Ash

by D.J. Krimmer

“Oh my god,” I whisper, and she gives me a small smile. “I don’t know what I did to make you do that, but please tell me so I can do it every day for the rest of my fucking life.”

“Men good for one thing, and it takes no minutes to get.” Janie snorts into her drink and starts coughing. “Sorry, Baka,” she says through her fit. “You need them for babies. After babies, useless. Houseplant is of more use. Better to look at too. You need the house plant chopped? I chop,”

“Relationships take work, girl. Especially ones with people carrying baggage.”

“Don’t fret brother,” Atlas pats my shoulder. “We fixed that shit on your chest. We will fix your love life.” “How? They don’t want to see me,” Atlas laughs. “Ha! Never underestimate my ability to wear people down.”

in love with you, and I’m in love with Wade. I am a mess. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. I can drink, though. I hate myself, and I hate that I somehow managed to take the greatest thing imaginable and fuck it all up because I’m so scared.”

“I don’t think you can, Ash. I have to be able to trust that when things get real, the person I love isn’t going to run. How can I trust you to stay?” “Move in with me,” he blurts out. “Buy a house with me… I don’t know. I won’t leave you. Please.” Ash drops to his knees. “Sunday, I am so in love with you it’s causing me physical pain not being near you. Please.”

“Wade, you are a great kid. You’re smart, funny, and a kick-ass artist. You are honest, and you take great care of your mama. Every minute I’ve spent with you so far has been some of the best times of my life. You are a good young man, and I have no doubt you’ll grow up and do amazing things. And I want you to know that I will always be here for you, no matter what. I love you, bud.”

“I know I’m not your dad, but Wade, you're amazing, and if you are the closest thing I’ll ever have to a son, then I will call it a win.” “If you’re the closest thing I ever get to a dad, I call that a win, too,” Wade murmurs, and I hear Ash clear his throat as he tries to hide his own sobs.

I refused for us to get back together until I earned her love. After week three, she kicked down my door and told me that I was her boyfriend, and if I didn’t like it, that was too fucking bad.

“You know, I had this speech all planned out. I rehearsed it and even made Atlas stand in as you.” A laugh comes out as I look down at him. “Oh, yeah, what did he say?” Ash chuckles nervously. “Oh, he cried and leapt on me. It was beautiful.” He gives me a shy grin before continuing.

Sunday, baby, do you have any idea why I call you sunshine?” I shrug lightly. “Originally, I figured it was the pet name you decided on to annoy me or you’d forgotten my name.” Ash shakes his head. “No, sunshine, it’s because, from the moment you walked into my train wreck of a life, you brought a light that I’d never experienced. You’re like the sun. You would take that light and warmth with you every time you left. And I don’t want to ever experience another day, moment, or second without your warmth, light, or love.”

Atlas laughs while bouncing his son, Howie, around as Janie, hot with baby fever, keeps trying to steal him.

Howard is adorable and has caused all the women in our group to instantly go into baby mode, which Fox is terrified of. He was saying something about Janie being bad enough with their cat, Winston.