His Secret Obsession
Chapter 32

(Emery)

The car ride over to the amusement park had to be one of the most hilarious experiences of my life. I had to muffle my laugh practically the whole time as Carson fumbled with his words, got us lost twice, was sweating more than I had ever seen him sweat, and had the most hysterical nervous laugh I had ever heard. I swear Jackie looked at me with confusion more than once and all I could do was shrug. Carson was freaking out..I know I shouldn't laugh but this was the first time I had ever seen him like this and I am having the time of my life witnessing it. We just found a parking spot and I guess everyone else was ready here so they were all waiting inside.

"Em, you sure you don't want to wear my hoodie or something?" Carson grumbled, not used to seeing this much skin..well, I wasn't used to it either, especially in public. "Carson..seriously? She'd probably die from heat stroke or something." Jackie muttered, glaring at Carson as she sidled up beside me and looped her arm through mine. Carson looked between us and frowned before letting out a deep sigh.

"Fine.." He conceded and I couldn't help but beam at Jackie. I loved having her on my side..because so far Carson does everything she says. I could get used to this.

"Oh, we have to get that huge Monster burger they sell here. I am starving!!" Jackie said excitedly as Carson followed behind us like a lost little puppy.

Glancing up ahead I scanned the crowd of people, instinctively looking for Asher. I don't know why but my stomach seemed to tighten more and more with each step. I knew Asher was here somewhere and the fact that I was going to see him in person was making me more nervous than ever.

"You look so good Em, I am so happy we are here together." Jackie whispered next to me, yanking me out of my thoughts.

"Me too." I smiled at her, feeling Carson swoop up behind us as he put his arms around both of our shoulders.

"You have no idea how happy it makes me to see my two girls get along so well." He gushed, making both Jackie and I elbow him in the side playfully, causing him to flinch.

"Maybe on second thought...." he trailed off, looking straight ahead as Jackie and I both laughed.

Honestly..I was thrilled that Jackie and I got along so well too. I know some of Carson's past girlfriends didn't like how close Carson and I were..considering we aren't really related. Most of them treated me so rudely behind Carson's back, but I never told him that.. I didn't want to get between anything but now with Jackie it all just feels so natural.

We made it to the ticket booth and Carson paid for all of our entrances and bought us each a wristband so we can go on all the rides. It was six o'clock now and it would get dark in a few hours.

Carson gave me a look, which I knew was code for me to implement the first part of our plan. I needed to distract Jackie so he could confirm everything was set up for the Ferris wheel and make sure everything is going to go smoothly.

"Jackie, will you come to the bathroom with me? I forgot to go before we left." Even though I didn't really have to go, it was the only thing I could think of!

"Yeah sure..honey, we will meet you by the bathrooms okay?" She yelled over to Carson who was stalling.

"Sure thing pumpkin, I will be right there." He waved us off, that nervous look returning once again. He just has to last a few more hours..let's hope he can do that much.

"Is Carson acting weird to you?" Jackie whispered as we made it towards the bathrooms.

"Maybe the Mack stuff is getting to him." I panicked, trying to think of anything to explain his behavior.

"Yeah, Craig is coming..so maybe that's it. Did he and Asher fight too? They seemed kind of hostile towards each other when I was at the house." She inquired and my head snapped towards her. Asher and Carson were fighting? I can't even imagine over what..that's so unlike them.

"Not that I know of..that's weird." I admitted, watching as Jackie nodded in agreement.

"Well, Asher has been acting weird for the past month..like smiling at his phone and laughing to himself type of weird. Carson thinks he met someone and is already falling hard." Jackie wiggled her eyebrows and I laughed nervously..great now it was my turn to be awkward.

I quickly washed my hands and we walked out towards a few benches noticing Carson was over there with a group of friends That's when my heart stopped. There was a crowd of people all around us, Carson was talking with Heath, one of their teammates as I looked away and saw HIM towering above everyone. He lifted his large hand, brushing his dark hair back as his brooding silver eyes gazed throughout the crowd as if he were searching for someone. I stood back, watching Asher carefully, trying to absorb as much of him as I could before he spotted me.

