Asher (Inked Brotherhood 1)

He hurt her. Forced her, she once said, but I don’t know if that means he raped her or forced her to kiss or touch him.

Does it matter? Forcing is forcing, and I don’t want her around that guy. Or her family. I think she needs a break—but even if she changes her name and number, I can’t see how. They pay for her college tuition and her apartment, her car and clothes. Everything. They have the money.

But that’s not the point.

“Maybe you need to get a job,” I say, shredding the label on my beer bottle.

“Leave college?”

“No. Just a part time job, so you don’t have to depend so much on them.”

“They’ll have another fit.”

“So? They keep having fits anyway.”

That shocks a laugh out of her. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” Truth is, I’ve been thinking I should do the same. Mom is great, but this latest argument about Ash showed me she has too much control over me. I need a place of my own.

“Maybe you’re right.” She hiccups and wipes at her cheek, smearing it with mascara.

I snort and dig in my bag for a tissue. “Keep still one sec.” I clean her cheek. “There.”

“Thanks, Audrey.” She gives me a watery smile. “For listening.”

I sigh. “Well, it’s about time I pulled my head out of my ass.”

“Don’t say that.”

I sip my beer, smiling. “Yeah, well. You know what I mean. I haven’t been there much for you. But I want to.”

She reaches over the bar and squeezes my hand. “You?

?re here. That’s what counts.” She leans back. “And now your turn. Tell me what got your panties in a twist.”

Swallowing down my beer for courage, I tell Tess what happened between me and Ash.

And have to endure a lot of squealing and giggling and then a long silence after I tell her that Ash is involved in fights.

“Ash? Asher Devlin? Are we talking about the same guy?” She tilts her head to the side, sending her blond locks spilling over her shoulder. “He hasn’t been into fights since the accident.”

“He is now.”

“Are you sure?”

“His lip was split. His jaw and ribs were bruised. And he didn’t deny it.”

“You sure it wasn’t his dad again?”

I bite my lip. “He’d have told me.” Wouldn’t he? And his knuckles were red and raw. No, he fought someone. “Why would he fight?”

“I don’t believe it.” Tessa frowns at the collection of bottles and glasses in front of her.

“What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t sound like Ash. Where is he now?”

“This morning he was still at Zane’s.”