Page 21 of Asher

“I didn’t know that, actually. What do you know?” I asked, trying to breathe normally. I wanted to race out and throw her over my shoulder. To take her somewhere and force her to talk to me. Honestly, I never believed I had a shot with Haley. She was beautiful. Smart. Funny.

Perfect.

I told her the first kiss was a mistake because I pushed it too far. I kissed her like I’d always wanted to. Like I needed to, but I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. I didn’t want to lose the friendship we had built.

And when I said I wasn’t in love with her, it was because I couldn’t let myself fall for someone that didn’t feel the same. That would’ve ended up breaking not only my heart, but Nix’s. Nix was just as invested with Haley as me. If that meant I could never have Haley, then I could live with that. But what Mason just said? That she was in love with me too?

That was a game changer.

My game changer.

He shook his head quickly and held one hand up, stopping me. “That’s not my place.”

“You’re a dickweed.”

He rolled his eyes. “Just because Ry calls me that does not mean that you can.”

“Fucker.” I smirked.

Mason chuckled. “Back to the main point. Why does she want to kill you, other than your general Asher-ness?” He narrowed his eyes like he was trying to figure it out. “Do you suck at kissing?”

I scowled. “No. I freaked the fuck out. I jumped away from her and practically sprinted upstairs.” Mainly because if I hadn’t, I would’ve torn her clothes off and drove myself into her.

“You sprinted upstairs without her?” Mason’s brow shot up in surprise.

“Yes, without her. What do you think I was going to do? Drag her upstairs like a caveman?”

He took a sip of his beer. “You probably should have. You both need to get laid.” He mumbled under his breath, pointing his bottle in my direction. I loved Mason, but he had no fucking clue how much I needed to get laid. I hadn’t slept with anyone since Carrie because caring for my daughter became my only priority.

Seven long fucking years.

I was basically a born-again virgin.

The problem was we were both drunk that night. As far as I was aware, it would’ve been a one-night thing and it would’ve ruined what we had. I couldn’t have that. I needed more from her, everything, and I didn’t know then if she could give that to me. Or if she even wanted to.

I ignored his comment. “The point is, when I pulled my head out of my ass to go talk to her, she was asleep on the couch. So, I covered her up and went to bed.” Promptly jerking myself off, but my brother really didn’t fucking need to know that. “The next morning, I made her breakfast ready to talk to her, but she made up some excuse and bailed right away.”

He winced. “What were you going to say to her?”

“I don’t fucking even know.” I had some idea that day, but now? Now that conversation would’ve looked much different. Hell, it might not have been a conversation at all. I might have just ripped her clothes off.

“You should probably figure it out before you lose her for good.”

“What do you mean?”

Mason blew out a deep breath. “I don’t know, man. I know she’s looking to settle down. Looking to start a family. If you don’t man the up soon, it might be too late.”

“What the hell are you two talking about?” Cam asked as he walked up with Knox, Grayson by his side. Mason promptly took Knox from Cam’s hands. That little boy had my brother wrapped around his fingers. Grayson held his hand out for me to shake.

“Thanks again for helping yesterday,” I said.

“No problem, man. I’m glad she likes it.” He smiled toward the yard, my eyes following. I clenched my jaw because I didn’t know if he was smiling at my daughter or Haley.

I tightened my hold on my beer before taking a sip. The sad thing? I couldn’t even logically be pissed if he had a thing for Hales. I didn’t have a claim on her.

Yet.

“Hey, boys,” Haley said as she, Ry and Stephanie joined us on the deck, each taking a seat around the table. Cam and Mason both rushed to sit next to their women. I eyed the empty chair next to Hales and took a seat next. My knee pressed against hers, my hand landing on her thigh. The distracting pink dress slipped up a few inches. Her tan skin smooth under my touch.

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