Page 78 of Use Me
Dad stood as we entered the room. “Dad, this is Rhys. Rhys, this is my father, Glen.”
Rhys stuck out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise.”
Carter stood and stuck out his hand. “I’m Ashtyn’s brother, Carter.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
Ethan came up with his hand out as well. “Rhys.”
“Ethan.” They shook too.
“Mom and the girls are in the kitchen?”
Dad nodded. “Dinner should be ready soon. I hope you’re hungry.”
I groaned inwardly thinking I was going to gain ten pounds in one day and I’d eat so much that they’d need to wheel me out because it would be too uncomfortable to move a muscle. “Let’s have you meet the women, and then you can come back here and do man stuff.”
“Man stuff?” Rhys laughed.
I waved my hand at the TV. “Watch men hit each other as they try to get a ball.”
“Football,” Rhys stated as though I had no clue.
“Don’t let this one fool you, Rhys. She knows about every sport,” Dad chimed in.
I knew the basics because of my job. I had no idea of stats and stuff like a lot of guys knew when they talked sports over beers. Now, ask me anything about Scandal or How to Get Away with Murder and I’d be all over it.
“I know she knows more than she lets on. She got Jeremy Roenick to meet me last night and sign a jersey for me.”
All the men looked at me, and I shrugged. “I know a guy who knows a guy.”
“I can’t wait to see what you got us for Christmas,” Carter beamed hopefully.
I frowned. “Nothing.” Then I looked at the door where we’d set a few bags down that had wrapped presents in it.
“Don’t be like that, Ash. I saved your life,” Ethan stated.
He had, and even though I got them signed jerseys too, it would never be enough.
It’s crazy to think that one night and a decision to walk to the closest bar instead of going nuclear on a bitch was the best decision I’d ever made.
Ever. Made.
I can’t even think what my life would be like without Ashtyn in it. Sure, I might be dating—might even have another girlfriend—but I knew that she was the best thing to ever happen to me. I knew it in my soul. I knew it in my bones. I knew it in the core of my being.
I just hoped she felt the same way too.
While Ashtyn was at work and I was watching her broadcast, I grabbed my laptop and started to search for homes for sale. She’d mentioned finding a place with a fireplace, and I wanted that too. I didn’t want to remind her that she had one in her condo because it was clear that she never wanted to sleep there again. I would be more than happy for her to permanently move in with me and why not buy something to share? However, in a few months, we wouldn’t even need a fireplace because the weather would start warming up. Maybe we needed a place with a pool and a fireplace. The best of both worlds.
But would I be willing to sell my condo and buy something together? Would she? What if we broke up? Of course, I never wanted to break up, but sometimes fate has other plans.
I had to be smart about this.
A few hours later, a key in the lock turned, and Ashtyn walked in.
“Hey, Cupcake.”
