Maybe that is why I’m stuck in a daze of awe as I walk out of the doctor’s office. Staring at my phone, the video of the ultrasound causes the corner of my mouth to kick up. Mythumb swipes the screen to pull up Asher’s name, and I attach the video.
I guess we need to start investigating skates for babies, if that’s a thing. ;)
Asher is busy between practice, media, and games, but he told me that he checks his messages spontaneously. I’m pleasantly surprised when I return home and my phone pings. One look at my screen, and I gush.
Asher
So, this is happening.
I frown because that wasn’t the response that I was expecting. It’s difficult to read emotions through text, but his reply doesn’t feel right, and I can’t seem to shake it off.
My eyes meet Asher’s,and it is intense, he is completely unreadable. It’s almost unnerving. He doesn’t break our locked gaze as I follow him into his house. He walks backwards and I walk forward, and my heart races.
Maybe I shouldn’t have sent the video, as it’s better to see it in person together, but I was too excited and couldn’t wait.
But now?
Maybe it’s all too real for him.
We end up in his living room, and I can’t help but let my eyes wander around the room. I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s a big and modern lake house that actually has warmth, with mostly cream-colored furniture.
I sit down on the L-shaped couch and set my purse next to me. He stays standing, and it has me slightly freaking out.
“Do you resent me?” It bursts outof my mouth.
He is taken aback, and his face squinches from severe confusion. “What?”
“Well, you seem… just if the video was too confronting and you resent me for screwing up your career or you are having doubts, then say it now, because I just want to rip that bandage off and leave.”
He scratches his cheek right above his day-old stubble. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that sentence, and yeah, I probably look like shit, and I’m pretty pissed off that we lost a talented rookie due to a concussion, but…” Quickly, he sits on the coffee table in front of me to ensure that our bodies are squared to one another. “You have nothing to do with any of that, and the best part of last night was seeing that video.”
Lines form on my forehead because I’m confused. “You just seem a little out of sorts.”
He rubs his face with both of his hands. “Most say I’m aloof, others say I’m approachable, depending on the day. I’m just, wow… overwhelmed.” The faintest of smiles appears, and all of my worries disappear. “I mean, this is real. That heartbeat is real.”
I smile widely. “It is.”
He scoops up my hands to hold them in his palms which feels comforting. “Which is why you are moving in here.”
His adamant tone and serious face throw me off. “Wait, what?” My eyes flutter as I double-check that I heard him right.
“You’re moving in here. It’s simple.”
My mouth opens but goes dry, and my eyes remain the size of saucers. “Ha-ha.”
“I’m serious.”
Geez, no wonder he is a coach. He’s demanding, and his penetrating gaze… damn, his eyes are making me melt in places that will not help us in this moment.
“I get that now.”
I yank my hands away from his and dig into my bag next to me on the couch to pull out his tin of cookies. Opening the tin, I throw a cookie into my mouth to deal with my bewilderment of this conversation. Then I stuff another cookie in, only to drop the half-eaten baked treat back into the tin because my stomach doesn’t like this method of dealing with important decisions.
“I mean, there is going to be a baby, and we would eventually have to address the living situation for the little living human, but now? It’s a little fast.” I wipe a crumb from the corner of my mouth.
“In regards to the living situation. You’re right. Your address is here. Now.” He smiles, confidentially contrite.
I shake my head once because I’m still in disbelief of this change of events. “Humor me, how does that work?”
