Chapter 12 Brianna #2
“I am honored you’d ask me, Aves. But I’m the right person to ask? My life is still in shambles, and I’m still crawling my way out of a dark hole. You don’t want your baby looking up to someone like me.”
“See, that’s where you're wrong. Everything you just said makes you the perfect godmother. This baby is gonna see a strong, beautiful woman who’s learning to overcome something painful.
You’re inspiring, Bri. I hope that one day you see just how incredible you are.
So yeah, you are the perfect role model for the little babe. ”
Fuck. My throat feels like I swallowed my food without chewing it fully. When she puts it that way, it makes me feel less like a failure and more like a warrior.
“Well damn, Aves. Are you trying to make me cry? But you make a solid argument. My answer is yes. I’d love to be the godmother, and I’m gonna spoil the shit out of them.
But wait, who’s gonna be the godfather?” I watch Avery’s face turn bright red and her lips are pursed—like she’s trying to hold her laughter in.
“Avery?” I ask again.
“Take a guess.” I study my best friend's face for a few seconds before things click into place.
“It’s Asher, isn’t it?” Avery’s nod confirms my suspicions. Just saying his name out loud has my cheeks flushing and my body temperature spiking.
“Bri? What’s going on? I thought you’d give me a snarl or sarcastic remark.” Avery’s hand waves in the direction of my face.
“Um…”
“No. Really?”
“It’s not like that, Aves. We’ve been hanging out from time to time. He’s helping me with some things.”
“Helping you with what, exactly?” Avery’s head rests on her hands as she looks at me with interest.
“I have this list and he’s helping me work through it.” I know Avery’s going to ask about the list, so I share it with her before she has the chance to ask.
“Fall in love with sex, huh?” She waggles her eyebrows at me.
“You sound like Asher. He said the same thing. And, well…We might have kissed the other day.”
“You WHAT?!? Wait, before you tell me everything, I’m hungry and I need my snacks. Let's get everything ready and go sit in the living room.”
“Okay, but Aves, your snacks are disgusting. I’ll stick with some chips with salsa, and popcorn.” I gather everything needed on a serving tray and head to the living room. The second I sit down, Avery is on me.
“How did it happen? How was it? How do you feel about it?”
“It just sorta happened. One minute we were discussing how he didn’t have to help me with the sex item on my list, and then before I knew it, he was kissing me.
After that, everything became kinda hazy.
And my God, can that man kiss. It was a toe-curling, hair pulling, frantic kiss, and it was amazing. ”
“Oh my God. Okay, but, like, how do you feel about it?”
“At first I was confused. I mean this is Asher we’re talking about, someone I used to loathe.”
“Used to, huh?” Avery eggs me on.
“Ugh yes, okay. I don’t hate the man anymore. He’s been incredible. He’s patient, sweet, but dirty at the same time. It felt nice to be devoured like that, then I grabbed his di—” is all I manage to say before Avery interrupts me.
“Yeah…I called it. Y’all have been circling each other for years, so it’s about time.
Wait, did you say you grabbed his dick? Holy shit, Bri, way to bury the lead.
How big was it? You should ask for a picture!
” I gawk at Avery for asking for a picture, but then I remember doing the exact same thing with her in regard to Cas.
“Ha-ha, very funny. I only got a handful of it, but what I felt was huge and thick. So when we actually fu—”
“When, huh?”
“Yes, okay? When we do have sex, I know I’ll be walking funny for days after. He’s just…different, Aves. He doesn’t look at me like I’m broken. He…just sees me.”
I glance over to Avery who’s looking everywhere but my eyes.
“Avery?”
“Please don’t hate me, but I have a confession to make.”
“Okay, what is it?” Avery’s nervous energy has alarm bells sounding off in my mind.
“Well, I may have asked Asher to look out for you. I just, well, I knew you were struggling with letting people in, particularly those closest to you. I—um—well, I figured he’d be the perfect person to help you.”
Avery’s confession rattles me, alerting my internal beasts that it’s time to come out and play.
Oh, you thought Asher wanted to be with you because he actually likes you? Oh, honey… How sad.
I—what can I say to that? I mean, she’s right. I’ve held my friends and family at arm’s length, so it makes sense that Avery would do anything she can to help me. But I can’t help but wonder if it was all a lie. If things growing between me and Asher is a lie, a favor for a friend.
“Bri? Say something please. I-I didn’t do it to hurt you. I just knew that if I couldn’t be the person to help you, Asher would.”
I search into Avery’s piercing, green eyes and only see sincerity staring back at me. The smile that stretches across my face is weak, but I’m not upset with Avery. My hurt and confusion lies with the man who I thought genuinely wanted me.
“I know you didn’t, Aves. I’m not upset. I just…Well, now I’m reevaluating every interaction I’ve had with Asher. I just feel so…stupid.” My head falls in my hands.
Avery scoots closer to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Bri, I’m gonna need you to listen to me when I say this. That man worships the ground you walk on. I have no doubt in my mind that if I hadn’t asked for his help, he would have found a reason to do so himself.”
“Maybe you’re right. I don’t know, it’s just a lot to process, I guess.”
“I get that. Maybe you can talk to him? That’s only if you want to. I support whatever decision you make.”
“Ugh, this is making my brain hurt. Yeah, I guess I’ll have to talk to him at some point.”
“Take your time, bee. It’s a lot of information to take in.”
“Enough boy talk. You came here for girl time, so that’s what we’re gonna do.”
“God, I’ve missed you. I love you, Bee.”
“I love you, too, Aves.”
The rest of the evening is spent laughing, snacking, and reconnecting. I know I’ll have to talk to Asher eventually. But that’s later Bri’s problem.