Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ben
It’s been just over a week since dinner at Ash’s parents’ place, and even though we shared an intense night together afterward, she’s been a little distant ever since. Laney’s behavior earlier in the week didn’t help things, and I can’t shake the worry that she’s pulling away.
From what she’s told me, wedding plans for Nash and Paisley are moving full steam ahead, and I know she’s conflicted.
She’s pleased for them, but the unresolved tension with Nash is driving her crazy.
She’s worrying that it’s putting a strain on her and Paisley’s friendship, but more than anything, she’s terrified that Nash and Paisley’s relationship will suffer, and that’s the last thing she wants.
My phone chimes, pulling me from my thoughts. I reach into my jeans pocket, unlock the screen, and smile when I see a message from Ash. Until I read it, and my smile fades.
Ashlyn: Hey, just got to Nash and Paisley’s house. Nash won’t even stay in the same room as me. It’s like he’s a completely different person.
It’s Saturday, and Ash and the girls planned a trip to a bridal shop a few towns over to look at Sophie’s bridesmaid dress.
Since Ash offered to drive, she’s picking everyone up from Paisley’s.
I know she was hoping Nash would be at work so she could avoid seeing him, but it looks like he’s home and being a complete ass.
I sigh, quickly typing a response.
Me: I’m sorry, baby. Maybe once he’s calmed down, he’ll feel differently.
Ashlyn: It’s been a week. How long is it going to take for him to calm down?
I shut my eyes, wishing I had the right words to fix this. The truth is, I don’t know what to say. I want to tell her Nash will come around, but with the way he’s acting, I honestly have no idea if he will. And it’s not just him. We still have Cade and Wyatt to worry about too.
Me: I wish I knew, baby. Try not to let him ruin your day. I know how much you were looking forward to spending time with the girls.
I want to tell her I love her. The words had been on the tip of my tongue last week, but I held back, and now I regret it. But I’m not about to say it over text, not the first time.
Ashlyn: We’re leaving now, thank God. I’ll see you later. We still on for tomorrow?
Tomorrow, I’m taking Ash to my parents’ house for dinner.
Laney is away for the weekend with friends; a trip that was planned and paid for before she was grounded, so I decided to let her go.
At least it makes visiting my parents easier, and I know without a doubt that my mom and dad will welcome Ash with open arms. I want her to see that not everyone in our lives is against us.
Hell, at this point, we both need to see that.
Me: Of course. I’ll pick you up at 12. Have fun today, and even more fun tonight.
She replies with a wine glass emoji, followed by a green vomit emoji, making me laugh.
After they’re done with Sophie’s dress, they’re heading out for dinner and then a night in Eden.
Sophie’s leaving after dinner to go back to Hunter, so it’ll just be Ash, Paisley, Ivy, and Taylor hitting the town.
If I know Ash, it’s going to be a messy night, but at least Seb or his staff will be around to keep an eye on her.
An hour later, I settle at the kitchen breakfast bar, trying to focus on work, but my mind won’t cooperate. Ash’s message from earlier lingers, tangled with Nash’s harsh words from last week.
A few days ago, I told my parents about my relationship with Ashlyn.
They knew a bit from Laney, but I told them everything.
The age gap, that I’m her boss, and the resistance we’re facing from nearly all of her brothers, Nash especially.
My dad suggested I talk to Nash one-on-one, but I brushed it off, thinking it was a terrible idea.
But maybe he’s right.
Maybe if Nash understands how much Ash means to me, I can get him to change his mind about us.
I shut my laptop, grab my keys, and jog through the entryway, down the porch steps to my car.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, I head straight for Hope Creek.
I have no idea where Nash and Paisley live, but Eden is a good place to start.
Hopefully, Seb will either give me Nash’s address, or at least his number.
By the time I pull up outside Eden, I barely remember the drive.
My mind is too tangled up in what I’m going to say to Nash.
Parking, I take a steadying breath before heading inside.
It’s still early, and only a handful of people are scattered around, nursing drinks.
Relief washes over me when I spot Seb behind the bar.
“Hey, Ben,” he greets me as I approach. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah… actually, no. I need to talk to Nash.”
His gaze narrows before he rakes a hand through his hair. “Shit. This about the other night at my parents’ place?”
“I think it’s time to clear the air.”
Seb shakes his head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Ben. Maybe give him some time.”
“He’s had time. Ash and I have been together for weeks. She’s hurting, and I need to make this right between them.”
