Page 70 of Gravity

I’m still annoyed to fuck with him that he’s leaving me here to pick up the pieces once he’s gone, and I despise the fact he’s making me have to lie to Nora and his parents, but I can’t help shaking my head and agreeing with his comment.

“Yep. Everyone knows that.”

“I can’t do this without you, Grayson. You know I need this.”

I nod, agreeing with him once more.

I’m about to reply when Fiona calls him inside, telling him he needs to get a move on if he’s meeting the guys at Cole Security before they fly out.

Heading inside the Nelson house, my eyes instantly search for Nora.

She’s right where I know she would be, sitting next to Pete, holding his hand and chatting to him with the most breath-taking smile on her face. Pete arrived home this morning in time to see Asher off. He looks exhausted but still has spirit inside him that brings out his character to its full potential.

“Asher, are you ready to go?” Fiona asks with a soft smile. “I can drive you.”

“I’m fine, Mom. I can drive myself.”

She hugs him and they hold each other tight. “I hate it when you leave us.”

“It’s not for long, Mom.”

As he turns to Pete, Asher’s shoulders lower and his body language screams that he’s hating every second of this. And it’s only me who can see it.

“Pop. I’m sorry I have to go so soon. But it is what it is.” Taking his dad’s hand, Asher grips hold of it tight and lowers his forehead to Pete’s whilst cupping the nape of his neck.

“Not. For. L-long.”

“I’ll be back before you know it.”

Discomfort settles in my stomach, and I focus my eyes on the wheels of Pete’s chair, not wanting to take part in the family farewell because it’s based on lies and dishonesty, and that’s not who I am—it’s not who I was brought up to be—but the respect I have for this family is what keeps me from telling them everything.

And that is who I was brought up to be: someone respectful. That’s what makes this so fucking difficult to be a part of.

“Make. Me... P-proud.”

“Always,” he whispers, an edge of sorrow in his voice.

Once he kisses Nora goodbye, Asher comes back to me. This time there’s more than melancholy in his eyes. They are laced with the ghosts that I’m now beginning to recognize.

Wrapping his arms around me, he squeezes me tight and whispers. “Promise me you’ll look after them?”

“You don’t have to ask, Asher. And you don’t have to do this either.”

“I’ve got to. I can’t stay. Please respect that.”

I smack him on the back and squeeze him just as hard in return. “I love you, man. Be safe.”

“I always am.”

With that, he picks up his bag to head out of the door, leaving three people behind with the understanding that he’s just doing his job. Meanwhile, I’m left to hold everyone together while he runs away from his feelings, insecurities and demons.

* * *

“Enjoy your meal. Please let me know if I can get you anything else. I’ll be more than happy to help,” Nora says to the elderly couple who are seated by the window of Hot Tuna. There has been a steady flow of people during the lunchtime hour, and where I should be helping out, I take every opportunity I can get to watch her.

She’s in a black tank top that fits her body perfectly, but today has replaced the denim shorts with a short black skirt that leaves little to the imagination. Working with her is both fun and torturous—the little side glances she provides; the way she goes to move past yet brushes herself up against me. All of it has been driving me insane.

However, my dick is loving every minute of it.