“Not much. I moved out.”
“What?”
“A cabin opened up, and Declan gave me the keys after practice.”
“Christ, J.” I can hear his disapproval roaring down the line.
“Ash got a surprise job interview in New Orleans. It could be her big break.”
“You expect me to believe that you moved out of the cabin you two shared because you were being altruistic?”
“I…”
“Please don’t fucking tell me you did it for her.”
“That was my intention—to not stand in her way of going after her dream.”
“Jared.” Liam lowers his voice like he’s trying not to yell at me. “Are you pacing right now?”
I stop moving. “What the hell does that have to do with anything?”
“It means you’re on edge. Why are you on edge, J?”
I clench my jaw.
“How much are you willing to risk for her?” His voice is soft but the message undeniably clear.
“You’re saying I’m being a coward. Fuck you.”
Those last two words have no bite to them at all.
Because I know he’s right.
“Why?” he asks me. “Why are you running?”
I grip the phone so hard it hurts. “I have no clue how to go about this.”
“Go about what?”
“Asking someone I love to be with me.”
His exhale sounds an awful lot like relief. “You just do it.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, big brother. Someday, maybe one of us can help you as much as you’ve helped us.”
“No need. I’ve got everything under control.”
“Everyone needs somebody sometimes,” I tell him.
And right now, Ashley needs me.
Just like I need her.
Liam and I say goodbye, and I finally take a seat.
