Flowers for Football

Bonus Chapter ~ 2

Asher's surprise

For context, this is three years after the final chapter

Age 28 - Asher King's POV

My hand is cramping. I feel dehydration tingling in my throat from how much I've talked. My leg is anxiously bobbing against the ground. Despite all these things, that doesn't erase the fact that my cheeks are sore from elation. I didn't know I could feel such a rush, especially by surrounding myself with people when it's something I've struggled with for most of my life.

Just last year, when I finally broke away from my alias and started branding my books with my name on them, I truly thought I was going to be overwhelmed. However, after coming forward with my struggle of social anxiety and whatnot, my fellow readers have been the most supportive and understanding people. Who knew that I would actually grow to love meeting new people and getting lost in conversation?

That being said, I still have hard days. I still don't particularly like getting spotted in public and being bombarded by paparazzi when I'm out with Leo. I sometimes just need to get away from a crowd at an event, and even when I try to slip off subtly, Leo still finds me and helps me through the episode.

Going on a book tour was a big step for me. The first reason being that I obviously couldn't take Leo along with me, since he has his football duties to attend to. It's playoff season for him anyways, so we haven't talked or seen each other as much as we want to. In a way, it's a great distraction from missing him. The second reason this tour could make or break me is because I know it can be grueling. Traveling from place to place, signing so many books that my hand feels like it's going to fall off, and being in high-stress situations all the time doesn't exactly sound like a fun time to me, but I wanted to challenge myself. Besides, I owe all of my success in my career to the people who got me here. What better way to give back than to do something like this?

I hand the book back to the pink-cheeked girl after writing a heartfelt message inside. She squeals and hugs my latest book to her chest which is a mystery full of turns, twists, and more.

"Thank you so much!" she exclaims, giving me a hasty bow.

"Of course, it's no problem," I say genuinely. "Have a great day."

She excitedly skips off into the bookstore, leaving me with the next person in line.

I literally have to crane my neck to look up at the guy in front of me. Judging by his form and the athletic clothes, I know exactly what he is here for.

"Um, hi," I say politely.

"Hey, man," he says in that typical frat boy fashion. "You're, like, supposed to sign my book or something, right?"

I giggle, "I mean, only if you want me to."

He nods before holding his hand in front of his face like he is studying notes from off his palm. I tilt my head in confusion and try not to laugh as he scrunches up his eyebrows and glances closer at the chicken scratch on his hand.

"Right." He clears his throat. "What does your, uh..." He checks his hand again. "What does your writing process look like?"

"Do you actually want to know?" I ask with amusement as I fiddle with the pen in my hand.

"No," he says immediately before realizing that is the wrong answer. "Shit. I-I mean, yeah?"

I use one finger to gesture him closer. With that giant height of his, he kneels and leans across the table.

I then whisper, "What do you want to know about my husband?"

His eyes blow wide as he realizes that I have finally caught him. He startles me a bit when he abruptly slams his hand on the table and his face lights up with excitement.