When He Saved Me

t w e n t y - s e v e n

I wake up with Asher still beside me, but something feels different. I glance over and see his phone buzzing incessantly on the dashboard. The glow lights up his worried expression as he scrolls through missed calls—17 from Jake.

"Damn it," he mutters, sitting up suddenly.

"What happened?" I murmur, rubbing my eyes.

"Jake's been trying to reach me. He's worried about you," Asher replies, his frustration evident. "I didn't mean to keep you out this late, Mads. He's probably losing his mind."

My stomach twists at the mention of Jake. "It's not your fault. We were just talking."

"Talking? You mean we fell asleep," he snaps, his voice rising. "He's freaking out because he thinks something's wrong."

I recoil slightly at his tone. "I didn't ask you to babysit me, Asher. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, but this is Jake we're talking about! He cares about you, and he has every right to be worried!" His frustration spills over, and I feel the distance between us grow.

"Maybe he shouldn't be so controlling!" I retort, feeling defensive. "I'm not a child. I can handle my own life."

Asher stands, running a hand through his hair as he tries to process the situation. "This isn't about control! It's about concern Mads!" 

I feel a sting in my chest, the hurt from his words echoing in my mind. "So now I'm a liability? Just someone to be worried about?"

"That's not what I meant!" he exclaims, his voice tense. "I'm just trying to help you!"

"Well, I don't need your help," I snap back, my heart racing with anger and hurt. "I'm not the fragile person you think I am!"

"Maybe you should start acting like it!" he shoots back, his voice sharp and he pauses shocked at what he just said as he watches my face fall. "Fuck Mads I didn't mean it."

"Stop acting like it? Really Asher? Thats rich coming from you" I challenge, standing my ground. "I'm trying, but every time I do, it feels like I'm being pulled back into the darkness. You're not the only one who's dealing with pain here!"

The silence that follows is deafening. I can see the hurt in his eyes, and I hate that we're doing this. The air crackles with tension, and I feel my heart racing with a mixture of anger and sorrow.

Asher finally breaks the silence, his voice quieter now. "I'm just scared, okay? Scared of losing you, scared of what Jake will say, scared of how you'll react."

"Why do you have to keep bringing Jake into this?" I say, exasperated. "He's not the one who has to live my life. I do."

"Because he's your brother! He loves you!" Asher raises his voice again, frustration bubbling back to the surface. "He deserves to know you're okay."

"I can handle my relationship with Jake without your input!" I shoot back, feeling the distance between us widen with each word.

Asher runs a hand through his hair again, visibly struggling to keep his composure. "I didn't mean to overstep, but this isn't just about us. It's about everything you're going through."

"Maybe I don't need you to remind me of everything I'm going through," I retort, feeling a mix of anger and hurt wash over me. "Maybe I just need a little space."

"Space? So you want me to just back off?" he asks, incredulity coloring his voice.

"Yes!" I blurt out, and the finality of my word hangs heavily in the air.

Asher's expression shifts from frustration to something resembling pain, and I feel my heart sink. "Fine. If that's what you want."

"Just... just go," I say softly, my voice breaking as I look away, unable to meet his gaze.