Protecting Alice

Chapter 5: Regret and A Lead

Asher passed out as soon as Alice led him to the guest room. Nick arrived with Asher's car and gave the stuffed penguin to Alice. Her dad asked, "You like Asher, sweetheart?" Alice smiled and blushed. She said, "Yes dad, I really like him and I hope you are okay that he is my boyfriend now." Nick replied, "I don't have a problem with Asher. He is a good kid. Jeremy is too but he has become too wild lately." Alice gave her dad a hug and kiss. Tara said, "Alice, I predicted you would be with Asher.  Just ask your father." Nick whispered to Tara huskily, "No one compares to what we have darling." Tara playfully replied, "Oh I do know that, my dear!" Alice gave her Mom a hug and kiss goodnight.

She was skipping to her room with her stuffed penguin in her arms. Alice started to fall asleep peacefully. She started to worry about Jeremy but he had shut her out. Alice began to speculate that maybe he doesn't want to be friends anymore. Jeremy felt terrible waking up next to Penny. He felt he had cheated on Alice even though they weren't together. He had always planned to be with Alice one day but things had changed. Jeremy was feeling guilty.  He needed to say how sorry he was to Alice. Jeremy quickly got dressed and left. He remembered to go talk with Max first about the shady club meeting with the guy that he believed killed Carly.

Asher woke up with a smile thinking about Alice. He went to her room and knocked. She was getting ready and said, "Come on in!" Asher came in and he was shirtless. Alice's cheeks flushed when she looked at Asher. His pajama bottoms were dark blue. He chuckled and said, "Good morning kitten, you look beautiful as always!" He came up and wrapped his arms around her waist and started to kiss her.  It turned passionate quickly as she fell onto the bed. He kissed her neck then said, "I love you, Alice." She giggled and replied, "I love you too!"

Alice and Asher were on fire as it started to turn rough. He whispered, "My darling girlfriend, we should stop before..." He trailed off when she interrupted, "I am ready, Asher. You are my everything." Luckily her parents went to work at the P.I. office early this morning since Jeremy called Ashton about Max last night. Asher replied, "You are perfect to me, Alice." They were more connected after that and Asher said after they snuggled close, "I hope you don't regret what we did, kitten." Alice gave him a reassuring kiss, "No, in fact I am so glad my first time was with you. I love you, Asher Parker." He smiled and replied, "I love you so darn much, Alice Townsend."

Across town, Jeremy was interrogating Max. Max said, "I don't know anything. That guy threatened my family and made me send Alice those threatening texts.  I never killed Carly. I loved her. I think her ex boyfriend did it or the guy that forced me to meet him in that club. They are both shady people, my friend." Jeremy believed him and sighed, "Back to square one then!" Ashton, Nick, and Tara were informed by Jeremy over the phone that Max didn't do it. Jeremy went to go buy Alice flowers and apologize to her, face to face.

Asher dressed and said, "It was very nice of your dad to grab clothes from my house and bring my car back from the bar. Does he know we are a couple now?" Alice replied, "Yes and he likes you. Don't worry!" Asher was relieved to hear that and turned to see Alice glowing. She already was dressed in blue jean shorts and white tee shirt.  Alice asked him if she could wear one of his shirts while she was sitting down brushing her dark brown hair.  She was looking at her reflection in the vanity mirror when Asher said, "It would be my pleasure to get one of my shirts for you, kitten."

He went to the guest room and grabbed his light grey and blue plaid button down shirt. Asher handed it to her and she put it on over her white tee shirt. Asher said, "You are so adorable! I am a very lucky man."  She tied up her hair then went on her tippy toes and kissed his lips. She replied, "We are both lucky to have each other." They went downstairs holding hands when she heard a knock at the door. Asher made sure to answer it.  He saw Jeremy standing there with red roses in his hands. Jeremy said, "I came to apologize to Alice for how I have been acting." He smelled of booze and cigarettes when Asher let him in.

Alice was right behind Asher and said, "I forgive you but you only get me flowers when you have done something wrong." Jeremy whispered, "I slept with Penny." Alice wasn't surprised when she said, "You have been spending a lot of time with her. I want to tell you that me and Asher are together now. You deserve to be happy, but Penny? She isn't a nice girl." Jeremy looked at Alice and figured something out, "You are looking all sparkly today, Alice. So you gave it up to, boy scout. I always thought we would be together but it doesn't matter anymore. Here's some news, I have a lead on Carly's case. It has to be either Justin, her ex or the guy she was seeing before Max."

Alice hated Jeremy saying these horrible things to her. She said politely, "If you value our friendship, you will stop being so spiteful. I keep forgiving you but one day I won't." Asher said to Jeremy, "You can treat me bad but not my girlfriend. Thanks for the information on Carly's case.  We can take it from here." Alice took the flowers from Jeremy and threw them in the trash. She said, "Talk to me when my best friend returns to his senses."

Jeremy turned to go and said, "You are both right and maybe solving this case will help me get over you." When Jeremy sped off, Alice asked Asher, "Are we going to finally check out Carly's apartment for clues?" Asher nodded and said, "The sooner it's solved, the better for everyone. Let's go, kitten." He had his arm around her waist as they headed towards his car.