Page 232 of The Sidekick

Asher smirks and assists with putting the half dethawed shrimp in random places all over the house. The smell is going to be horrible by the time they return.

“I call this house fully pranked,” Max yells as he gets down from a desk that made him the perfect height to hide the seafood in the curtain rails.

“Let’s get a late lunch,” Asher says and waves him down so we can leave.

“I know a place that does excellent shakes,” Max assures me as he passes.

Asher is right behind him.

It gives me a chance to stand in front of the camera and sign I love you to Shade. I don’t care how long it takes him to watch this with a laugh. I’ll still care, no matter what.

Chapter Sixty-Two

Tera

We eat and settle into peaceful conversation. There are a few hitches but overall we all seem to get along. No matter how hard Trevor is fighting against it. I catch him laughing under his breath when he thinks no one is looking.

It’s obvious that Asher and Max are already friends. They aren’t flirting at all. It’s snarky comments insulting each other. The fact that Asher won’t put up with Max’s attitude is telling. He just gets quiet and gives Max a flat look that makes him pout and look to Trevor for help. I think Trevor is enjoying not giving it to him.

I watch them with a smile, not really pitching into the conversations much. I’m enjoying this. I don’t want it to end.

We go back to the house and watch a movie together. After a forty-five-minute argument between them on what to watch. I’m learning so much about each of them.

Max likes action movies, Asher likes horror, and shockingly Trevor likes comedies. I’m not going to force them to watch a rom-com with me for our first night all together. That seems like a two-month dating milestone.

When Asher gets up and stretches I start pouting. It makes Max laugh and flip Asher off.

“Feel the burn, asshole,” he cackles.

Asher ignores him beautifully and leans down to give me a soft kiss.

“I’m going to miss you, angel,” he whispers and rests his forehead against mine.

“I’ll miss you, too,” I tell him honestly. I’ve only slept next to him two nights, one of which I wasn’t even aware of. It seems a bit much for us to be this clingy but I love the feel of him next to me. To be able to roll over and feel him there is a comfort I never knew I needed.

“Do me a favor, ok?” He asks solemnly and crouches down in front of me to meet my eyes.

“Yes?”

He smirks at the instant reply. “Stay away from your work for a while. Just in case. I don’t feel right about how they left. It was too clean.”

My brows furrow. I should look into it, too. Andi moved Shade’s car somewhere and returned Asher’s car to his apartment. Why would she do all of that if they were gone?

“I think you’re right,” I mutter. “I’ll look up their info and see where they are.”

“Safely,” he warns me with a raised brow.

I nod quickly and give him a peck on the cheek.

“Tomorrow, then,” he says. Then he stays crouched in front of me long enough that Max starts yawning loudly and kicking his feet out.

“Good night Asher!”

He stands in a fluid motion and touches his fingertips to his lips and then mine. When his face turns towards Max the soft expression drops into a flat, icy cruelty.

“See you on the mats,” he says in a tone that sounds like he’s an executioner.

He passes Trevor with a nod and then leaves, taking my car to get home.

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