“I owe him, huh?”
“For sure. I’ve never seen or known him to fight anyone. Shows how much you mean to him.”
I meet his gaze, and it’s almost as if he sees through me. I don’t know what he is implying or even if he is implying anything. Maybe I’m too emotional. His eyes, his words, they all make me really uncomfortable, so I jerk my head to the side, moving out of his arms in the direction of the car. “Let’s get you home.”
I didn’t sleep last night.
I tossed, I turned, and I checked my phone a million times an hour.
I felt horrible since Angie was trying to sleep, but I had no choice. I need to talk to Asher. After spending hours at the police station, she got home when I did and fell face first into her bed. I’m so incredibly proud of her for pressing charges. I know I may have forced her to, but she told me the only reason she didn’t when it happened was because I was with Taco. Fuck him. Fuck that—press the charges. Apparently, Nicolette had seen it happen, so Angie has a witness. And in so many words, Taco admitted to it, so hopefully, he’ll get in trouble for his actions. I am worried about Asher since Taco did say he was going to press charges, but I haven’t heard anything yet.
Actually, it’s radio silence on Asher’s end.
I texted him when I got home but no text back. I know he has his phone because his dad went to get it from Aiden. I even tried calling him, but it went to voice mail. I’m trying really hard not to think too much into it. He probably took his meds when he got home and slept off the pain from everything, but still, I wonder why he hasn’t reached out to me. I put myself out there. I made the move, and now, all I can think is that I made the biggest mistake of my life. It didn’t feel like a mistake, though; it felt like I found my home.
The place my heart and lips belong.
I roll my eyes as I pull into Audrey’s cupcakery. Asher’s car drives like a dream, but it makes me a little irate since it’s his and he hasn’t called or texted. It’s so unlike him, and I know that’s the reason for my negative thinking. I get out and see Audrey in the shop, moving around, talking to customers, and being her awesome self. There isn’t a birthday or an event where Audrey Odder’s cakes or cupcakes aren’t involved. She’s another friend of my family, married to the great Tate Odder, the Assassins’ ninja goalie. They own this awesome place, and it’s the only bakery I go to for sweets. Since I wanted to get Angie something to tell her not only am I sorry for what happened, but I’m proud of her, I knew I could do it with one of Audrey’s cupcakes. Or four. We’ll see when I get in there.
I head inside, locking the car as I pull the front door open. When Audrey’s bright gaze falls on me, we both beam at each other. “Well, hey there, Ally!”
“Hey,” I say as she comes around to hug me. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too, my love. How are you?”
“Okay. Last night was a mess.”
She nods, concern filling her features. She is also Asher’s aunt. “Lord, my baby’s eye is disgusting. Fallon is freaking out like he is four again.”
I cringe. “Yeah, it was rough. I’ve never seen him act like that.”
Audrey tilts her head as she heads behind the counter. “He’s fiercely loyal. You’re his person, so I think it was a no-brainer for him.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I say as I swallow. I’m his person, but what if I’m not the person he wants to be with? “I need some cupcakes.”
She grins. “Well, sweet girl, you’re in the right place!”
We share a grin as I start picking out cupcakes. One turns into four and then six by the time I’m done. Of course, I need some for myself. I’m stressing, and the sugary delight will make things somewhat better. I get out my card to pay, but she waves me off. “No way.”
“Audrey—” I try, but she pushes the cupcakes toward me.
“Enjoy.”
“Thank you,” I say with a wide grin. “I’ll see you later.” The bell over the door of the shop rings. I turn to leave, and I’m stunned in place. It’s like my feet are glued to the floor as my eyes lock with Asher’s good eye.
He’s surprised to see me, I can tell, and I don’t feel like it’s a happy surprise either. As it normally is. No, it’s “What the hell are you doing here?” kind of surprised, and it scares me. In seconds, I know I never should have kissed him.
“Hey—”
Before he can finish, Audrey yells as she comes toward him, “My Slim Jim!” He groans as she wraps her arms around him, kissing him hard on the cheek. Fallon laughs as she sideways-hugs me. “My poor boy! How are you?”
“I was okay until I came in here and was reminded of my awful nickname,” he says dryly, but Audrey doesn’t seem fazed by his aggravation as Fallon heads toward the counter. Audrey kisses him again, petting his patch and then his chest.
“I made you carrot cake cupcakes to make you feel better.”
He moves his gaze to me for a split second before he looks back to her. “Thank God, I need them.”
“How are you feeling?” I ask, needing his attention.
Needing to know if I really messed things up.
He shrugs. “I’m all right. It hurts like fire. Mom has been babying me and feeding me my meds.”
“That’s good,” I say, forcing a smile. “I texted you.”
“Yeah, I’m really sorry. I passed out when I got to the house, and then this morning I had that follow-up appointment—”
“Oh? How did it go?”
“Okay. It’s a minor cut. He’s not worried about my vision, and I could actually see a bit out of it.”
I nod happily. It’s forced, but hey, I’m trying. “Oh, thank goodness.”
“Yeah.”
Time passes between us, and then I ask the question that’s burning inside me. “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
He shrugs once more. “I don’t know, Ally. My head is all over the place.” I don’t say anything. I don’t know what to say. His gray eyes are dull when they meet mine, and my stomach drops out my ass. “I should have.”
“Yeah. I’m worried about you.”
He draws in a breath through his nose, looking every bit put out. “I know.”
“And I feel we have stuff to talk about.”
He licks his lips. “I figured we’d do it in person.”
“When? Gotta answer the phone for that,” I say sharper than I intended. “This isn’t like you.”
I almost ask if he’s mad at me, but I don’t know if I can handle the answer.
He hesitates and looks everywhere but at me. “I know. Listen, I’m sorry. My meds make me tired and cranky, and I hate this white patch. Emery won’t leave me alone, and yeah, I’m being a dick. I’m sorry.”
But it’s not the apology I wanted.
I nod slowly, fighting back the tears. “Totally fine. Totally cool. Hey, I’ll see you later—”
“Ally—” he tries, but I move past him.
“No, it’s cool. See ya around.”