“Not really. I never wanted to shit on what he and Hallie have or do anything that could get in the way of their happiness.”
“I don’t know Ben like you do, but I have been getting toknow him a little, and I know he cares about his people. He would want to know, Juliette. And, sometimes, it just feels good to tell the people you love how you feel. When we get back, maybe do something, just the two of you. I bet he misses you too.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Okay, I’m going to up the ante, because I think we need this.”
I cackle out a laugh. “Up the ante? Are we at a Vegas poker table in the seventies?”
“Nah, but the stakes are just as high. I’ve been thinking about telling my family about my shoulder.”
“Wow, Asher, seriously?”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen when pre-season starts, or how my shoulder is going to hold up, and in full transparency, that scares the absolute shit out of me. But telling you about it last night lightened the load a little, and I think I want more of that. Need more of that. So, I want to tell them, even if all they do is tell me I’m crazy for still trying to play.”
“I’d like to be with you when you tell them, if you want.”
“I definitely want. And I want you to do something else for me.”
“Let me guess. You talk to your family, and I talk to Ben? Matching high stakes conversations that may or may not devastate the people we love most?”
“You know it. There’s no one I’d rather have matching uncomfortable family conversations with than you.”
I grin at him, feeling lighter than I expected, considering I just unloaded months worth of emotional baggage.
“You know what, Hot Shot? You have yourself a deal.”
A phone rings, yanking me out of a deep sleep and shattering the pre-dawn stillness.
I feel Asher shift behind me, dropping a kiss on my shoulder before reaching for the phone charging on his nightstand.
“Ky?” His voice is rough with exhaustion. A female voice on the other end of the phone is talking fast, and suddenly Asher shoots straight up.
“Now? Really?”
He turns to me, and his broad smile—a stark contrast to his sleepy eyes—hits me right in the chest. “Kyla is in labor! She’s going to the hospital now.”
His excitement is palpable, and I grin right along with him.
“Okay, we’ll be there as soon as we can. Don’t fucking have that baby until I get there. Love you.”
He ends the call and grabs my face, kissing me deeply. “Let’s get a couple more hours of sleep, and then we’re going to Boulder.”
“A couple more hours of sleep? Asher, we’re going now.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Seriously? No, I don’t mind.”
He takes a deep breath. “Okay. It’s a pretty long drive to Boulder. I was planning on making some stops along the way, but…”
His uncertainty is adorable. I just want to snuggle him. Instead, I snap into lawyer mode.
“Asher, if Ben was having a baby, I’d already be in the car, and I certainly wouldn’t care about a little extra time on the road. Get in the shower. I’ll pack for both of us. We’re leavingin twenty and I’m driving. We’ll stop for coffee once we get on the road.”
“But…are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. There’s no way you’re missing this. Come on, Uncle Ash. You’ve got a baby to meet.”
