His Secret Obsession
Chapter 89

(Emery)

**1 Week Later**

I was so sad to leave Key West and come back to Washington...I can honestly say I am going to miss it. Just having our own time together and not having any real responsibilities was freaking incredible. But..school starts next week and we are moving into our new apartment in three days.

Asher was able to secure us a place more downtown..in the wealthy part of town I might add..and guess what..the apartment complex has a pool. Yeah, I was freaking out. It feels weird to let Asher handle everything because I feel like I'm not contributing much..but he assured me that he liked it that way and considering we would be married soon we will be sharing everything anyway.. He even gave me a freaking debit card to his account, I took it because he practically begged on his knees but I haven't used it yet..I don't know..it just feels weird because I never want Asher to think that I expect that or something. I know he doesn't..but I still feel bad.

For this move, Asher hired a company to do all the moving for us, and the apartment was already furnished with a lot of nice things left by the previous tenants so we don't have to do much.

I hadn't seen the apartment in person yet, only on the phone with pictures but it looks huge. It even has three bedrooms, a nice kitchen..an office, and a gaming room.

My uncle looked at the pictures and just frowned before narrowing his eyes at Asher and walking away.

Uncle Jack has been so damn moody since we got back...I am just trying not to rock the boat and let him have his little tantrums. If I ignore them he seems to move on pretty quickly.

But yesterday he was really ticked off when the police station called and said Ethan is going to court to see if he will be granted bail. We hope not because I'm pretty sure his dad can pay whatever amount they set..and then he will essentially be out on the streets again. I'm sure they give him some type of probation and rules or something but even a restraining order didn't stop him before. I'm trying not to go down that path and stay positive but Asher doesn't seem to have that same mindset.

So all of the men in my life have gathered for some type of meeting to go through what will happen if he does get out while Jackie takes me to lunch. I bought her some pretty earrings as a gift from Key West and wanted to give them to her. They have beautiful flowers on them with green vines, and considering she loves plants I thought it was perfect. Plus she wants to hear all about my trip and see the pictures we took.

She picked me up from the house at noon and we were now at a cafe downtown. It just opened up recently and Jackie has been wanting to try it.

After sitting down and being handed a menu, we started talking about what she had been up to and then I told her all about our trip and how it went. She burst out laughing when I mentioned the jetski and how Asher wasn't prepared for it. I didn't tell her about the screaming...but I couldn't stop laughing when I thought about it. That was definitely something I would remember for the rest of my life..oh yeah, and getting engaged..that too.

"I can't believe he proposed in a bathroom. That's definitely one to remember." She joked, making me chuckle as I couldn't help but look down at my ring.

"It was pretty romantic though..I was feeling super vulnerable and he just blurted it all out." I smiled to myself, getting lost in the memory as Jackie sighed happily.

"I can honestly say I never thought Asher McNeal would fall this hard for someone. He just seemed so cold and closed off, but around you, he is a totally different person." She expressed with a warm smile, and I couldn't help but nod my head and agree "That's kind of why I was freaking out a little. I didn't understand why me..but I have never seen him like this..and the fact that it is me..I just feel like the luckiest girl in the world." I admitted, making Jackie reach out as she grasped my hand and squeezed it. "Well Emery, I think Asher is the lucky one here. You are so kind and sweet, and really bring out the best side of him..Even Carson can't believe half the stuff that comes out of his mouth lately." She laughed, making me smile brightly as I squeezed her hand back appreciatively.

Just then a guy in a black button-up shirt and tan pants walked up with a small pad of paper and a pen.

"Are you beautiful ladies ready to order?" He asked with a mega-watt smile, making me feel nervous as I looked down at the menu once more.

"Ugh, can I get the California wrap please?" I asked shyly, watching as he scribbled it down.

"Great choice." He stated enthusiastically before turning his attention to Jackie.

