Page 38 of Addiction

Placing my car keys and cell on the counter, I turn toward the refrigerator. “What would you like me to do for breakfast?”

“You don’t have to do anything, Wade,” Grayson says, entering the kitchen behind me with Ava in his arms. “I’ll do it.”

“You sure? Are you not supposed to be sleeping?”

“It’s fine. I’ll crash a little later.”

“Well, if you’re sure?”

“Absolutely. Make yourself comfortable.”

Grayson goes about preparing the food as best as he can with one hand while Ava is propped up on his shoulder. His tall, broad physique; big, blue eyes; and confident father role screams attraction. It’s a gorgeous scene to watch.

“I take it if you’re crashing later you are on a day off today?” I ask as he’s usually sleeping this time in the morning.

“Yeah. I’m heading out to check how things are going with Asher’s gym in a bit.”

“What I saw of his plans the other night is pretty impressive. Did you know he wants to work with addicts too?”

“It doesn’t surprise me.” He passes me little Ava before returning to the counter. “The one thing about Asher is that he is determined. He’s always been like that. If he’s set on doing something, he won’t stop until it’s done.”

“He certainly seems in a good place right now. I’ve not seen him like this before.”

He stops what he’s doing and turns to face me. “The Asher you see now is the one we all love. We lost him for a while, but he’s turning his life around and, for the first time, he has a purpose. I don’t think he’s had one before, not since he was a SEAL.”

“Do you think him being a SEAL is what drove him to drink?” I ask, curiously.

“I think deep down it’s a combination of a lot of things. War is never easy, but he was never the same when he returned from Iraq. He’s shut that part of his life off, and if you mention it, he will shut you and himself down.”

I’ve heard the stories via Grayson and Nora that Iraq was tough for everyone involved. Bloodshed and death had ruled the team, and too many men failed to return home. The only man who had was Asher.

Keeping things close to your chest is never a good thing because they eat away at you and sooner or later come back to haunt you. I’ve my own experience in that. “But shutting it down won’t help his mental state in the long run if he doesn’t talk about it.”

“I agree. But what else can we do? Even Mark has tried.” He shrugs. “Maybe he’s spoken about it to his therapist and doesn’t feel he has to talk about it again. Who knows. I’m just glad we’ve got him back.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to getting to know him this time around.”

A tiny squeal breaks the conversation and we both laugh and look down at Ava. “Oh, I’m sorry, are we not giving you attention?” I coo. The softest of smiles spreads across her face as her chubby little legs wiggle with excitement. “You are just adorable. Yes, you are.”

“I didn’t think she was adorable at 3 am,” Nora says, coming back down from upstairs.

“She just wanted to see her daddy,” Grayson adds, walking over to Nora and kissing her on the shoulder.

“I wanted to see you, too, but you pushed me aside for her.”

“Grayson, are you depriving your fiancée of her needs?”

Nora narrows her eyes at him and points. “Think very carefully before you answer that.”

Wrapping his arm around her, Grayson looks at me with a grin. “It seems I have, Wade. I must make it up to her.”

I chuckle, stepping out of their way with Ava to give them space. Gripping hold of her ass, Grayson lifts Nora around his waist. “Shortcake, have I told you lately that I love you?”

“I don’t recall. Remind me.”

Nora’s laughter bursts from her lungs when Grayson buries his face in the dip of her neck, blowing a huge raspberry before kissing his way up her throat to claim her mouth. If I ever find love, I want it to be like theirs.

“Forgive my fiancé, Wade. He seems to have forgotten we have a guest in the house.” Nora chuckles, darting out of the way as Grayson tries to catch her again.