Page 60 of Chronicles of a Rockin' Mess

I don’t even have time to say anything before Asher is jumping on the bed and licking us.

Lark laughs. “I don’t think that puppy gate works.”

“You think?” I ask her as Asher pounces on me. I groan as his foot presses on my dick. “Dude, easy with the family jewels.”

“Asher! Careful! I may need to use that later,” Lark says, her laughter picking up a few notches. Pretty soon we are both in hysterics with tears streaming down our faces. I’m not even entirely sure why. Asher grabs my blanket in his teeth and shakes his head back and forth.

“Asher!” we both yell before falling back on the bed in more hysterical laughter. We end up wrestling around with the puppy until he settles down between us and starts nodding off to sleep.

“I wish I could sleep like that.”

I laugh at Lark’s statement. “It’d be nice,” I reply as I stroke Asher’s soft fur.

Lark falls back on the pillow next to me. “I needed a good laugh,” she states as our hands touch on top of Asher. “He’s a good puppy.”

Asher’s ears perk up at her words. “And clearly a smart one,” I say, and his head turns toward me. Lark giggles.

“Who’s a good boy?” she says in a silly voice reserved for animals and babies. Asher’s head spins toward her, and he pants with a tongue hanging out of his mouth. Lark leans down and kisses his head, and he licks her face.

“We should probably feed him.”

I look over at the clock. Lark’s right, we slept in, but Maria comes in late today.

“Go get in the shower, I’ll get him fed,” I say to her. She opens her mouth but quickly closes it. I hope she isn’t having second thoughts about last night. Last night sealed the deal for me. I thought she was the one before, but now I know she is. She’s fucking mine, and I don’t care if I’m bad for her, I will do whatever I can to make her life amazing.

I’m deep in thought about this while standing up to grab a pair of shorts when my phone rings. I look down and frown, it’s my mom, and she never calls this early.

“Mom?” I answer.

“Lincoln. I’m sorry to call so early, but I didn’t know who else to call. I’m at the hospital with Dad,” she says, her voice quivers, and I know she’s upset.

“What’s wrong?” I ask as I sit down and run a hand through my hair, my nerves increasing with each breath because in our family the word “hospital” isn’t said lightly.

“He got up in the middle of the night and was complaining of chest pain. I called for an ambulance. They are running a bunch of tests. I didn’t want to call until I knew he was alright,” she says.

“Wait. Slow down, Mom. Was he having a heart attack? What are the doctors saying?” I ask her.

She sniffs, and I know she’s really upset. “What hospital are you at?” I ask her.

“County General,” she answers.

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“OK,” my mom whispers. I hang up and stare at my phone for a moment. I suddenly feel Lark’s hand on my shoulder.

“Lincoln? Is everything OK?” Lark asks, her voice filled with concern.

“It’s my dad. Can you feed Asher?”

“Your dad?” she asks, following me into the bathroom, Asher on her heels.

“He’s at County General. They think he might have had a heart attack.”

“Oh god! I…let me feed Asher, I’ll come with you,” she says, scrambling out of the room. Asher follows her.

I take the fastest shower ever, cursing myself for the fate of the universe. Why now? And why my dad? Lark’s voice breaks through my thoughts.

“Lincoln? I fed Asher and let him out. Maria should be here soon. I called her, and she’s on her way. I let Kade and Harry know. I hope that’s OK,” she says softly.

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