“Do you think Jordan will come?” Ash kept his tone neutral even though Drew knew how angry he was at Jordan’s behavior. Jordan flat-out refused to accept them as a couple. Rachel had confided in them that he still believed Ash somehow coerced Drew into a sexual relationship. “He treats me like I’m a predator, you know.”
“If you don’t want me to ask him and Keith, I won’t.”
Even though he tried not to show it, Ash knew Drew was incredibly hurt over Jordan’s behavior. He’d even offered to cut ties with his childhood friend, but Ash wouldn’t let that happen. Because Drew’s greatest fear was losing the people closest to him, Ash made certain to try and never alienate Jordan, no matter how many times the man snubbed him. Ash’s only concern was for Drew.
But true to form, Drew’s thoughts centered not on himself but on Ash’s feelings. “I’ve told him I won’t put up with him treating you this way. Not when I care about you so much.”
“Give him time, baby. He’ll come around.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I’ll call Keith and let him tell Jordan. If he doesn’t want to come, it’s his loss.” His flat tone couldn’t hide how deeply Jordan’s behavior wounded him.
“Okay, okay.” Ash tried to soothe him. The last thing he wanted was for Drew to be upset. “Let’s not dwell on it. I’ll take care of all the arrangements. All you need to do is show up and look gorgeous like you always do.”
“That’s my line. Do you know how lucky I feel to have you? I think about how empty my life was before you. I don’t know if you realize how much you mean to me, Ash.”
Ash swallowed the huge lump that suddenly lodged in his throat. “Oh, baby, you can’t imagine how knowing you has changed me.” He managed to choke out the words as a burning sensation stung his eyes. “I think you may have saved my life.” An overwhelming rush of emotion flooded through him like a cleansing bath. It had been weeks since he’d thought of hurting himself. The need for control didn’t drive his life anymore, not with Drew by his side.
At Drew’s urging, he’d begun seeing a therapist. Even though he’d only had one visit, Ash could tell the doctor would be able help him. They’d discussed his driving need to punish himself for what he believed was his selfish abandonment of his foster brothers. The doctor had told him to look deep within himself and question his supposed abandonment of Luke and Brandon. Late at night, alone in his apartment, Ash could finally admit he’d never really had a choice at all. He’d been driven to the point where had he stayed, he would’ve either killed Munson or himself. Though he chose to live, Ash continued to punish himself for that choice. Slow as his progress would be, he held out hope that eventually he might forgive himself.
“I have to go now, baby. I—” Ash stopped short. “Um, have a great day, and I’ll see you tonight.
He clicked off and cradled his head in his hands. Had he almost said theLword? It would’ve been so natural and easy. What would it feel like, to be able to come home every day to Drew and tell himI love you?Shaking his head, he picked up the phone again, this time to call Esther. He loved talking to Drew’s grandmother. She was the family he’d never had a chance to know.
He smiled as Esther picked up the phone, already talking. “Asher, sweetheart, I have that caller ID now. The kids insisted I get it after that little incident.”
He did love this woman and would kill anyone who tried to hurt her. “No further problems though, right?”
“No, none at all. Mrs. Delaney and I have had a very peaceful time of it here.”
“Good.” All of a sudden he was uncharacteristically nervous. What if Esther wasn’t as happy with Drew not being married as he thought she was? “Well, um, the reason I’m calling is that today I received Drew’s final divorce papers, and we thought a small family celebration was in order.” He licked his lips. “That is, if you’re fine with it.”
“You know, when he married that woman, I wasn’t happy. I knew it probably wouldn’t last because she obviously only wanted to be a doctor’s wife, not my grandson’s wife.”
Ash held his breath and listened.
“Of course no one wants to see their child divorced, but Drew is so much happier now than when he was dating or married.”
“He is?” Ash smiled to himself.
“I may be old, but I’m not blind. You’ve played a very big part in Drew’s recent happiness, I believe. Am I right?”
“We’ve become good friends, yes. Drew is a very special person.” He tried to keep his tone as noncommittal as possible, as he had no idea what she might think. Would she be all right with Drew in a relationship with him?
“How good a friend, may I ask?”
He’d argued cases before judges who’d sent grown men out of the courtroom in tears, yet he was more nervous answering Esther’s simple question. In his mind, he wanted Esther to know about his and Drew’s relationship, yet he thought it should be up to Drew to tell his grandmother about something so important.
“Esther, you’re fishing for information. Whatever you want to know, I think you should ask Drew. Now the reason I called is that Saturday night at Drew’s apartment, he’s having a small get-together to celebrate his divorce being final, and of course you’re the first one he wanted called.”
“Good. I’m so glad he can put that episode behind him and move on with his life, don’t you agree?”
Still fishing. The woman was relentless. “Yes, Esther. Rachel and Mike will pick you up Saturday night.”
“Hmm. Fine.” Her disappointed voice had him chuckling even as he hung up the phone.
* * * *
By Saturday night, Drew’s apartment had undergone a total transformation. Ash had his secretary arrange everything, from the food to the liquor and flowers. He wanted everything to be perfect. The cat was going wild with all the comings and goings, finally hiding under the bed, his yellow eyes glowing in the dark. Domino even forgot his favorite pastime of torturing Ash by swiping his ankles whenever Ash walked by.
