Ash

by D.J. Krimmer

This one is for you badass moms out there. Bags under your eyes, stains on your shirt and babies swinging by your tits. You are rocking the fuck out of this. Get that coffee and eat two of them cookies. You’ve earned it.

Did I just see a hot chick running down the road with a live chicken under her arm?

“I know you’re helping that dumbass hillbilly bitch steal my chicken!”

“Okay, so you’re high.” “I’m not high!”

“Do you believe your dick only has so many fucks in it?

Alice Cooper, is having none of it and hisses at my advances. Since the night I rescued the bitch from becoming a breeding machine or dinner for my ex-husband, she’s had it in for me.

They all know Ash Johnson, and I had a one-night stand years ago.

“Oh, we’ve met, Dash,”

“We had a nice date a couple of years ago down at the taco trucks. You might remember us dancing in the rain? Then we went back to my place to have sex. I think you got… Oh, I don’t know, half a pump in before you blew your load? Then you apologized a hundred times, left sixty dollars on my dresser, and ran out. I’m surprised you don’t remember that. Or is it just a common theme between you and your dates?”

And if that wasn’t awkward enough to walk in on, fucking Sunday Sutton was there and outed my biggest embarrassment of all time to the entire fucking shop.

“Sunday Sutton? Oh no, Ash… you did that thing again, didn’t you?”

“I panicked!”

“She’s going to think you’re an idiot if you keep reintroducing yourself!”

That night was one of the worst nights of my life.

Sunday had unfortunately been my rebound from my ex-girlfriend, who still, to this day, gives me more anxiety than I can handle. The physical and emotional abuse was rough. The beatings I took, and there were many,

but the way she talked down to me like I was stupid, useless, unable to pleas...

“Really? Which time? When you tried to hand out charity? Or the times you’ve pretended you had no idea who I was, making me look like an idiot?”

“Or! Or? Could it be that time that you flirted with me while I got tattooed, conned me into going out with you and having sex with you, just to have you run out thirty seconds in, but not before dropping sixty dollars on my nightstand like I was some kind of

hoo...

Sunshine - One day, I hope to earn the right to talk to you about what happened that night. Just know it wasn’t you. Not ever. I know you won’t take my help, but I’m here if you need anything, even just a

person to talk to. My number is below, in case you deleted it. -Charming PS - Yes, I’m still going to call you sunshine. Don’t like it? Guess you’ll have to tell me to stop. PSS - I like charming.

“Wait, you’re Sunday Sutton?” Fucking shit… I’m living next door to Ash Johnson and his sister.

“Ash, you’re a label-whore,”

I haven’t moved on from what that date could have been… had I not fucked it up.

“Wow, what a way to woo her.” “I already tried woo-ing. The woman is un-woo-able.”

She has epilepsy, and I didn’t know.

“Damn, slow down.” I move toward Sunday, feeling a surge of protectiveness. These are all standard questions, but I know what he’s doing. He’s rushing to get this wrapped up because he wants to go and crash at the station.

And while that’s all fine and dandy anywhere else, they aren’t doing it tonight, not with Sunday, and not while I’m standing here.

“And slow the fuck down.” The men go back to work, and my gaze finds Sunday’s.

Yet, my heart is hammering in my chest, I can’t hear anything besides an annoying whine, and if I don’t drive my fist into a wall, I may hit the asshole who’s now dipping his stethoscope too far down Sunday’s tank top.

“Sunday Sutton, I am nothing but a pathetic worm groveling at your feet. Please, sunshine, spare me from the weight of your shapely leg as it threatens to crush my existence into oblivion. I beg of you, show mercy on this lowly creature who's unworthy of your attention.”

“Sunshine, look at me. I'm on my knees, begging for your forgiveness. Is this what you want? Can't you see the pain in my eyes? Hear the desperation in my voice? I've apologized a thousand times and I'll do it again if it means you'll forgive me. Mia sole, mi dispiace tanto, I am so fucking–” “Would you shut up!”

“Really, charming? A worm? And you pulled out Italian?”

“I’m a desperate man, sunshine. You have no idea how far I'll go when I feel it’s necessary.” “Apparently,”

“I’m a tired woman, and I’ve got too much on my plate to continue to hold this grudge. I forgive you, and I am sorry, too.”

I’ve never been apologized to. I’ve never had a woman say they’d rather me than someone else in any regard.

“Alright, text me if you need anything unless you already got rid of my number.”

“I never got rid of your number,”

“From when you gave it to me at Hel’s.”

“I still have yours, too.”

“Fuck sunshine.” My eyes shoot open as I try to rid myself of thoughts of Ash. It’s no use though. “You’re so fucking wet.” “Ash,” I pant, moving my vibrator inside me. “Oh god,” I shiver as my core begins to tighten. “Oh god, Ash!”

I come around my vibrator. Once I come down, I begin cleaning up when I hear what sounds like a cough. Panic fills me as I walk out of my room, down the hall, and peek into Wade’s room. Nope, he's still out. Hmm... I must be imagining things.

“Anxiety?” I ask while cutting the shank. “Uh huh, he has a panic disor– Oh, you didn’t know that.” She winces, and I wave my hand. “Secret’s safe with me.

But what I heard

this morning keeps going through my mind.

At first, I thought I was dreaming. There’s no way in fuck that Sunday Sutton would be masturbating, especially not to me. But when she came, and it was my name, she cried out. I nearly blew a load right then and ther...

“Why are you here, Ash?” That's a valid question; too bad I’m as clueless about the answer as she is.

“I–I really don’t know, sunshine. Indy and Wade said you had a seizure and that you were at the hospital,

and I left to come here so you we...

Holy shit… she’s like an actual honest good person. And, of course, she has a disease that is taking everything from her.