Page 140 of Trusting You
36
Locke
“Here are the briefs you refused to ask Carter to bring you,” Asher says as he enters my hospital room. He dumps a plastic bag on my chest.
“Thank you for your kindness,” I grind out as I attempt to sit up.
“Yeah, and for making me go through your underwear drawer instead.” Asher makes himself comfortable on the chair beside me. “So, you like red, huh?”
“Fuck off.”
Asher relaxes by placing one boot on my bed and crossing the other over. “I’m getting told that a lot lately.”
“Oh, yeah? Who’s the latest chick who saw the light and decided to dump your ass?”
“Yours. Carter.”
I unlock my jaw. “She ain’t mine.”
“Whatever she is, she’s in a fine mood.” Asher cocks his head. “The same kinda cranky as you. If I were a smarter man, I’d say it’s almost as if the two of you are mooning over each other and refuse to admit it.”
“I said. Fuck. Off.”
“She’s got another chick with her,” Asher says.
I want to ignore him, maybe nap some more, but he’s piqued my interest, exactly as he’s intended. “Who?”
“Someone named Sophie. Heard of her?”
“Yeah.”
“Who is she?”
“Not your conquest.” I emit a warning growl, then trail off in a series of sore coughs.
“Fuck, you and Carter, man. Seriously messing with my nuts.”
“I’ve no doubt you’ll bury your nuts elsewhere.”
Asher grins. “Funny you should mention, got one tonight. So, I can’t stay long. But Carter said she’d be here in a few, with your spawn.”
I nod. “Good.”
Asher, in an uncharacteristic show of concern, says, “You two should talk.”
“She doesn’t want to.”
“So? Who gives a fuck? Talk at her then. Tell her what really went on back then, with your baby mama. I dunno, explain to her how you feel and shit.” Asher twists his mouth like the very act of saying such a thing is foreign to him. And hell, it is. To me, too.
“She made her feelings clear,” I say. “I’m not going to push her. I’m not that guy.”
Asher shrugs. “Your call. But that could be the problem.”
“Do expand, Dr. Whittaker. What could the issue be?”
“Call me by my father’s name one more time, bro.”
“I’ll fight you,” I say. “Even strapped to a gurney, I could still kick your ass.”