I’d have done the same for Ash. Saving him would have been more important than his faith in me. More than his love for me.
God, let’s just hope it never comes to that, to choosing between his sanity and the woman he loves, or Zane will be lost to us forever.
Chapter Ten
Asher
I walk up and down a campus parking lot, waiting for Audrey, Scott in my arms. It’s a fine summer morning, and I’m waiting for her to finish with her belly dance class so we can go.
She’s radiant as she steps out of the building and starts walking toward us, her cheeks flushed, her ponytail bouncing. I’m spellbound, gaping at her.
That’s my wife, I think. Goddammit, I’m one lucky motherfucker.
“Mama,” Scott informs me and reaches for her, almost tumbling out of my arms.
Cursing, I tighten my hold on his squirming little body. He’s like a starfish, all legs. “Wait, buddy.”
She laughs when she see us and takes Scott from my arms, kissing his face. “Hey, boys.”
“Hey, girls.” I wink at her. Over these past few days, she has become convinced the baby is a girl. I have no clue how she would know.
Not that I’d mind.
“I talked to the teacher. She says it’s fine to keep dancing as long as everything is okay.”
“Yeah. A big belly will be damn useful for belly dancing.” I stick my tongue out and am rewarded by another sweet peal of laughter.
Suddenly I’m overwhelmed with how much I need her. I walk over to her and put my arms around her, and Scott, and the baby. “God, I love you,” I whisper in her ear. “Can’t tell you how fucking much.”
“I know,” she whispers back, her voice thick. “I know. Just hold me tight.”
“We’ll get through this. Through all of this. Through anything.”
“Together.”
“Always together.”
“Tell me.”
“With you, and Scott, and the baby. With our friends. We’ll help Zane. We’ll find out what happened, and help him. And everything will be fine again.”
“Yes,” she whispers. “Yes. It will.”
I kiss the tears sliding down her cheeks, kiss her mouth. I swear it, fucking swear it on my life, for her, for my family, for Zane, dammit… I’ll find a way.
***
A bit later, I end up in Rafe’s Mustang, with him, Zane, Tyler, and Dylan. Just us guys. Audrey had to feed Scott, and she was feeling tired, which she reminded me is normal.
As if that changes anything about my worry for her.
The drive to Wausau is about two hours long, and I’m not surprised when Zane nods off almost immediately in the back seat where he’s wedged against the window.
Tyler rubs a hand over his face and pushes his hair out of his eyes.
“You need a haircut.” I flick my finger at his bangs, and he cuffs me on the back of the head.
“And you need to respect your older brother.”