He lets out a slow breath. “You love her.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “Yeah. I do.”
Seb nods as if accepting something inevitable.
“I have to make Nash understand,” I say. “Cade and Wyatt too, if it comes to that. But Nash… he’s the one who has the biggest problem with me and Ash. He needs to see that I’m serious about your sister.”
Seb stays quiet for a few seconds before nodding toward one of the barstools. “Take a seat. I’ll grab you some lunch. Nash is stopping by in about an hour. You can talk to him then.”
“Thanks, Seb.”
He nods, reaching for a bottle of Corona and sliding it across the bar along with a food menu. “Let me know when you figure out what you want to eat.”
I pick up the beer, tipping my head in appreciation before taking a sip. My eyes skim over the menu, but my appetite is nonexistent, especially with the conversation ahead. Still, I don’t want to seem ungrateful, so I order a club sandwich and nurse my beer while I wait.
The bar gradually starts to fill, and Seb gets busier. I don’t see much of him until he returns with my food.
“You should grab one of the booths,” he suggests, nodding toward the back of Eden. “You’ll have more privacy there.”
I take the plate from him with a grateful nod. “Appreciate it, Seb.”
“I’ll bring you another beer.”
“Just a soda, please. I’m driving.”
He gives a short nod. “Nash should be here soon.”
Twenty minutes later, I spot Nash walking into Eden and heading straight for the bar. He hasn’t noticed me yet, not that he’d have any reason to expect I’d be here. Maybe Seb gave him a heads-up, but I doubt it. If Nash knew I wanted to talk, he probably wouldn’t have shown up at all.
I take a breath, push up from the booth, and walk toward him. Seb glances up from where he’s pouring a drink, giving me a subtle nod. Nash follows his gaze, turning just enough to see me. His expression darkens instantly.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he snaps.
“I was hoping we could talk,” I say evenly.
He whips back to Seb. “You knew about this? You set me up?”
Seb shakes his head. “No, man.”
“Seb had no idea I’d be here,” I say quickly.
Nash ignores me, turning to Seb instead. “You’re okay with Ash dating this guy? Why the sudden change of heart?”
Seb lets out a slow breath and sets the glass he was drying on the counter. “Coming that close to losing Taylor… it changed how I see things, Nash. So yeah, I’m okay with them being together.”
Nash scoffs, brushing off Seb’s words with a dismissive wave.
I take a steadying breath and try again. “I just want to clear the air, for Ashlyn’s sake.”
Nash turns away, grabbing his drink and taking a long swallow. “I’ve got nothing to say to you,” he mutters, setting the bottle back on the bar.
“Nash–”
He cuts me off, spinning to face me. “Does Ash know you’re here?”
I shake my head. “No. But she’s hurting. I want to fix things between you two.”
His eyes lock onto mine, hard and unyielding. “Then do the right thing. Walk away. Let her find someone her own age. Someone without a wife and a daughter only a few years younger than her.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I say firmly. “We need to find a way to move forward. Ash loves you–”
“And I love her!” he shouts, cutting me off again. “She’s my baby sister, for Christ’s sake. That’s exactly why I want the best for her. And the best isn’t you.”
His words sting, but I hold my ground. “I’m not perfect. I’m not pretending to be. But I love your sister. That has to count for something.”
He lets out a humorless laugh. “You might love her, but she sure as hell doesn’t love you. This is just some infatuation. I get it, older guy, good job, nice house probably, but that’s all it is.”
Anger churns inside me, but I force myself to stay calm. He wants a reaction, and I won’t give him one.
“You’re wrong, Nash. What Ash and I have is undeniable.”
Before Nash can fire back, Seb steps between us. “Alright, both of you, this is turning into a scene,” he says firmly. “Take it to my office.”
I arch a brow at Nash. “Fine by me.”
He exhales sharply, snatching up his beer. “Fine. Your office,” he mutters to Seb before stalking off.
I follow Nash into Seb’s office, shutting the door behind us. He drops onto a worn, brown leather sofa and takes another swig of his beer.
“Alright,” he says, locking eyes with me. “Talk. Let’s hear whatever it is you came to say.”
I swallow hard. I won’t pretend I’m not nervous. This conversation matters. I don’t expect him to change his mind in ten minutes, but I need him to understand that I care about Ash, and I’m not here to mess her around.
Crossing the room, I lean against Seb’s desk.
“I know I’m not who you would’ve chosen for your sister–”
He snorts. “Damn right you’re not.”
