Page 27 of Be Your Forever
“At first I was confused. I mean this isAsherwe’re talking about, someone I used to loathe.”
“Used to, huh?” Avery eggs me on.
“Ugh yes, okay. I don’t hate the man anymore. He’s been incredible. He’s patient, sweet, but dirty at the same time. It felt nice to be devoured like that, then I grabbed his di—” is all I manage to say before Avery interrupts me.
“Yeah…I called it. Y’all have been circling each other for years, so it’s about time. Wait, did you say you grabbed his dick? Holy shit, Bri, way to bury the lead. How big was it? You should ask for a picture!” I gawk at Avery for asking for a picture, but then I remember doing the exact same thing with her in regard to Cas.
“Ha-ha, very funny. I only got a handful of it, but what I felt was huge and thick. So when we actually fu—”
“When, huh?”
“Yes, okay? When we do have sex, I know I’ll be walking funny for days after. He’s just…different, Aves. He doesn’t look at me like I’m broken. He…just sees me.”
I glance over to Avery who’s looking everywherebutmy eyes.
“Avery?”
“Pleasedon’t hate me, but I have a confession to make.”
“Okay, what is it?” Avery’s nervous energy has alarm bells sounding off in my mind.
“Well, I may have asked Asher to look out for you. I just, well, I knew you were struggling with letting people in, particularly those closest to you. I—um—well, I figured he’d be the perfect person to help you.”
Avery’s confession rattles me, alerting my internal beasts that it’s time to come out and play.
Oh, you thought Asher wanted to be with you because he actuallylikesyou? Oh, honey… How sad.
I—what can I say to that? I mean, she’s right. I’ve held my friends and family at arm’s length, so it makes sense that Avery would do anything she can to help me. But I can’t help but wonder if it was all a lie. If things growing between me and Asher is a lie, a favor for a friend.
“Bri? Say something please. I-I didn’t do it to hurt you. I just knew that if I couldn’t be the person to help you, Asher would.”
I search into Avery’s piercing, green eyes and only see sincerity staring back at me. The smile that stretches across my face is weak, but I’m not upset with Avery. My hurt and confusion lies with the man who I thought genuinely wanted me.
“I know you didn’t, Aves. I’m not upset. I just…Well, now I’m reevaluating every interaction I’ve had with Asher. I just feel so…stupid.” My head falls in my hands.
Avery scoots closer to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Bri, I’m gonna need you to listen to me when I say this. That man worships the ground you walk on. I have no doubt in my mind that if I hadn’t asked for his help, he would have found a reason to do so himself.”
“Maybe you’re right. I don’t know, it’s just a lot to process, I guess.”
“I get that. Maybe you can talk to him? That’s only if you want to. I support whatever decision you make.”
“Ugh, this is making my brain hurt. Yeah, I guess I’ll have to talk to him at some point.”
“Take your time, bee. It’s a lot of information to take in.”
“Enough boy talk. You came here for girl time, so that’s what we’re gonna do.”
“God, I’ve missed you. I love you, Bee.”
“I love you, too, Aves.”
The rest of the evening is spent laughing, snacking, and reconnecting. I know I’ll have to talk to Asher eventually. But that’s later Bri’s problem.
Asher
You. I want you
I’vebeenhyperfocusedon how to help Bri tackle her list, but it’s been more difficult than I anticipated. I couldn’t really ask Cas for suggestions with Max present. There’s nothing more awkward than sayinghey, your sister wants to fall in love with sex again, and I plan to help her with that. I think I’ll pass.
