Lawn Boy

I know how hard it is to tell your parents, especially when you only live with one, but I knew that Asher would feel a lot better if he just told his dad. Then again, I’m not gonna push him to do anything he doesn’t want to.
“You can go home now, Ash. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not leaving you. Nope, just call me nurse Asher, because I’m not leaving your side.”
“If you baby me, I’m never gonna get better. I’m not even that bad.”
“You can barely walk.”

Once again, a knock came to the door. It was Ashley again.

“Max, Jamie’s here. He says he wants to see you.”
“Well, tell him that I don’t wanna see him. I can’t even move.”
“I thought you said you were okay,” said Asher.
“It’s just an excuse, Ash. I don’t wanna see Jamie. I’m not in the mood. And you were the last person I thought would want Jamie to come up here.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, what do you want me to tell him?” Ashley asked.
“Just tell him and sick and he can’t come up.”
“I heard that.” Jamie walked into the room.
Asher got up from the bed and walked to the other side of my room. I saw him looking out of the window. Ashley left and Jamie walked in.
“What the hell happened to your face?”
“It’s a long story. I’m sorry about what I said. I’m just not up for visitors.”
“Asher’s here,” said Jamie.
“Asher’s my boyfriend.”
“But he’s still a visitor.”
“Quit the smart remarks, Jamie. I told you before. I’m with Asher. Just quit this bitter, sore loser act.”
Jamie walked to my bed and sat down close to me. “You want me, Max. I know it.”
Before I could answer, Asher pushed him off the bed. “Get away from him. He said he doesn’t want you.”
“Asher, stop,” I said. “There’s been enough craziness today, don’t you think?”
I got out of bed painfully.
“Max, I thought I told you not to move,” said Asher.
“Isn’t this sweet,” said Jamie.
“You’re doing one hellava job of winning me over, Jamie,” I said sarcastically. “You just need to go.”
“Right, I should leave you two lovebirds alone. Oh, and Asher, I forgot to tell you…your dad just hired me. So I guess we’ll being seeing more of each other.”
Jamie left and Asher’s mouth was agape.
“Shit, Max, what if he tells my dad?”
I knew this was a plausible worry for Asher, but I had to make him feel better. “Ash, he won’t. He’s after me not you.”
“Exactly. He knows that he can get to you through me.”
“He wouldn’t do that, Ash.”
“And you know this how? It’s not exactly like you and Jamie are the oldest of friends.”
“Just calm down, Asher.”
I took him and I kissed him on the cheek. I could tell he calmed down a little, but was still worried. Not too long after, he was completely calmed down. He was back in bed with me and we were joking around. Then, my mom came in and she asked the routine question.
“Max, what the hell happened to you?”
“You might as well give up, Mrs. Train. He hasn’t answered anyone yet. I’ve gotten used to it already.”
“I’m okay, mom. That’s all you need to know.”
“Do you need some ice for that eye?” she asked.
“No, Asher got me some earlier. It should be fine now.”
“You take care of him, Asher, okay?”
“You can count on me, Mrs. T.”
My mom smiled. “Good, are you staying for dinner?”
Asher looked at me and smiled. “Sure,” he answered.
“Okay, I hope you like salmon,” said mom.
“Yes, I do,” said Asher.
“Great, I’ll see you boys later.”
My mom smiled and left, closing the door. I kissed Asher on the cheek and he blushed.
“Your mom really knows that I’m your boyfriend?”
“Yeah,” I said. “She’s totally cool with it.”
Asher smiled. “Do you think my dad would be cool with it?”
“I don’t know, Asher. I’ve only met him once. But I can tell you one thing. He’s for sure not going to like it, if it comes from anyone else but you.”
“So you do think that Jamie would tell him.”
“I don’t know, but on the off chance that he does, you need to be the one to tell him first.”
“I think I’m gonna call him,” said Asher.
“You can’t tell him over the phone.”
“No, I’m just gonna say that I’m staying here for dinner.”
“Oh,” I said. “Okay.”
“I’m gonna tell him tonight.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “You can only come out when you’re ready. If not it can be pretty disastrous.”
“I’m sure. I don’t wanna hide anymore, and…I really wanna introduce you to him the right way, as my boyfriend.”
I couldn’t help but get butterflies in my stomach. I could feel my whole face flush and he kissed it away.