2. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Asher – The Next Day
As I walk to the main resort from my parent’s house, I cringe over the ache in my leg. It’ll rain soon. Today. Tomorrow at the latest. I never knew what people were talking about when they said they could feel the weather change in their bones, until now. One year, eight months, and ten days later, I understand. The pain is an ache that nothing takes away. And it doesn’t matter if it’s rain or snow. Hell, even a temperature change can bring it on at times.
Right now, the sky is clear, and any pending clouds are off in the distance beyond what the eye can see. The back of the resort is filled with kids’ activities–a waterpark, a mini golf course, and a large family swimming pool.
The resort’s kid-friendly environment is one of the largest attention getters for potential guests, so the grounds are teaming with children running in all different directions, with their parents or grandparents following behind them at a much slower pace.
If we were larger or in a city, they’d move faster, but here, there’s a sense of safety that surrounds our slice of heaven. The entire Lowcountry feels the same way. To me? It feels…. Hell, everything feels lacking. Like the spark has been snuffed out inside of me.
A dark-haired woman darts behind a little girl with matching hair and a boy around two on her hip. Her gait is slightly off, but that could be because of the people she’s trying to avoid. The boy has soft black curls and chubby arms and legs.
Piper. I frown. Surely, those aren’t her kids. She’s too young to be a mother.
Like yesterday, she’s wearing leggings, but today, she has on a black sports bra to better fit the theme of the waterpark. Her ponytail swings with each step as she grasps the little girl from behind, leans down, and kisses the top of her head.
We didn’t talk much outside of our initial barbs, so I know nothing about her other than her name is Piper. She didn’t want to learn to paddleboard, and she’s a quick learner, leaving little doubt that she was an athlete growing up.
The girl spins on her heel, grabs the woman’s hand, and drags her behind her. At this speed, the slight limp becomes more pronounced.
Hopefully, she didn’t injure herself yesterday. I don’t want to work for my brother, but I’m not dick enough to wish one of his paying guests was injured, especially not at my hand.
My phone rings, dragging my attention away from Piper and back to reality. Cade Hughes. My muscles tighten, causing the ache in my leg to scream.
“Hello?” I stop in the middle of the sidewalk, out of everyone’s way, and let the afternoon sun pour down on my shoulders.
“Hey, Asher.” Cade’s voice is strained but chipper. “How’re things going?”
“Good.” Good is always my pat answer if I happen to be asked an inane question about my health or my mental well-being.
“Right.” Cade chuckles as if he doesn’t believe a word I said. “I didn’t realize you were out of the military until Lucas told me.”
I was in the SEALs with both Lucas Foster and Cade, but they were injured months before I was in a different shitshow.
“Nah, I’m good.” It’s a lie. I rake a hand through my hair. Three years ago, life was good for all of us. Cade and Lucas were my teammates. The day all hell broke loose, I was three blocks away conducting surveillance when the building blew. I got whiplash from the impact. They got a lot more than that.
“I’m glad to hear it.” He’s quiet for a beat. “I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner. I was messed up after the attack, both mentally and physically, and didn’t get into a decent place until a couple of years ago. I’m sorry I didn’t check on you when you got injured.”
“You said you didn’t know, so how could you have checked on me?” My jaw is tight as visions of the building exploding meld into a missile screaming toward the military truck I was inside. The impact flipped over the vehicle, pinning me underneath. My breathing is erratic as I fist and un-fist my hand.
It’s fucking hot out here. I walk toward the row of trees that line the side yard, hoping that the shade doesn’t feel like it’s trying to drown my lungs like the sunshine does. It’s easier to pretend it’s the heat bothering me than the memories.
“If I hadn’t wallowed in self-pity for so long, I would’ve kept an eye on my team. Even after I was discharged.”
“It’s fine.” I rotate my shoulders to ease the tension settling on me like an oppressive blanket. “I appreciate the call.” And a part of me does. Cade was an amazing team leader; when I stepped into his shoes, they were big ones to fill.
“We should get together sometime. You, me, Lucas, and Jack.” Jack Parker was another member of our team. We went up in the ranks together, spending not just our working days alongside each other, but also hanging out during our free time.
“Sure. That sounds like a good time.” I shrug, knowing the distance between us makes the statement more of a platitude than a truth.
“Where are you working?” Piper and the two kids file out of the waterpark and my mouth dries. Somehow, her being covered with water dripping down her body makes her look stunning when compared to everyone else.
