2. Asher

“You should come with me,” she pleads with me.

My hands fist at my side, a cold sweat lines by back although everything inside of me is do damn hot. Anger forces adrenaline to surge through me.

None of it is for her. Not an ounce of this is for my Bri. I hate that look in her eyes. That hurt and even sympathy she has for me right now. My face flames with embarrassment.

My throat’s tight as I swallow and attempt to calm down. With a tension ringing throughout my body, I attempt to answer her without any of that shit back there being shown to her.

“What all did you hear?” I question.

Her head shakes, that ponytail sways and her gorgeous green eyes widen as she tells me she couldn’t make out what we were saying, but she heard us arguing.

I love this girl more than anything, but I don’t want to share this with her. I can’t. I can’t let her know what happened.

Heaving in a breath, I take a look behind her and I don’t see her father’s car.

“Did you walk?”

“Yeah,” she whispers at the same time that there’s a commotion behind me. Probably my dad pushing the sofa out of the way. A heat flows over my body and I move before either of them can come out here.

She can’t see this.

“Come on,” I pull her by her elbow as I walk passed her. All I want is to get to to my car and get the hell out of here. Her flip flops catch in the gravel as she tries to keep up.

“Shit,” she curses beneath her breath.

My sweet little Bri cursed. Fuck. I stop everything and turn to face her fully.

“You alright?” She’s bent down, those little shorts creeping up as she grips her toe and hisses.

“Fine,” she mutters, her expression scrunched and then she reaches up, grabbing my hand in hers. That right there. There’s a shift, an immediate change.

It feels like breaking down though and I’m quick to turn back and head to the car. Focused on keeping my shit together.

I can’t speak, I’m barely conscious of opening the car door for her. But I’m all too aware when I squeeze her hand and she squeezes back before letting go.

After I close the passenger door, I nearly stop before heading around to the driver’s side. Just so I can deal with this shit before getting in. Just a moment.

I just need one fucking moment but it never comes.

Pushing through it all, I get into the driver’s seat, turn the ignition of the Chevy and drive off. As the car is pulling away, I peek up into the rearview to see my father walking out onto the porch. Arms crossed and a beer bottle dangling from one hand.

I hate it here.

I hate him sometimes too.

“You okay?” Bri asks, her small hand landing on my thigh as I turn down the gravel road, my family home from view.

Words tumble at the back of my throat, all the thoughts that have been weighing me down compete to be heard. I don’t know what to say. That’s the God’s honest truth. But I settle on one thing as I flick on the AC to high.

“I just want to leave sometimes.” It’s far too simple. But at least it’s true.

“Where do you want to go?” The innocence and surprise isn’t hiding in her question.

“I don’t know.” Truth is, I’ve never even let myself think of where. Because the moment I think of leaving, I know I can’t. I barely passed high school. I put all my savings into the garage to start my own mechanic shop … and I can’t leave my mom.

“I don’t know, but right now I just need some space I think,” I tell Bri honestly as I drive down the long road to get to town.

I could go to Robert’s. I could stay there. He’d let me just like I’ve let him for years.

“Please don’t say that,” Bri whispers.

I have to take my eyes from the road to look at her. It’s a quick glance but then I take another. I love Bri, I’ve always loved her, but she keeps at it with needing more from me that I can give her.

Hell, I have nothing. No way to come see her across the damn country and that’s all she wants from me.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” I tell her. The last she text me, she gave me an ultimatum. Come up to see her or we’re over. I almost tell her, as far as I knew we were done, but that vulnerable look keeps the thought locked in the back of my throat.

“I want you to come with me,” she murmurs. Her hand shifts on my thigh and I think she’s going to take it away, but she doesn’t. She turns in her seat to face me, the leather of it groaning.

“Just come up north with me.”

“And how am I supposed to do that? Really Bri? I don’t even know if we’re together anymore.” I can’t help it as my hand twists on the steering wheel. It just flies out of my mouth. “You change your mind every five fucking minutes.”

“Don’t cuss at me,” she scolds and takes her hand back to cross her arms. Just like my father just did.

“Don’t--” I start but bite my tongue. I’m frustrated and worked up. I know better.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize and she doesn’t react other than to soften slightly in her seat.

I glance up and see the sign for main street but I drive passed it. I don’t even know where we’re going.

“I’m sorry too,” she tells me after a moment. And her hand comes back, I’m quick to grab it and steer with my left.

“I need you right now,” I don’t know where it came from, but I’m guessing something in me had to tell her that truth too.

“I’m here. I’m right here.”