Page 64 of Gravity

He scoffs. “None of you have any idea what I want or need right now.”

“I think you need professional help.” The words are out before I can control them, and the look in his eyes tells me he’s not best pleased with my statement. But now the bomb has dropped, I can’t not say any more.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Asher, you’ve not been yourself since that last time you were in Iraq. I know what really went down out there. And trying to drink away those memories, like I believe you are doing, is not going to get you anywhere. Stay here. Get some help.”

He leans forward, his facial features now making it evident that I’ve hit a nerve as he growls, “There is nothing wrong with me.”

“I know it was only twenty-four hours ago that you were freaking out about your dad. Now you’re prepared to head back out when you don’t need to.”

“Which is why I can't stay. My head will be sorted once I’m out there. I can’t be here and do nothing while I wait, wondering and watching, for him to have another seizure.” His eyes are wide, the anger in him rising as I challenge him on this.

My own frustration is almost at boiling point. I’m baffled by the fact he can’t see the bigger picture here—he can’t see what’s right in front of him—and the fact he’s been given a fucking alternative that he should be taking while he can, but instead he’s choosing to run from.

"So, you're happy for Nora to witness them alone?"

"She'll have you."

"She needs her brother!" I yell, feeling the eyes of others look our way. I don’t turn to apologize because I’m too fucking angry with what I’m hearing right now.

Irritation rolls off him, and the storm in his eyes is something I don’t like witnessing, but his words that follow really have my blood raging.

“I can’t just put my career on hold like Nora has for fuck’s sake.”

Fuck knows how I stop myself from leaning across the table and ripping his fucking head off. “He’s your fucking dad, Asher.”

“And I need to make him proud!” he yells.

I suddenly don’t know who is sitting in front of me. I understand his passion and drive for what he does, but it’s Pete, for Christ’s sake. Every man in the entire force knew of Pete and how tragic life has turned out for the Nelsons, and now, with his added seizures there’s a possibility that things could get worse. The support they have had has been incredible, but right now the man sitting before me is paying more attention to his drink and clearly has other priorities. I don’t think it’s even about the commitment to his team. It’s about his damn fucking pride.

“So, you’re going to jet off, knowing you had the choice to stay here and work whilst you supported your family?”

That hits a nerve, and his eyes are laced with fury as he seethes, “You have no right to judge me when you’ve hardly been around them of late either.”

“That’s not fucking fair!” I roar, slamming my fist down on the table as rage runs my veins.

This time, Ryan steps up beside us, asking if everything is all right, but I don’t answer. It’s a low blow from my friend and one that had the power to hit me where it hurts. Anguish slices through me, gripping my insides like a vice and bringing my mood down even harder.

Keeping my eyes firmly on Asher, I point my finger in his direction and growl, “My mother has nothing to do with this, and you know it, so don’t you dare fire that shit at me when this is all about you and your choices. My mom is gone, and I’d give anything to spend one more day with her. Meanwhile, you’re throwing your opportunity away like it’s a bag of fucking candy. What the hell is wrong with you!” Not being able to take any more of the way he’s made me feel, I stand, needing space—needing air. How dare he turn this around on me. She was my mother for Christ’s sakes.

Giving Ryan the nod and telling him I’m out of here, I turn to head out of the bar, but Asher’s words stop me.

“Just promise me you’ll look out for them while I’m gone.”

Despite how furious I am with him, I can’t ignore his plea, especially with how things have progressed with Nora. Turning, I grit out my words before I head out of the door, needing this sudden wedge of discomfort and grief that’s crushing my chest to disappear because I can’t breathe.

“You know I will.”

Chapter Eighteen

Nora

“Shit, Nora. Work has been kicking my ass. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me,” Makenna says as we sit in her back yard and catch up on some girl time. I’ve not had the chance to see her since everything with dad happened.

“That’s fine. I know you were. Besides, Grayson and Asher were with me.”

“But he’s okay now, though?”