Page 217 of The Sidekick

Asher’s eyes lift over my head as he takes in Trevor’s stance, his arms tightening around me.

“Are we good?”

“Hell yeah we are,” Max’s mutter interrupts whatever tense standoff is going on perfectly.

“Max,” Trevor says in an exasperated tone. “Yeah, we’re good. We’re going to butt heads but who gives a shit.”

An indefinable tension washes out of Asher as he nods.

“Everyone’s happy, let’s all go home and cuddle.”

“I am not cuddling this asshole,” Trevor snaps at Max.

“Fuck that,” Asher agrees with a wince. “I can only tolerate so much Max.”

I giggle as Max starts laughing.

“Come home with us, really,” Max pleads with me.

I turn in Asher’s arms to see him lying on his back with the soft blanket draped over his lap. The way he stretches and settles back, turning his head to see me is convincing. He looks relaxed and in a perfect place right now. I want that with him. But also, not just him. My eyes drift to Trevor as he scowls at Asher.

“Not tonight,” Asher says calmly.

Max starts to glare.

“This is a lot for one night. For all of us,” Asher tells him sternly. “We’ll meet up again tomorrow and see how everyone is feeling now that the stress is off.”

“The stress is off,” Trevor scoffs angrily. “Yeah, right.”

“I’m good,” Max says in a taunt.

Trevor’s glare is dark enough I shiver.

A song starts to play that makes my brow furrow. It takes me a second to recognize it.

I straighten my clothes with wide eyes and scramble to answer it. Max laughs at the frenzied movements, probably recognizing the ringtone already.

“What’s wrong?” I gasp out. If Shade is calling this late at night he’s either drunk and needs a ride or something is very wrong.

“Hold off on tomorrow.”

I blink stupidly. “Revenge isn’t in progress?”

“They want to meet up in the morning and hash things out.” His voice is tense but filled with hope. It kills me because I want to support him but I also want those jerks to pay. If they haven’t respected him by now they won’t. Ever.

“Shade,” I whisper and turn to Asher with a concerned frown. “Are you sure? I don’t feel good about this.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” he says belligerently. “I’ll find out once and for all how this is going to play out. Then I’ll call and tell you which way to play it.”

“I’ll go with you,” I quickly assure him.

“No,” he’s just as fast to shut me down.

“I don’t want you meeting up with them alone anymore,” I feel my jaw slide into stubborn mode. “That trust train is never coming back.”

“Jesus,” he mutters in frustration.

I stare at Asher, bracing myself.

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