Page 82 of Fragile hearts

Asher left after a few days. Technically, he wasn’t supposed to leave work, but he made an exception for me. He made me promise I wouldn’t get in trouble for at least a month. Ever since I visited my brother, a burden has lifted from my shoulders. I still feel sad and angry, but I can talk to Micah about it. I have visited his grave five more times. I had told Carson when I was planning on visiting, and each time he would bring me bouquets that I could take with me. He’s also working on a new Mickey Mouse LEGO set. When we have the evening off, we spend it at the dinner table. He’ll be working on his Mickey Mouse set, and I’ll be busy with either work or a puzzle.

His sleep schedule is also improving. I’ve been asking Killian for updates when he’s working a night shift. He tells me he sleeps fully through the night when he has the chance and barely listens to my voice memos anymore, which is a huge relief. His relationship with his family and Killian is also improving. He’s been spending more time with them and invites me along every time.

But we have agreed to take our relationship slow, since neither of us has ever been in one before. We haven’t gone further sexually. We make out a lot, and he has gone down on me several times, since he claims he loves doing it, and I’m definitely not complaining. That man has a very dirty mouth with a very talented tongue. I haven’t seen him naked yet. He says he wants me to be sure if we go further, but he’s not in a hurry. He’s been spending every night here when he doesn’t work. I have gotten him a new dresser for his clothes, so he doesn’t need to go to his house if he doesn’t want to.

I hear the front door open and close. Footsteps trail up the stairs, growing louder as they near my door. A soft knock breaks the silence, followed by, “Baby?”

“In here.” Carson’s head peeks through the gap between the door and the doorpost. His lips curl up in a smile as he steps into the room, pressing his lips to mine in a soft kiss.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” His breath smells like beer, but he’s not drunk. His eyes are clear, and I know he drove here, and he would never do that if he were intoxicated. “Did you have fun?”

He nods, unbuttons his jeans, folds them, and lays them on the dresser. His shirt follows until he’s wearing nothing but his boxers. He crawls in next to me, beckoning me to lie on his chest. We switch it up sometimes. he likes using me as a pillow. Other times, like today, I lay on top of him.

“A girl asked me to dance tonight.”

“Really.” I raise an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I said no, of course, but she was drunk. She didn’t listen until I said I had a girlfriend and showed her your picture.”

“Well, I’m glad she listened. I’m not sharing you.”

“Is that right?” he teases.

“Yes, you’re my boyfriend now, not hers.”

“Only yours, baby, I promise”

“Good…Wait I’m your background? Which photo?”

He grins sheepishly. “Uhm.”

“Did you take pictures of me?” I know he wouldn’t take any obscene pictures without my permission, but I’m wondering what kind of pictures he did take.

“Maybe?”

“Can I see?” I hold out my hand, he doesn’t hesitant before handing me his phone, I unlock it and open the album that has my name. There are dozens of pictures on here. The picture he has as his background is from when I was learning how to ride my bike. There many other’s some from when I was sleeping, others from when we were hanging out. It’s kind of sweet.

“You are so—” he waits for my answer in fear, “sweet.”

He sighs. “Fuck baby, you scared me.” He pulls me tighter to him.

I peck his lips. “You have absolutely nothing to be scared about.”

“I think Killian hates Connor but loves him at the same time,” Carson says after a minute of silence.

“What do you mean?”

His finger runs through my hair. His chest vibrates under my head when he speaks. “Well, he obviously hates him.”

I have seen that. I think everyone within a mile radius can see that. Killian runs every time Connor is near. But I think it’s more hurt than hate. I think he still loves him, and he hates that. “But today, a guy approached Connor, and Killian was livid. I have never seen him so mad before.”

“I think he’s hurt, and he doesn’t like that he’s hurt. So he becomes angry instead.”

“I wish we could help them,” Carson mutters quietly. It’s been bothering him, not that they had a relationship. He managed to get past that. But he doesn’t like that his brother and best friend barely talk after they have been friends for so long.

“I know, honey,” I whisper, kissing his bare chest. “But they need to figure it out by themselves.”