“Oh, it can,” mumbles Emma, her voice so low I’m not sure I heard her right.
Molly seems to have heard just fine because she gapes at Emma. “Is there something you’d like to share with the class, Emma, love?”
Emma looks startled, like she didn’t realize she said that out loud. “Definitely not.”
There’s an air of finality to her voice, and I think we all tacitly agree not to press her, even though I’m curious as fuck.
“Okay, well if Emma isn’t sharing, Jules, it looks like you’re still in the hot seat.” Hallie grins. “We are going to need so many more details. Like, what was your safe word? Tell us more about the head off the bed situation.”
“Yeah, I really need to know about the mechanics of that,” says Emma, looking relieved to be off the hook.
“It’s the best way to give a blow job. Really opens up the throat.” I think she’s joking, but when I look at Molly, she’s dead ass serious and it makes me laugh.
With laughter in the room and my best friends by my side, I settle in for story time, happy to be home.
Chapter Forty-Two
Julie
My phone pings, stealing my attention away from the documents I’m reviewing. I glance at the clock on my computer and see that it’s already after four. Picking up my phone, I smile when I see the message is from Asher.
Asher
Finished at the stadium. Just got home.
Me
How did it go?
About as bad as it possibly could have.
The text bubbles start jumping again as if he’s typing something else, but then they disappear.Shit. My stomach sinks and my fingers start tapping out a rhythm on my leg. It’s not until this moment that I realize there is a big part of me that was optimistic the doctor would tell Asher his shoulder is fixable, even though every logical instinct I have told me otherwise. I have trusts to review, and I’ve only been through half of the emails Imissed while I was away, but nothing feels more urgent than getting to Asher.
Me
I’m leaving the office now. I’ll be there soon.
Asher
Don’t rush.
But I do rush. I shove some files into my bag, grab my laptop from my desk, and am out of my office thirty seconds later. I stop in the entry way to grab my coat from the closet and am shoving my arms into the sleeves when Hallie trots down the stairs.
“You’re leaving already? You really have changed.”
“I’m going to Asher’s. He had a rough day and I want to be there.”
Hallie’s face immediately turns sympathetic. “I hope everything is okay.”
I want to tell her everything. About Asher’s appointment with the doctor and the likelihood that he has played his last NFL game, and how the uncertainty of it all is making my stomach churn with an anxiety that has been largely absent for the past week or so. But none of this is mine to tell.
“I hope so too, Hal. I’m worried about him, and I don’t want him to be alone.”
Hallie puts her arms around me. “He’s lucky to have you, Jules.”
“Fuck yes, he is. I’m lucky too. He’s one of the best people I know.”
“I like seeing you like this. You’re still you, but you shine brighter.”
