“No, I’m not even hungry. I was just going to eat for something to do.”
Eagle nods as he looks toward the door.
Out of all the guys, with the exception of my brother, I know Eagle the best. He’s been my brother’s best friend for as long as I can remember and his right-hand man.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“What’s up?” I ask as I give him my full attention.
“Do you want him gone? I’ll make him disappear if you want me to.”
Before he’s even finished asking the question, I start shaking my head.
“No, he’s fine.”
“Clearly, he’s not. All of us have noticed the way you tense up around him. Did he do something to hurt you while you were gone?”
I can’t help but laugh internally at his choice of words. Gone. He makes it sound like I was on a beach vacation, not being held against my will.
“No, Asher didn’t do anything to hurt me.”
“Then can you explain it to me because you two set off all the red fucking flags, and it makes my skin crawl.”
Sighing, I try to think of a way to explain it to him. Shit between Asher and me isn’t so cut and dry.
“Asher never physically or mentally hurt me, but he witnessed it all firsthand. He experienced it right there with me. Seeing him is a reminder of what happened and how I fucked up.”
“You didn’t fuck up, Aspen. You stopped to get a drink at a bar. That’s it.”
“A bar I had no business being in,” I point out.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Agree to disagree. Either way, Asher is fine. If you think he would make a good brother, keep him. Don’t decide his fate based on my opinion of him.”
“Well, if you ever change your mind, the offer stands.”
I tilt my head and study him. “Do you happen to be an older brother by chance?”
“No, why?” he asks, frowning.
“Because you got the older brother thing down pat.”
He shakes his head. “Go make yourself some lunch. You need it. I’ll catch up with you later.”
I watch as he stomps out of the room and toward Meek’s office. It’s nice he’s willing to get rid of Asher if it means I would be more at ease.
If only it were that easy.
I desperately want Asher to leave me alone, but at the same time, he’s the only one who puts me at ease when the demons become too much.
ASHER
I shut the van door right as Panther comes out of the shed.
“Loaded up?” he asks as he approaches.
“Yeah, ready to go.”
