Page 7 of Camden

I just wouldn’t sleep with anyone if it weren’t Stephanie.

The thought of anyone else touching me repulsed me and I probably wouldn’t be able to get my dick up.

Stephanie could be my endgame. She just didn’t know it yet. I’d convince her to give us a chance, though, because I didn’t give up easily.

Even if I had to spend the next year punching a bag every day and using my hand to get pleasure.

“What did that bag do to you?” Asher asked as he stepped up next to me.

I grunted. “Just getting a quick round in before I have to head to the station.”

Asher moved to stand behind the bag and held it steady as I landed a combination. Something about my fist connecting with the bag helped to calm me. “Did Mason and Rylie make their flight on time?” I asked, breathing heavily.

“Yeah, I dropped them off at six this morning.”

I nodded, throwing a left hook.

“What was going on with you and Stephanie last night?”

I paused, rubbing the sweat off of my forehead with the back of my hand before planting my fists on my hips. My chest heaved. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “It seemed like an intense conversation is all.”

Asher and I had never been incredibly close. I was better friends with Mason, but like his brother, Asher was a pro at relationships. At least until his girlfriend passed.

Abandoning the bag for the bench, I sat and unwrapped my knuckles, flexing them twice. The skin red, but not bleeding. Sweat dripped from my hair. “Can I ask you something?” I leaned forward to rest my elbows on my knees and glanced up at him. Ash rested one shoulder against the wall, arms crossed. It was times like this when he looked strangely like his twin. He nodded, waiting for me to continue. “How did you convince Carrie to give you a chance?”

His brow shot up. “You mean to date her?”

“Yeah.”

“You want to date Stephanie?” He asked, his voice incredulous.The asshole didn’t have to sound so surprised.

“I would like to.”

“And not just for a roll in the hay?”

My jaw clenched. “Watch it,” I warned.

He pushed off of the wall and put his hands up. “What? You can’t blame me for asking. It’s not like you’ve ever been a one-woman type.” He’s not wrong. “Stephanie doesn’t seem like the type that you mess with. You know? She’s the kind you take home to mom.”

My lip twitched. My mom would love her. “I’m aware.”

“Okay. Well, all I did with Carrie was ask her on a date.”

“You didn’t need to convince her. Woo her?”

He smirked. “Woo?”

“You know what I mean, dick.”

Asher chuckled. “I do. And no. I didn’t have to convince or woo her. But we were in high school, man. At that point, you just ask someone out and they’re automatically your girl. It’s easy.” He shrugged again.If only it were still that easy.

“Okay. What would you do now?” I leaned back against the wall.

“If I wanted to date now?”

“Yeah. If there was someone you actually wanted to give up your bachelor life for, what would you do?”