30. Sunday

THIRTY

Ilaugh so hard at the photo from the kiosk that I'm in tears. Wade and Ash went on an alien invasion-themed roller coaster while I sat on the bench after the corkscrew ride from hell. The picture was snapped when they were upside down in a loop, and an animatronic alien sprung out, scaring Ash, who was pale-faced, screaming, and trying to climb onto Wade.

"Delete that!" Ash barks, his face bright red.

"Oh, hell no!" I shove him out of the way and give the young man my sweetest smile.

"Hi there, sugar!" I beam at the guy behind the counter, laying on my accent as thick as possible. "Would you be a doll and print that picture for me, please?" I bat my lashes, and within thirty seconds, I'm the proud owner of two eight-by-ten photos.

"Really? Flirting with another man? While on a date with me? And after I protected your son from an alien attack." I snort out a laugh as I nudge against him.

"You left me no choice, charming. I wasn't leaving that kiosk without this photo." Ash laughs as he wraps an arm around me and gives me a squeeze. Today has been beyond amazing. It's like our first date at the taco truck, only better. Ash has been so laid back, there's been zero nervousness or weirdness, and most importantly, he is showing Wade so much attention.

I nearly sobbed when he said he wanted Wade to come with us on the date. I had to take him to suck his dick just to stop me from crying and asking him to live with us. No one had ever wanted to take Wade along, especially if the outing was a date. Ash has balanced his attention perfectly between Wade and me as if he's been doing this forever.

I watch as Wade runs ahead to decide on the next ride that'll probably cause me to vomit. I slip my hand down to Ash's, and he instantly grabs it, intertwining our fingers. It feels so intimate, and I love it.

"I'm having a lot of fun." I give his hand a squeeze. Ash lifts our joined hands and kisses mine.

"I'm glad, sweetheart." He smiles. "Wade seems to be enjoying himself, too."

"Mom!" Wade comes rushing back. "Look!" I follow my son"s gaze and frown. It's a ride where you sit in the car and shoot monsters with laser guns. Lasers can trigger a seizure, and that's the last thing I want to happen today.

"Oh, ummm… I can't–"

"I got it, sunshine." Ash kisses my temple. What the fuck is that? I feel my heart flutter at the sweet gesture while watching Wade and Ash run off to show their fast passes. I smile softly at the two racing each other and playfully shoving at one another as I go and have a seat on the bench next to where they will exit after the ride.

I can't believe how amazing this day has been. I'm certain my cheeks will be aching from the amount of grinning I've been doing. Staring at my phone screen, I smile to myself. When we walked into the amusement park, a worker offered to take our picture. I handed her my phone, and she captured the best picture ever. I stand between Ash and Wade, both leaning in to kiss my cheeks, but I grab their cheeks in my hands and squeeze them, making them both have goofy fish faces. I change the settings so that the picture is on my locked screen as I continue to stare at it.

"Oh my god, Sunday?" My body goes rigid at the feminine voice. I know that voice. I glance up from behind my sunglasses to see Shannon, Ash's ex, standing there in a bikini top and brown shorts. I have to admit, she's very blessed in the breast area, bitch.

"Yes, ma'am." I give her a small smile. "How are you, Shannon?"

She wrinkles her nose as she sits next to me. "Don't call me ma'am. We can't be that different in age."

I laugh lightly. "I didn't mean any disrespect; it's just habit." I look around the area for Hudson or anyone she might be with. "You here with a party?" I ask, trying to figure out why she's sitting right next to me and hoping she leaves before Ash and Wade come out.

"Mhmm… my date is grabbing us some drinks." I nod.

"Hudson, right?" Shannon laughs, and I shift slightly.

"Hudson is my fiancé, not my date. No, I'm here with my personal trainer." She lowers her sunglasses and gives me a wink. "Gotta keep your good dick and your money dick separate." Oh my god, she's the absolute worst. I don't want to be here right now.

"Well," I stand up, brushing off my jean shorts. "Have fun with that. I need to wait for the guys."

"Are you still fucking Ash?" she laughs. "Honey, he ain't a good dick or a money dick. What are you doing? I mean, I know you're saddled with a kid, but you're arguably attractive. Why settle?"

"Excuse me?" I snap, feeling a familiar urge to hit her. "Ash is an amazing person! Don't talk about him like that. Actually, no, don't talk about him at all. And never mention my son again."

"Trust me, there ain't much to talk about," she mutters. "I mean, no money, no inheritance, and it's constantly ‘I'm having a panic attack'. I can't tell you how many times I had to tell him that he was a grown man and that grown men do not have panic attacks. I mean, fucking grow a pair. All he had going for him was his average looks and decent-sized dick, not that he could even figure out how to use it."

"You're a horrible person," I say firmly. "Ash is probably one of the greatest men I've ever met. And I've seen what your abuse has done to him. I've seen the scars you left. And I hate you for it. I hate you more than I've ever hated another human, which says a fucking lot, trust me. I'm just thankful you don't have him anymore because you never deserved him. He's a good man. He's kind, caring, and protective, and he deserves someone to give him that in return."

