Ash

by D.J. Krimmer

“Protecting them is not a job.” “You’re correct, but you don’t have the right either.”

“Can’t you just date her?”

“What? No. What?” I have ringing in my fucking ears. “Do you not like her?” he asks. “Uhhh… yeah, I mean, she’s great.” Fuck, it’s hot in here. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

“Mhm, yep, sure.”

“Is it… Is it because of me?”

“Wade,” I breathe out, turning to give him my full attention. “How on earth could you think that? You know I like you.”

“Just because you like someone doesn’t mean you want to be their dad. I get that, and if that’s your reason, just know I-I don’t need a dad. I’ve never had one and… and I think I’m doing okay. My mom is a great dad. The best dad, actually.”

“Sorry, I don’t know where those came from. Um, just… I’ll try really hard not to make it weird for you if you want to be with my mom but not have to deal with me. I just wanted you to know that. I don’t expect you to take care of me, and, umm... if you want, I’ll move out as soon as I’m legally allowed to so you can have her for yourself.”

I grab the kid by his shirt, pull him up, and hug him to my chest.

“Bud, I need you to understand that anyone would be lucky to have your mom and you. You’re the gre...

“If I were to have a child, I'd want him to be you. Not similar to you, just you. So d...

Because the lotus symbolizes growing up through the dark and the mud and blooming into something bright and beautiful.”

“I’d rather a lotus from you over a rose from anyone, every time,”

Well, the drugs can be her excuse for what’s happening… But what’s mine?

“Because if you come home to take care of me, I’m going to feel more important to you than I am! So, stop it now before you start to hurt my feelings!”

I stare down at the screen and let out a sigh. Sunday’s quickly becoming one of the most important things in my life, and I’m tired of fighting it, of lying to myself

and to her. I want to go home and take care of her because she is important to me, and I hate myself for ...

“You’re at a convention in a big city; you could have any girl on your dick in seconds. Why would you want to rub one out over the phone?” I frown at her question. “Because I don’t want some random girl on my dick.”

“Ha! Since when?”

“Charming? Hey, look at me,”

“Yeah, you’re right,” I mutter. “I should let you go; I’ll see you in a couple of days.” “Ash, wai–” “Good night, Sunday,” I say as I end the call. What am I doing? Why in the fuck am I– “Oh, just shut up,”

Even my inner monologue is becoming annoying. We all know you like her; you just don’t have the balls to try anything.

“You hurt my girl,” he growls in a tone I’ve never heard before. It’s low and threatening, sending chills down my spine. “You hurt my boy.” My heart stops at Ash’s words. “If you think for one second I’ve forgotten that and I’m not going to fix the wrongs done, you’re mistaken, friend. I’ll be seeing you real soon, Josh.”

Fuck my life. I think I’m actually in love with Ash Johnson.

“Wait a minute.” I stare at the baggy of orange Starbursts in confusion. “I thought you hated these.” He shrugs nonchalantly. “Oh, I do. They’re vile. But I know you love them.”

“You just… what?” I ask through a small sob. “You bought these in case I just happened to get into your car and say I’m hungry?” “Yes,”

“You said they’re your favorite and that they make you happy.”

“I need you,” I moan against him while taking his bottom lip between my teeth and giving it a small tug. “Fuck…”

“Fucking damn it, sweetheart, if you don’t get out of those shorts, I’m cutting them off.”

“Sun-Sunday, please–I’m going to… FUCK!”

His pleasure doesn’t seem to last long. And I see his eyes go wide and the embarrassment on his face. I flashback to our first sexual encounter, when he came and bolted. No, not this time. He didn’t let me finish our night then, and he can’t run out now. “Sunday…” His voice sounds apologetic. “I am–”

Why is he so scared? I wonder only briefly what his ex must’ve done or said to him

to make him feel like coming first is wrong. I slide his hand between us to my clit, and I let out a strangled moan as he circles the wet bud.

“Charming,” I whimper as I nibble on his earlobe. “You make me feel so good. You have no idea how much my body craves you. You’re the only one that can make me feel this way,”

“H-holy shit,” he shudders in pleasure. “Do you feel how wet you’ve made me?” I whine out as I suck on his neck and bite down. “Fuck,” his shaky voice growls out. “Harder,” he pants. “Mark me, sunshine.”

“Holy shit!” he growls out as he pulls me to him. I scream out again as one orgasm after another hits me like a rolling wave. “A-Ash! I can’t come aga–ahhhh, holy fuck!”

“Yes!” he praises as he slams me against him, gripping and grinding me against him as he orgasms again. “Fuck, Sunday!” he groans out. If I have one more orgasm, I might pass out.

“I uhhh… I don’t think this friend thing is working out.” I can’t help the surprised laugh that escapes me. “Yeah, charming, no shit.”

Fuck, last night was so good. Like, best I’ll ever have, and that’s saying something because car sex is more fun in theory. Not with Sunday, though.

That girl folded into a pretzel and gripped my knees to fuck me, and I swear my soul left my fucking body.

“I didn’t come to talk to Indy.” Sunday’s voice is so soft and sweet. “I came to check on you. You didn’t respond to my text, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

She laughs, but I’m finding

zero humor in my girl dancing on stage in front of strange men. My girl?

“I like you.”

“I know.” Really? “Did you just Han Solo my ass?”

“I like you, too,”

“What if I went on a date with him?”

“I think that would be awesome, mom. And I think Ash and you would have a lot of fun.”

“No! I mean, do you want to go on a date with me?”

“I said, okay. But I’m not a cheap date, sunshine. I expect to be wined and dined. I’m all about being doted on.”