Page 11 of Ash
“My man is so smart,” she coos and Atlas makes a gagging noise before I roll my eyes and continue to set up for my next appointment.
* * *
I wavegoodbye to Fox and Janie as I get into my Tesla and start it up. I stare at the clock as it reads twelve-thirty AM. I could hit the gym, or try to find a hookup, but I really just want to go home. I pull out on the street as I think about Sunday. Maybe Janie was right. I should try to move past the sex, even if I didn’t want to. I mean the sex part, yeah, it was the most humiliating moment of my life. But that date, and the days she spent at the shop on my table where we just talked and joked. It had never been so easy before and it hasn’t since. I hadn’t had to be any certain way with Sunday, and it was refreshing. I think that is the part that causes me to continue to put distance between us. I haven’t moved on from that date, or what that date could’ve turned into had I not fucked up.
* * *
I getoff the elevator and walk down the hall, pausing as I hear loud music in my apartment. I furrow my brows at the male singing and open the door. I find Indy and Sunday’s son, Wade, in front of the tv playingRockband.Wade is on mic and guitar while Indy is playing drums with her sunglasses on and one of my ties around her head. They both look up to stare at me.
“Oh, hey, Ash.” Indy waves, pausing the game.
“What’s going on?” I ask looking around. Nope, Sunday’s not here.
Wade cleared his throat. “My mom had a seizure and hit her head. Indy called 911 and mom insisted I come back here with Indy.”
“A seizure?” I ask, worry in my voice. “I-is she alright? Where is she?”
I watch the smirk pull at my sister’s lip. “She’s at the hospital. They are keeping her overnight, but she’s fine. Where are you going?” I don’t respond as I walk back out the door, heading back to my car.
* * *
I handthe night nurses coffee and donuts before one of them points to Sunday’s room. I’m very familiar with who really runs the hospital. If you are in the nurses’ good graces, you can get pretty much anything. Between my time as a paramedic and all the time spent here with Indy, I’ve learned the best ways to win them over.
I walk into the dimly lit hospital room and see Sunday, wide awake.
“Ash?” Her weak voice cracks as she sits up.
“Hey, Sunshine.” I give her my best smile as I walk in and take a seat next to her bed.
“What’s going on? Is Wade okay?” I nod, easing her mind.
“Oh yeah, he and Indy have formed a band, and they will be hitting the road soon.” She lets out a tired laugh, and I feel tingles run over me.
“Well, tell them I want a t-shirt,” she sighs. “I felt so bad, but I didn’t want Wade to be stuck here all night and I couldn’t find my phone to call the girls… and your sister is very persistent.” I snort as I rest back against the chair.
“Yeah, try living with her.”
“I like her. I keep trying to get her to hang out with me and the girls, but I think since you hate me, she feels like she can’t.”
I am silent for a second, trying to choose the best words possible. “I don’t hate you, Sunshine.”
She rolls her pretty eyes and stares at me. “Really, Charming? Because I wouldn’t call whatever we got going on a blossoming friendship.”
Scratching the back of my head, I laugh. “Yeah, I wouldn’t say that either. But it’s not hate, just, deep humiliation or some shit.”
“I wish you wouldn’t have been embarrassed,” she mumbles softly, and I lean forward to ask what she means, but she’s already moving on to another subject. “Sorry that Wade is at your place, I hope he wasn’t interrupting any plans.” I shake my head.
“Nah, I didn’t have any plans.”
“Okay, then I give up. Why are you here, Ash?” Valid question, too bad I am as clueless to the answer as she is.
“I–I really don’t know, Sunshine. Indy and Wade said you had a seizure, and that you were here, and I left to come here so you weren’t alone.” I look up into her honey eyes, her lips pressing firmly together. “If you want me to go, I will.”
“No.” Her voice is firm and final. I watch as her expression softens, and she lets out a breath. “No, I don’t want you to go, Charming. What I want is for you and I to get past our encounters from before. I am going to be your neighbor for the next few months at least, and I enjoy Indy’s company. I would like to not have to sneak around or walk on eggshells anymore.”
“I agree.” I shift forward again as I scoot the chair closer. “So, why are you moving again in a few months?”
“Wade and I are going back home after his school year is finished, as long as I sell the studio.”
