Page 30 of Wrecked
“Dad, stop,” I scream, pushing on his chest.
“Robert, listen,” Asher says, in a voice much calmer than how I’m feeling right now.
My dad’s head snaps up and he pins Asher in a look I’ve only seen once from him. When he found out I lost my virginity on the couch while they were home. I’ve never seen him that pissed again, until now.
“No, you listen. I told you to stay away from my daughter. Yet, you took that as you should take advantage of her,” he yells.
Stepping closer to my dad, Asher shakes his head. “Robert, I didn’t take advantage of her. We’ve been seeing each other for weeks now. I have nothing but respect for her. She’s everything I didn’t even know that I needed. I love her,” he explains, looking at me when he says the last bit.
“What?” my father and I both say.
“I love you, Payton.”
My heart explodes in my chest, and the wind is knocked out of me. He loves me. “I love you too, Asher.”
Before he can wrap his arms around me, my dad clears his throat. “Wait a fucking minute.”
“I’m sorry Dad. Asher wanted to tell you, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to see the disappointment on your face. A look I’ve seen too many times before. Just like right now,” I say, tilting my head.
Taking a deep breath, my father lets out a loud sigh. “I’m not disappointed, Payton. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Robert, the only one who’s at risk of being hurt here is me. If I’m not with her, it will destroy me. I have no intention of being the one to walk away. That’s up to her. I’ve never done you wrong, and I’ll never do her wrong. I promise you that I will love her, protect her, and make her happy,” Asher says, before I have a chance to answer.
Looking between the two of us, he shakes his head. “Is this really what you want, Payton? He makes you happy?”
“Happier than I can ever remember,” I admit.
This time Asher does wrap his arms around me and I bury my head into the safety of his warm chest.
“I need some time to wrap my head around this, but if this is what makes you happy, I won’t stand in the way. But I swear on everything I love, Asher, if you hurt her, you will be out on your ass.” He leaves, slamming the door behind him and I jump.
“It’s alright, baby. He’s only this pissed because he had to find out like this.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I groan, before a laugh works it way out. “That’s one fucked up way of finding out.”
He chuckles and kisses the top of my head. “Yeah, that’s going to take a while to get over. But it could have been worse.” Pressing his lips to mine, his tongue explores my mouth and he swallows down my moans. It’s slow and sweet, like he is trying to memorize my mouth. Breaking away, he rubs his thumb on my bottom lip. “I fucking love you, Payton.”
“I love you, Asher.”
The rest of the week goes by, without so much as a hiccup. My dad and Asher are in a good place, after he apologized and promised over and over to never hurt me. I know he won’t, but it took more convincing on my dad’s behalf. I even brought Asher with me to dinner tonight at my Dad’s. It was nice to finally spend time with my dad and step-mom, Terry.
I’m sure Terry had something to do with my dad being good with me dating Asher, because she was over the moon excited. Apparently, she’s always liked Asher and couldn’t have been happier that we were together.
The conversation flowed easily, and I have to admit it was a good time. There were no questions, no accusations, no arguing. It made me almost regret not going sooner. Though, I have to believe that the reason it worked out that way is because of Asher.
He’s become everything to me. I can breathe easier when I’m with him. So, when he pulls into the parking lot of my apartment, I know I’m going to ask him to stay the night. I’ve stayed at his place a few times, but I’ve never wanted him here. This is my safe place, but now so is he and I’d like to wake up tomorrow in his arms.
I don’t say anything, just grab his hand as he walks me to the door. Just like he does every time he drops me off. He might be controlling and bossy during sex, but damn, he’s a gentleman in every other way.
When we reach the door, I open the screen door and go to insert the key, but something catches my eye. As quickly as I see it, I read it and grab it off the door folding my hand around it. My pulse picks up, my head starts to spin and I’m certain I’m going to be sick.
“Thanks for tonight,” I rush out, pushing his chest when he tries to follow me in. “Not tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow. Thanks again.”
A quick kiss and I slam the door, locking it and sliding down onto the floor. I open my hand and stare until my vision is blurred.
‘Guess Who’
I know exactly who, and I know my world is about to fall out from under me. Fuck.
