Asher

I can't think straight. Madison calls out turns, one after the other, leading us into the woody hills.

I shake my head, like I can put the broken pieces back together if I do. It doesn't work.

My stomach is still clenched tight, my hands are still gripping the wheel.

"We're almost there," she says, and I venture a glance in her way.

Fuck. I can't believe I'm thinking of my dad and his shit when she's here with me. I nod and look away to shift my weight in the seat. Her lips, naturally pouting, and all that honey dark hair. The last thing I need to add to this day is her watching me get hard thinking about her and us being alone.

"It's right here."

We enter a small clearing in the woods, right off a dirt road we've been on for country mile minutes.

I can't see a reason to be here other than to be alone. I face her.

"You can't see it yet. Not from here, but it's worth it. I promise," she smiles at the last bit, blushing a little.

"I trust you," I say, and instantly I know it's true. I've wanted her since she came to town, not just because she's the prettiest thing I've ever seen, but because I feel like she's a good person, my person, but I've been too scared to press it and find out I'm wrong.

Madison steps out of the truck before I can get my shit together and go help her. I get out of the truck and join her as she leads the way into the woods.

There's a little bit of a path. I thought I knew everything to know in this town, but I haven't been here before.

"Keep up," she says, laughing, and there's a lightness in my chest. I didn't think I could begin to smile again after earlier, but she's making me forget.

I laugh and move in closer. Her ass looks fantastic, and I'll picture her smiling over her shoulders back at me in all of my future dreams.

A few twists and turns later, and we're there. It's a small area of water, a natural pool, surrounded on most sides by trees.

When I turn left, I see the edge of the mountain. I know we were climbing higher, but it wasn't clear how high until now.

"There's a waterfall even," Madison says, extending her hand to me to walk to the edge. I take it because I never wouldn't, and she leads again.

I'd let her lead me anywhere. Everywhere. Always.

The edge is a few skinny trees away from being a straight drop, and across from us is a trickle of a waterfall just on the other side of the gap.

We stand shoulder to shoulder, and I don't release her hand. I run my thumb against her palm, and I hear her breath catch. I groan low in my throat, and I feel my dick harden.

It doesn't take anything with her. It never did.

Madison lets go and turns back to the water.

"My father is dead," she says, all matter of fact like she didn't say something heavy. "I don't know if you know that."

"I do, I mean, I thought I heard that before."

"You hear things about me? Are they bad?"

"No. Is there something bad to be heard?" I say, my eyes searching her face. I can't imagine her doing anything bad to anyone. It doesn't seem like a possibility.

"I'm about as run of the mill as they come."

"I can tell you that's not true," I say, wanting her to look at me instead of her feet, the water, and the woods.

"Madison." I move closer to her, needing to touch her. I want to feel her next to me.

"He was a good dad. Things were good. He was actually from Rockson," she says, as she steps on a stone and moves to sit. I recognize the name. It's a few hours west of us. Another small town with not much going on for itself really, but it has some charm.

She continues. "He wanted us to move back there. Sort of. I mean, he didn't want to be there proper, but he wanted that kind of life for us. Something small. A community that cares enough to know your name and all about you." She pauses and looks up at me.

I move to sit beside her, though I feel too big for this place.

"It was good for a while, but not long after, he got sick. Then he was gone, and we were stuck here without him and with bills we couldn't pay."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Everyone has a sad story if they frame it that way. I just wish he was here."

"I know he would want the same thing."

"It's selfish, you know. Me wanting him back. I want him here for me, because he was my father. When he left, my mother lost it. Full blown, no return. Drugs. Bad people. It's like without him around, she stopped caring about me. She loves Ashlyn, but it's like there isn't enough love in her heart for the part that died with Daddy and the part she saves for her."

"That's fucked up."

"Yeah. I don't talk about it. Not to anyone. I don't even fully know why I'm saying it now."

"You can always talk to me."

Madison turns to me, her eyes running over my face, like she's checking to see if I'm lying, and then she nods softly.

"Is it crazy I feel like that's true?" she asks. Her voice is quiet again.

"No, I promise you it's not."

"I guess I wanted to tell you that you weren't the only one with a problematic home life."

"Are you safe? At home?" I ask, and I'm scared for the answer. Scared because if she says she's not, I don't know how I'd be able to live with her there without me. It's a sobering thought.

"Yes. I--" she stops, a touches her hair, wrapping it around her finger. "I'm good. I am."

"You're perfect."