Tied Bond (Bonded Duet 2)

“Dad!”

“What?”

I stomped my feet on the stairs as I ran down them. They were treating me like I was a kid, but I was well aware I was acting like one with arguing back to them. It didn’t matter that I was arguing over my own child and dog. “Ford might say no.”

Mom snorted. “He wouldn’t dare. I’ve got skills, and he knows I do. He’ll say yes.”

I tilted my head back, realizing I wasn’t going to get through to either of them. “Can we just go now?”

“We’re waiting for you,” Mom said and threw her keys in the air, catching them again. “Ford already left with Leo. He said he’s gonna show him the new toys he brought him.”

“He does realize he’s four weeks old, right? He has no idea what the toys are.”

Mom hooked her arm through mine and led me to her car. “Men are complicated creatures, sweetie. You learn to let them think their ideas are great even when they’re not. Just nod and make a noise in the b

ack of your throat. It’s all they need.”

“Do you think that could work on women too?" I asked, pulling the car door open.

“I don’t know. Maybe.” Mom raised her brow at me. “Why?”

I shrugged. “Because then I could have used it on you.” I tried to hide my grin, but it was impossible as Mom blinked at me several times, then narrowed her eyes on me.

“She got you there, darlin’,” I heard Dad say from near his Mustang, but I didn’t see what Mom did back to him because I slid into the car, and she got in a second later.

“Mean,” she whispered, but I knew from the curve of her lips that she was joking. Mom pulled out of her drive and took a left to go to the end of the street, shaking her head. “I don’t know how I’m going to put up with him now that you’re gone.”

“You do realize I was gone for three years at college, right?” When she didn’t answer, I continued, “And Asher is still living at home.”

“Yeah, but it’s not the same. And he’ll be off to college next year.”

I leaned back in my seat as she took the turn for Ford’s street. Talk of college had my own head spinning. I only had a year left until I graduated, and I still hadn’t decided what I wanted to do once I had my degree. I knew I wanted to help people. I just wasn’t sure exactly how. Or maybe it was animals I wanted to help? It would come to me eventually. The right career was there, waiting for me. “Has he decided where he wants to go yet?”

“Not yet. He’s looking at art schools, but we haven’t told your dad yet.” She glanced at me as she pulled up outside Ford’s house. “He doesn’t know he wants to pursue art.”

“How can he not know?” I asked, undoing my belt. I was so different from my brother. He had a plan for everything and anything. He was the kind of kid who saved his allowance each week. Whereas, I was the one who spent it on candy as soon as I got it. “If Asher isn’t training, then he’s drawing.”

“Beats me. But it’s a secret for now. So…” She made a zipping motion at her lips, and I clipped my head in a nod. Asher’s secret was safe with me. I’d wondered if he was going to pursue his MMA fighting after he’d won the match last week. I’d never seen someone move so quickly and hit with such power, but as we’d left the gym with only a couple of bruises and a small cut to his eye, he’d told me he didn’t think he’d be doing it much longer.

A knock sounded on the passenger door window, and I swung my head around to see Asher’s face pushed up against the glass. “Ew.” I opened the door, and he stumbled back. “A bird could have shit on that window, and you’re rubbing your mouth up against it.” I pointed at him and slammed the door closed. “You have cooties.”

Asher gagged and wiped his mouth on the arm of his sweater. “You’re disgusting.”

“No.” I shook my head and skipped past him. “You’re disgusting.”

“Kids,” Mom warned.

“What?” we both asked in unison, putting on our innocent voices. But I shouldn’t have turned my attention away from Asher, because as soon as I did, he pushed my arm and I stumbled to the side. “Poo brain,” I muttered.

“Fart bag,” he responded.

“I definitely won’t miss that,” Mom chimed in, and I gasped at her response, ready to give a comeback, but Ford’s front door opening and his face appearing had me keeping my mouth closed. I was meant to be an adult, but when I was around Asher, I reverted right back to the little girl who would trade insults and tattle on him.

“Ah, Ford, just the person I needed to talk to,” Mom singsinged, glancing at me and then rushing up the driveway. We’d stayed here for a few nights over the last week, but today made it official, and as his gaze met mine, I knew this would be our home. As long as he was in it, it always would be. “Can we have Leo and Lottie every Saturday night? Grandparents’ rights and all that.”

Ford shrugged. “Don’t see why not.”

Mom turned her head slowly, her lips spreading into a grin. “Told ya.”