Page 26 of Ash
Wade looks over the decorations and then back at me. “Mom, this is definitely not a beach resort.” I snort and roll my eyes.
“No shit,” I hiss. “We are just staying here for the night… I hope.”
“Sorry,” Ash sighs while walking up to us. “Mom has a thing about Christmas.” He laughs. “Don’t worry, we are only here for the night and then we are staying at the resort the wedding is at for the last two nights.” As we walk past the inflated snow globe and dancing Santa, I suddenly feel like eight packs of orange Starbursts wouldn’t be enough, let alone four.
* * *
I stare at the bed.The full-size mattress is covered with candy cane striped sheets, pillows and is topped with a green velvet comforter. There is a fireplace going. In April… In California. Where it is currently a balmy seventy degrees outside. I look from the bed to my roommate–that’s rightroommate. Because Ash and Indy’s mother, Celeste, is under the impression that Ash and I are further along in our ‘relationship’ than I thought. A truckload of orange Starbursts wouldn’t have been enough.
“It’s the temperature of Satan’s asshole in here,” I huff, and Ash laughs before going over and putting the fire out. I watch as he reaches up and turns on the portable air conditioner.
“Mom’s house is a bed and breakfast, so each room is equipped with its own AC.” I shove past him, ripping off my shirt and leaving myself in my blue cami as I stand in front of the unit to cool down.
“Listen, I can fit on that bed, but there is zero chance your giant ass is getting in there too.” He smirks and gives me a wink that I feel in my belly button.
“Guess we are going to be getting close tonight,” he says blankly, and I snort at him.
“Unless your mama is going to be in here watching us sleep, I think you can take the floor.” I watch as his face falls.
“But Sunshine… it’s hardwood, and I have a bad back!” he whines and I raise my brow.
“Really? Because before we left you were doing backflips with Wade.”
He pauses for a moment. “Sporadic pain?”
I flick him in the forehead before removing the blanket and laying on the bed. “My head feels like it might explode.” I groan, mostly to myself. I hear the door open and shut. Looking up I notice that Ash is no longer in the room.
Hmmm… well, fine then.
I roll off the bed and head to the bench that Ash placed my bag on. As I get halfway there, I freeze, the familiar feeling of panic washing over me as my limbs feel like pins and needles. I look at my hand and see it tensing and closing on its own, and I know what is coming. I turn to open the door to call for help and then everything goes black.
* * *
“Wade!”Is that Ash?“She’s coming to!”Coming to what?
I groan as I try to open my eyes. Fuck, my head hurts. I wait for my eyes to focus. When they do, I see Ash staring down at me. His worried expression becomes relaxed as he continues to run his fingers down the side of my face, gently stroking my temple and pushing my hair behind my ears.
“Hey, Sunshine,” he whispers, and I groan again and look around the room. Oh god, everyone is here. Wade, Indy, Celeste, and some older man, I am guessing is Celeste’s fiancé, Neil. I feel my cheeks heating and a burning sensation in my eyes.
“Sunday,” I hear Indy’s soft voice as she walks closer. “Babe, I’m going to help get you cleaned up, okay? Wade, why don’t you hang out with my mom for a bit?” Wade nods, and walks away, and I shake my head. Why did I need cleaning up?
“Oh, no…” I cry out, knowing I must’ve lost control of my bladder. Mortification consumes me and the tears fall freely as I cover my face. I had a seizure, and I pissed myself in front of everyone.
“Hey,” Ash pulls my arm away, and holds my face in his hands, looking me right in the eye, trying to reassure me. “Hey, Sunshine, it’s okay. I promise.” He runs his hand over my wet face, and I sob harder.
“I’m so embarrassed,” I manage to get out. Ash nods and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.
“I know, and if I could take that from you, I would. But I promise, it is okay, nobody cares. Listen.” He slowly helps me sit up, and I wince at the throbbing headache. “Would you feel better if I pee too? Because I will do it right now, just for you.”
I choke out a half sob, half laugh as I shake my head. “No, but I appreciate the support.”
“Sunday, I know what it’s like to be embarrassed like this, and I’m sorry that this happened. But I promise you, no one is thinking about the fact that you lost control. We are just happy you are okay. That was an intense one.”
“I’m sorry,” I lament as I rest my head back, mildly aware of the sound of a shower turning on. “Usually, I have more notice. Like early warnings so I can prepare. Not lately, though. And I highly doubt that you have ever peed yourself in front of a bunch of strangers.”
“I mean, not without them signing NDA’s first.” He smirks, and I let out a chuckle. “No, I’ve never peed myself in front of strangers. But I do remember this one time that I was getting ready to have sex with this super attractive woman and the second I got my pants down, I finished.” I jerk my head up and stare at him in shock. Were we really going to talk about that night? Now?
“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I was so mortified that I ran out and spent years pretending I didn’t know her while also having relations with any woman I could just to prove I wasn’t broken. So, trust me, we all have embarrassing stories.”
