Page 71 of Pretty Poison
“I didn’t just let you down. I let your parents down also,” Asher continued. “So I wanted to apologize for my selfishness, state my intentions to win you back, and get their blessing.”
Rocky shook his head. “I can’t believe you think any of this is your fault.”
“None of it was your fault either, Ford,” Asher said. “You can’t see that, though. You’re still blaming yourself for Julia Warner’s actions. You see her as another victim instead of the woman who set you up.”
“She was really sick, Asher.”
“You don’t know that. She used you to ferret out the location of their hookups, then followed you. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it’s easier for you to believe that she was sick. Either way, it doesn’t excuse her actions. What her husband and sister-in-law did was fucking awful, but she’s the monster here. Her nieces and nephews were already losing their father, and she killed their mother. And what about her own kids? They’re parentless too.” Asher’s voice shook with anger, and he shoved back from the table and began pacing the length of the room. “Fuck, I didn’t mean to start this conversation before you went to work.” He took a calming breath and said, “You might be ready to forgive her for involving you, but I’m not. I don’t know if I ever will be.”
Rocky sat quietly and stared at the table. This was the same argument they’d had countless times, but it was the first instance where Rocky was willing to admit there was some truth in what Asher said. He now understood that his husband’s anger hadn’t been directedathim; Asher had been—and still very much was—furious on his behalf. He pushed back his chair too and went to him. Asher stopped pacing and opened his arms.
“You did nothing wrong,” Asher whispered, folding Rocky into his embrace. “One day, you’ll believe it too. Until then, I’m going to remind you.”
Rocky rested his forehead against Asher’s shoulder. “Tighter,” he whispered.
Asher obeyed, squeezing Rocky harder. “I love you so fucking much. I promised your parents I wouldn’t fuck it up this time.”
Rocky lifted his head. “Did you use that salty language? My mom is a sophisticated lady.”
Asher scoffed. “Michelle is indeed, but I believe her exact response was ‘you better not fuck this up.’” Tilting his head, Asher pursed his lips together while he thought. “Or maybe she threatened to fuck me up.”
Rocky laughed. “That sounds more like something my sister would say.”
“Yeah, we did have some conversations over Zoom, so it could’ve been CeCe.”
“Tell me how this rental thing came about again? Did my dad venture off into a new business? I knew he bought a fixer-upper to flip.”
“It’s the same house,” Asher said. “I called at just the right time. All the major renovations were nearly done when our paths crossed at the Spencer home. By the time I returned from getting them settled, the house only needed the carpets shampooed and fresh paint.”
Rocky narrowed his eyes. “Did you really plan to move into the house, or was this whole thing a setup between you and my folks?”
Asher shook his head. “I’m being a hundred percent honest. I had every intention of moving into the house until I could win you back.”
“Had, huh?”
Asher took a deep breath. “I’ll still accept your parents’ kind offer if you need more time. I don’t want to rush you into anything. Maybe you should hold out for romantic dinners and slow dances under the magnolia tree.” Rocky’s heart melted from the earnest and hopeful gleam in Asher’s eyes. “What do you want me to tell my landlord?”
They still had so much to discuss and work out, but one thing was for sure. Rocky didn’t want to live apart from Asher for one more second.
“Call the guy and let him know you’ve already found a place.”
“Ford.”
“Hmmm?” he asked without looking up from the pot of chili. Rocky mentally reviewed the spices and the amounts of each he’d added as he continued to stir. Had he forgotten a seasoning or added too many? His backyard was brimming with people—some familiar faces and some new—and Rocky didn’t want his dish to suck. God, how he longed for the days when he didn’t care what people thought of him or his limited ability to cook.
Asher stepped up behind Rocky and slid his arms around his waist. “Oh, good, you’re back.”
Rocky chuckled. “I haven’t gone anywhere.”
“Maybe not physically. I said your name thrice before you heard me.”
TheSchitt’s Creekreference made Rocky smile. It hadn’t taken Asher long to get hooked on the show. They’d binged most of the seasons the past few evenings, usually while sharing Ben & Jerry’s. Ice cream kisses had become Rocky’s new favorite thing.
Asher rested his chin on Rocky’s shoulder. “The chili looks done to me and smells incredible.”
Rocky smiled at theSchitt’s Creekreference.
“Was this barbecue a bad idea?” Asher asked. “Our friends seem to be getting along really well. My team might be a little suspicious of Felix, but it comes with the territory. They’ll warm up to him. They think Jonah and his supercomputer Stella are pretty badass. And everybody loves Marla and Betty.”