Chapter Thirty - Feeling safe

(Hello, everyone. Just want to say thanks for reading, but also to let you know that come Firday this book will be pay-to-read from chapter seven. I just wanted to give you all the heads up on that)

Farrah

I had calmed down, it took time and cuddles from Asher, but it worked. I have not ever been in that kind of situation, which is another reason it got to me so much. I felt violated in a way. I should have known when he took an interest in me his motive wasn’t good.

“How are you doing, sweetness?” Asher asked, caressing my arm.

“OK, I think,” I sigh, “I don’t want to go home, though. I can’t face my parents, not tonight, because they will know something isn’t right, and according to them, I was out with Violet,” I added.

“You can stay here with me,” Asher suggests.

“What about your Grandma? Won’t she get mad if she finds out?” I ask.

“Maybe, but I will explain you had a bad night, and she will understand,” He said softly.

“I don’t want your Grandma knowing what happened,” I said, shaking my head.

“I won’t tell her details, just that your night was terrible, and you needed a friend,” He replies.

“OK. Thank you. I will text my parents and tell them I am staying over at Violet’s, and hopefully, they believe me,” I sigh.

I grabbed my phone, opening a text to mum and asking if I could stay out. She texts back quickly, saying that was OK. Thank God because home was the last place I wanted to go.

“My mum said that is fine,” I said, turning to him.

“Good. Do you want something to sleep in?” He asks and nods.

He got up from the bed, taking a tee and joggers from his drawers, and handed them to me. I thanked him, going to the bathroom to get changed. I think having someone sleep next to me will help.

Though I was worried about what Asher will do because he was furious when he found out what happened, I don’t want him getting into trouble on my account. He gets into enough trouble without adding all of this to it.

I made my way back through, and Asher had changed too. He was now only in a pair of joggers. He climbed into his bed, lifting the covers and patting the spot next to him. I climbed in next to him.

“Asher, please don’t get yourself into trouble over this,” I whisper, rolling onto my side to look at him.

“Farrah, I am not going to stand by and do nothing,” He sighs, running his fingers through his hair.

“Maybe it is better that you do. I just want to forget about it,” I respond, a firmness to my voice.

“I can’t make any promises, Farrah,” Asher said, shaking his head, “But for tonight, I will leave it,” He added.

I know there was no point in talking to him because he would do what he wants. He always does. Yes, I know he can be protective of me, which is sweet of him, but that doesn’t mean I want him to go too far.

“Thank you for coming to get me tonight,” I announce.

I wanted to get off the subject of what he could do.

“Farrah, I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I will always have your back, baby girl,” He smiles, “And that is a promise,” He added, kissing the top of my head.

I close my eyes, sighing and moved to snuggle back into him. Asher happily let me, wrapping his arms securely around my body and pulled the covers over us.

“Are you tired?” Asher asks, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Not really, but if you want to go to sleep, we can,” I respond.

“No, I am OK. Do you want to watch something?” He asks, and I shake my head.

I wouldn’t be able to concentrate watching something.

“What do you want to do?” Asher asks curiously.

“Um, I don’t know,” I giggle.

“Hmm, we just going to lay here, staring into the eyes of each other and talking rubbish?” He laughs.

“The talking rubbish part, maybe, the staring into each other’s eyes, that could get awkward,” I chuckle.

“Yes, probably,” He said, closing his eyes over, “Better?” He added.

He was pulling a silly face as he had his eyes closed. I couldn’t help myself as a loud laugh escaped from my lips. Asher has so many sides to him. His sweet and silly sides are my favourite, though.

“You are such a dork, Asher,” I giggle, prodding his nose.

“Yes, but only around you, beautiful,” He said, opening his eyes, “Especially if it makes you smile and laugh,” He added, stroking my cheek.

“You always make me smile and laugh, well, except when you are being an ass,” I snicker.

“Yes, I am sorry about, Farrah. I know you are probably fed up hearing those words from me. I don’t mean to be an ass, especially not to you,” Asher said sadly.

“I know you don’t,” I reply softly.

“I don’t know why you put up with me,” He mutters, shaking his head.

I ask myself that sometimes too, and then I remember why. I have become fond of him. I enjoy having him in my life. He makes it better and more exciting. I would miss him if he weren’t around.

“Because no matter how many times you mess up or piss me off, I like having around, more than I like not having you around,” I said, honestly.

And who am I kidding? Everyone knows by now that I like him, that I have feelings for him. That is why I get angry and upset when he screws around, but I will keep this to myself for right now.

“Aww, I get it now, you love me, how sweet,” He smirks.

“Do not flatter yourself, bad boy,” I exclaim, rolling my eyes.

“Come on, admit it, Farrah, you love me,” he teased, emphasising the word love.

“Yes, you found me out, Asher,” I laughed, “I am madly in love with you,” I added, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I knew it,” He replies proudly.

I shake my head, pushing his chest playfully. He lets out a loud and pulls me into his chest.

“I wouldn’t love me either,” He responds, chuckling.

Yes, he was laughing, but I think he believed that. I pulled away, looking at him.

“I hope you don’t believe that Asher, that you aren’t worth loving,” I whisper.

“I was joking, kind of,” He shrugs,” I am used to it. The only person to ever love me is my Grandma,” He added.

“Asher, you are worth more than you know,” I respond, stroking his face.

“Farrah, don’t look so sad. It is fine. I am fine with it,” He said.

“I love you, Asher, in a friendly way,” I smile.

It was true I have learned to love him, flaws and all. I made sure I put friendly in there because that is the way I mean, I think. If I didn’t add that in, he would have probably started freaking out on me.

“You do? Why?” He asked, surprised.

“Because no matter how much of a pain in my ass you are, you mean something to me. You are important to me. And now, I don’t think I could imagine life without you in it,” I replied honestly.

“Thank you, that is sweet of you,” He smiles, “You mean a lot to me too, Farrah, more than you realise,” He added.

When he said the last part, it was that quiet that I don’t know if I was supposed to hear it or not.

“I do?” I ask softly.

“Yes,” He smiles, kissing my cheek.

“I am glad we have that out in the open,” I said, grinning.

Asher responded in the same way back. Asher rolled on his back, patting his chest. I move, resting my head on it. We fall silent, but it is a comfortable silence, Asher stroking my hair.

“Are you sure you are OK after what happened?” He asks.

“I am because I am here with you. I always feel safe with you,” I reply truthfully.

“You will always be safe with me,” He replies gently.

I knew he meant it. I know we keep having falling outs and arguing, but there is something about Asher that makes me feel secure even after all of that.

“I got you, baby girl, always,” He said.

“I know you do,” I reply.

I was feeling better just being here with him. I was dreading when Monday comes around, and I need to face Paul. I don’t know how I will deal with that. Hopefully, he will stay out of me, out of Asher’s way.