Chapter 39
Like when I’d been seven and taken a ride on my new bike and had fallen over and scraped both my knees badly because I’d ridden too close to the curb. My mother had patched me up, but instead of a hug, I’d been treated to a lecture about carelessness. Instead of her blowing on my boo-boos—at seven, I’d apparently been too old for that—she’d seen the accident as an opportunity to teach me about taking responsibility for my actions and how to take it like a man. Not until I’d been dismissed and limped over to Asher’s house had I found comfort.
No wonder I considered him my real family. My home.
He led me to the couch, knowing it was my favorite place in the apartment with its deep seats and soft cushions. Positioning himself sideways, he pulled me into the v of his legs, and wound his limbs around me, making soothing, nonsensical sounds in my ear.
He didn’t ask questions. Didn’t demand anything from me or tell me to man up. Just accepted me the way I was, flaws and all.