Embracing Series Box Set #1-6

by Delisa Lynn

  “We’re going to dinner. I’ll pick you up in five minutes.”

  “Five minutes? I just got home.”

  “Pulling into your complex now. Dress comfortable.”

  “Ashton?” I say, but he already hung up. Shit, I feel like a damn fool.

  I quickly check my makeup and hair. I make sure Sal has water and food and turn the TV off. Then I hear a knock on the door. I slide my heels back on and make a beeline toward the door. I swing it open and there stands Ashton. He has on a pair of denim shorts, a black tee and a pair of Converses.

  “Hi,” I say breathlessly as he leans in and kisses my cheek. “Where’s your truck?”

  “I’m on my bike. Here, you may want this,” he says, handing me a piece of paper.

  “What is it?”

  “Toom’s number. You wanted to bang sexy tatted dad, right?”

  “No, it’s not him. It’s you, you big lug.” I smack his arm. My cheeks burn with nervousness.

  “Baby, that’s not even his number. I knew you were talking about me, but as long as we are just friends, I won’t be helping you with that little issue.” He leans closer, placing his mouth right above my ear. “Once you’re mine, then I will make you come so hard, you’ll see stars for days.” I gulp. He laughs and kisses my cheek.

  “Friends…”

  “Yep, that’s we are,” he replies. “Now, let’s roll. I’m starving.”

  “Let me grab my purse. Should I change shoes?” I ask, looking down at my two-inch heels.

  “Yes, that would be a good idea. Grab a jacket also. I want to show you a place I like to go to think.”

  “Okay, come in while I change.” When I open the door farther, Sal runs and greets him. He reaches down and scoops him up in his big tatted arms.

  “Hi, buddy. You miss your friend, Donatello?” He asks my dog. I see Sal licking his face. God, I would love to be my dog right now. Ugh, what is he doing to me?

  “Okay, Sal, I’ll be back. Be good.” I take him from Ashton and sit him on the couch. “I can’t stay out too late. It’s a school night.”

  “You’re too cute. I promise to have you home by curfew.”

  “Thank you.” I lock the door.

  I’m a mess. I’ve never been on a motorcycle and I’m terrified. He hands me a helmet and I secure it on my head. I climb on behind him and wrap my arms around his waist.

  “Hang on tight,” he says, starting the metal up. “Keep your feet on the bars. Do not bring them down.”

  “Okay. This is my first time on a bike.”

  I hear and feel him chuckle. “Good, I like that I’m your first.”

  He turns a few knobs and we are on our way. The wind is amazing. I’ve never felt anything like this before. Being around him makes me feel free. Closing my eyes, I keep my arms wrapped around his waist.

  As the wind picks up, I bury my face in his back. His scent always takes me to a place I’ve never been, a place I could spend the rest of my days in, wrapped up in his arms. His lips pressed to mine, hearing him call me baby…Wake up Ansley, this isn’t going to happen. Friends is what we are, friends is all we will be. My past has ruined my future.

  “You okay back there? We’re almost there.”

  I titter. “Doing fine. This is amazing.”

  “I can’t believe you’ve never been on a bike before.”

  I adjust my body to the slight right turn and hang on tight. With my eyes still shut, I let out a laugh. “Ellis, you drive me crazy. You know that?”

  “Is that a good thing?” he teases. As I feel the bike come to a stop, I open my eyes and see that we are at a small Italian Bistro. I’ve seen it before. It’s on the route I take to work.

  “Are we here?” I immediately feel dumb after asking the question.

  “Yes. Easy, I’ll help you. Your legs may feel a little wobbly, kind of like after you ride a horse.” He pulls my helmet off and looks into my eyes. “You’ve ridden a horse, right?”

  Shaking my head, I turn so he can’t see the embarrassment in my eyes. How do I tell someone who seems to have had a wonderful childhood that I come from nothing? That my parents were on drugs and I spent most of my time in my room or the library to stay away from them? That they sold me to the highest bidder?

  He pulls me into him and gives me a look, a look I’ve never seen from him before, a look of concern. I turn on my heels and sprint toward the door.

