Asher climbed out of my bed early this morning. I didn’t want to let him go, but I knew he needed to.
Last night, he switched gate duty with Trout so that he could sleep with me. After everything with his sister, I was feeling uneasy. He read that on my face clearly and made the decision to stay with me on his own.
I didn’t hate it, though. I appreciated the fact that he could see what I needed and gave it to me.
It meant he had to get up early and relieve Trout this morning. A small price to pay for having him hold me all night.
I’m grateful he was there too. I had another nightmare, only this time it was different. I was still in the hellhole, but this time Asher was mad at me and didn’t come save me.
I know it’s a result of his being angry yesterday, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling as I lay in bed. Not until he pulled me close and whispered that he was there and everything would be okay.
Getting out of bed, I do my morning routine. By the time I make it to the kitchen, I’m surprised to see Asher there, making two cups of tea.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were on gate duty.”
He smiles, handing me one of the cups. “I was, but Panther pulled me. He wants me over at the bar today, so he got someone else to cover. I was going to bring you tea in bed before I left.”
I set my mug down and move into his chest, hugging him.
“Are you really okay with yesterday? You’re not still mad at me?”
He sets his own mug down, holding me to him.
“I was at first, but not anymore. You’re right. She deserves to find the happiness I’ve found. I can’t protect her from everything, but having her here means she will be better protected. You showed me that.”
I smile up at him. “So it’s okay if I’m friends with her? I was thinking about calling her today and seeing if she wanted to come help with the carnival. I know we have it all under control, but it would give her a chance to meet the others and get to know them.”
He kisses the end of my nose. “I think that would be a great idea, baby. She would love that. I plan to call her this morning on my way to work and apologize to her again. I want her in my life. I don’t want to lose her.”
I soften at his words. He might be my tough man who is willing to walk through fire for me, but inside, he is a soft teddy bear needing love too.
“You won’t. You need to give her some space to grow as a person.”
“I can do that. I have plenty of practice with you.”
When he kisses me, I don’t hesitate to return the kiss. After a moment, he pulls away.
“Okay, I am going to get going and call her now. Maybe give me twenty before you call her?”
“I will. I’ll see you later?” I ask.
“If I have anything to do with it, yes. Absolutely.” He kisses the hell out of me before leaving me breathless in the kitchen.
Once he is gone, I make myself something small to eat before going back to my room.
When I’m sure he is likely not on the phone with his sister, I give her a call.
“Hey, I’m about to head into class. What’s up?” she asks, reminding me that it’s a school day and she’s working.
“I’ll make this quick. We are doing this charity carnival booth. I want you to come help. We are meeting this afternoon. You can come by whenever you are done. I will leave your name at the gate,” I tell her.
“I don’t know. Asher doesn’t want me there.” She seems hesitant.
“Didn’t he call you?” I ask.
She sighs. “He did, but I don’t want him to say he wants me there because I threw a fit. I want him to actually want me there.”
I feel for the girl. It is a hard situation to navigate.
