The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 29: Silhouettes and Opened Windows

Maksean

The ride home was quiet after I told Asher about his father talking to me. His reaction wasn't one I would've expected. He simply nodded at the information and started driving. I carefully watched as his hands would ever so slightly as they tighten and loosen around the wheel. He didn't grab my hand to hold when he started driving, both hands were gripping the wheel. His ocean eyes were a darker shade of blue almost black. Eyebrows furrowed down.

I slowly moved my left hand towards his bicep. "Asher?" My voice was soft and quiet. I didn't get an immediate response. Not until we came to a stop and a red glow appeared across his face. He turned his head slightly, only enough for me to get a better look at his facial expression. His dark eyes were slightly foggy with the added furrowed brows that made his gaze momentarily freeze my thoughts.

I didn't know what to ask now that I had his attention. I knew everything wasn't okay, and I wasn't sure if he was skeptical of me since his father did come to hire me. Only one phrase seemed okay to say at a moment like this.

"I'm sorry Asher." I wasn't sure what I was apologizing for. Was it for not calling or texting him when his father made it known what he wanted? Or maybe that he could think that I was to work for the man? I wasn't sure but it was a bad habit I had to simply apologise.

I watched his expression morph into an unreadable one, then a small smile beginning to curve at his lips. The red glow turned green as he began to accelerate once more. We were now only a few turns away from being home. He faced the road again but with the new face. "There's no reason you should be apologizing. I'm sorry you had to go through my father's persistent nagging and spying. But all in all, he is my father and I can't control what he does. Which includes his spying, and unfortunately that now means he'll have his eyes on you as well." He paused just as we could see our houses.

I tried not to melt at his deep voice finally ringing in my ears, but it felt like the ten minute ride from Candy's to home that was spent in silence lasted ages. Hearing his voice was more of a relief than seeing him smile.

    When we pulled into his driveway, he didn't turn the engine off right away. He reached down to grasp the hand that rested on his bicep. I watched as he gently brought it up to his lips and gave it a soft kiss. He kept my hand there, holding it as he continued. "I didn't mean to worry you Maks. And I know you wouldn't say yes to his proposal. I just panicked and was in my own head for a while." His eyes seemed to lighten up as traces of bright blue and specks of greens can be found in the pools of navy.

    I slipped my hand from his grasp earning a small pout from the boy that shifted into a larger smile when I quickly unbuckled my seat belt and all but launched myself at him. My arms wrapped around his neck as my face found home on his shoulder. When the feeling of arms around my torso came, I knew we would be alright. After a few moments of embracing each other, I pulled my head up to look him in the eyes.

    "It's okay to panic, just remember that I am with you. Til the end. You're stuck with me. No takesy backsy." I flourished when his deep chuckle shook the both of us.

    "Good. 'Cause I don't plan on giving you up." He said leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes.

    I met him halfway, our lips pressed together sweetly before either of us decided to move them gently against the other. The kiss ended soon, it was late we both had a long day. We didn't need anything more than that for now. I leaned back only to be spooked when I saw a person standing near the edge of the driveway. I couldn't tell if it was a girl or boy, but the moment I saw them, their silhouette dashed for the bushes to the right of Asher's house.

    "Hey, what's wrong?" Asher asked, caressing the side of my head with his hand. He tried to turn his head in the direction I was looking, but our hug and his body was facing my own made it quite difficult.

    I shook my head, deciding it's been a long day and simply wanted to go inside and sleep. "It was just a cat. Come on, let's go on inside. I'm tired." And the words even cued in a yawn earning another from my boyfriend.

    "Okay, let's go. You need sleep." He unlocked the car doors and hopped out.

    I followed his lead and got out of the truck almost falling due to my clumsy legs falling asleep.

"Wow there Maksie, you're not allowed to fall for anyone other than me. Even the truck or concrete." He made his way over to wrap his arms around me. Our feet ventured to the tall wooden framed door, pausing to say our good nights. We parted with a short kiss and a silent promise to see each other in the morning before he ushered me inside.

The front room that led into the living room was quiet meaning either everyone was in their respective rooms or in the kitchen. I quietly made my way through the house towards the kitchen only to see Trey's stubby legs at the fridge, his body covered by the product. I stood there wondering upon noticing that absence of the rest of the family, but when my eyes from the clock I remembered that I worked the late shift. Everyone was probably in bed getting ready if not asleep. Everyone except Trey it seems.

The metal door was closed and the young boy froze when he saw me  standing in the doorway.

"Maks, lovely sister of mine! You're home. How was work? Asher brought you home? Oh would you look at the time? You should get some rest. You need your beauty sleep so you don't look like a zombie on your date tomorrow. Bye love you!" My little brother quickly started with a mouth full of some kind of cheese. He attempted to sneak past me only to whine when I threw a long leg across the door frame, trapping him in.

"Trey what are you doing in the kitchen this late?" I asked.

The young boy simply huffed and reached a hand out to slap my leg down. "I just wanted a snack. Dinner was early tonight and I was hungry again. Leave me be!" He whined dramatically, reminding me why I don't talk to him much after nine o'clock. Whatever weird nonsense that goes on in his head during the day, just comes out at night when he talks about who knows what. His face was turning red as he tried again to slap my leg down.

I rolled my eyes and finally moved my long ligament only because I don't want marks when I wear shorts tomorrow. I look at my brother, brows burrowed downwards and a tired mind. If it was important I'll deal with it tomorrow. "Okay whatever. I'm going to bed. Don't be too loud and noisy. Good night munchkin." I turn, sending him a wave over my shoulder. I hear a good night and his request not to say anything about seeing him there.

I walked down the hall towards my room. My tired body began to take over my tired mind as I got changed into some night clothes. Once covered in sleep shorts and in an old jersey, I turned around to see my curtains open. And past them, I saw the back of my tall boyfriend. I followed his arms that were placed on the front of his face. I was confused until I realized I just changed in front of my window that Asher can see through. And judging by his stance he saw me.

That night my body might have been asleep when I hit the bed, but my mind had woken up and was not sleeping anytime soon.