EMMY
That stupid day happened two weeks ago and I haven't seen Asher since.
Isla has suggested going out again and finding myself, as she calls it, a new Asher, but I've had enough of that. The experience with Tate was more than enough.
Now I'm looking forward to going home the weekend after next. It'll only be Friday through Sunday, but it's great to be able to see my family.
Normally, the drive would be far too long for just a weekend, but it's my sister's birthday, and I definitely don't want to miss it. Since I don't own a car, I have to take the bus, which, at about 300 miles, means halfway around the world.
She's studying in Pittsburgh and has stayed with our parents. She constantly complains about her living situation, but she certainly doesn't want to work a part-time job; she'd rather live with our parents. On top of her tuition, they simply can't afford to pay for an apartment or a room in a shared apartment.
For me, however, the first thing I need is a present for her. Luckily, Isla promised to help me find one and drove with me to Detroit.
I have absolutely no idea what to give Gianna. She's quite demanding, so I don't even dare to try certain things. They probably wouldn't meet her standards anyway.
As I walk through the shops with Isla, she says to me, "I can't believe you're siblings."
I make a face, and she bursts out laughing. "Sorry, but you guys are really so different."
This time I just shrug. She's right that we're very different, but I'm sure I can always rely on her.
Gianna is the only one in my family who knows about my crush on Asher. I confessed it to her two years ago. It hurt me that she still threw herself at him at every opportunity afterward, but I know she doesn't mean any harm. I think she sometimes doesn't even realize what she's doing.
After wandering through the shops for about two hours, I'm starting to get really frustrated. I'm still standing there with completely empty hands.
In desperation, I call my mother. Maybe Gianna mentioned something to her that she wants.
"Why don't you go with her to a hockey game for your college team? You know how much she loves them," my mom suggests, and I immediately regret asking her.
There's only one reason Gianna is interested in the team, and that's Asher.
Unlike me, she's not interested in Asher himself, but rather in the idea that he's a potential NHL player.
Whatever the case, this is definitely not a good idea.
"I'll think about it. Maybe I can find something else."
"Oh, before you hang up, sweetheart," she continues, "Carolin said that Asher is also going home for the weekend in two weeks."
Carolin is my mother and Asher's mum's best friend.
„Hm, okay?"
Right now, I really don't know what she's getting at. It's not like Asher cares if I'm in town, too.
"He can give you a ride, then you won't have to take the bus," my mother replies, as if it were obvious.
Before she comes up with any more stupid ideas, I say frantically, "It's okay. It's no problem for me."
My mother sighs. "Emmy, it'll take you three times as long to take the bus. Asher's driving anyway, and he doesn't mind giving you a lift. Carolin's already talked to him."
This is getting better and better...
"He already knows about it?"
"I don't understand why you're so reluctant, Emmy."
I run my hand over my face in resignation. I can't get out of this. There's no reason I want to give my mother why I'd rather take the bus for almost ten hours than the four-hour drive with Asher.
"I don't want to impose myself," I make one last weak attempt, which my mother immediately stops.
"You're not doing that. Asher will probably be happy to have some company on the long car ride."
I doubt that, at least as far as my company is concerned, but I just give a somewhat indistinct "okay" before we hang up.
Isla, who has seen everything, puts her arm around me to comfort me.
"Don't drive yourself crazy. This will be fine."
As I look at her in disbelief, she adds with a grin, "Who knows, Asher might end up completely enchanted by you after this ride."
This is so absurd that I laugh and playfully push Isla away. She gives me a meaningful wink, which only earns me an eye roll. Sometimes she's truly impossible.
***
I'm nervously waiting outside the dorm for Asher to pick me up. I almost destroyed my phone last night when he suddenly called me to let me know when he was coming. I was so shocked to hear his voice that I almost dropped it. I didn't even know he had my number, but he probably has his mother's, and her mother's is mine.
Of course, I only saved his message so that I could get in touch with him if anything happened regarding the trip – and so that I wouldn't be so caught off guard again.
I nervously shift from one foot to the other. This car ride is going to be a disaster. I'm sure I'll either say something completely stupid or not be able to say a word. The chances of both are pretty good. When he shows up, he greets me with his trademark grin, which I've always loved way too much. He gets out of his black VW and helps me stow my luggage in the trunk.
How is my heart supposed to survive being locked in a confined space with him for four hours when just that grin makes it start pounding like crazy?
As we get into the car and Asher drives off, I say to him, "Thanks for giving me a ride."
He gives me a quick smile before turning his gaze back to the road. "No problem," he replies, "I was going anyway."
I look at his handsome profile. His posture is relaxed, and the fact that he at least doesn't seem annoyed about giving me a ride makes me breathe a little easier.
"Is there a reason you're going home?" I ask him.
"Not exactly. It's just one of the few weekends where I don't have a game. So the opportunity rarely presents itself for me."