Page 53

Lexie

We spent the evening playing games with Brody and Daisy. Here at the cabin, with Ash, it feels like the rest of the world is a thousand miles away. I had fun. It’s polar opposite from how I had been spending my time not that long ago. No alcohol … no drugs … no loud music … no smoking … no sex.

I’m brushing my teeth when Ash steps into the bathroom with me. His eyes meet mine in the reflection of the mirror as he sticks his toothbrush in his mouth. He’s shirtless, and his chest is … holy mother of god. It’s perfection. I’ve never seen him like this.

When we’ve finished brushing, he picks me up and sets me on the counter. He wets a washcloth and begins to wipe the mascara from my eyes. “I’m not here because of the way you look or how you fuck …”

I wince at the harshness of his words. “What’s left?”

He shakes his head. “You, Lexie. Just you.”

With my face clean, and my ego humbled, he leans forward and kisses me. It’s slow, and even though I sense his hunger, he doesn’t increase the speed as he coaxes me into opening my mouth. His tongue slides across mine, and my stomach flips. It’s firm and sure. My toes are just beginning to curl when he pulls away, leaving me longing for more.

“You and me, we’re a thing now. Nod your head if you understand.”

I nod, not really understanding, but if he says it’s true, who am I to argue with him?

He reaches in his back pocket and pulls out the new phone he bought for me. “I’ve set the alarm for five am. I’ll see you then.”

Before he walks out, I stop him. “Wait. I can use the phone?”

“I trust you.”

When he walks out, it rings as if on cue. It’s JD.

I answer it. “Hello.”

“Hey, sweetie. Elizabeth and I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing? Is everything going okay?” JD asks.

“I’m good.”

Elizabeth speaks. “Ash said Brody showed up unexpectedly.”

I laugh lightly. “Yeah. He brought a friend. She’s really nice. I like her.”

“I’m so glad. It sounds like you had a good time tonight.”

“Actually, I did.”

“Brody’s date in Reno must have gone well if it hasn’t ended.”

“I wouldn’t end it, either. There’s something about her. She’s really cool.” I sit down on the edge of the tub.

“Well, hopefully we’ll get to meet her soon. We can’t wait to have you home.”

Home.

If I close my eyes, I can almost smell their house. It’s the best place in the whole world. I don’t know how to describe it other than comfortable. Or at least it was. I messed that up.

“Hey, I have something to tell you guys.”

“You can tell us anything,” JD encourages.

What if they don’t want me to stay with them after this?

Ash’s deep laugh echoes from the other side of the door. It sounds like he and Brody are giving Daisy a hard time about the squirrel they encountered on their walk. She was sure it was a bear.

“You can trust us, Lex,” JD assures me.