  “I have to use the ladies room,” I say, not wanting him to see the tears wanting to spill. What is he doing to me? Why do I feel like he is my world when we will never be anything other than this? As soon as I place my hands on the huge glass door, I feel him behind me. My body instantly falls into his.

  “Not tonight, but soon you’ll tell me about your life before Morris.”

  “There isn’t much to tell you.”

  I enter the building. We walk to a small table. Ashton pulls my chair out and slides it back in once I’m seated. He sits across from me. I can tell by his expression he has questions.

  “Wine?” he asks as he picks up the menu.

  I place my hand on his and smile. “You know the way to my heart. Just keep giving me wine.”

  “If that’s all it takes, we can go to the winery right now.” He laughs as a waitress approaches us.

  “You’re an ass.” I smile. “Can I please have a glass of wine? My friend will have an iced tea,” I say, sticking my tongue out at Ashton.

  “Lemon, please.” He smiles. “And Ansley, you can put that pretty little tongue on any part of my body. Name the place and I’m there.”

  My cheeks instantly turn pink. How does he do that? I swear I have no clue how this friend shit is going to work. I’m ready to climb across the table and rip his clothes off. It’s been months since I’ve been touched by anyone other than myself.

  He’s still talking, but I have no clue what he’s saying. My eyes are fixated on his mouth. His perfect full lips would feel amazing on mine right now.

  “What are you thinking about over there? I can see the drool forming in the corner of your mouth.”

  Fuck, I’m busted. I wipe my mouth with my napkin and excuse myself. He laughs as I walk as fast as I can to the nearest restroom sign. When I look in the mirror, I see the look of lust on my face. Hell, I’ve never been with anyone other than Morris. Well, by choice that is. I wash my hands, wipe my mouth, and apply lip gloss.

  I can’t believe he said I was drooling. After making sure my clothes are straight, I walk through the door. I see that there is a woman standing next to Ashton. She looks a little older. I can hear the anger in her voice. Once I see his face, his eyes meet mine and lock. He puts his hand up and I immediately stop in my tracks. I can’t hear what he’s saying but she’s pissed.

  She picks up my wine and throws it in his face, and then I see a man grab her by the arm and pull her in the opposite direction. She jerks away from him and turns to Ashton and yells, “You’ll regret this. He’ll hate you for keeping me away from him.”

  Holy hell, it’s AJ’s mom. She looks very old. That’s not how I pictured her at all. As Ashton rubs his hands down his face, I rush over to him. The woman is still yelling as the gentleman drags her through the door.

  “Are you okay? Who was that?” I sit down and grab his hand.

  “That was my ex-wife. She wants to see AJ, but that’s not happening. Every fucking time, she lets him down. Do you know how hard it is to look in the eyes of your son and try to explain why his mom does the things she does?”

  “I’m so sorry. We can leave. We don’t have to stay.” I stand up.

  “Ansley,” he warns.

  “Or we can stay.” I sit back down. I motion for the waitress and she brings a bottle of wine. “Is she that bad? I mean, she seemed like a bitch.”

  He laughs. “Bitch is a damn understatement. She’s the devil’s best prodigy.”

  “AJ doesn’t need to be around her if she’s like that all the time. I can’t imagine what goes through his mind
. My parents were absent most of my childhood and it hurts.”

  “That’s why I’ve been keeping him away from her. She fills his head full of lies. She makes promises to him and she doesn’t even care that it gives him false hope.”

  “Has she always been that way?” I ask, trying not to pry too much. I can see the anger in his eyes. He’s hurting.

  “Not the first year, but after AJ was born I saw the signs. Then, last year, I kicked her out and filed for a divorce. AJ and I moved in with Liam and Lila before we bought the house next to them. He doesn’t fully understand. He knows that she lies. Hell, he caught onto that a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry that the two of you have to deal with her.”

  “My own fault. Sometimes, I’d like to say she was a huge mistake, but I wouldn’t have my boy if I hadn’t been with her. I’ve grown a lot since he was born. He’s made me the man that I am and I’ll spend the rest of my life protecting him, even if it’s from her. As long as she is doing what she’s doing, then she isn’t getting any time with him. That’s what all this was about.”