"And you? Oh wait, I think I have seen you around. Do you go to WSU?" He suddenly blurted, making me look up at Jackie who furrowed her brow and looked at the guy like she was trying to see if she knew him. "Ugh, yeah I do." She muttered, smiling politely as the guy laughed.

"I knew it, I think we had Mr. Peterson together last year in political science. Bryce Walker." He said and Jackie's eyes finally lit up with realization.

"Oh Bryce, yeah, nice to see you." She added with a tight smile, her eyes darting to me awkwardly before looking back down at her menu.

"I don't think I have seen you around before. Do you go to WSU?" Suddenly the guy turned his attention back to me, making me clear my throat as I nodded my head.

"Uh yeah, this will be my first year on campus." I tried to be friendly and noticed Jackie was acting weird. She began typing on her phone, and I felt mine vibrate.

"You know what, something came up and we actually have to go. Sorry about that." Jackie suddenly said, making me fill with confusion and I quickly opened my phone, seeing it was her that texted me.

From Jackie: This guy was one of Ethan's good friends. We should go.

"Oh, are you sure? We were just getting started." Bryce teased, looking between us as I stiffened in my seat.

"No thanks, but we appreciate it!" Jackie interjected before standing and pulling me right up next to her.

"Thanks for coming in, see you around at school Emery." The guy yelled out to us, making me almost freeze in my tracks if it wasn't for Jackie pulling me along..I never told him my name..could he have known who I was all along?

"That fucking creep, seriously..he is going to send his fucking goons to keep an eye on you? This is fucking unbelievable!" Jackie began to yell, making my eyes widen..I had never heard Jackie curse or get upset in general.

"Maybe it was a coincidence..he might have just worked there and..and.." I couldn't even come up with anything..there was no way he would know my name..

"That prick doesn't work there. As soon as he said his name I knew who he was. He is a rich frat boy who gets a damn allowance, plus he wasn't even wearing the right uniform..he must have followed us there or something." She muttered, causing me to swallow hard. Would Ethan seriously do that? Or maybe they are just trying to scare me because I got their friend locked up..that's what it has to be..he wouldn't have people following me around, would he?

"Let's go to Sandy's, we know we can eat there safely..then we will call Asher and Carson to tell them what happened." Jackie announced as we walked to her car and got in swiftly..as soon as we pulled away..I kid you not, Bryce was standing on the sidewalk waving at us as we drove by and Jackie swiftly gave him the middle finger and sped off.

I turned my head back around, looking straight ahead as my phone started to ring, making me jump.

I looked down at the phone, not recognizing the number, and glanced towards Jackie nervously.

"Put it on speakerphone." She instructed and I did just that before placing my trembling finger down and answered the phone. This can't be Ethan..please don't let it be him..

"H..Hello?" I stammered, mentally kicking myself for sounding so weak.

"Emery? This is Tina McNeal, Asher's mom" A soft feminine voice filled the car and my head snapped to Jackie's, making my mouth drop as I blinked rapidly. Asher's mom..I have met her a few times in my life but never really long enough to know much about her. She seemed nice enough and I knew Asher loved her. I wasn't expecting this though...why was my throat so dry now?

"Say something." Jackie whispered, yanking me back to reality as I cleared my throat and looked back down at the phone.

"Uhh hi, how are you?" I stumbled, trying to form some type of sentence.

"I got your number from your dad, I hope I'm not imposing." she explained making me relax slightly, so she talked to my dad. I knew they all used to hang out in the past so it isn't too shocking.

"I wanted to ask a favor..I would like to ask you and Asher to dinner..but want to make it a surprise for him." She asked and nerves filled my stomach..she wanted Asher and I to go to dinner with her? Oh god..I can't keep anything from Asher..what the hell should I do?

"Okay..sure..what did you have in mind?" I guess this can't be so bad..I have heard how Asher wishes he could spend time with his mom more. I know she works a lot so this could be a great time. I mean, what could go wrong?