Shannon huffs as she stands up. "Oh, and I guess you think you're that person? You think you're perfect, don't you?"

"No," I say quietly. "Far from it. But for as long as Ash will let me, I'll be here to show him exactly what he deserves. Which is everything you're not." I sneer at her. I glance in the reflection of her glasses and see the two male figures behind me. Whipping around, I see Ash and Wade standing there. Ash's face is pale, and I wonder how much he heard.

"Ashy," Shannon purrs as she brushes past me while waving her fingers in Ash's direction. "Enjoy your outing."

Once she's gone, Ash and Wade walk up to me. "How was the ride?" I try to fake a smile, but neither of them takes the bait.

"Amazing! Can I go get a drink?" Wade asks me.

"Yeah, bud," Ash answers, but he still looks at me. He reaches into his wallet and pulls out some money, handing it to him without breaking our eye contact. "Grab your mama something too." Wade nods and runs off.

"I could've paid," I mutter, and only then does Ash turn to watch Wade enter the concession store. Once out of sight, Ash turns back to face me and closes the distance between us, capturing my lips with his. I'm taken by surprise at his public display of affection, but I welcome it, wrapping my arms around his neck and standing on my tiptoes.

He breaks us apart after a minute and presses his forehead to mine. "I heard it all," he whispers, kissing my lips softly. "Sunday, nobody has ever been…" I watch as he struggles to find the words, and I kiss him again.

"I like you," I whisper, and he chuckles.

"I know."

"So,are you ever coming back to Hel's?" Janie pants as she slides, rather ungracefully, down the pole. I can't help but laugh as she drops to the ground and groans. Indy continues to stretch slowly on the floor, reaching for her toes.

"I don't know," Indy mutters. "I've got to get myself strengthened back up and I'm having a hard time with stairs after this last one." This is the first time we've hung out with Indy since she ended up in the hospital. I suggested hanging out at Ren's, but Indy wanted to move around, stating that it was best for her to be mobile, at least a little now that she isn't in a bed anymore.

"Well, take as long as you need." Janie smiles from the floor. "Your spot is always yours."

A knock on the door catches our attention.

"Sorry," a very shirtless Derek states. "I ripped my shirt. You wouldn't happen to have one for the studio I could buy in my size?"

"Nope." Janie smirks and winks at him. "Are all the guys in there shirtless?" Derek rolls his eyes.

"No, but I'm sure if any of you snap your pretty little fingers, those idiots would strip instantly." His eyes glance at Indy. "Oh, hey, Indy, how are you?" I watch as she goes bright red.

"Fine," she says softly. She tries to stand up but is unable to fully support herself, causing her to fall to her hands and knees.

"Shit," Derek curses, grabbing her small shoulders and helping her. "You alright, darlin'?" Oh my god, I think we all just got a raging lady boner on Indy's behalf.

"I said, I'm fine!" Indy shoves Derek away. "I don't need your freaking help!" She huffs and storms off. "Ash! I need to go home!" We hear her calling. Derek stands next to us, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Come on, Romeo," Janie sighs, standing up and patting Derek's chest. "Let's see if Sunday has your size."

Knock knock

I knock back on my wall and smile. My phone rings and I tuck my earbud in before accepting the call.

"Hey," I say softly as I continue folding laundry.

"Hey, sunshine," his voice is soft and sleepy, which is understandable. He and the guys worked on the studio for about seven hours today. "What are you doing?"

"Folding underwear," I sigh and shake my head at his suggestive chuckle.

"Oh? Tell me more. Lacy? Black? Thong?"

"Boxers, blue with SpongeBob on them." I laugh as he groans.

"Fiiiiine, ruin my fantasy," he mutters. "I miss you."

My heart does this little flutter as I place Wade's underwear in his basket. "Well, you know where I live."

"Yeah, but like, isn't there supposed to be a three-day rule after the first date?" he asks, and I snort as I flop on the bed.

"I feel like after our first date, we didn't talk at all for a couple of years."

"Ha ha," he grumbles sarcastically.

"If you want to come over, come on. I'm about to order Chinese for Wade and me."

"Ugh, you are a temptress, but I can't. Indy and I are fighting, and I've only completed phase one of the four phases of her argument."

"What are you fighting about?" I ask as I flip through the channels on the TV.

"She wants to move out." I halt my channel surfing at his words.

"Where's she going?" He lets out a long, tired sigh.

"I have no idea. But she's tired of feeling smothered or some shit."

"Sorry, charming. So, what're you going to do?"

"Dunno." I hear him stretching and standing up. "I've had a roommate forever. Before Indy, Atlas lived here. I can't imagine living alone, you know?"

"Well, you got us," I chuckle, but quickly notice he has gone dead silent. "Ash?"

"Y-yeah? Um... living together?"

"I meant as neighbors, don't have a coronary." I try not to acknowledge the hurt I feel at his sigh and relieved laugh.

"Right, right… Well, I just wanted to call and talk to you for a minute before the next round of battle starts. Have a good night, sunshine."

"Yeah, good night, charming," I say as I disconnect the call. Commitment is hard for him, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want it. At least, that is what I keep telling myself.