Page 77 of Addiction

“Whiskey.”

“Two whiskeys and whatever Mark, Grayson, and Tia are drinking, please Ryan.”

Grayson and Mark just ask for soft drinks as they’re driving but Tia goes all out and requests a cocktail I’ve never even heard of.

“For a minute there, I thought you two weren’t going to show up,” Tia says, looking between myself and Logan. “You looked all cute and cozy when we left.”

I smile, knowing what it must have looked like with the two of us staying behind in the last bar, but it’s all innocent on my part. “We were simply chatting about work and fitness.” I’ve had the chance to get to know Logan a bit more than I have Tia and everyone else that works in and around Resilience. We have similarities when it comes to hobbies and interests. He’d wanted to know why I got interested in becoming a Physical Therapist and what the training entails.

“Is that what they call it these days?” Mark grins. “Tia was practically inviting people to your wedding.”

“Let me know the date and I’ll be there.” Logan chuckles. “My momma wants me married by the time I’m thirty.”

“There’s nothing sexier than seeing two gay men happy and in love.” Tia sighs, coming to sit at the side of me. “You two would make a great couple.”

“Jesus,” Logan chuckles. “Get your teenage dream head back into reality. It was a drink, nothing more.”

I suddenly feel awkward about how this conversation is going, not only because Logan is simply a friend but because I can still feel Asher’s eyes burning into me from the other end of the bar. I don’t understand why he hasn’t approached us yet, or why he seems more closed off than he was in the gym earlier today. Something happened before I showed up, it must have.

“Logan and I are just friends.”

“Ever heard of friends with benefits?” Tia winks.

“I’d be more than happy with whatever benefits Wade were to offer,” Logan adds, laughing.

“Hey, Asher. Get your sorry ass down here and join the group,” Mark shouts, getting Asher’s attention. I see him mutter something under his breath before he reluctantly starts to weave his way through the sea of people. Hot Tuna is always busy, and the weekend is no exception.

“What’s crawled up his ass today?” Mark asks Grayson.

“No idea. He hasn’t been himself since we got here. But he says he’s fine.”

“Well for someone fine, he’s got a face like a wet fish.”

The closer he gets, the more my body reacts to his presence—a feeling I’ve felt for so long and one that heightens by the day. Despite his past issues and his unpredictable behavior, Asher is still the only person to have my full attention. He’s the only man who can excite me with just a look. The only one I want to pursue anything with, no matter how rocky the ride.

Flaws or not, he’s fucking perfect to me.

“Why were you hiding out like a naughty school kid?” Mark asks him.

“Jesus, can’t a guy take a piss without people questioning his movements,” Asher replies. The sarcastic ring behind his words causes Mark to laugh but, I can tell Asher is pissed at the question. Taking a seat next to Grayson, he gets his cell phone out of his pocket and makes himself look occupied. He hasn’t once looked my way since he returned to the group, and I can feel the tension building between us for reasons, I do not understand. It’s like what happened at the gym earlier is unfinished business between us.

“Asher, you don’t have a drink. What would you like?” Logan says.

“I’ll get my own.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind. What are you having? Soda? Water? Maybe a—”

“I said, I can get one myself,” he snaps causing Grayson to turn his head to look at him. Logan is taken aback by his reaction and annoyance runs through me at Asher’s behavior.

“Logan has bought everyone a drink and wanted to include you in that.”

He glances over his shoulder, his jaw ticking with frustration.

“Wade is right, Ash,” Grayson says.

“I mean if you want to buy your own that’s fine. But I’ve bought everyone else’s.”

Lowering his head, Asher apologizes to Logan and asks for a diet coke. The mood filtering between them is a little uneasy, but Logan doesn’t seem the type of guy to hold a grudge. He brings energy to the gym that increases everyone’s mood and brings a smile to those who walk through the door believing they have nothing to be happy about. His work ethic is one I admire, and I’m happy that Mark and Asher selected him to join the team.