Asher: I really do want to fuck you. I dreamed of it again the other night. I can’t stop imagining what it will be like.

Atticus: Then we need to get together and make it happen

Asher: You’d let me?

Atticus: I already told you I would

Asher: When?

Atticus: Monday? Get a hotel room like before. Dad can afford it. We need privacy.

Asher: I have a late class Monday. Until 8. Then I have to hit the gym. I’m working with a trainer now, and we have a schedule

“You and your stupid gym,” I grumbled at my phone.

Atticus: Can’t you cancel just once?

Asher: Not with the routine I’m supposed to be working through

I sighed, and the bell rang, telling me someone had pulled up to a pump. Abandoning my phone on the counter, I grabbed my coat and headed outside to pump gas. It was above freezing tonight, but the dampness in the air made me shiver. April was around the corner, along with warmer weather. I couldn’t wait.

I bounced on my toes as the tank filled, thinking about what Asher said. We could never be out about this. Being a proper couple was an impossibility. It would be nothing more than our secret, and how long could we live like that?

It was depressing.

The customer joined me inside to pay for his gas, grabbing a snack-sized bag of chips and a Diet Coke to go with his purchase.

I rang him through, and he went on his merry way without a thanks given.

Asher had texted while I’d been outside.

Asher: Tuesday or Thursday?

I worked both those days after class.

Atticus: Working. Wed or Fri?

Asher: Gym

This was annoying.

Atticus: I’ll meet you at the gym on Monday. Can we go somewhere after?

Asher: I can get us a hotel room again, but I can’t keep doing that. Dad will know something is up.

Atticus: Pack lube and condoms in your gym bag, I’m broke and don’t have any.

Asher sent a thumbs up, and I wondered how many shades of red his cheeks were.

Three hours later, when I was walking back to Aaron’s house after my shift, I pulled my phone out and sent Asher one more text.

Atticus: We need to talk about Jay’s offer. He keeps texting me, asking for an answer. I would have told him no right off, but now I don’t know what to think since you talked him up to 20k. That’s a lot of fucking money. I’m not sure how to say no to that.

I didn’t get a response. It was after eleven at night, so either Asher was passed out or wasn’t ready to go there yet. I pocketed my phone and continued on my way.