His Secret Obsession
Chapter 24

I began to panic, going through every chat Ronan and I ever had..some things didn't make sense..like how he knew so much about me at times when I didn't even remember telling him that information. How he knew I was short or how he spoke about some of my mannerisms like he had seen them in person

How the first time I was on the phone with Ronan and the call dropped then Asher magically appeared outside of my door beating Ethan up for trying to break in. I feel so foolish..That would explain why Ronan didn't seem to care about what happened between Asher and me. He practically just waved it off and acted like it wasn't a big deal..and why does he trust Carson so blindly?

And then the biggest red flag of all..why he never gets on webcam. I groaned internally.

I need to figure this out..there are just way too many coincidences going on.

Switching off my phone, I glanced over at my dad, watching him carefully as we listened to classic rock. He reached over, gripping my hand gently as he squeezed it lovingly.

I suddenly felt my phone vibrate as I pulled it out again, my heart practically beating out of my chest as I clicked open the message and read it carefully.

Ronan74: I miss you too and can't wait to see your place beautiful. You are driving there now?

Of course, he knows I'm driving there. He knows exactly what I am doing. If Ronan is Asher then why the hell is he doing this? Was this all some type of game to him? Could he be interested in me but is embarrassed to be seen with me in person? The memory of Asher avoiding me in front of Natalie suddenly flashed through my mind and my heart began to ache. Is that the answer?

I put my phone down once again, not responding to his text as I tried to process all of this. The sinking feeling that I was making a huge mistake began to take over. Should I even be moving out?

I felt like I was starting to panic like I might be rushing this. Maybe I shouldn't move out just yet..I have never been alone before.

"Bug, what's wrong?" My dad asked, his eyes darting from me to the road and back.

"Dad..do you think this is a mistake?" I whispered, holding those tears back as I bit my lip nervously.

"What? No bug, we knew this day would come. It will be hard at first but I think it's time." He said, Squeezing my hand once more as the tears wouldn't hold any longer. I burst out crying, diving into my dad's side as I hugged him around the waist. His eyes were glued to the road as my body shook with sobs.

"I'm going to miss you dad." I cried into his shirt, my heart cracking as I felt like a complete baby for reacting this way but I might be truly going through a mental breakdown now.

"Bug, come on, like you always say, you will be twenty minutes away. Plus, if it doesn't work out, then you just come back home. It's that simple." My dad said, his arm wrapped around me as I nodded my head.

"I'm sorry.." I said, tears streaming down my face.

"What could you possibly be sorry for Em?" My dad asked, sounding amused.

"I'm sorry that you had to spend your life dedicated to me, that you didn't get a second chance." I sniffled, feeling guilty that my dad has been alone all of these years raising me.

"Second chance? Bug, why would I want a second chance when my first one was so perfect?" He spoke softly, his words tender and full of love.

"Your mom was it for me Emery. Our love was so perfect and fulfilling that I never need to love again like that. What I got was enough to last me a lifetime..you are enough to last a lifetime." He kissed the top of my head, causing me to hug him even tighter as I took a shuddering breath.

"Dad, I just want you to know though, that if it ever does happen, I would be more than happy for you. You do deserve to love again..and that won't change what you and mom had, it just means you have so much more left to give." I whispered, feeling him stiffen as my words struck him deeply. I know why he never tried to love again, because he felt guilty towards my mom. But from what I knew of my beautiful mother, I knew she loved my dad with all of her heart. I know she wouldn't want him to be lonely, she would want him to be happy.

"You're mom gifted me with such a good kid." He said softly, hugging me once more.

"Love you dad." I sighed, trying to calm myself down. Feeling slightly better for getting some of those emotions out.

"Love you too bug." He whispered, pulling me in as close as he could.

We got to the apartment and parked outside of my building as I got out of the car, trying to wipe my tears as my uncle and Asher pulled in with Carson and Jackie close behind.

Suddenly Asher jumped out of the car, ran over to me, and pulled me into a tight hug. I froze instantly as I felt his arms wrap around me tightly as I found myself freezing on the spot.

"It's okay..it's okay to be sad." Asher whispered, causing me to break down once more as soft sobs shook my body. How did he know? I sniffled softly and peered up at him, watching as his eyes closed and he held me tightly. Does he truly care about me? If he does, then why hide it..why pretend to be someone else?

Suddenly Carson and Jackie piled in, joining our hug as Asher now stiffened.

"Don't worry Em, we will be right down the street, if you ever need anything we are here for you." Carson added, squeezing us tightly, causing me and Jackie to groan.

Just then I heard my Uncle Jack say my name and surprisingly joined the hug as well.

"Why are you leaving me Em, why.." My Uncle cried out jokingly as he tried to lighten the mood.

