Ashley has healed from her injuries and the bedroom activities have returned to normal.
“Well, Dots will,” she replies.
“Ugh, you win. I’ll close the door.” I jump out of bed. “You’d better start getting rid of your clothes.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
I smirk. “Fine. Don’t complain if I ruin them.”
I stick my head out and don’t see Darren or the dogs in the living room. He must have taken them outside. I lock the door just the same. When I turn, Ashley is still dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed. I’d have made a comment if it weren’t for the serious expression on her face.
“What’s wrong?”
She looks into my eyes and says, “We need to talk.”
My stomach churns so violently, it makes me sick. “No. You’re not breaking up with me.”
Her brows shoot to the heavens. “Breaking up? Who said I want to break up?”
I walk over and sit next to her. “It’s never good news when someone says ‘we need to talk.’”
“Well… it’s good news, but I’m not sure how it’s going to affect us.”
And just like that, I know exactly what Ashley’s talking about. “You got into the art residency program in Europe, didn’t you?”
Her pretty eyes widen. “How did you know?”
“I heard you applied. It’s the only thing I can think of that’d be good news but will affect us.”
“You’re right. I got in, but now… I don’t know if want to go.”
“Because of me?”
“Yes. We just got back together, and the idea of us being apart again makes me heartsick.”
I touch her face with the tips of my fingers. “You’re not staying on my account. You’ve always wanted to study art in Europe.”
“What about us? I can’t believe you’re not upset that I might be leaving in a few months.”
I chuckle. “I’m not upset because if you want me to, I’ll come with you.”
Her jaw slackens, and she doesn’t say anything for a couple beats. “You can’t come with me. What about med school?”
“Med school will be there when we come back. Don’t you get it, Ash? You’re the most important thing in my life. Where you go, I’ll go. Unless you don’t want me to.”
She throws her arms around my neck. “Of course I want you to come!”
Laughing, I hug her. “Good. Then it’s settled. Dots and I are coming with you.”
She pulls back. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You’re stuck with me, Ash. Now and forever.”
She rewards me with the most dazzling smile. “Now and forever sounds good to me.”
*** THE END ***