Page 241 of The Sidekick

He lets out a soft laugh and pats the bed next to him. “Come back to bed babygirl. I took the ibuprofen and put the heating pad on. Let’s try to get some more sleep.”

I go around the other side and crawl on top of the covers to rest on my side awkwardly.

“What are you thinking?” He asks me in a groggy tone.

“Can I use the heating pad when you’re done?”

What is wrong with me?

I sigh in resignation. I have to accept that my mouth does what it wants. I give up.

His head tilts until he can see me. “Are you sore, babygirl? Why didn’t you say something?”

My expression goes flat as I stare back.

His eyes narrow. “I get it, I’m being a pussy.”

“That’s not what I said,” I protest, ready to get out of here right now. I don’t want a fight. I want a dang relaxing morning.

“Hey, hey, I’m teasing,” He props himself up on an elbow to grab my hip and keep me from moving.

“Here,” he reaches back to the nightstand and shakes out two pills and hands me the glass of water. When I’m done taking them he scoots closer, offering me his chest to rest my head on. I settle there warily and he kisses my forehead as his arm curls around me to keep me close.

“We can share the heating pad until I buy another one,” he mumbles, already drifting back to sleep. “Give me five more minutes.”

He can have eternity with it if he doesn’t yell. It’s my last thought before I drift off again.

Chapter Sixty-Four

Tera

We settle into a routine pretty quickly. It’s like we’ve all been together for a lot longer than we have.

Sure we all argue sometimes. Trevor loses his temper and paces in the backyard. I panic and hide in the backyard. Max goes out there just to say he can do it too. Asher stands in the doorway and watches whichever one of us it is, patiently waiting for us to come back and face our demons.

We aren’t a happily ever after. We’re building our foundations so we can build higher together. Somehow, it feels more satisfying than riding off into the sunset.

I’ve been living with Trevor and Max for almost two months to the day. Trevor has finally relented in letting Asher move in. He can’t deny how smooth things run with Asher’s interference in everything, no matter how many times they butt heads.

I speed a little as I think about it. Tonight Asher is going to come home to me. I can finally say that out loud and have it be true. I have a surprise for him and I can’t contain it any longer. I’ve held out for months, choking on the words. He’ll be lucky if he makes it all the way through the front door before I’m screaming I love you at him.

I’m giddy and nervous as I park. He’s already home and inside. Max and Trevor won’t be home for another few hours.

I practically skip up the front walk to the door. Before I’m ready he already has it open with a wide grin that I return.

“Hi.”

“Welcome home, angel,” he tells me softly, drawing me into a hug that feels like the perfect end to a day.

“I’m supposed to say that,” I protest as I melt into him.

He pulls me over the threshold to give me a kiss that curls my toes in my shoes. I thought that was a myth.

“I have a present for you,” he mutters against my lips and kisses me again before I can respond.

“You do? What for?” I don’t even care what it is right this second. I want him to keep kissing me.

He pulls away from me with the biggest happy grin I’ve seen on him. He pulls his shirt off and shows me his tattoos.

---