I nudged him in the side, causing him to wince as everyone started letting go. Asher's hands slid against my side. I could feel his warm palms through my shirt as he looked me in the eyes. His gaze was intense and full of emotion.

"I'll be okay." I said with a reassuring smile as I averted my gaze and looked down at my feet. Just then, he raised his arm slowly as if he were about to touch me but quickly balled his hand into a fist and dropped it back to his side before clearing his throat awkwardly.

My dad walked up, wrapping his arm around me, and pulled me into his side.

"Okay, let's do this." He said with a reassuring smile.

It took about an hour to get everything into the apartment. The mattress and bed frame was the hardest part. Considering my place was on the third floor.. we arranged my room and desk so things fit easily and piled all the boxes in the small dining area. I couldn't help but study Asher's every move..all the glances he snuck my way and how he checked his phone anxiously. I swear I saw my damn picture on there at one point and then I started to get frustrated. How could I be so stupid, they even sound the freaking same!! How blind and delusional could I be?

I tried my hardest to act normal. I ordered pizza and we were all hanging around the kitchen while Uncle Jack went to the store to grab some beer just down the street.

"Thanks everyone for helping out. I really am grateful." I said, biting into a slice of cheese pizza while I noticed Asher staring at me once again.

"Of course Em, you know we are here for you." Carson said, eating his fifth slice of pizza as Jackie leaned against him.

"I'm only ten minutes away too. So if you need anything just call me." She said nodding her head and smiling brightly.

We hung out a little longer as Carson and my uncle drank. They began telling sappy stories about when we were younger and how we have all have grown up, I couldn't help but laugh.

Suddenly I glanced over at Asher, watching him pull out his phone and type something. I looked at the clock seeing it was 6:23 and made a mental note. I was on a secret mission to prove Ronan was Asher and that would be a start.

"Well bug, we better get a move on before it starts raining. I already locked the truck up for you." My dad set the keys down on the kitchen counter and I nodded my head. I was grateful he was letting me use the truck, my dad is the best. "You going to be okay kid? We can stay the night if you want." My uncle said, hesitating as he put his baseball cap on.

"Yeah, I should be fine..unpacking will keep me busy." I reassured him, seeing the sadness filling his eyes.

"Thanks, Uncle Jack, for everything." I ran up to him, hugging him tightly as he wrapped his arms around my back, squeezing me hard.

"Call me if you need anything at all. I mean it Em, even if you just want to talk or something." He whispered and I nodded my head, missing my family already.

"Love you kid." Uncle Jack said softly.

"I love you too." I nuzzled into his chest, inhaling his masculine scent as I forced myself not to cry.

"Okay Jack, let the rest of us say goodbye." My dad said, pulling his brother away from me, taking his place.

I hugged my dad tight and we said our goodbyes. The tears coming now as it took everything in me to hold it together. I needed them to leave before I changed my mind.

Carson and Jackie hugged me next and said their goodbyes, running to the truck as the rain began pouring down.

"I will be right there." Asher yelled to Carson as he glanced at me quickly.

"You need any help unpacking?" Asher asked, shifting on his feet as I looked around the apartment. He was hesitating to leave too.

"I think I can handle it." I said with a tight smile, not sure what to say. Asher nodded his head and then looked down at his hands nervously.

"If you need anything, just know ...we..I mean Carson and me will be just down the road." He fumbled his words out, making my eyes widen as he unexpectedly reached forward, pulling me into an embrace. His arms engulfed me completely as I couldn't help but melt into his touch, feeling his broad chest warming my body as I inhaled his scent deeply. The action caused something inside of me to stir. A feeling of comfort and familiarity surrounded me. This had to be him..I sat in his arms, not wanting to pull away as a loud honking came from the parking lot.

I laughed softly, pulling back as I looked up at Asher.

"I guess that's your cue to go." I smiled nervously, meeting his silver eyes as he looked down at me tenderly.

His hand reached up, brushing a lock of hair out of my face, the action causing my body to tense. My stomach filled with butterflies as I tried not to react to his touch as his fingers grazed against my cheek. His skin was warm as it slowly dragged across my flesh, causing a trail of sparks to burst through me. I fluttered my eyelashes, his mouth gently parting as he was mere inches away from my lips.

"Goodbye, Emery." He whispered, the warmth of his breath fanning against my lips as I swallowed hard. My head swimming as the close proximity rendered me speechless.

Before I could even register what was happening he quickly pulled away, his hands clenching into fists as he turned on his heels and left.

I stood there, watching Asher run to the truck, confusion engulfing me as an aching feeling filled my chest. I instinctively brought my hand up, rubbing at the spot over my heart as I watched Asher McNeal slip into the truck and disappear. At that moment I knew for a fact that the man I have fallen for was the very same man that just left my apartment. But the thing that scared me the most now was wondering if that man really cared for me..or was this all a game?