Page 71 of The Sidekick

“So, that’s mine for the night,” Shade takes the phone from Andi and sends another call to voicemail. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

I could fight them on this. I should put my foot down and demand my phone back. Dr. Robinson would not approve of this method of communication at all.

Instead of standing up to them, I say, “I kind of need that. It’s my first night at work, and I can't call anybody if there’s an emergency.”

“I’m dropping in to check out the toys anyway. I’ll bring you something to eat, too,” Andi shrugs.

I shrug right back and get ready for work.

Babygirl,

Or should I write, dear diary? Things are better with Max. He’s been going to a gym to vent, and I spend that time trying to write to you without him seeing and going to therapy. If he knew I was doing this, he would trash these before I got them mailed out. It’s our secret. My therapist says it’s safe communication.

Max blames me for you leaving, and I can’t fight him on it because he’s right. I think I deserve this. My heart hasn’t been right without you, and I did it to myself. I did it to you. I don’t think I’d even have the balls to talk to you if you came back.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Asher

“Have you ever thought about having a poly relationship?”

The question comes out of nowhere, and I’m jerked from my current thoughts as Max kicks into the guard and knocks me off balance.

I shake my head to frown at Max dubiously.

“Got a problem with it?” He takes a guess and begins to shut down his emotions as he pauses for me to get back in place.

“No,” I answer honestly and resume my stance, “My sister has a poly relationship. If it was a problem, it would have made it awkward when she asked me to be a witness for the vows.”

“The tattoo sister?” He grins, shoulders loosening again. The guy is too touchy to start asking questions he might not like the answers to.

“No, the legal secretary sister.”

“How many sisters do you have again?”

“Four. I’m the youngest,” I goad him and shake the guard for him to get back to work.

“So, you’ve already seen war.”

I can’t help the laugh that comes out.

He starts his reps again and comes back to his point. “Have you?”

“No.” I haven’t met one person that I would have any kind of relationship with, much less two or three.

“Afraid a guy might try for you?” His eyes narrow as he waits for my response.

“No.”

“Are you bi?”

I step back and lower the guard. “I don’t think my sexual orientation is any of your business. Are we working or gossiping again?”

“Gossiping,” he assures me without hesitation. “I’m just saying you should think about it. You don’t even have to be intimate with anyone. You could be an emotional buffer.”

I grab my water bottle, draining it as he speaks.

“It would be perfect,” his eyes glaze over as he contemplates his fictitious scenario. “When Trev is a complete asshole, and I get too pushy and demanding, you could be Tera's emotional support.”

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