Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 81248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“You say that like it’s so easy for a guy with pride the size of Vermont. When he saw you with West, he felt like West was trying to get back at him for the Ezra thing. Which happened forever ago, before they made up, but he thought they were past it. So seeing you always flips him back into that headspace where they’re against each other, even if it’s a misplaced emotion.”
“Pride cometh before the fall,” I point out.
“Aren’t you a math teacher?” Kole tilts his head. “I’m sure you’re making a point, but I don’t think it’s the one you think you’re making.”
“It means he’s going be his own destruction.”
“Except Asher already is that. Or at least, he has been for a long time. And when that’s your default, it’s a hard thing to shake. He’s trying. Trust me. But he’s also not the kind of guy who’ll just flip a switch to be all sunshine and rainbows.”
I want to argue that we shouldn’t be accepting that kind of behavior, when Kole continues.
“He’s done a lot of changing this past year. Last night he admitted to me he feels like shit that he can’t just put it behind him, but everyone has flaws, and this is one of his. You don’t have to like it—I just wanted to give you his side of things.”
He’s right, I don’t have to like it. But hearing the way Kole talks about Asher makes me stop and think. He obviously cares a lot for that grumpy kid, and if the situation was reversed and it was West being the asshole, I’d want people to understand too.
“Thank you.”
“If it helps,” he says, wiping down the counter, “he’s consciously trying. Sure, he might not be pleasant now, but give it time.”
We finish the dishes, but I can’t shake what he said. The version of Asher I see is shrouded in my impression of a slacker jock with authority issues, but what Kole said makes sense. Old habits are hard to break, but if he is trying, like actually trying and not half-assing it, that should count for something.
I guess time will tell.
29
Westly
There’s nothing better than waking up next to Jasper. Except maybe when he’s fucking me into the mattress. Or over his desk. But both of those locations mean we have to be quiet, and I’m waiting for a day where we can be alone at his place and I can scream as loud as I want to while he pounds my prostate.
After the team wins regionals—something I wish I could’ve gone to see but had to stay home with the kids—and they get back to Vermont, Asher’s in a weirdly good mood. He tells us we should go stay at Jasper’s, and I could almost kiss him. Even if he’s my brother and still mad. I pretend his offer is an olive branch, but we both know it’s actually that he wants to celebrate his win without seeing Jasper’s face.
They’ll get along one day. I swear they will.
Jasper has spent nearly every night at our place this last week, so when we go to his house and step over the threshold into complete silence, it’s an odd sensation.
“Hear that?” I whisper.
“What?” Jasper strains to listen.
“No screaming kids. No moody teenagers. No Asher mumbling ‘Fuckstain’ under his breath.”
“I never understand how anyone who calls me that thinks they’re being original or funny.”
“It’s my night away from all of that, so let’s pretend they don’t exist.”
Jasper snorts. “You say that, but I know you’re going to have your phone on loud in case any of them need you.”
“True, but until that hypothetical call comes through, I’m all yours.”
He steps forward and pulls me against him. “All mine, huh?”
“Yep.”
“I was kind of thinking tonight I could be all yours instead.” He blinks up at me.
“As in …”
“I want to try bottoming for you.”
Now I’m torn. “I do want that, but do you know how long I have waited to be completely alone with you with thick walls and no need to be silent? I’ve been dreaming of having you in my ass and fucking me until I’m wrung out and the only name on my lips is yours.”
Jasper reaches to adjust himself. “Change of plan. I can’t say no to that.”
“I can do you in the morning.”
A long sigh leaves his lips. “We almost had a romantic moment there, and then you had to ruin it by offering to do me.”
“Doing you is romantic.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. I’m the king of romance.”
“With your zero relationship experience.”
“Hey, just because I’ve never done it before doesn’t mean I’m not acing this shit. Right? Am I right?”
Jasper smiles and kisses me softly. “Yeah. You actually are. Considering how little free time you have, I haven’t once felt like I’m not one of your priorities.”