Page 9 of Ashton's Mountain Man

“I had wondered about that and, of course, that’s all Ashton’s decision,” I replied as my gut churned, thinking about the potential distance and traveling that could be on the cards in the future but in hindsight it didn’t matter as long as he was happy. Whatever Ashton wanted in life, we could make a reality. “Whatever he wants in his future, I’ll stand by his side, guys.”

“I didn’t think you’d say anything else,” Cole confirmed. “But I’ll let him tell you what we have come up with. I think this could actually work for us all,” he uttered as Maxwell grunted in the background. “Anyway, let us know when you’re on your way to the hospital and we’ll tell that lover boy of yours.”

“Please do,” I whispered. “Tell him that I miss him, will you?”

“I’ll give that job to Maxwell.”

I heard him whispering what he was asking as I chuckled away, listening to the way the two of them were. It made me hope that one day Ashton and I would be as close and confident. It was a beautiful sight.

I dashed down the winding streets from the small shop located on the corner of the town of Ashwood and made the normal fifteen minutes journey back to Maisie’s place in just nine minutes. I reached for my key out of my jean pocket and opened up the door.

“Maisie, it’s just me,” I shouted as I walked in and made sure I applied all the safety locks in place.Who knew how adventurous toddlers could be?I’m sure Wyatt was determined to give one of us a heart attack from some of the stunts he’d pulled over the last few days. I don’t dare think about how Ashton is going to react when he sees them and he can’t move that fast to stop him. The fear that’ll be etched in his voice will be hell. It’ll definitely be a motivator to heal and get better quicker. I’m sure of that. Hopefully, that will be for the long term if this conversation goes well like I’m hoping it will with Maisie. “Are you out in the playroom or the kitchen?” I asked, the tone of my voice increased slightly as I winced, realizing the time and, potentially, she could be on the verge of calming down for the little man's nap. “Are you free to talk? I’m sorry if I?—”

“It’s okay, he’s out like a light. You’re not gonna wake him up,” Maisie responded as she popped her head around the corner with a pile of Wyatt’s toys gathered under her arm and her hair tied up in a messy bun, looking exhausted and flustered. I kind of forgot how much of a whirlwind this little guy could be and how little support and time Maisie had on her own. I was the only person she could rely on—that was until recently, of course— then everything just went to shit. My life hit a turbulence that I never expected, and from that moment on, it was as if we’ve gone into the centre of a goddamn tornado, unable toescape stuck straight in the eye. I needed to remember that this woman also needed some time to breathe, and she bottled everything up, knowing how much strain I was under—but this ended today. “Let me just put these away, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. Is everything okay?” she asked, raising her voice slightly in concern.

“Everything’s fine,” I confirmed as I walked straight past and made my way into the kitchen, instantly noticing the chaos before me. I rolled up my sleeves and got to work, putting away all the clean pots and pans before starting on the pile of dirty dishes. I knew this conversation could happen as I cleaned and made this place spotless. If I could do anything to help Maisie, I would, and at this second, I think this would be the breather she needed. I watched as she walked into the room, her mouth dropped open as she saw what I was doing. She was about to question and attempt to stop me, but I wasn’t going to give her the opportunity to let the words leave her mouth. “Why don’t you go out to the fridge and grab us both a cold drink, and then take a seat over at the breakfast bar? Then we can have that discussion…”

“But…” she mumbled in a shaken tone, reaching for one of the now cleaned sides. “I…” I held my hand up with my pink rubber gloves on and paused her from saying anything else.

“Maisie, listen, it’s okay…” I began as I continued working around her and cleaning the last few bits up as she opened up her drink and took a sip, placing my sealed can in the empty place setting next to her. “I won’t be long, but I wanted to talk to you about something anyway.”

“Absolutely. Fire away.”

“Well, Ashton’s due to be released soon, and I feel the recovery would be best in surroundings where he could have people around him to support him,” I began, continuing working away, knowing I wouldn’t have to look at her face to gauge heropinion. “The thing is, my lease is up for renewal in a few weeks, and it's not suitable for getting around with someone of Ashton’s injuries, and then, of course, Wyatt needs to get those crucial moments to know his dad…” I continued. “Then there's…

“Are you wondering, West, if you and Ashton can have the extra room that’s technically already yours most of the time anyway?” Maisie chuckled as I turned to face her, attempting to remove the pink rubber gloves that were definitely too tight and realizing I needed an extra hand. Maisie jumped down from her perch, struggling to compress a giggle before reaching and pulling the gloves off and shaking her head. “Trust you to get them stuck. What else are you thinking?”