A long braid caresses her back, and the slim fit of her clothes hugs every inch of her covered figure. But it’s her face that has me mesmerized. Strong cheekbones. Slightly slanted chocolate eyes that suck in your soul. And a smile curving her lips upward. An expression that she didn’t show me once.
Not that I blame her. I acted like a pouting ass because my older brother told me what to do. Lord. I spin away from her and focus on our conversation. “I’m working for my brother.”
It's mostly the truth. Sort of. Actually, I’ve been holed up in my parent’s basement, playing video games and pretending I don’t give a shit about anything.
“That’s handy. Still at the resort in the Lowcountry?”
“Yes.” The fact that he remembers details from a conversation years ago is a testament to the man’s intelligence. “You?”
“I’m working for Truman.”
“Martin Truman?” My eyes widen in surprise. The man was a legend, with most people assuming he’d become a saint upon retirement. He was my commanding officer before he received his honorable discharge.
“Yes.” Cade chuckles. “The one and only. He owns a security company in Kansas City.”
“That’s nice.”
“I got married two years ago. We have a son and a daughter on the way.”
My heart constricts in pain. A part of me wished for that when I was younger. But when I joined the military, it was essential to avoid relationships. Women complicate things. No sane woman wants to spend weeks or months at a time worrying herself sick over a man on a mission he couldn’t tell her about.
And now? Now, those same women would be repulsed by my scars.
“Congratulations.” The word is bitter on my lips.
“I’ll let you go….” Cade paused for a second. “Don’t be a stranger now that you have my number, and if you ever need anything, let one of us know. Just because we’re not on a mission together doesn’t mean we don’t have each other’s backs.”
While I’m trying to think of a proper response, the little girl with Piper runs up to me, braces her hands on her hips, and stares. Her pink swimsuit matches the bow in her hair. My eyes widen as I study her intense gaze. What in the hell? Her perfect bow mouth thins.
“It was good to hear from you. Thanks for calling.” I shove my cell phone into my back pocket.
“Why you wearin’ jeans?” Her brows arch higher.
“Well….” I cough and clear my throat. “I like jeans.”
“That’s what–”
“Roe!” Piper snaps as she grabs the girl’s shoulder. “Do not bother Mr. Murphy….” Her voice trails off as she jostles the little boy higher on her hip. His head bounces on her shoulder as his lips twitch in sleep. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
Sir? Since when did she become so formal? She called me Mr. Murphy. I never told her my name. My heart skips a beat. She researched me last night, or at least the resort, to discern who owns and operates it.
The little girl gazes at Piper out of the corner of her eye. “And you can bother him?”
“No,” Piper groans and grips the little girl’s hand, pulling her backwards. “We’ll leave you alone.”
“No, that’s fine. I was leaving. I need to get inside anyway.”
“Right.” Her expression is hard as if she doesn’t believe me.
“I’m….” Never mind. Why do I care what she thinks? “Keep an eye on this little speed demon. She’s a fast one.”
“This is my niece and nephew.” She nods her head toward the girl and then the boy in her arms. “Rowan and Gavin. We call Rowan, Roe.”
“Cute name for a cuter girl.” I ruffle the little girl’s hair.
Piper arches an eyebrow as the little girl giggles. “And you are?”
“I would’ve assumed you knew my name by this point.” What’s wrong with me? Why am I pushing to see if she searched for me specifically? She gnaws on her bottom lip. Soft. Plump. Perfect for kissing. Lord, it’s been years since I’ve been with a woman.
Dude. What’s wrong with you? She’s seven years younger at best and nine or ten at worst. Hell, she might not even be 18 years old. Put yourself back on even footing. She’s a paying guest, and you’re an employee of the resort. Nothing else.
Her cheeks heat as her gaze darts to the ground. “Asher Murphy.”
She did look me up. Warmth settles over me. It wasn’t just checking out the resort because my name is not listed as part of the staff. She looked me up.
“Let’s go.” She laces her fingers with Roe’s and turns on her heel. The slight limp is more evident as she dodges two teenage boys who whoop and holler as they run past. That better not be my fault.
Shit. I groan. Talk about selfish. I should wish she’s not hurting rather than worrying about if I’m the cause of it.
I yank open the resort door and step into the cool, air-conditioned atrium that goes from the front of the building to the back. The off-white linen furniture with oversized blue pillows is perfect for greeting guests. Comfortable, quaint, and pristine. It’s time to find out what activity Levi has assigned me for the afternoon.