My Everything

about. Hell, I just about pissed myself before I asked Katelyn to marry me.”
    I chuckle. “You’ve been doing that since high school.”
    “Nah man, not like that. The moment I decided I was asking her and went to ask her parents, I threw up in their bushes. I was a nervous wreck, afraid they wouldn’t think I was good enough for their daughter. And the day I asked, I think I pissed myself a little when she said yes. If you ever tell her that, though, I’ll deny it and you’ll never be allowed at my house.”
    I can’t help but laugh. I have no doubt Mason is telling the truth.
    “Mr. Preston has given me his blessing. It was easy to ask him. I think he was expecting it.”
    “I’m sure he was. He likes you.”
    “Josie doesn’t.”
    Mason asks for two more beers and a bowl of peanuts. He’s always eating, but I can’t help but grab a few.
    “Josie loves you and I know you love her. I think that sometimes you just have to wait shit out if you really want to be with that person. I know she’s a pain in the ass, but she’s worth it.”
    “I’m not so sure she loves me or the idea of me. I think she’s afraid of being alone.”
    Mason whacks me on the back of my head. I give him the ‘what the fuck’ look and he just smiles. “If I didn’t think she loves you, I wouldn’t be sitting here when I have a hot little thing waiting for me at home. Believe me, Ashford, you may be taller and pretty, but you don’t have jack shit on Katelyn.”
    “Does she know you talk about her like that?”
    “Yep, and she loves it.”
    Again, I have no doubt he’s telling the truth. It takes someone special to love someone like Mason.
    “What should I do?”
    “Go home and make love to her and be patient. She went through more than anyone should ever have to go through and she’s scared. Accept it and either move on or forget about her reasons and just be with her. I guarantee she’s not going anywhere. I see the way she looks at you. You’ve made her feel whole again. If you leave her because she’s scared it makes you no better than the other guy.”
    “The other guy was your best friend.”
    Mason downs the rest of his beer and throws some cash on the bar. “Yeah, well he’s not anymore.”
    I watch as he leaves, replaying everything that he said. He’s right in his own way. Love should be more important than anything else and I love her. I love her more than anything in my life aside from Noah. I can still be his dad without sharing his last name.
     
    When I get home, the house is dark. I open the door to find her sitting in one of our kitchen chairs, in the entryway. She’s making it so I don’t miss her. She looks up at me with her red, puffy face and it breaks my heart. I shut the door quietly and lean against it. I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about what happened earlier.
    “You can’t leave me.”
    “I know.” I drop down on my knees and bury my face in her lap. Mason’s right. I love her too much to leave her. We can work through this, figure out a compromise. I’ll do anything I can to keep her.
    “I love you so much, Nick. I can’t lose you.”
    “You won’t, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
    “I’ll give you a baby if that’s what you want.”
    I look at her, shocked at what she just said. I shake my head. “As much as I want to have a baby with you, we can wait until you’re ready.”
    She pulls me close. Locking her arms around my neck I pick her up and carry her to our bedroom. I look around and notice the room is clean. She’s put away my clothes and made it look like nothing bad happened in here.
    I lay her down gently, pulling off her shirt. She removes her shorts as I stand and strip bare for her...

Chapter 5
     
    “Knock, knock,” I look up from my desk to find my co-worker, Roman, standing in the doorway.
    “Come in,” I say clearing my voice. I can’t believe I remembered that fight with Josie. I thought for sure I was leaving her then, but no, like the idiot I am I stayed and took more of her punishment.
    “Are you all packed?”
    I look around the sparse room. Only my roommate hung pictures. I brought my clothes and one picture of Noah. That was the extent of my personal possessions.
    “Yeah, just had my clothes. I didn’t bring much with me.”
    “It’s a shame you aren’t staying longer. We could really use you around here.”
    I smile and nod in thanks. “It’s time for me to head back home. I have a practice there that I really need