“But Ash chose me,” I continue, ignoring his interruption. “We’ve both felt this way for a while, and neither of us could deny it any longer.”
Nash lowers his gaze, sneering.
“I didn’t plan to fall in love with Ashlyn,” I say quietly.
He raises an eyebrow. “Maybe not, but you could do the decent thing and walk away. You’re not right for her.”
“Ash doesn’t see it that way.”
“She doesn’t know what she wants,” he snaps.
“I think she does.”
He gives a sarcastic snort of laughter. “Of course you do. You’re married, Ben, and you’ve got baggage. Ash doesn’t need that.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “I’ve explained my situation. I’m married on paper, that’s all, and my daughter is not baggage.”
He shrugs, taking another drink. “Still married, though.”
“I had a life before I met Ashlyn. Wasn’t Paisley married when you met her?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
His eyes narrow, and I wonder if I’ve pushed too far. “That was completely different. Her asshole husband was beating her.”
I rake a hand through my hair. “And that’s awful. But what would you have done if your family had decided Paisley had too much baggage? Would you have walked away?”
Nash slams his bottle onto the table and stands abruptly. “This isn’t about me and Paisley! It’s about you being too damn old for my twenty-five-year-old sister!”
I shake my head. “That’s not what this is really about. Ash told me you’ve never liked any of the guys she’s dated.”
He crosses his arms. “So?”
“So, don’t you want her to be in a relationship? Ever?”
“Of course I do,” he snaps, exasperated.
“Then let her, Nash.” I push off the desk and step closer. “I get it, you want to protect her from every asshole.” I pause, meeting his gaze. “From every guy like Paisley’s ex. But I’m not that guy. I would never hurt her.”
He watches me in silence, and for the first time, I see something shift in his expression. A flicker of hesitation. Maybe my words are getting through.
With a heavy sigh, he drops onto the sofa. “So, you and Ash… it’s serious, then?
I nod.
He exhales, running a hand over his face. “You know she wants to get married, right? Have you two even talked about that?”
A knot tightens in my stomach. We haven’t discussed marriage. Why would we? We’ve only been together a short time, and it’s not like I’m in a position to make that kind of promise, anyway.
“No,” I admit. “We haven’t talked about it.”
Nash leans back, a small, genuine smile breaking through his frustration.
“When she was a kid, she and Ivy would spend hours in the garden with pillowcases on their heads, pretending they were brides. Drove us crazy with all the wedding talk. She’s had her dream wedding planned since she was eight. ”
My heart sinks.
“She wants kids too. You’ve seen her with Hunter.”
I nod. “Yeah, I’ve seen her.”
“I want her to be happy,” Nash says, his voice quieter now. “But I also want her to have everything she’s always dreamed of.”
“And I want to give her that,” I say firmly. “Look, I don’t have all the answers, and I won’t make promises I can’t keep. But it sounds like we both want the same thing here, Nash.”
He exhales, crossing his arms. “Then maybe you two should actually talk about it. Marriage, kids… those things could be dealbreakers for one or both of you.”
His words hit harder than I’d like to admit.
Ash and I haven’t had those conversations yet, but we need to.
The truth is, I don’t know if I want more kids.
I’ve never had to think about it before.
I’m not opposed to the idea, but marriage?
That’s something I can’t offer her. And I don’t know if I ever will.
Nash pushes up from the sofa. “Look, Ben, it’s obvious you care about Ash or you wouldn’t be here. I respect that. But I don’t want her getting hurt.”
I meet his gaze. “With all due respect, I’m not the one hurting her.”
His expression hardens. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“All Ash wants is your acceptance, Nash. She’s desperate for you to see how happy she finally is and to cut her some slack. We might not have everything figured out yet, but I swear to you, I would never knowingly hurt her.”
He lets out a long breath before finally meeting my gaze. “Wyatt’s meeting me and Seb for a drink tonight before the girls get here. You should join us.”
Relief floods through me, and I can’t help but smile. “I’ll be here.”
Nash nods and heads for the door, and I follow. “Be here at six. The girls should be here around seven.” He steps into the hallway, then glances over his shoulder with a smirk. “Oh, and Ben? Try not to drool over Wyatt. I know you’re a big fan.”
Before I can fire back, he walks off, leaving me chuckling. I wouldn’t go as far as to say we’re friends, but an invite for a drink with him and his brothers is a hell of a lot more than I expected to walk away with.
Maybe, just maybe, he’s coming around to the idea of Ash and me.