His Secret Obsession
Chapter 105

(Emery)

I woke up with a start, my body twisting and pulling instinctively as I thought I was back in that horrible place for the briefest of moments. I thought Ethan was still alive and no one was coming to save me. That's when I heard his voice..the voice of the one I love and then his warmth engulfed me. His sweet touch and tender embrace filled me from the inside out as he calmed my body instantly, causing me to let out a shuddering breath.

"Hey baby, it's okay, I'm right here. You're safe now..you're safe." Asher whispered hastily against my ear, his lips gliding down my jaw and covering me with soft kisses.

"Sorry..I just thought.." I began before clearing my throat and trying to sit up. My body still ached everywhere and I looked around the bare hospital room as I wondered what time it was.

"The doctor just came in, they said we can leave in a few minutes. They are just getting the paperwork all together." Asher explained calmly, his fingers gliding up and down my arm soothingly.

"I see. Sorry for making you wait all this time." I felt bad that he stayed here with me. He must feel so uncomfortable lying in the bed with his feet hanging off the side.

"Baby, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in this world." He declared, making me blink up at him.

"Not even Key West?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood as he thought over the question carefully. "Wait, are you there with me in this scenario?" He asked curiously and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Where else would I be?!" I feigned offense as he bent down and started kissing my neck.

"Well in that case, then yes..I would rather be in Key West. I'm sold..I will book the tickets tonight." I don't know why, but even though he was joking, hearing his voice soften and feeling him relax beneath me calmed me even more. I didn't want to dwell on this..l didn't even want to think about what happened and having Asher play around with me is just what I needed.

I sat up a little bit before turning and pushing Asher back against the bed and crawled onto his chest.

"I have a better idea. Let's get our marriage license tomorrow and then go straight to the courthouse." I blurted, my hands resting on either side of his face as I stared at him intently.

"Baby..I think you need to rest for a little...we have time to do all of this. I just..I don't want you to get overwhelmed right now." He expressed, his eyes filling with worry.

"Asher..if this showed me anything it's that I don't want to take time for granted.....I almost lost you.." I choked out, making Asher wrap his arms around me and pull me close. He was about to say something when I lifted my hand up to stop him.

"I almost lost you and I don't want to go another minute without being yours..without being Emery McNeal and being bound to you in every way possible. So...unless you aren't ready and need a little more time.." I started and he instantly shut me up with a searing kiss. His lips crashed onto mine as he kissed me with wild abandon, making me close my eyes as I combusted beneath his starved touch. I guess that answers that..

After pulling away, Asher gazed into my eyes, his hands sliding onto either side of my face as he caressed my cheeks lovingly.

"Tomorrow, you will finally be mine." He breathed, making my heart skip a beat as I couldn't help but smile.

"Asher McNeal..I have always been yours." I corrected him, knowing that statement was true. Ever since the first time I laid eyes on Asher, a piece of my heart stayed with him..and even if we never ended up together I know for a fact it always would've. No one could compare to this man..no one could have all of me but him and no one else ever will.

"I can't fucking wait." He beamed, his lips kissing up and down my face and neck, causing me to laugh as I moved my hand and accidentally rubbed my wrist across the bed, making me wince.

"You okay?" Asher asked worriedly and I nodded my head up and down. I guess I'm going to be pretty sore for a few days.

The next thing I knew the doctor came into the room along with my dad, and Uncle Jack. They explained that everything looked good on the blood test and asked if I wanted any pain meds. My wrist and face still hurt but I opted out of it and told them I would just use ibuprofen. These painkillers really knocked me out and make me feel groggy so I would rather go without. After we signed the necessary paperwork I had to sit in a wheelchair and be wheeled out of the hospital..which I felt was excessive but it's more for them than me I guess. Asher held my hand the whole way as left and my dad brought the truck around to take us to the apartment.

As soon as we got into the truck, my stomach growled embarrassingly loud. I was freaking starving. So my dad decided to go through the drive-through and got us all some burgers and I scarfed mine down in record time. I even beat Asher who was the fastest eater ever. He kept looking at me with wide eyes and even laughed when I took a bite of his burger too.

Once we got to the apartment I can't lie..it was kind of hard to use the elevator. I just clung to Asher the whole time and closed my eyes, luckily it was a fast ride so I was able to keep that anxiety under control.

My dad and Uncle asked if they could stay the night and we agreed. I know they were still pretty upset about everything and I didn't mind the company. We just played on the Xbox all night and watched movies. Carson and Jackie even came over and then Asher and I announced our plan for tomorrow.

Now here comes the most shocking thing of all...this is what my Uncle Jack said when we told them.

"That might be for the best. But we're still doing our dance afterward..even if it's in the damn parking lot." Yeah, he agreed and didn't seem upset at all!! He was all for it..I guess he finally realizes how much Asher truly cares for me.

I know what happened to me is a lot..but for some reason, I'm not processing it yet fully..like in my mind I am treating it like a horrible movie that I watched and it wasn't real life. I know that is going to bite me in the ass down the road..but it's the only way I can get through this right now. I'm just trying not to think about it and decided to appreciate all of the things I have in life a lot more..all of those things I could've lost.

Suddenly I heard Asher's phone ringing as we were all on the couch watching a movie. He glanced at the screen and then placed it back down before pulling me closer. The phone kept ringing, making him sigh loudly before he stood up and grabbed the phone. "Just one minute baby, I will be right back." He said with a twinge of annoyance in his voice. I bit my lip nervously and couldn't help but wonder who it was. Maybe it's his mom or dad.

After a few more minutes he finally came back and I watched him out of the corner of my eye, he looked super annoyed.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, feeling concerned.

"Yeah..it's just.." He paused, before stopping and wrapping his arm around me.

"Just don't worry about it, we can talk about it later." He finally said and I couldn't help but pout. Was he trying to protect me from something? Now I really wanted to know.

"It's okay, you can tell me now." I whispered, meeting his gaze as his brows furrowed together.

"Let's go talk in the kitchen baby." He said before glancing at the rest of the group watching the movie.

I nodded quickly and took his hand as he pulled me up and walked us to the kitchen.

"What's going on Asher?" I asked worriedly, wondering if it was something with his dad.

"Mack has been calling me. She found out what happened and wanted to see you. I didn't want to tell you because you already have enough going on." He confessed and I looked down at my hands and let out a deep breath.

"You can let her come. I know if something like this happened to her I would be there in a heartbeat..even after everything. I mean..I won't just forget about everything that happened but I understand how she must be feeling." I stated calmly..I was trying so hard to hold in my tears..honestly..a part of me wished she showed up at the hospital, that she would be there for me like the old Mack was. I can't just erase thirteen years of my life and act like she doesn't mean anything to me. Maybe she will explain that message she sent too..or at least give me some type of closure..or maybe I just need a friend..my best friend..just one last time.