Read Online If Only (The Willowbrook Series Book 1) by Ashlyn Mathews - Free Book Online Page A

Eve?
    “If you want to prove to Asa you love her, you have to show her she’s more important to you than your racing. Otherwise, she’ll always see herself as second best. That’s not where a woman likes to be. A woman wants to be number one in her man’s heart.”
    “And how do I do that? Racing has been my life. I won’t quit for a woman.”
    Eve growled again. “You don’t have to, moron. But you have to accept Asa for who she is. She’s an introvert.”
    “And intro what?”
    “God, Rhys, did you get hit over the head or something? Or maybe taken one too many falls? Look, she might chat it up with customers until her face hurts from smiling. She might read to the elderly until her voice is hoarse. And she might volunteer to watch Sandy’s little boy even though she’s dead tired on her feet. But at the end of the day, Asa likes to be by herself. That’s how she recharges. And, she’s not a party girl nor does she like big events. Too many people.”
    “What you’re telling me is nothing new,” he reminded her. “I’ve known her as long as you have.”
    “Yeah, but you didn’t have to listen and see her face as she gave a blow-by-blow of what you told her had happened at the latest parties you went to—the drinking, the women, or of the groupies at your signings.”
    Shit, he should have known better than to tell Asa those things. But he had considered her his best friend. She had listened and didn’t judge. Yet that whole time, she listened and had hurt.
    “Just tell me how to make it up to her, Eve.”
    Silence. He waited. Why did he have a feeling he wasn’t gonna like what she had to say. Her heavy sigh wasn’t reassuring either.
    “I want you two to be together, I really do, Rhys. I just don’t know if it’ll work. Both of you were raised to hide your emotions. I’ve only seen Asa cry once. Even at her father’s funeral, she didn’t cry. And you? I have no clue other than you’re more relaxed and happy when you’re with her. Then you started dating that cheerleader our senior year and things changed.”
    Rhys pushed open the door of the workshop, grabbed their jackets and locking the door behind him while balancing the cell phone on his shoulder, he listened to Eve’s advice with a heavy heart.
    “If you love Asa, stay away from her. Say what you need to her, then leave and never come back to Willowbrook. Stick around as her friend, and she’ll always hold out hope that you’ll change your mind, and love her as more. That’s not fair to her. She deserves to be happy.”
    “So I should keep my distance and wait for her to call when she’s found someone and wants me back as her friend?” That idea didn’t sit well with him.
    “No, stranger.” Eve’s voice was full of pity. “She won’t be calling you. Ever. She deleted you from her contacts list in the emergency department the night of the accident. And once she gives her heart to another, you’ll be a distant memory.”
    “So things are serious between her and her guy?”
    “What guy?”
    “Thanks, Eve.” The tightness in his chest subsided. “And I won’t stay away from her. I need her. I love her. Just tell me what to do, what the next step is.”
    “What you’re doing right now, Rhys. Tell her exactly what you said to me.”
    “You’re a good friend. I’ll do right by her. I won’t disappoint you or her.” She laughed. “I’ll hold you to those words.”
    Rhys smiled. “And I like my balls, so no, you can’t have them to string on the school’s flag pole.”
    They said their goodbyes and hung up. Asa told him she wouldn’t sleep with him again, and he respected her decision. Love with her sex, she’d said. He would give her both. On her terms and when she was ready.
     
     

Chapter Seven
    Asa waited on the couch while Rhys took a shower and changed into clean clothes. Earlier, she thought he’d be gone a few minutes, but the minutes turned into two hours. From inside the house, she heard the