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I wrap an arm around her shoulders and give her a side hug, because she looks like she needs it. She lets out a squeak of dismay. I’ve never hugged her before.
“It’s okay, Heidi. He’s a friend from Catalpa Creek. I’ve got everything covered.”
She shoves my arm off her shoulders. “You obviously don’t have everything covered, or security downstairs would have been prepared and would have let him straight up.”
“You’re right. I should have told you.” I just really need to see this visitor and I didn’t want to jinx it by talking too much about it. “It won’t happen again.”
As soon as Asher walks in with a big smile, his bag in one hand, I understand the security guard’s unease. Asher’s in workout pants with sneakers and a workout tank that’s neon green. His beard has gotten longer than he usually wears it and his hair is mussed - he must have the fastest-growing hair on the planet. Also, his eyes are red-rimmed.
He drops his bag on the floor and storms right over to me, oblivious to the commotion around us. “Hey, Jax.” He wraps his tree trunk arms around me in a bear hug that lifts me off my feet.
I laugh, beyond happy to see him. “Thanks for flying out, Asher.”
He sets me on my feet. “I would have flown coach, man. You didn’t have to send your private jet. Did you miss the memo about the climate crisis?”
“I know how busy you are at the gym. The jet is faster.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “You also didn’t have to hire someone to work the gym for me while I was gone. I could have covered that for a quick trip to LA to see a friend.” He reaches up and scratches his head through his thick, messy hair. “Especially when your heart is broken.”
When I called and asked him to come out, he didn’t question it. Even though I just saw him a week ago and he’s crazy busy with the gym. Now, I understand why. “You’re a good friend, Asher. Maybe the best friend I have.”
He beams and looks around. “You hear that?” he bellows. “I’m Jaxon Hayes’ best friend. Maybe next time, don’t hassle me about visiting with him.”
No one even looks his way, except for Heidi, who’s staring like she’s not sure what to make of my friend.
“I can’t say I blame them for hassling you a little,” I say. “You look a mountain man from an eighties workout video.”
He pats his beard. “I lost a bet with Clover. I can’t cut my beard or my hair until August.”
“And the neon tank top?”
He glances down like he forgot he was wearing it. “Oh, yeah.” He grins. “It’s an ugly fucking shirt, isn’t it? I spilled coffee on my good one on the plane and I didn’t want to wear any of my going out shirts in case getting hammered at the clubs to feel better is on the agenda.”
“I don’t drink. You know that.”
He shrugs. “It’s LA. I don’t know the rules.”
I have no idea what that means. “I’m almost finished up here. It should be about another half an hour and we can go.” I point to a stack of boxes behind him. “If you like this energy drink I’m promoting, you can grab a box or two. Maybe give it out at your gym.”
Asher leans forward and slaps a hand on my back. “I don’t know how things work out here, but I’m your friend. You need me, I show up. You don’t have to buy my time or whatever.”
I stare at him. I hadn’t realized that’s what I was doing, but he’s right. So much in my life is and has been transactional. “I’m not sure I know how to be friends with normal people.”
“That’s okay. I’m a great coach.”
“I’m Jaxon’s assistant, Heidi Hinton.” Heidi offers her hand to Asher, but he pulls her into a hug. She lets out another squeak, and he immediately releases her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Heidi,” Asher says. “Jaxon talks about you like you’re family, so I feel like I know you already.”
I swear Heidi’s eyes go glassy, but she blinks and it’s gone. She straightens and pushes back her shoulders. “I can show you around while Jaxon is finishing up.”
By the time I’ve finished shooting, Asher has made friends with everyone in the place and demolished the snack table. I practically have to drag him out of there.
“Look,” Asher says, once we’re in my car, Kane driving, Heidi headed home for a well-earned break. “I’m here for you, man, whatever you need, but I’ve never been to LA before and I’m dying to see…” He pauses and scratches his head.
I take his pause to be nerves. “Whatever you want, Asher. I don’t know every celebrity in Hollywood, but I have the connections we need to get you the meetup.”
He grins. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t give a fuck about celebrities. I actually want to get another tattoo while I’m here and there’s this tattoo artist who’s supposed to be the best in the world. She’s probably booked up ‘til 2030, but if we have time and she has an opening, I’d love to see about getting in to see her.”
