His Secret Obsession
Chapter 13

(Asher)

What the hell am I doing? I know this is wrong..I know I shouldn't be taking it this far but something about Emery Lewis continues to pull me in.. This is messed up on so many levels, not only because I have practically become obsessed with the girl..but also because of what Carson would do to me if he ever found out. Emery is one of the most important things in Carson's life, she is more of a sister to him than his own damn sister. The way he talks about Emery and how protective he is of her, I know for a fact he would never approve. No one was ever good enough for Emery, he has made that perfectly clear since the moment she turned f*****g sixteen and guys started looking her way.

I glanced over towards Carson as he leaned into Jackie, kissing her head as he peered down at his phone. I know he was worried about Emery.. So was I..seeing how upset and heartbroken she was because of me..that image will forever be burned into my mind. How could I let this happen, I f*****g panicked, and then it was like a car crash I couldn't look away from, only I was the damn driver.

When Natalie randomly appeared like the stalker she was and said that shit, I saw Emery's face drop and I felt like a part of me f*****g died right then and there.

I only told Natalie that Emery was chubby back when we were dating because she wouldn't stop asking me about her. She kept accusing me of sleeping with Emery and cheating on her just because we went to the movies once with a group and I said she was Mack's chubby friend..I know it was an a*****e move. But I never thought of it as a bad thing..I just knew it would make Natalie shut up about the whole situation because she was a jealous psycho our whole relationship. The fact that Natalie was here at all pissed me off. I broke it off with her two weeks ago, she just wouldn't accept it. We had even been distant for the past three months before I finally broke it off..I didn't tell Carson about it because I have been using it as a cover to chat with Emery without him wondering who I was chatting with.. Who knew Natalie would go all crazy and show up randomly..then I couldn't say shit because Carson was there and he would know something was up with Emery and me. This whole thing has blown up in my face..I was about to tell Emery the truth and then everything went to shit.

Right after Emery left, I confronted Natalie privately. I told her she needed to fly the hell back home and never speak to me again. This was going too far and the fact that she was acting like we never broke up was insane. I called for an Uber and sent her back to the damn airport. Natalie was pissed but she just hurt the one girl that mattered the most to me..the girl that I can't get out of my head..that I crave and hunger for.

"Yo, dude..what's up with you? Have another fight with Natalie?" Carson asked, pulling me out of my thoughts as I glanced up toward him.

"No, we broke up. I sent her home." I said nonchalantly, making everyone at the table look at me like I just grew two damn heads.

"Fuck dude, that's cold, didn't she just fly all the way out here to see you?" Heath, one of the guys from our team stated.

I just shrugged, not feeling like I needed to explain a single thing to them. They might see Natalie as the victim but who gives a f**k. She is a damn nightmare..and I'm sure this won't be the last time she shows up uninvited either.

Suddenly the door at the entrance opened, making the bell chime above it and draw my attention toward the front of the restaurant. A small part of me hoped it was Emery..but I knew that would be idiotic of me to think, especially after everything that just happened.

I couldn't believe it when I saw who walked in..that asshole Ethan. He came striding in like he owned the place. Just the sight of him made my body tense as memories from last night filled my head. How he had his arm slung over my girl all damn night.. How he continued to follow her around and the way his eyes wandered her body. I can't lie..I couldn't help but smirk slightly when I saw his face. He looked like shit and one of his eyes was partially swollen shut. The fact that he came here after I beat his ass..it blows my mind how much of an idiot this guy is.

"What the hell are you doing here Ethan?" Carson asked firmly while sitting up straighter. Jackie placed her hand on his chest, trying to keep him calm.

"I thought everyone was invited to brunch, or did the text I received not apply to me?" He tried to act cool, laughing it off but Carson wasn't having it.

"That was before you harassed my little sister all night and then tried to break into her f*****g room." Carson gritted between his teeth, anger coursing through him as Ethan continued to glance around. I knew exactly who he was looking for and it pissed me off beyond belief.

I slipped my hands under the table, my knuckles turning white from how tightly I was clenching my fists..I wanted to kill this asshole.

“Come on dude, Em is an adult..shouldn't it be up to her who she dates? She isn't even your real sis.." before he could even finish his sentence I was standing up, my hand around Ethan's throat and my elbow cocked back. Before I could punch him, Carson and a few other guys were on me in seconds, holding me back.

"Dude, it's not worth it." Carson said, gripping my arm as I glared at Ethan who was smirking right back at me. I wanted to beat that smug look off of his face..again. He was actually enjoying this.

"Oh, so you will let your best friend fuck her, but not a decent guy like me." He mumbled under his breath and before I knew it he was on the ground, holding his nose as everyone in the restaurant gasped. I thought I blacked out for a second, losing control but when I saw Carson's hand dripping blood and how he was breathing heavily I realized he was the one who punched him.

Carson leaned over Ethan, getting close to his ear as I was barely able to hear the words he spoke.

"Emery is too good for you, you don't even deserve to so much as look at her and I will never let you lay a single finger on that girl. I swear Ethan, if I ever replace out that you have been harassing her again..I will make your life a living hell. That I can promise.." Carson spat at him, glancing up as one of the cooks in the back came out and told Ethan to leave. Everyone in this place knew Carson and they all loved him..so there was no way in hell he would get in trouble here. We have been coming to Sandy's since we were kids, he even comes here with Emery's dad and Uncle after every home game. That's how he found out about the place, Mr. Lewis knows Sandy personally.

We all watched as Ethan walked out of the restaurant still holding his nose. As soon as he disappeared, Carson turned back towards me, resting his hand on my shoulder as he looked me in the eye.

"Thanks, Asher, for sticking up for our girl..no one messes with our Em..I don't give a f**k if we aren't blood-related..she is more like family to me than my own flesh and blood..I'm sure for you too." He squeezed my shoulder and went to go sit back down.. Yeah..I'm officially fucked..there was no way in hell Carson would ever give me his blessing. I know this could ruin my relationship with Carson..but Emery is worth it..she is worth all of it. I sat back down, pulling up my phone as I found Emery's number. I don't think she knows I even have her number considering Carson gave it to me a while ago just in case if something happened to him and I needed to call her.

I quickly typed up a text, explaining the situation that happened with Natalie and asking her to let me explain. I needed to at least try..

I sat through the rest of breakfast in silence, wanting to get back home so I could anxiously wait and see if she will reply in peace..

It was now 7:35 pm and I hadn't heard a single thing..I went to lay in bed, the feeling of dread fully consuming me now as I decided just to go to the gym. I have to keep myself busy or I might do something stupid like go to her damn house. I was just about ready to walk out of my room when I heard a soft ping noise. My heart stopped, I quickly raced back to my computer, opening my messaging app as I fell back into my chair..my eyes scanning her message over and over again..relief filling me.

Katina: Hey, I am so sorry for dropping out on the call earlier, my phone fell in the pool and I am just now getting on the computer. I don't want you to think it was anything you did. I'm really sorry, I hope you can forgive me for disappearing like that. At that moment I made up my mind..I knew that if I couldn't have her as Asher, then she was mine as Ronan. I just hope when the time comes that she will forgive me...this is the only way.. I can't just let her go..no way in hell..Emery is mine.