Without warning, he shoves past me into the apartment. I let out a long breath as I shut the door behind him. Turning to face him, I try to keep calm.
“Look, Nash–”
“I want to see Ash,” he cuts in sharply.
“She’s sleeping,” I say again, dragging a hand through my hair.
“You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.” His voice is tight, his hand resting on his gun. My eyes flick to it.
I let out a dry chuckle. “What? You thinking of shooting me if I say something you don’t like?”
His gaze flashes with something unreadable. “The thought crossed my mind.”
I sigh. “I’m here because Ash asked me to be here. She was upset, so I came over. I get that you don’t like this, Nash. I get that you don’t like me. Ash told me you were protective of her, but I care about your sister, and unless she tells me otherwise, I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re old enough to be her father,” he growls. “Doesn’t that bother you?”
“No, and it doesn’t bother Ash either,” I say, trying to keep my voice in check.
“Well, it should,” he snaps. His voice rises, and I glance toward Ashlyn’s bedroom, my jaw tightening.
“Keep it down,” I warn him. “I don’t want you waking her. She’s a grown woman, Nash. She can decide who she dates.”
“What’s going on?” Ashlyn’s sleepy voice drifts from behind me.
I turn and reach for her, slipping my arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Hey,” I murmur. “Sorry we woke you, baby. Nash decided to drop by.”
I press a kiss to her temple and glance back at her brother. If looks could kill, I’d be on the floor. Ashlyn tenses beside me, and I give her waist a gentle squeeze.
“Is it Taylor? Is she okay?” she asks, her voice tight with worry.
“No change,” Nash answers, his tone softening just slightly. “I just wanted to check in. Make sure you were okay here on your own... but it looks like you’re fine.” His gaze flicks between the two of us, his jaw clenching. “What are you doing with him, Ashlyn? He’s too old for you.”
Ashlyn sighs, exasperated. “God, Nash. I’m not doing this with you right now. Thanks for coming by, but as you can see, I’m fine. You should go.”
“Ashlyn–”
“Goodnight, Nash.”
“This is a mistake,” he mutters as he storms past us, slamming the door behind him on his way out.
Ashlyn sags against me, and I wrap her up in my arms. “You okay?”
She lets out a breath. “I’m sorry,” she whispers against my chest. “I love him, but he’s impossible sometimes.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” I tell her gently.
“I heard what he said to you. He had no right.”
I hold her tighter. “He’s just worried about you. He doesn’t want you to get hurt.”
“He doesn’t want me to live my life,” she mutters.
“Maybe it’s the cop in him.”
She lets out a dry laugh. “If that’s the excuse, what about Cade, Seb, and Wyatt? They’re not cops, just overprotective pains in my ass.”
“Hey,” I say with a smile. “You don’t mean that.”
