Page 49 of Ash
“Yeah, but it’s different for guys. Everyone knows womenwantto be a wife and a mom.”Oh, there’s the Josh I know.“Anyway, it’s different now, and your kid is older and doesn’t need to be watched or dealt with all of the time, so I think now is the perfect time for us to try again.”
“Uhh…” I let out an uncomfortable and irritated laugh. “Josh, there is zero chance of us getting back together. I feel like I’ve made that very clear.” I watch as the nervousness drains from his face and anger starts to replace it.
“And why the fuck not?” he barks out, startling me. “Why wouldn’t you give us another shot?”
“Because I already did!” I shout back, pissed off that this man can’t take a hint. “We tried to reconnect, and it ended with you holding my son’s pet hostage! You don’t care about Wade, and I’m not putting him or me in that situation again!”
“Why the fuck would I care aboutyourkid? I’m not the one that knocked you up, I shouldn’t be the one that has to deal with him.”
“Get. Out.” I growl through my clenched jaw. “Get the FUCK out!” I scream as I point to the door. “If you ever come back here, I’m going to take my bat and destroy your truck and then your fucking face.” For good measure, I pull the wooden bat I keep under the front counter and swing it over my shoulder while glaring at him, begging him to give me one reason to swing.
“Is… everything okay?” My heart drops and my eyes widen at Ash’s voice. I look behind Josh and see Ash standing in the entrance. How much had he heard?
“Yep,” I say curtly. “Josh was just leaving.” Josh looks as though he’s going to fight me, but Ash clears his throat and gestures to the open door.
“I’ll hold this for you.” I watch as Josh rips the bouquet off the counter before turning and walking to the front door. He pauses briefly, and I watch as he stares at Ash. Ash stares right back, completely unfazed. Josh shakes his head and walks away. Once he is out of sight, my entire body relaxes, and I crumple to the floor.
“Hey! Hey! Sunday!” Ash rushes around the counter and falls to his knees in front of me. I watch as he frantically looks over my body. “Sweetheart, did he hurt you?” he asks, and I can hear the anger he is trying to hold back.
I shake my head. “No, that was just… intense.” I let out a breath and lean against the counter. “Why are you here?” I ask, my brows knitting together.
“Oh! Well, there is this little expo thing at the convention center for artists, so I took off work and wanted to see if Wade would want to go. He mentioned it to me like a month ago, but I forgot.”
Suddenly, I know I have a huge, massive, world-ending problem.
“Sunday? Are you okay? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Fuck my life. I am falling in love with Ash Johnson.
* * *
“This isn’t necessary,”I groan as Ash opens the passenger door and ushers me into his car.
“And it’s dumb for you to spend money on a ride when I can take you home without a problem.” He waves his hand, gesturing for me to get into the car. This is true, with me cutting back on spending and having to get a night job, I definitely don’t need to be throwing money away on rides if a free one is offered to me.
I nod my thanks as I slip into his passenger seat. Ash shuts my door before rounding his car and getting into the driver’s seat. As we pull out on the road, the seatbelt alarm goes off. I look down and notice it’s because of me. “Shit,” I curse and grab the belt to put it on, but in my haste, it slips out of my hand and the buckle hits my nipple piercing. “Shit!” I cry out while cupping my injured boob. I glare over to see Ash trying his damndest not to laugh, but he fails miserably and the chuckle escapes him, causing my glare to deepen.
“Dick,” I growl out as I grab the belt again, this time putting the chest strap behind my back as to insure nothing touches my now screaming tit.
“You know, that’s not really safe,” he says teasingly, and I roll my eyes.
“Neither is you speaking at this moment, yet here we are, laughing in the face of danger.” I snort while looking through my purse, hoping I have something to eat. “Damn it.”
“What’s the matter?” he asks as we stop at a red light.
“Nothing, I’m a little shaky from the day. I thought I might’ve had a granola bar in my bag or some candy or something.” He starts driving again when the light turns green and startles me when he reaches over and opens the glove box.
“There is a little bag in there,” he states, point inside the compartment. Raising my brow, I reach my hand in and pull out the plastic bag of…huh?
“Wait a minute.” I stare at the baggy of orange Starbursts in confusion. “I thought you hated these.” He shrugs nonchalantly.
“Oh, I do. They’re vile. But I know you love them.” I set the bag on my lap as he pulls into the garage of our apartment complex. He parks in his spot and turns to face me. It’s when I hear his sharp intake of breath that I realize I’m crying.
“W-what’s wrong?” he asks, panic filling his tone.
“You just… what?” I ask through a small sob. “You bought these in case I just happened to get into your car and say I’m hungry?”
“Yes,” he states without hesitation. As if that was exactly what he did. “You said they’re your favorite and that they make you happy.”
