My Ex's Brother

Chapter 7: Table for Two

We stared at each other for a couple of seconds until I finally sat next to him to his right on the bench. We just sat there through an awkward silence. I began to look around the park taking in the view: the trees, the flowers, and everything else.

I really should've planned what I was going to tell him before coming here. Now, the intense awkwardness was palpable, which made me uncomfortable.

After a few minutes of that silence, he finally spoke. "So, what did you wanna talk to me about?" I was literally about to tell him about the tutoring thing and ask him about the boyfriend stuff, but at the moment, I thought it was a bit inappropriate.

So, instead of all of that, I just said, "Nothing much. Just wanted to know if you were okay." I mean I wasn't lying. I actually did want to know if he was.

"Didn't know you cared about me." His lips curved up into a smirk as he replied. I was expecting a yes or a no, but I guess he was going to continue keeping his walls up and not share his feelings with me.

"Yeah I mean, I understand how you feel, especially with that Alex thing." He tensed up when he heard his name. I regretted mentioning it after saying it knowing full well that it would probably just bring back the memories.

I waited for him to yell at me, but luckily he didn't. It was silent once again. I returned to scanning the park admiring how beautiful the trees and flowers were under the setting sun.

Then, I heard a quiet mutter, more like a whisper. "Thanks." I was dumbfounded when I realized what Asher had just said. I never thought that someone like him would ever utter anything like that.

Holding a hand to my ear and holding it out towards him, I question, "Sorry, what was that?" I wanted him to repeat it so I could relish the compliment a little more.

In a rough yet bored voice, he said, "I'm not saying it again." I sighed a bit disappointed by his response, but I nodded at him to tell him you're welcome.

And the awkwardness continues I thought to myself. I mean, I've experienced a lot of times when it was hard to talk to a person, but I was always able to ease into a conversation with them. Asher was different. I couldn't find the right words to make him talk.

Noticing that none of us wanted to do or say anything, I acted first. I placed my left hand on his right shoulder, and with worry in my voice I said his name. Asher.

He suddenly just grabbed my hand, gently may I add, and placed it on my lap. It was soothing to the touch and I couldn't help but let out a gasp when he did it. He stood up after doing that and said, "Let's go somewhere."

I knew he was trying to avoid talking about Alex and his ex, and as much as I wanted to try to help him get through it, I didn't push the subject farther. I'd just talk to him after a while. Yeah, sounds good.

"Where do you want to go?" He was walking in the direction towards our cars and I was following him.

"Just drive behind me and follow me." That wasn't the answer I was expecting, but I didn't want to argue.

I got in my car and turned on the engine, making sure to also turn my headlights on. I always forgot to do that. Fortunately, I was never seen by the police, so I never got ticketed or anything.

I was scrolling through the music in my phone after connecting it with the bluetooth device in my car. I did listen to the radio sometimes, but they always play the same songs over and over again, which annoyed me.

Once I finally chose a song and turned the volume up, I looked out my window and noticed that Asher already drove off.

I was able to find him in a while and did as he said. I was following him from behind but we reached an area of the city that I didn't recognize.