Chapter 3 #2
The wedding was the last time I saw Bri.
Normally, I’d find an excuse to see her whether it’s suggesting to Avery that they have a girls’ day at Aces, or I’m “accidentally” crashing a sibling hang out.
Just being around her bathes me in a sense of calmness.
I’ve desperately wanted to reach out to her many times, but I’m not sure if she wants to see me.
If I’m being honest with myself, I’m desperately holding onto the tiny glimpse of a vulnerable Bri.
She isn’t one to ask for help, claiming it makes her look weak.
And letting me touch her like that? She’s probably hating herself even more.
As for me, I'll take any vulnerability Bri is willing to give me. She also needs time to recover—I’m just not sure if that healing journey includes me.
However, if she asks, I’ll do anything to be her anchor.
The door to the bar opens, and in walks Avery, Bri’s best friend. She looks around the crowded bar, searching for someone when her eyes lock with mine. She gives me a sad smile before walking toward me.
“Avery. Hey, what’s up?”
“Can we talk? Somewhere private?” Avery fiddles nervously with her fingers, clearly worried about something. My mind blanks at what could be troubling her, but I nod toward the office before responding.
“Yeah. We can talk in my office.” I wave in the direction of the tiny space, signaling for her to go first. I turn toward Gage, but I don’t have to say anything. He understands.
“Have a seat. Do you want any water or anything? I can easily go and grab something from the bar,” I suggest.
“Oh, no thank you. I’m good. How’s Max? His parents have been telling me you’ve been stopping by.” Avery’s voice is soft with an undertone of pain. I know her and Max go back a few years, so I can imagine how painful this must be for her.
“He’s hanging in there. He’s still in the boot, but the doctors are weaning him off of it.
He still has his sense of humor and often compares himself to Iron Man.
So given the circumstances, I’d say he’s doing better than most would in his situation.
How are you handling everything? I know you have a complicated relationship with hospitals, given everything that happened with Cas.
” Cas, my friend and Avery’s husband, has been in the hospital twice—once because of an overdose, and the other when his father shot him in the stomach.
Having more people you care about struggling with injuries has to be hard.
“It’s been tough. I hated seeing Max and Bri in the hospital. I’m glad they’re okay, but it was still a shock when it happened. Speaking of Bri, have you seen or talked to her lately?” Avery’s eyes fill with concern, and my gut instinct tells me I’m not going to like what she tells me next.
“I haven’t. I didn’t know if she wanted me around, or if she just needed time to herself. Why, what’s wrong?” My voice cracks at the end, giving way to fear that something is not okay.
Avery confirms my suspicions. “She’s not doing good, Ash.
I hadn’t seen her since the wedding. She’s been holed up in her home for months.
She ignores most, if not all, of my texts and calls.
I was so concerned that I went over there using the spare key she gave me, and what I saw was…
” Avery sniffs, so I offer her my hand for her to hold.
Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes, but she squeezes my hand and doesn’t let go.
“Asher, she’s a mess. When I went into her room, there was just so much stuff everywhere.
Clothes, candy and chip wrappers littered her entire floor.
It looked like she hadn’t moved from her bed in days.
And when I crawled under the covers with her, you could tell she hasn’t been taking care of herself.
Her hair was matted, and her sweats were days old.
My heart broke for her. She’s not taking this well, Asher, and I don’t know what to do for her.
The second my arms wrapped around her, she lost it.
She cried herself to sleep, and then I cried myself to sleep. I just…I don’t know what to do.”
I put a hand to my chest, and I can feel my heart break.
Who knew Bri was struggling that hard? She’s always so fun and outgoing, so this behavior is a total one-eighty for her.
I get up from my chair and move around the desk to squat in front of Avery.
I have no plan as to what I’m going to say to her, but I have to say something.
What comes out of my mouth surprises us both, but it feels right.
“Let me help. I'll do whatever it takes to bring our girl back."
What I don’t say is that I’ll do anything and everything to bring my girl back. Avery gives me a grateful smile before hugging me.
“Really? Oh, thank you, Asher. I knew you'd be the perfect person to help her."
"Well, I don't know about that. I'll do what I can. You can count on me."
Avery squeezes me one more time before pulling away from the hug and walking out the door.
I clutch at my heart again, feeling it crack even more thinking about how Bri’s light has been snuffed.
I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back to life.
I just have to work up the courage to go to her.
I have to be able to brush my own feelings for her aside and be whatever she needs from me.
I make a mental note to call my therapist so she can help me sort through my emotions before I see Bri.
When I do, I want to be able to have a clear head on my shoulders.
Honestly, this is probably something I should have done the day after the accident happened.
Regardless, I’ll do whatever it takes to share my light with her, because she’s too amazing to fade into blackness.