I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his neck. His arms come around me and we hold each other, soaking up the love we have and the knowledge that, from now on—no questions—we’re in this together.

Chapter 27 – Asher

Damn, it’s been one crazy week. I’ve been running after the same skip—three different states—and finally, I’ve caught up to the slimy bastard. Of all the places I have to end the chase, it has to be a strip club. After almost starting a brawl in the club, I finally manage to secure the bastard and make my long drive home.

Almost twelve hours later, with the afternoon sun blazing high in the sky, I feel like my body is literally dragging on the ground. I just want to get back to my apartment and crash. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if I sleep for a week straight.

The first thing I do when I climb my tired ass up the old stairs to my one-bedroom rent-by-the-week apartment is pull out my phone and call Coop. It’s been almost two weeks since we talked last, and I hate going that long without checking on him.

“Ash!” he bellows through the line, making me wince. Damn migraine.

“Hey, brother. How’s it going?”

“Uh, you know—same shit, different day. We’ve got some kind of crazy going down here. I’m starting to think it wouldn’t feel normal if things weren’t falling to shit.” He laughs. Leave it to Coop to find something in any situation to laugh about.

You never would have guessed that he was the same kid who used to cower meekly in the corner. Damn, I’m so proud of the man he’s become.

“Yeah, not sure that’s something to be excited about, man.”

“No sense in acting like someone pissed in my Cheerios either.”

“Guess you’ve got me there, Coop.” I laugh dryly.

Damn, I’m tired.

“What’s got you down, big brother?” he worries.

I consider how much I want to tell him. I’ve always tried to keep him from seeing just how lonely I am. I know he’s content with his life, but sometimes I wish he felt differently about his outlook on the future. The ‘fuck and run’ we’ve both mastered over the years is getting old as hell. For once, I’m starting to wish I weren’t so fucked up and I could find some normal Suzie Homemaker and make some normal life for myself.

“You ever get sick of this shit, Coop? I just spent the last seven days on the road chasing after this dirtbag that skipped out on his bail—again—only to come home to my empty apartment. Hell, I don’t even really have an apartment. I pay for this crap weekly and there is nothing of mine here. All this furniture came with the rent. I don’t know, brother. I guess I’ve just been wondering if there’s more out there for me. For us.”

He’s silent long enough for me to think that the call dropped, but he clears his throat and I sit, waiting to hear what he’s going to say. This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about wanting something more. Or rather I’ve talked and he’s listened silently.

“I didn’t realize you were still feeling this way, Asher.” He exhales. “Just because I don’t want more—ever—doesn’t mean that you can’t have it. Look, we had one fucked-up childhood. Things got easier for you when you got older, and I guess I still see things differently. I refuse to ever be that weak motherfucker again. I’m in charge of my life, me alone, and I will never give another person the power to hurt me. I get it, man. I really do. The guys here seem to be dropping like flies, and their chicks aren’t anything like she was. They’re really amazing ladies. But even knowing that there’s something different than her out there doesn’t change my mind.” He takes a deep breath, and I imagine him pacing around, collecting his thoughts. “I’m happy with my life the way it is, Ash. I’ve got some great friends here, my own place, a job I love, and enough pussy to last me a lifetime. The only thing that could make that better is if you gave up that bounty hunter shit and came to work with us.”

“Yeah, not sure that’s going to happen. I like the challenge of my work,” I argue.

“Whatever. The point is, I don’t need more to be happy. I’ve got a good life, brother, and if it were all over tomorrow, I wouldn’t have one damn thing that I regret. You only live once, right?”

“Did you just YOLO me? Damn, Coop, we need to get you graduated from high school,” I laugh.

“Hardy har har. Laugh all you want. You know I’m right.” His deep chuckle comes through the line, and I smile, picturing him standing there, smiling like a freaking idiot.