Tyler (Inked Brotherhood 2)

“I’m going out with the guys,” Rafe says. “You’ll be okay closing the shop?”

“Sure, no problem.” I keep my gaze on the screen, seeing nothing, as Rafe steps away from the desk. The doorbell chimes.

“Hey, Ash,” Rafe says. “Good to see you, man.”

Ash.

The name penetrates the fog in my mind, and I glance up, my face twisting in a frown. It can’t be.

Yet here he is.

“Asher,” I mutter as I push back my chair with a screech and stand.

He’s standing at the door, his brows drawn together. He obviously didn’t expect to see me here. A girl hovers behind him, her red curls framing a wide-eyed face.

“We’re here to pick Rafe up,” Ash says. “We’re leaving.”

“Maybe Tyler can join us,” the red-head says. Audrey. Ash’s girlfriend, I recognize her now.

“He can’t.” Ash sneers at me. “He’s busy.”

“But the things he said on the phone...”

The phone? What is she talking about?

Ash turns and takes her hand. “No,” he says, but his tone is much softer now. Affectionate. He really does care for this girl. “I said he can’t. Let’s go.”

“Ash.” I stride around the desk, then stop. “Wait.”

“What for?” he mutters, already turning away.

Rafe’s watching us, as if undecided what to do. He glances from Ash to Audrey and back to me.

“I came back to town so we could talk,” I say.

“And that should make it all right?” Ash asks, not turning around. His back is stiff. “Is that what you thought?”

“No, but if you just let me explain—”

“No. I don’t want anything from you. I don’t want your explanations and I don’t want your money. Thanks but I’ll be fine without it.”

Without you. I hear the message loud and clear. The ground feels like it’s dropping from under my feet.

“Please, Ash.” My voice cracks, goddammit, and I clear my throat. “I want you to have the money. It’s the least I can do.”

“Yeah.” He shakes his head, and without seeing his face I can’t tell what he’s thinking. “It is the least.”

“Ash...” Rafe mutters as if in warning.

“He wants to talk.” Ash’s voice is tight. “This is talking.”

“Ash.” Audrey wraps her slender arm around Ash’s waist and sends me a wavering smile. “We can wait until you speak to your brother.”

Ash turns around to face me. “Go on, speak, then.” His pale eyes flash. “I’m all ears. How come you up and left one fine day, leaving me with Mom who was dying and Dad who liked beating the crap out of me? Tell me. I can’t wait to hear it. ‘Cause, you know what, I wondered all these years if you gave a shit about me, or about Mom, and came to the conclusion you don’t. Am I right?”

He’s almost as tall as me, his shoulders nearly as wide. But he has Dad’s wolf eyes and Mom’s mouth, and fuck, it’s killing me that he thinks I don’t care.

“I had to go, Ash. I was sent away.” I cringe when the memory rises again like a bloody ghost, but I forge on. “Dad went off the deep end, and Mom sent me to stay with Uncle Jerry.”