“I’d ensure that we did our fair share. I mean, I could tie a cloth to an extra-long stick so Ashton could even reach some areas to dust,” I suggested as she gasped loudly at me and pointed her finger.

“You will not. He’ll be resting and getting to know his son. After all, it's thanks to him that he didn’t get hurt that day,” Maisie admitted to me. “Tell who you need to, West. We’re both happy to have company. Trust me in that, and if it means having more time just to sit down like this, I’ll definitely take it.”

I just had to tell Ashton about my plans and hope that I hadn’t overstepped the mark.

It was time to bring my man home.

CHAPTER 7

Ashton

I knewthat the lifestyle I had currently wasn’t the typical family dynamic, but it was one I wouldn’t change for the world.

I loved how in the period of a few months my life had flipped on its head and I had ended up with everything I thought I would never have. It wasn’t something I had dreamed or thought for myself, but now it had happened, my life was perfect. I’d been the guy who was confused and scared of commitment and ran from my whole life, uncertain of what could be if I just let go for once, and went with what my heart desired rather than the misconceptions of what I thought of others.

Now I was living for myself. The future I thought I deserved.

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting to see you today,” I whispered gently, concentrating intensely as I guided myself back onto the edge of my bed. Ensuring I held my core, I slowly leaned my weight exactly how I had been shown and been practicing. I had the largest smile across my face, even though I held my breath and counted the seconds I inched myself backwards, hoping I didn’t crash like last time. I’d promised myself that I would manage to do this today. I’d been getting myself more and more frustrated each and every time someone had to stepin and help me. I just wanted to show I was strong enough and had the strength to do this on my own. I felt so safe, though, as Alexandria and Kelsie, my rehabilitation physiotherapist and nurse, stayed by my side, watching my every motion as I managed the move unaided for the first time. “I can’t believe I just did it,” I gleefully replied, glancing to Alexandria and Kelsie before they patted me on the shoulder, and my gaze turned to fix solely on his. “You could have waited until tomorrow.”

“And miss that moment,” West growled, prowling toward me as the two women chuckled and walked past me to the door. I quickly turned on my heel and called them back, tilting my head to the side. “Will you still be around twenty? I have that paperwork completed, but I just need to run the final details past this one.” He nodded toward me and the two women nodded at one another.

“We’re just going to take our break, but if we’re not at the desk out front, just ask one of the nurses to give us a call,” Alexandria responded before smiling widely and checking her watch attached to the pocket of her uniform. “It’ll be good to get a start on the arrangements, as Ashton’s definitely ready now to transfer to the next stage and get out of here.”

“I am.” I gasped with a sense of hope. I couldn’t wait to finally be away from these stark white walls and the constant wake-up calls having to do my observation checks. I also knew that I needed to have a deep conversation about what Maxwell and Cole discussed with me earlier and the opportunities that could mean for us. If I was honest, it felt they were now sticking around on tenterhooks, waiting for me to let them know what my thoughts were, especially as I was in the clear and healing. “I thought it would be a lot longer yet. I mean, what if today was a fluke—a one-off occasion, and I can’t do it again.”

“That's just the doubt creeping in,” West uttered as he came to sit by my side.

“He’s right,” Kelsie replied as she paused in the doorway. “This battle is as much about your mental state and battle as your physical one. Trust me, you can do this,” she confirmed before waving goodbye. “Just bring those forms to us in a little while. You have about thirty minutes until visiting finishes for the night.”

“Thanks,” West replied as they left the two of us alone in private and the instant urge of needing to touch and hold him overwhelmed me as he dropped his head low and took in a deep breath. “I couldn’t wait to talk to you,” he whispered in a low tone that it was nearly impossible to hear him. The ache in his voice emotionally teared at my skin. “I know I should’ve waited until the morning, but I would never have settled this evening if I didn’t at least get a few precious moments with you.”

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