Asher (Inked Brotherhood 1)

eated at the small dining table with its yellow tablecloth. Mom tells me stories about her work and her crazy colleagues, then sadder ones from the organizations she’s helping with. I didn’t know so many young people are driven to homelessness because of problems at home.

My thoughts immediately turn to Ash. At least he still has a home. Right? I frown, toying with my food. Would he go back to his father after what he did to him? Ash hasn’t said anything about that. Maybe he’ll stay with relatives?

I need to talk to him. I itch to grab my cell, lock myself up in my room and call him. But Mom’s in a chatty mood, maybe a bit forced after our discussion, trying to get me to tell her more about college and my new friends.

Then, when I’m about to find an excuse to escape to my room, she manages to distract me with presents. She’s bought me a short dress that fits like a glove, and a velvety sweater, and cute pink jammies and gorgeous high heels.

“Jesus, Mom.” I put on the shoes and I’m in love with them instantly. They’re sleek and black and make my legs look endless. “Thank you.”

“Anything for my little girl.”

I wince inwardly. We bonded since Dad died. We both made an effort, compromising, accepting our incompatibilities, laughing about them. I know she loves me with all her heart, I’m sure of it, and I love her the same.

But I’m not a little girl anymore. I know where this is coming from, I mean, she’s my mom, but she has to see I’m a woman now, and I can make my own choices.

Ash...

“Want to go for a walk?” Mom’s checking the weather outside the bay window. It looks gray but dry.

“Sure. Give me five minutes to get dressed.”

Mom sighs and clears away the dishes as I hurry into my room and close the door, leaning against it.

I call Ash’s cell, then Zane’s apartment, my heart thumping. Pick up, Ash, come on, pick up.

But no answer. The phone rings and rings, and my stomach churns. I should have told him I’d call, that we’d talk later, but Mom caught me by complete surprise, first by her unexpected arrival and then her vehement rejection of Ash. I’d been in shock, if that explained the fact I told him to go away.

Crap, that was the only thing I told him. And he left. God knows what he thought.

Disconnecting, I stare at the blank screen of the phone for a long moment. I’ll call him again in the evening. He’s probably out walking, or running errands.

Pulling on my brand new sweater, hoping I’m right, I go to find Mom.

Part III

ASH

In my memory, I must be sixteen. I know because it’s a few months after the accident that took Audrey’s dad and right after Mom died, at the end of her long battle with the sickness.

The world is a dark place.

And it’s turning darker by the day.

Dad looms over me. ‘You’re good for nothing,’ he says. ‘Can’t even learn what I’m doing my best to teach you, not like your brother. He was a quick study. Fast with his fists and legs. Made to be a champion.’

‘I’m trying,’ I say, and it’s the truth.

‘Not trying enough. Move. Dodge. Block.’ He moves faster than my eye can follow, and the pain comes before I see the blow. ‘Your brother’s better.’

‘Tyler left.’ Another truth.

‘Yeah, so I’m saddled with you. A pussy. Can’t handle your own shit. Getting into fights at school. Failing your classes. You think I don’t know?’

‘You’re the reason I—’

The blow catches me in the stomach and I double over. Bile rises in my throat and I puke all over his shoes.

Bad idea. I hear the dreaded sound of his buckle opening, the leather slithering through the loops, coming free. He walks around me, grabs the neckline of my shirt and rips it down my back. Cool air hits my skin. I know what’s coming, and another wave of nausea hits me.