15. Asher

15

ASHER

“ M an, you aren’t going to believe this shit,” Jagger says, standing in Lennon’s laundry room and pulling on the wires to do a thorough look through before the electrician comes. I had a sneaking suspicion something wasn’t right, and I know the codes with being a firefighter as well as helping out in the construction business.

“Not sure I want to know, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion about what you’re going to find.” She’ll probably kick my ass and then the company’s ass that did the electrical work with what Jagger is about to tell me.

“There’s a splice, a motherfucking splice.” I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and now I’m gonna have to be the bad guy before Lennon gets home to deal with this shit.

“Jesus, fuck, got another problem. She’s got a warranty on this shit. Now I’m in a pickle because I’d rather one of ours work on this than the company that was hired during the inspection,” I say .

“The problem being? She’s your woman. I know what I would damn sure do.” Jagger pulls the wire through the opening, allowing it to hang where there’s a wire nut connecting two pieces of wire. There isn’t even electrical tape covering it.

“You think Kennedy is independent, I think Lennon could give her a run for her money.” The only reason I’m standing here right now is because I reassured Lennon about ten damn times that this isn’t a big deal.

“Not surprised. Never had any use for a meek woman. The last thing we want is for a woman to roll over and take it without a fight.” Jagger takes a step off the ladder. We move out of the laundry room and into the kitchen to wait for the wannabe electrician or Lennon. Whoever comes first, we’re going to need to communicate on what’s going down pretty damn fast.

“True enough.” I look around Lennon’s kitchen, noticing all the personality she put into this place. A night-and-day difference from Estelle. While they seem to have the same eclectic tastes, Lennon’s house is bright and airy, whereas Estelle preferred the room to be darker even during the day.

“It’s go-time,” Jagger says when he hears the same thing I do. The closing of the door alerting us that someone’s here. I’m trying to figure out how to tell Lennon the bad news when she flings the door open, drops her bag, and rushes toward me.

“Asher, I have to tell you something. It’s probably going to make or break this relationship. I’ve been dying to get this out since my therapy appointment and then talking to my sister and Catherine. It’s only made me feel even worse. I should have told you from the very first kiss when I poured my heart on you in the laundry room.” She is on one of her rambling streaks. Nothing will deter her from getting this out. Letting her know Jagger is here won’t help, so I just let her keep talking while she’s standing in front of me. I’m going to have to thank Luke for the uniform at his office. The black scrub top and bottoms mold perfectly to her curvy figure, her hair is pulled up in a ponytail, and she’s got colorful socks on her feet. When I got home this morning, Lennon had her mug in her hand, keys dangling from her fingers, and a bag on her shoulders. I barely made it in time to kiss her before she set off for work, but I made it, and let me tell you, that is the best way to start my day.

“Gorgeous.” My hands cup her cheeks as hers go to my chest, fingers clenching into my pecs.

“No, I have to tell you this.” She takes a long and deep breath, eyes closing for a mere second before she’s back to talking. “I’m serious. The reason for my divorce is because I failed.” My body locks up. No fucking way would Lennon ever screw up so big it would cause a divorce. When Trent yapped for what seemed like everything about Lennon and her record, I picked up on the irreconcilable differences and that she filed, not him. Fucking coward, throwing all this good away. Florida’s a no-fault state when it comes to divorces. You don’t have to state who did what or prove who’s at fault. Tysen went through his own set of problems years ago when he had to file to get away from a woman who was bleeding him dry in more than the financial department.

“Lennon, gorgeous. You didn’t fail,” I interrupt her .

“How do you know that?” she asks.

“I see you. I see all of you. You couldn’t fail even if you tried.” My thumbs sweep her cheeks.

“Oh, wow.” I’m tempted to take her mouth, but she hasn’t told me what she thinks she failed at.

“Yeah. Now you wanna tell me what’s got you all in a tizzy?” I dip my knees, letting her see she’s got my undivided attention.

“I can’t have kids. That’s the reason I finally left. Zach wanted children. We tried, but nothing happened for over a year. The distance between us became unbearable, until one day, I had enough and left with only the clothes on my back. It took me a few days to get my shit sorted, then I went back to the house when I knew he’d be at work to get my things.” Tears start to tumble down her cheeks, one after the other, so fast I’m unable to keep up with wiping them away.

“He blamed me. He blamed me for everything. The reason we didn’t have children earlier in our marriage was because I was too busy raising Minnie. And when she was out on her own, I wanted time for us, and not the mounting pressure to be a baby maker. When I finally felt comfortable to start trying, I couldn’t. My body wouldn’t let me.” Fuck me. And fuck him for making her feel this way. He’s a piece of shit. It’s a damn good thing I have no idea where this dickhole lives, or I wouldn’t be liable for my actions.

