Ash

by D.J. Krimmer

“Sunshine, I really didn’t mean anything by that. I meant dancing professionally, like on stage. I’m just a fucking idiot. You already told me that you...

“Charming, I had a kid at thirteen, was thrown out by my family, and I’ve gone through a divorce. Trust me when I say you’ll have to cut deeper than that to hurt this skin. You know I had to give it up once already. It’s nice that you think I could, but my epilepsy got too bad, and the combination of medications the doctors were trying was making it hard to remember the moves for the dances. So, I had to quit. Got married, needed quick cash, and became a stripper. But my...

dad was not the best man, which I’ve mentioned before, I think. He left all of us when I was ten or eleven. So, she had to raise us on her own.” I nod knowingly. Those struggles are all too familiar to me. “That must’ve been hard for y’all,”

The streetlights reflect in Ash’s eyes, and I see the glassiness in them. Before I can stop myself, my hand reaches out and cups his cheek, startling us both.

“Sunday,” he breathes as his hand gently wraps around my wrist. “It wasn’t your fault,”

“Don’t ever think that there was, or is, something wro...

I watch his emotions raging across his face. In an instant, I’m pressed against the side of his car, and his hand grips the side of my jaw. I see the struggle, the war waging in his eyes. “Fuck it,” he growls as his lips capture mine and—oh fuck. I wrap my arms around his neck as both his hands grip my thighs, hoisting me up to wrap around his waist. I moan against his mouth as his tongue slips between my lips. He presses me harder against his car, causing me to let out a grunt. His kiss is fast and hungry, and I allow him to consume me. Pulling him tighter to me, I roll my hips, causing him to whimper against my mouth. His hands are so tight on my thighs I’m sure I’ll have bruises there in t...

“Sunday,” he murmurs my name while nuzzling into my neck. I moan as I grind against him again before slipping a hand between us ...

“Come on.” His voice is soft and resigned. “I need to get you home and get some sleep since your snoring kept me up last night.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes, but I let it go, nodding as I climb into his car to start what I am sure will be a very quiet ride home.

Fuck, when I saw Sunday on that pole, she looked like a magical, sexy angel. It was the most hypnotic thing I’ve ever experienced.

Sunshine: It’s Wade Sunshine: Mom’s seizing

“Fuck.” I jump up and nearly plow into Indy as I run through the living room and across the hall. Wade has the door open for me, and I walk in to see Sunday on the floor in convulsions. “Did she hit her head?”

“No, she was sitting on the couch,”

“She just said she felt off and to text you. By the time I asked her what was wrong, she was seizing and sliding off the couch.”

“It’s okay, Mom,” he chokes out, and I feel my heart constrict. “Just breathe, you’re safe.”

“She’s alright, Bud,” I say softly, and he nods.

“I know. It’s just hard to watch.”

“Don’t tell her I cried; she worr...

“When she comes out of the seizure, she’s usually confused and scared. Sometimes, she’ll cry. But I’ve noticed that the times I do this.” He gestures to his hand. “She’s calmer.”

“Breathe, Mom.” Wade’s young voice is commanding as he maintains eye contact. “You’re safe.” After another moment, Wade moves to allow Sunday some space after helping her sit up.

“Wade, does your mom have medicine for after a seizure?”

“Yeah, I’ll go grab ...

“Hey,” I say softly while sitting next to her. “How are you? Do you know my name?” She looks up at me, brows furrowed.

“A… pain in my ass?”

I have no idea what possessed me to do it, but Sunday leans against my lips before resting her head on my shoulder. “Don’t,” she mur...

“Never, sweetheart. I’ll stay as long as you need me.” Stroking her arm, I let out a long sigh. This is going to be another sleepless night, I can already tell.

“You asked me to stay!”

“Oh? Is that all it takes? So, if I were to ask you to jump off the roof, would you?” she snaps, hand on her hip. “If it ends this conversation…” I groan out.

“This is my house, and he just waltzed in here, dropped his pants, and dragged his shit-covered ass across my rug.”

“Damn,” Janie whistles. “You coming here to tempt me, Sunday Sutton?” Janie smacks Sunday on the ass and… NO, absolutely not. Not going there.

“Hey, charming.” She smiles up at me, and the smile is almost apologetic looking.

“Hey, sunshine,” I breathe, and I mean it. She really is a ray of sunshine today; she’s practically glowing. “I come beari...

“Oh, be still my heart,”

“Are you alright, Indy?”

“You ready?” I look from my sister to Sunday and raise a brow. “Ready? For what?” Sunday blushes and Indy snickers. “Sunday’s getting her nipples pierced.”

I watch you lean that fucking chair back to see if Sunday is coming out one more time, I’m going to snap. And when it happens,

will no longer be in control of my actions.”

“I wish Ren would get her nipples pierced. I would latch on to those puppies permanently.” “...

“Jesus, video games? How old are you?” “Says the woman playing war video games in the break room!” I state, and Janie looks at me as if I’ve betrayed her.

“Wait.”

“Are you the one that fucked up my stats last month?” Janie winces at the man before shooting me a death glar...

“Fucking got crucified and everything over that damn game… H...

“You were here the day he was up my ass. After our fight, you brought me a muffin to cheer me up. Fucking Judas!”

“Are you happy?” she asks sharply. “See what you’ve done.” “Me?” I cry, pointing at my chest. “Why didn’t you just start a new game and not touch Derek’s player?”

“Because!” she grumbles in annoyance. “He had all the cool stuff. How was I supposed to know he would lose rankings?”

“You were silent. Usually, we can still hear a little cry when Stevie does the second one.” Sunday gives him a little curtsy.

“Stevie is fast and as gentle as possible, plus I have a high pain tolerance.” I watch as she looks herself over in the mirror.

“Do you need to check for...

“That slipped out. I swear I’m in tattoo-shop mode.” He gives me an apologetic look, and even though I completely get it...

“Thanks, but Stevie, Janie, and Indy all already checked.”