  “I think you’re doing the right thing. AJ will thank you one day. You’re an amazing father. Never let her make you think differently. Any kid would be lucky to have you in their life. Dealing with her is hard, I’m sure.”

  “Thanks! I hope you’re right. I do everything I can to protect him, show him that he is loved even though she is absent. I would give up my entire life for that boy. I would kill anyone that tried to harm him. Shit, I’m not letting her ruin our date. Let’s eat so we can get out of here.”

  We continue talking. I can’t help but stare at him. He’s so admirable.

  Chapter Ten

  Ashton

  I haven’t seen Ansley for a few days. Scratch that, it’s been four, to be exact. After the restaurant incident, I figured I’d let things cool down. I’d hate for her to get dragged into Christa’s shit.

  I have so much going through my mind. For the first time in my life, I want to take things slow. I know Ansley wanted me to kiss her when I dropped her off, but I couldn’t. Once my lips touch hers, this friend shit is history.

  I’ve turned down so many women in the last few months. I can’t get her out of my damn mind. Lila’s been taking AJ to school, but I’m picking him up today. I have to see Ansley. It’s been four days too long. I have one more client, then I can leave the shop and have enough time to buy her some flowers.

  “Ellis, I think you may want to hide. I just saw Felicia walk in. Toom is doing a piece for her. She asked for me and I refused,” Taz says from the door.

  I run my hands down my face and sigh. “Are you shitting me? I told her to stay away from here. She showed up at the bowling alley and tried to start shit. Last week, she saw Ansley and me leaving dinner and she’s called me several times. This bitch is crazy, dude.”

  “Yep, I warned you. We need to ban her from here. If not, she’s going to keep coming back.”

  I look up from where I’m sitting and see the said crazy chick. She’s wearing a very short dress. I’m sure she notices the disgust in my face as her eyes meet mine. Gritting my teeth, I ask, “What the hell are you doing here? If you are here to get work done from one of my boys, then do it. Don’t come into where I work to fuck with me.”

  “Look, please don’t be mad. I needed new ink and you know I only come here.” She walks closer. “Ashton, what happened to us? We were good together.”

  I put my hand up to warn her to stop. “Don’t you dare come any closer. I’ve been nice, and now…now you’re going to see me get angry. Listen, I’m only going to say this one more time. I. Do. Not. Want. To. See. You. Again. Get out! You can get ink done other places. You’re not welcome here.”

  “But—”

  “Go, or I’ll call the police. You do realize it’s trespassing if we tell you not to come back? You can go to jail.”

  “Fine, but remember that you’re the one that did this, not me.” She turns toward the door, slamming it behind her. I shake my head.

  “Is this bitch for real?” I laugh. “I don’t know how to be any clearer than I just was.”

  “Hopefully she got that message loud and clear. I think the entire shop did.” Toom laughs.

  “Hale, you ready man?” I ask my client. “Sorry you had to hear all that.”

  “No worries, man. She looked like a handful.”

  “Let’s finish that piece. This will be the last fill in. It’ll look bad ass, that’s for sure.”

  “Thanks bro, you know I only let you do my work.”

  ***

  I stop at Jazies Flower Shop. I know Ansley likes daisies, so I order a dozen yellow and green ones. I tell the florist to add some lilies too. The bouquet looks beautiful.

  With only ten minutes to get to the school before it lets out, I run to my truck. I call Lila to let her know I’m on my way and she tells me that, when she dropped AJ off this morning, Ansley wasn’t there. I quickly reroute myself and head to her condo. Lila said she would pick little dude up for me.

  When I pull into Ansley’s driveway, I see her car. It’s October, but it’s still about eighty degrees. She has all the blinds closed. I knock once. Nothing, so I ring the doorbell. I pull out my phone and start to call her when the door opens and a red-nosed Ansley is standing there in sweat pants and a St. Mary’s sweatshirt.