“Ah, fuck, gorgeous. Come here.” I pull her into my body, wrapping my arms around her as she goes to town burrowing into my chest. It’s clear now the reason I’ve seen the pain behind her smile and why she’s been so apprehensive to take the hands she’s been offered. Her ex has her thinking all kinds of crazy shit. The way Lennon’s put her life on hold for everyone else except herself pisses me right the fuck off.

She is trying to get herself together, slowing down on her tears and working through the emotions it took for her to tell me.

“You ever see a doctor?” Jagger interjects. My eyes narrow on his. This fucker just shrugs his shoulders like it’s no big deal he interrupted a private moment. I swear to fuck, my brothers are trying to kill me off when it comes to Lennon Sinclair.

“No,” she answers freely, then it clicks, “Oh shit, I didn’t realize anyone was here with us. I’m sorry.” She goes to pull away from me, but I’ll be goddamned if I’ll let her do that.

“I asked Jagger to take a look at the wiring before the electrician comes.” She nods, and only then do I let her move away from me, still keeping my hand on her body, palming her hip to give her a semblance of comfort.

“What’s wrong?” Lennon asks.

“Asher here had a hunch, asked me to confirm his suspicions. There’s a splice in the ceiling, which is a big no-no, and I’m assuming they did that to cut costs and corners,” Jagger states.

“Well, doesn’t that just figure. Umm, you’ll have to guide me in this situation, and I’m sorry for asking your help after only meeting you, never mind my blubbering nonsense.” Lennon pushes her shoulders back, and it’s like nothing ever happened. Meanwhile, Jagger’s got a point. From what Luke has said in the past, it’s a fifty-fifty on who could be dealing with the infertility.

“You’ve got options. I’d like to stay and see what he has to say first and then go from there. Asher mentioned you have a warranty. Not sure how good it’ll be, and I’m thinking they did this, there’s no telling how much more they’ve done.” Jagger has a point.

“I’d appreciate that a whole lot.” She looks from Jagger to me, making sure I’m okay with that.

“Gorgeous, we’re staying. Neither of us wants to see you get had by a sleazeball.” I feel her hand reach out to my thigh, holding it there.

“Oh, okay.”

“I’m going to head outside and meet the electrician.” Jagger doesn’t stop there. “Heard you work for Luke. I’d suggest talking to him. Figure if he can’t determine the status of your baby-making skills, he probably knows someone who does. Also, your ex is a piece of shit. The good news is, you’re with Asher now, and with him come eight other men who’ll have your back no matter what. Welcome to the club, sweetheart.” Lennon isn’t expecting what Jagger does next, but she goes with it all the same. He wraps his arms around her shoulders and pulls her away from me for a moment to kiss the side of her head. He might be my friend; that doesn’t mean I’m not ready to tear him away from my woman. I’ve got a feeling once the whole crew gathers around, it’ll only get worse.

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks.” Jagger nods then heads for the front door, leaving us alone .

“You good?” I ask once the door is shut.

“Besides feeling like an idiot and embarrassed for allowing my words to get away from me without realizing your friend was here and that’s how we met for the first time, I’m peachy.” I chuckle at her admission.

“Lennon, love that you came in the house and only had eyes for me. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You’ll see soon enough what the fools in my friend group are like. They’re a bunch of ridiculous, overgrown men who don’t act their age half the time. Now, about the other stuff.” I don’t want this to get heavy. I also don’t want this weighing on her shoulders, either. “Jagger is right, and doesn’t that just piss me the hell off. The least he could have done was let me be the one to give advice.” A small laugh leaves her.

“He’s right. I’ve been working through this in my mind. I should have requested we both be tested. He was just quick to throw the blame on me and do it in such a way that I felt like I already knew I was the problem. I guess that’s what happens when you marry someone who has issues of his own.” Yeah, as much as I want her to elaborate on that, I’m thinking now isn’t a good idea to bring it up.

“Set the appointment up when you’re ready, and I’ll go with you, yeah?”

“Alright, I will. My insurance doesn’t pick up for another few weeks, but then I will. What’s the worst that could happen? He says I’m the problem when I already think I am. My biggest worry is that you want children and it’ll be a deal breaker.” There’s the truth of the matter, right there, all wrapped up with a ribbon tied around it .

“Lennon, I’m not with you for your baby-making skills. I’m with you for you, children or no children. You want them, we can foster, adopt, and there’s surrogacy.” My woman rushes me once again. I lock my knees, holding steady as she burrows into me. Lennon Sinclair might think I do a whole lot for her, but damn, does she do just as much for me.