Page 23 of Addiction

“Only if you are. Gray is right though: I’ve been wanting to help you get back on your feet for a while. I’ve talked with Charlie, and she’s happy for me to invest in anything you decide. Just as long as it’s legal. Things went down in Iraq, and it hit everyone hard. I never realized it hit you harder than anyone else, and I’m sorry for that.”

I swallow the lump that has just formed in my throat, trying to remove the flashbacks that have just invaded my mind. I try not to think about what happened out there.

I try not to think about losing my team.

About losing him.

“You’ve nothing to apologize for, Twilight. Both you and Jackson tried to help me, but I told you I was fine. I believed I was fine.”

“Anyway. My point is the offer is there. I just need an answer. And I’m hoping it’s a yes.”

From now on we don’t look back.

Nora’s words invade my mind, and I grin harder than I have in a long time at his generosity, yet I’m scared shitless all the same. “All right. Yes.”

“Great. Draw me up a business plan with what you’re wanting to achieve and we’ll talk some more.”

“Congratulations, Asher,” Grayson adds. “I’m proud of you, man.”

“Who are we congratulating?” Nora asks coming up behind us and wrapping her arm around Grayson.

“Mark has just offered me a business opportunity to help me set up my own rehabilitation gym.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh my God. Seriously? Asher, this is amazing.”

“Right?”

“I knew I’d be the one to pop your homecoming cherry,” Mark grins.

Everyone laughs, and I step forward to hug him, just as the doorbell rings through the house.

I look over at Grayson and he nods. Maybe he was right. Maybe I’d needed everyone in this room one way or another to help me find my way. I can do this. I know I can.

“Twilight, I honestly don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. We can talk more later. For now, just enjoy your evening.”

“Nora, look who’s back in town!” I hear Mom shout before my sister shrieks in delight and leaves Grayson’s side.

Turning to see who has got her all excited, my back straightens. A feeling I can’t comprehend consumes my body faster than I can control, taking away the hype that I was just basking in.

Wade Johnson stands across from me talking to my sister with a huge smile on his face.

My jaw tightens, my fists clench as a ball of anger forms with his presence.

Not because he’s here.

Not because he’s Nora’s friend.

Not because he was my dad’s physical therapist and seemed to have more fun with him than I did.

But because there’s more to these feelings that devour me now and they have my heart betraying me by beating faster than ever when his eyes find mine.

He’s absolutely fucking gorgeous.

He ignites that yearning within me that I’ve been running from for years.

The one that makes me question everything about myself.