Page 67 of Fragile hearts

I shake my head, keeping my mouth shut, worried I’ll say something I shouldn’t.

“Like ever? Not even sexually?”

This is the weirdest day of my life. My favorite baseball player is asking about my sex life.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I never wanted to?” He thinks about my answer then shrugs. Stands up and pats my shoulder.

“Welcome to the family, man.” He walks over to the dining table where Alexis’s puzzle lies.

Did I pass? Holy fuck I passed. I blow out a breath, open my mouth to say something when the doorbell rings. I curse harshly, throwing the door open.

“Hey, bud,” Killian greets holding a brown paper bag, he brushes past my shoulder.

“I got some lunch, I don’t know—” He falters, stopping dead in his tracks when he sees the man sitting at the dining table. Our lunch falls on the hardwood floor. “Holy. Shit.” He has the exact same expression on his face that I had only a few minutes ago. “I—He…Holy. Shit.” Asher stands up holds out his hand for Killian, my best friend stares at it, then at me.

“Pinch me,” he whispers holding out his arm.

I do what he says, earning a hard yelp in return. “Fuck that hurt!”

“You told me to pinch you!”

“Yeah, well, not so hard.”

“I did what you asked!”

“You two are exactly like Alexis described,” Asher says breaking the argument, tucking his arm back to his side. “I’m guessing you’re Killian then.”

“You know my name?” Killian breathes, his body swaying as if might pass out.

I grab my best friend’s arm, stopping him from falling down. “Killian, this is Asher, he’s Alexis’s best friend…Asher, this is indeed Killian, my idiot of a best friend.” Killian stares at me with raised eyebrows, his mouth opening and closing.

“He’s her best friend?” His words are low, but from the laugh that bursts from Asher, it was not low enough.

“Eight years now,” Asher replies with quirked lips.

“Holy. Shit,” A voice says, which sounds very similar to mine. Connor stands in the still open doorway, also holding a brown paper bag. He kicks the door shut, keeping his eyes on our guest. “Is that—” He points to Asher.

“Yes.” I reply chuckling, at least I’m not the only one who is flabbergasted here. “Asher, this is my brother Connor…Connor, this is Alexis, her best friend, Asher.”

“Holy shit,” Connor repeats.

“You guys really like saying that, huh?” Asher shakes his head when I hear a familiar voice from the other side of the front door.

“Cars, honey. Can you open the door?”

I glance at Connor. “You invited Mom?” He holds up his hands in defense.

“Wasn’t me.”

I sigh, greeting my mother “Hi, Mom.” She smiles, patting my cheek, entering the house, carrying a pie. She pauses, giving Asher a critical look.

“I know you from somewhere.” She taps her finger against her chin. “Oh, I know it…You’re from that dating show.”

I drop my head in defeat. My mom is the only one in the house who is not a baseball fan, so it doesn’t surprise one bit that she doesn’t recognize Asher for who he is. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” Asher apologizes, giving my mom a wide smile. “I’m not on a dating show. Maybe in the future.”