Bleeding Hearts

<p><strong>Love.</strong> </p><p><br></p><p>A four letter word describing a feeling that most children grow up surrounded by. I didn't. </p><p><br></p><p>Until Asher Gray. The guy always up for a good time. The friend I could always rely on. The man who also happened to be my brother's best friend. </p><p><br></p><p>He made me feel more cherished than anyone else ever had. I'd gotten used to our friendship regardless of how attracted to him I was. I never thought we could be anything more. </p><p><br></p><p>Until the look in his eyes changed and I realized that maybe we were never really friends at all. Maybe the love I always longed for was standing right in front of me. </p><p><br></p><p>But now my past is coming back to haunt me and suddenly I don't know how to protect the man I love from it. I don't even know how to protect myself. All I do know is that I want him by my side through it all. </p>