He wore a white t-shirt that clung to his arms and chest, his muscles toned and lean as his long torso drew my attention. It's crazy how tall and huge he was, truly...everyone passing by stared up at him in wonder and I couldn't blame them..not one bit. He was gorgeous..absolutely stunning with his sharp jawline and perfect cheekbones. His full lips were a soft pink and the memories of him kissing me flashed through my mind.

Just then, his head turned and our gazes locked immediately, the silver orbs were brewing like a storm as they settled on me and I couldn't help the gasp that escaped me. His eyes began to wander down, examining my body as his jaw clenched and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Asher brushed his hair back once more, relief filling his eyes as he stepped toward me. With that one look alone..we were now the only two people here. It was as if everything around us simply disappeared and all that mattered was him right at the moment. The only sound I could hear was the thumping of my heart beating erratically as Asher smoothly weaved his way through the crowd and was now standing right infront of me. His tall frame towered above me as I tilted my head back, meeting those stormy eyes once more. He was breathtaking.

"There you are, I've been looking for you." He breathed..his piercing gaze scanning mine as I swallowed hard. The ability to speak left me as I opened my mouth and tried to form anything coherent..praying a real word would fall from my lips and not some gibberish. "Hi." I blurted nervously. Asher's sexy full mouth lifted into a smile as his hand reached up, brushing a loose curl behind my ear as my body froze. The feel of his fingertips grazing against my skin made a jolt of electricity run through my already trembling body and settled in my tummy, making it flutter uncontrollably. One small touch and I am already losing it..so much for acting cool, calm, and collected..I am screwed.

"Hi." He smiled widely, his eyes wandering down my body once more as they slowly rose again. I swear I could feel every inch of my skin tingling as his gaze dragged up and down carefully.

"You look.." Asher began but before he could finish, Carson walked over to us, his eyes glancing between Asher and me before he wrapped his arm around my shoulder protectively..why was he doing that? Especially with Asher..

"Ready to go Em? Jackie wants to ride the Rollercoaster first." He was speaking to me and yet his eyes were burning into Asher..they were doing some type of weird stare-off thing..I was floored. "Yeah, let's go." I smiled warmly, trying to defuse the hostility.

I glanced back towards Asher, watching as he quickly walked forward and settled right beside me while Carson went to Jackie and wrapped her in his arms. He shot one last glare to Asher before getting lost in conversation with a few of his friends. There were about eight of us in the group including Craig. He jogged over right as we were leaving and gave me an awkward smile. I felt bad for the guy but Asher seemed to welcome him like normal.

I know people were talking and laughing around me..but all I felt was Asher. It was almost like my body was humming with excitement from him being beside me. Every step, every stare, every breath..my body seemed to respond no matter what he was doing. I let my hand fall to my side as his masculine cologne filled my senses. The ocean scent swirled around me, making me dizzy as I tried my hardest to focus on anything but him..

So I forced myself to listen to the random conversation Carson was having about some new car that just got released. Just as I was beginning to calm my nerves, I felt a delicate brush against my hand. This one small action made thousands of sparks dance across my skin as I slowly turned my head, making eye contact with Asher as his hand grazed across my knuckles once more. I felt like I couldn't breathe, the tension so thick that I began to hold my breath, trying to contain these emotions that wanted to burst out of me. Asher leaned into me, his lips brushing against my ear as three little words trickled out of him like sweet honey.

"You look beautiful." His fingers traced my palm as he weaved his fingers through mine, making my heart explode as he held my hand gently.

I glanced down, looking at our hands melded together as I made the mistake of peering up into his eyes next..what I saw shocked me to my core..this look, this is what I dreamed of for so many years...what I fantasized about since I was a young girl. This one look confirmed everything for me..Asher McNeal really had feelings for me..this wasn't fake..everything he told me, he felt it just as much as I did and I don't know how much longer I can go without finally having him as mine. I'm screwed..