Page 89 of Bleeding Hearts

“Could we not tell King about this?” Asher adds from behind me.

“I can’t deal with this.” Kaden shakes his head like he’s trying to rid it of an image. “I’m going to find my wife. Demi, come grab us when you’re ready.”

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I call after him before turning to Asher and letting out a small laugh. “Well, that was fun.”

“Even if he does try to kill me, I’d die a happy man.” He shrugs, hugging me into him again.

“Come hang out with us when you get off?” I ask, looking up at him.

“Of course.” He smiles and I nod.

I reach into the pocket of my jeans, grabbing my phone as it starts buzzing. I look down at the screen and see Mother written across it. I click ignore, shoving it back in my pocket.

My mom’s been calling more than normal lately. It started around two weeks ago when Asher and I got back from Portland. At first, it was just once a day, but these past few days, she’s been calling two or three times a day.

I’ve been ignoring her, but I can’t lie and say the urge to pick up, to try again with her, isn’t there even if I know it will end badly.

“Are you talking to her again?” Asher asks, knowing that we don’t speak but still not knowing why.

“No, she’s been calling, but I don’t answer.” I hesitate. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that, though. My family and why I don’t speak to them. Maybe you can spend the night tonight and we can talk then?” I ask, knowing that he deserves to know and it’s time for me to tell him.

“I’d like that a lot.” He smiles down at me softly.

“Good.” I smile back. “Now, do you think I’ve given Lo enough time to calm him down?”

“I think you’ll be okay.” He laughs. “I’ll call you as soon as I get off to see where you’re at.”

“Okay.” I press a quick kiss to his lips. “I love you,” I say, the words still feel a bit foreign on my tongue, but I also love the way they sound.

“I love you too,” he calls back to me. I walk out the door with the biggest smile on my face because I’ll never get tired of hearing that, feeling it, loving him.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

Asher

I lie next to Demi in her bed, playing with her hair as she lays her head on my chest. Gordon Meowsy lies on top of one of the four towers Demi bought him, curled into a ball fast asleep.

After I finished work, Kade, Logan, and Demi were all already back at Demi’s apartment. I ended up stopping at my apartment to eat and change quickly before meeting them there.

They were all gathered in Logan’s old room, which Demi had unofficially turned into Gordon’s room full of towers, cat beds, toys, and a litter box.

I walked in right when Gordon was in a seemingly playful mood, using Kade’s arm as his own personal chew toy. Kade struggled to get the kitten off him while Demi and Logan laughed at him.

The four of us played with the little guy for about an hour before Kade and Lo left, calling it a night.

Kade didn’t say anything else about almost walking in on Demi and me in the break room, although I caught him giving me a dirty look once or twice before Logan stole away his attention.

I’m guessing we’re just going to agree to never discuss it again at this point which is totally fine with me.

I’ve never had an issue with my sex life being on display before, but with Demi, I feel more protective of it. Maybe it’s because sex between us means more.

It’s fucking amazing. I mean, the best I’ve ever had, but it’s also a way of connecting with her that I’ve never had with anyone else.

After they left, Demi fed Gordon and left him in his room to play while she went to shower. I followed her into the shower more than willingly, finally being able to continue what we started earlier.

Then I followed her to bed, where we are now.

I haven’t said anything since we lay down, waiting for her to breach the topic of her family like we talked about earlier. I never want to force her into talking about it, but I can’t lie and say that I’m not happy that she brought it up.

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