Perspective

65- I thought it was over

I wake up to the sound of Asher's voice.

"No, no, no, please no," I hear him plead.

I sit up and reach over to touch his hand. "Asher?"

He springs up and jumps out of bed. "Kendra, no."

I run and turn on the light.

Asher is crouched in the corner clutching his hair. His shoulders shake violently as he lets out loud sobs.

"Asher," I gently say.

He covers his ears. "No!" He shouts making me jump back in fear. "Leave, leave!"

Dylan rushes inside the room just as Harper wakes up.

"Holy shit, what's happening?" Dylan asks, panicking.

"He's having a really bad nightmare," I croak out.

Asher's sobs get louder and he keeps begging Kendra to leave him alone.

Harper looks at me and puts his arms out.

I pick him up and hold him against my chest.

Dylan's in front of Asher. "Hey, Asher. I'm sorry that I have to do this."

A loud smack echoes in the room and I wince.

Asher snaps out of it and looks at us in confusion. "What's going on?" His voice sounds like the usual. "Dude, did you just slap me?"

Dylan nods. "What the hell got into you? Who's Kendra?"

Asher swallows visibly, making eye contact with me.

"Wait," Dylan steps back. "Are you cheating on Chase."

My eyes widen. I completely forgot that Dylan doesn't know about Kendra.

"Dylan, he's not cheating on me," I assure him.

Harper has been quietly watching this entire time.

"Can you take Harp?" I ask Dylan.

He takes Harper from me and watches as I help Asher up.

I quickly pull my boyfriend into the bathroom and lock the door.

"What happened?" Asher asks.

I give him a brief explanation of what happened.

"I thought the nightmares were over. I thought it was over," Asher says, his eyes cast downward.

"Baby, it's okay," I assure him, reaching for his hand.

He pulls back. "I could've hurt you."

"But you didn't."

"I could've, Chase," he snaps. "I could've hurt you like I hurt my mom the night I had a nightmare. She nearly died. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything ever happened to you."

"Ash," I start to tell him that he wasn't going to hurt me, but he interrupts.

"Stay away from me until I figure this out, please."

Gone is the goofy happy Asher that I know. A cold broken man stands in front of me.

"Asher, you don't have to do this. Let me help you."

He moves closer and wraps me in a tight hug. He kisses the side of my head.

"I love you, Chase."

I don't even get to say it back since he opens the door and leaves the room.

Dylan is standing in the room with Harper in his arms.

He looks confused as Asher grabs his phone and wallet.

"I love you," Asher tells me and gives me a kiss on the lips before hugging Harper and leaving the apartment.

"You're not going to stop him?" Dylan asks me.

I slowly shake my head, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" He asks.

I take Harper from him. "Maybe tomorrow. Thank you and sorry for waking you up."

He shrugs. "It's okay but is he going to be okay?"

"I hope so."

•••

Thanks for reading:)

~M