  “Jesus, are you sick? You could have called, you know.” I push pass her and make my way into the condo. It’s hot as hell. “Do you have your heat on?”

  “Well, the phone works both ways. I’m sick. I have the flu or something. I haven’t eaten for two days and my fever is over one hundred. I think I purchased all the cold meds Walgreens sells.”

  “Baby, come here.” She walks toward me. I place my hand on her forehead. “You’re burning up. Have you called the doctor?”

  “I don’t have one here,” she whines and then lays her head on my chest. “I just wanna feel better. It hurts.”

  “Come on, where are your shoes? We’re going to the urgent care.”

  “I can’t, I don’t have insurance yet. My credit cards are maxed out.”

  “You don’t have health insurance?”

  “Nope, can’t. I have to be with the school district a year before they offer it.”

  “That’s bullshit. Don’t worry, I have you covered. Get some shoes. Lila picked AJ up. I will take care of you.”

  “No, I can’t afford it and I don’t want you paying for me. I have all this.” She points to a mess of over-the-counter meds on her table. “I’ve been taking this one every four to six hours, as it says.”

  “Ansley, don’t make me carry you to the truck. Shoes, now,” I say as I grab her purse and a blanket from the couch.

  Mumbling, she says, “Ellis, you’re so fucking bossy. I’ll go, only because my throat hurts and nothing is helping. I feel like I’ve coughed up both lungs.”

  “Will he be okay left out or does he need to go in a kennel?” I ask as I see Sal running around her feet.

  “He’s okay. He doesn’t like the kennel. I’ll pay you back, I promise.”

  “Ansley, don’t worry about it. You’ll also have insurance by the end of the week, even if I have to put you on my payroll.”

  I lock her door. This is bullshit. The school district makes plenty of money. I pay a small fortune for my son to attend there. The least they can do is offer their employees health coverage. Opening the door for Ans, I help her in.

  “You’re too kind.” She smiles. “Thank you.”

  “No thanks needed, sweet cheeks.” I place a kiss on her forehead. She must have a very high fever. She is still very warm and clammy.

  “I don’t think my throat has ever hurt this bad. I hope they can make it stop. I used this,” she says, holding up a bottle that says Chloraseptic spray, “and, well, let’s just say it numbs the pain for twenty seconds and then the pain is back.”

  I squeeze her hand to reassure her that I’ll make it all better. “We
won’t leave until they find out what’s going on.”

  “You’re the best.” She closes her eyes.

  “Hey, no sleeping until we get treatment. We’re almost there.” I pull into the small parking lot. I stop in front of the building and walk around to let her out. “Come on, I’ll go park after I get you checked in.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She swats at me, but I still lead her in.

  “She needs to be seen. We think it’s the flu or something,” I tell the small blonde behind the glass window.

  “Insurance card and identification card. Fill this out and then we will call you back.”

  “She doesn’t have insurance. I’ll pay for everything.”

  “Okay, the visit starts at two hundred dollars. Then it will be extra for any test they perform.”

  “That’s fine, I have cash and credit cards, whatever you want. Just get my girl better.”

  I rub Ansley’s back. Her blanket is wrapped around her and she’s still trembling as she starts to fill out the paperwork. She gets halfway through and a lady calls her name.

  “Okay, Miss Dolce, you can go into room number three. The nurse will be in shortly.”

  We walk into the room. Ansley climbs up on the bed and snuggles against the pillows. I cover her up with the extra blankets.

  “I’m so cold. I feel like I’m in Alaska.” She tries laughing and starts coughing.

  “Ansley, my name is Betsie. I’m going to get your vitals. Place this under your tongue.” She sticks the thermometer in Ansley’s mouth and it immediately beeps. “Oh my, how long have you been sick? You have a very high temperature.”

  “For three days,” she says, and I feel like an ass. I haven’t called her in four and now she is sick.

  “Your fever is one hundred and three. I’m going to swab your throat for strep. I’ll use two swabs. One is rapid and the other we will send to an outside lab. I’m going to also do a flu swab. This one goes through your nose. So, just take a deep breath. I’ll do the strep after the flu one.”