Page 45 of Asher
“Seriously?”
“I just got you. I’m not ready to be away from you yet, and Nix will be so excited to see you,” I added. I didn’t usually use my daughter as a bargaining chip, but I knew Haley wouldn’t be able to turn that down.
“And Carrie’s parents?
When we reached my truck, I yanked the back door open and tossed our bags in before prying the strap of her camera bag from her death grip. “They’ll be happy.”
“How could they be happy about this?” She motioned between us. I knew this conversation would happen eventually.
I was hoping to avoid it.
Carrie’s family had been in my life for the past ten years and would be in my life forever. It was part of the reason I never felt the need to date, even though they had pushed me to get back out there.
They knew the truth.
I sighed and opened her door, motioning for her to get in. When she just stood glaring at me, I grabbed her hips and lifted her into the truck. A cute squeal escaped as I lowered her to the seat before shutting the door. Haley had never been one that liked to be manhandled but judging by the pink of her cheeks and neck, I think she might enjoy it more than I thought.
Maybe that’s why she always shut it down before.
Maybe she just couldn’t handle the feelings that popped up whenever we got too close.
I smirked, rounding the hood of my truck. Grabbing my sunglasses off the dash, I slid them on and started the engine. Haley stared at me, waiting. “Have I ever told you that Carrie and I had broken up right before Nix was born?”
Her jaw dropped. “What? No?”
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck as my chin dipped toward my chest. I hadn’t told anyone when it happened or even after Carrie passed. It was too hard. I was too broken. Putting the truck in reverse, I reached over and grabbed the back her head rest as I backed out, my bicep flexing.
When we pulled out of the airport parking lot, I continued. “We had broken up and were going to do the co-parent thing as friends. Carrie and I started dating young. We were already on the rocks when she got pregnant and we tried to make it work as a couple, but it just wasn’t working. She was my best friend. She meant the world to me and still does. I told you that it hurt when I lost her, and it did. I wasn’t ready to date anyone else and it took you for me to be ready now.”
My grip tightened on the wheel as she rested her palm on my thigh. “Ash. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
Shrugging one shoulder, I looked over at her. “I hadn’t told anyone. Not Mas, Bennett or Cam. It didn’t matter because the end would’ve been the same. But Carrie had told her family, and they were supportive of our decision. They’ve been telling me for years to put myself back out there. That it’s what Carrie would’ve wanted.”
Her head ticked to the side, blonde hair falling out of her crazy bun.Fuck she’s pretty.“You think they will be happy about this?”
My cheek twitched. “I guarantee they will. They’ve heard stories about you from both me and Nix.”
“You talk about me?” Her voice was full of wonder. Like it was crazy that we brought her up to anyone.
“Of course, we do. We love you, Hales. Plus, they really wanted to meet you after Nix’s birthday.”
“Why would they have wanted to meet me?”
I grinned. “Because they wanted to meet the girl who brought soup to their sick granddaughter.”
Her eyes widened. “You told them about that?”
“I didn’t have to. They were at the house that day.”
“You mean the day that girl answered your door?” She clarified, turning to look out the passenger side window avoiding me. A hint of distaste dripping from her voice.
Biting my lip to keep from laughing, I rolled up to a stoplight. “No need to be jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” she huffed.
“Right,” I deadpanned. “Stella is Carrie’s cousin. She came over that day with Carrie’s parents to see Nix.”
Her head swung in my direction when the realization dawned on her. “Oh, my God.”