29

"I have loved you all along."

Asher

The rhythmic beats of Simple Plan filled my room, with the bass thumping against the walls as I lay on my bed. Lost in the song, I didn't notice the heavy footsteps approaching until my door swung open and my father's head loomed in the doorway.

"Others are living in this house."

I could sense the disappointment in him. With a sigh, I braced myself for the unwanted confrontation.

"Gracie likes it."

Dad stepped further into the room, like an army general expecting it for dust.

"Your sister likes anything you do." He said. "I wish she'd pick a better role model."

"As long as it isn't you, I think she'll turn out just fine."

He glared at me in frustration. I hit a nerve.

"Have you thought of a college yet?"

"I told you I'm not going." I retorted, the defiance creeping into my voice.

"Stop being stubborn. You're only hurting yourself." He lectured, his tone growing sterner with each word.

"Did you not, for one second, think you might be the reason?"

The tension in the room crackled as we glared at each other. It seemed neither of us would back down. The unspoken resentment I had toward him was bubbling to the surface.

"You're blaming me?"

"Of course I am," I said, scrunching my nose in disgust. "I can't forget what happened."

"You said you'd never mention it."

"No, I said I'd never tell."

He raised his finger, ready for another verbal attack, but Mom's voice disturbed us.

"Tell what?"

Neither of us spoke. I looked away from my mother's imploring gaze and to the window.

"Asher, what is going on?" My mom asked.

Her concerned voice broke through my reverie. I forced a smile, my heart heavy with a truth I couldn't bring myself to share.

"It's nothing serious."

"Are you sure, sweetie?" She asked. "You seem flustered."

The words were trapped inside my throat. There was no way I could open my mouth without causing destruction. With that thought in mind, I exited my room. My footsteps echoed as I stomped down the stairs two at a time. I couldn't confront the truth, so I fled.

The cool, outside air offered little solace, as it felt like the force of it all weighed down on my chest. It was suffocating and relentless. I slipped into my truck, tightening my hands around the steering wheel as the engine roared to life beneath me. My foot pressed against the pedal. The car lurched forward as I pulled out onto the peaceful street.

The miles unfolded before me, revealing a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes in the world outside. I could finally breathe, as each moment was a fleeting reprieve from my troubled thoughts. I glanced at my destination on the GPS. Five hours away. It was a lengthy drive, but worthwhile.

I pressed down on the accelerator, following the ribbon of asphalt ahead. As the hours slipped by, fatigue weighed down on me, but I pushed through, fuelled by the prospect of my destination.

After what felt like an eternity, I pulled into the parking lot of the bookstore. I dashed inside, my footsteps echoed against the polished floors as I made my way to the counter. A woman in her mid to late twenties welcomed me with a warm smile.

"May I help you?"

"I called for the Shakespeare sonnets book."

Her eyes widened in realization.

"Asher." she said before ducking under the counter.

The rare copy seemed to shine in the soft glow of the bookstore's lights. My fingers traced the embossed letters on the spine.

"I hope you enjoy it." She said. "It's an amazing collection."

"It's actually for a friend. It's her birthday today."

"She must be an important friend for you to drive all the way here."

My lip twitched at the mention of Sawyer.

"She is."

I handed her the money with a last goodbye before exiting the store. As I sat in my truck, I cradled the book in my arms. Excitement flooded my veins as I pictured the smile on her face. Perhaps this would be her best birthday ever.

??

As I pulled into the familiar driveway, I nearly collapsed in exhaustion. However, the anticipation of Sawyer's gift gave me the fuel to keep moving. With trembling hands, I clutched the book against my chest and dashed across the street to her house. With a steadying breath, I rapped my knuckles against the door. My heart sank as the door swung open. Josh stood with his arms folded across his chest. He regarded me with a raised eyebrow.

"What do you want?" he asked, with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

"Not to talk to you."

I brushed past him and crossed the threshold, maintaining an unshaken confidence. Sawyer's voice echoed from their living room.

"I told you to be at the party venue." Josh hissed in my ear, glancing around to make sure Sawyer wasn't in earshot.

"I changed my mind."

I walked into the living room, beaming at the smile on her face when her eyes met mine. Without hesitation, I extended the gift bag to her. My heart soared with anticipation.

"Happy birthday, Sawyer."

She accepted the gift with a grateful smile before digging into the bag like a kid on Christmas. I watched as she reached into the bag before revealing the book. There were tears in her widened eyes as she gaped at it as if it held the answers to the universe. We all stood in silence for a solid two minutes before she peered at me through her lashes.

"How did you get this?"

I shrugged, trying to play it off. I wasn't about to reveal that I'd driven five hours there and back to get her something as simple as a book - especially not in front of Josh.

"I know someone."

She threw her arms around me, taking me by surprise as we stumbled backward, but she didn't release her hold around my neck. I smirked at a fuming Josh over her head as I wrapped my arms around her waist. Even as we pulled away, the smile lingered on her lips as she gazed at the book the same way Gollum looked at The One Ring. I was so caught up in the desire to give her the gift that I didn't notice our mothers were sitting in the room, watching our exchange.

"Babe, we need to go." Josh said.

What a jerk.He always ruined the moment. I delivered a heated glare in his direction as if telepathically challenging him. His words set me back, but I would not let him destroy my confidence. He thinks he's the better man, but I'll show him why I'm better.

Game on, brother.

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