2. Asher
2
ASHER
I ’m about to grab breakfast when the doorbell rings. I look through the patio door where Hayden is standing as he talks on the phone. He said a quick hello before his phone rang, and that’s where he’s been since Viv headed up to bitch at Lola for letting me move in.
I know my sister. She'll talk Viv into giving it a chance. I’m not worried.
Viv.
Fuck her . And her being annoyed or uncomfortable with me here. I gave her a year. She’s a big girl, and she can fucking deal with it.
I’ve never felt more pain than the day she took Baz and left me with nothing and no one. She knew that kid was everything to me. And okay, I shouldn’t have fucked her when I knew, without a doubt, she couldn’t handle the whole no feelings thing, but she told me she could.
She convinced me. Over and over. With her bullshit games of seduction.
And now, I fucking hate her.
I stayed in her house out of convenience and not wanting to find a place to stay until I graduated from college. But the plan was always to follow.
I may hate his mother, but I love Baz with every last bit of humanity I have in me.
And then, I had to listen to Viv and Sawyer fucking in the room next to me all night. If that isn’t life fucking me without lube yet again, I'm not sure what is. Her moans floated through the thin fucking walls, and it made me sick.
I can’t believe they’re still together. I have no idea what his angle is, and I know she doesn’t love him. But I don’t fucking care. They can have each other.
Fuck ’em both.
I go to the front door and tug it open. I’m greeted instantly with Sebastian’s shocked gaze, and then I’m attacked by his little arms. I kneel down just in time for him to wrap me in a bear hug. “Uncle Asher! You’re here!”
Man, I missed this kid. “I am!” I hug him tightly, not wanting to let him go even though I know I'm staying. “How are you?”
“Good! I stayed with Grandma last night.”
I give my mom, who’s standing behind him, a small smile and then pull Baz back slightly to look at him. I swear he’s grown in the last couple of months. “That’s great.”
He nods exuberantly. “She made chocolate chip cookies.”
I grin and stand up, ruffling his hair, my eyes drifting to my mother. “She makes good cookies.”
My mom wraps her arms around me, and I tense even though I don’t mean to. I know she tried to be a good mom, and maybe she was. But there are some things I still struggle to forgive her for. “Asher, how long are you staying, sweetie?”
I take a step back. “I moved here, Mom. Lola’s letting me stay here for a bit, but I'm not going anywhere.”
Baz’s eyes light up. “You live in California?”
The way he says California is fucking adorable, sounding out each syllable. I smile down at him. “Yup. I sure do. It cool if I move in with you for a bit? Guess I should have asked you first.”
He pretends to think it over, bringing his little finger to his chin. God, he’s fucking cute. “I think that will be okay.”
I laugh and mess his hair again with my hand, so glad to see him.
“You moved here?” My mom sounds shocked but pleasantly surprised. “That’s wonderful. Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrug my shoulders, always going back into teenager mode when it comes to her. “I didn’t want anyone thinking they needed to help me move. I had it covered.”
Not that I had a lot of shit, but I do have boxes being shipped here that should arrive tomorrow. Mom does what she does best and puts on a brave smile. “That’s great, sweetheart.”
It kills me that I know she wants to be closer to me, but I can’t seem to let her in. I love her, but I’m stuck in this dark place I don’t really want to escape from. Everyone has just moved on. Mom remarried. Penelope and Linc are married. Lola is happy with Hayden, who I don’t actually hate. They’re all so damn happy, and it’s as if Colt never even existed.
Mom, Baz, and I move to the living room. Mom and I sit on the couch, and Baz runs around like a wild man. “I swear I made him a healthy, non-sugary breakfast.” Mom watches him and smiles.
I grin as he runs laps around the living room. “He’s just built to run.”
She has a reminiscent look on her face. “He’s so much like you.”
It shouldn’t irritate me. I’m his uncle, after all. It’s fine for people to say he acts like me, but it irks me. He’s not my kid. He’s Colt’s.
And hers.
Something she reminded me of when she ripped him away from me.
“Colt used to run a lot too.”
She smiles at that and sighs heavily. “He did, but more for a purpose. Sebastian . . . He can run and run for no reason at all.”
True. Both of his parents were planners. Never made a move without thinking it through. Baz jumps before he looks to where he might land with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
I turn when I hear footsteps on the stairs and see Viv and Lola walking down to meet us. They greet Mom first and then Baz runs into Viv’s waiting arms. “Mommy!”
My mom laughs, looking over at Viv, who’s nearly knocked over by Sebastian. “He never wants to stay very long in the morning. He wanted to get right back to Mommy.”
Vivienne smooths his hair and then holds him tight. “I’m okay with that.”
Yeah, she used Sawyer for a couple of mediocre orgasms, and now she’s back to SuperMommy.
I know that’s not completely fair. I’ve always thought she was an excellent mom, until she took Baz away from me. Only to hurt me.
Baz sounds excited as he pulls out of Viv’s hold, still standing close to her. “Uncle Asher moved here! I’m so excited!”
Vivienne is clearly annoyed but forces a smile for him. “That’s great, honey.”
“I not honey. I’m Baz.”
Everyone in the room snickers at that, and she takes his hand. “Okay, Baz. Let’s go to your room and unpack your stuff.”
“Okay.” He gives Mom a big hug and then grabs Viv’s hand as she waves at Mom and tells her a quick thank-you before Baz jerks her toward the hall.
Lola looks at me, studying me and then hugs Mom as she’s already heading for the door. “I’m going to go check on Hayden.”
“Tell him hi for me,” Mom says as they part.
“I will.” Lola’s eyes slide over me again, and then she goes into the kitchen, leaving me with Mom.
I can feel unspoken words hanging between us, and finally I give in. “What’s up?”
Her concerned look doesn’t fade. “You aren’t here to torture that poor girl, are you?”
“Jeez thanks, Mom.” I’m not surprised she’s looking out for Viv though. Though I smile and scoff at how worried she looks, as if she thinks I have some sinister plan to punish Viv. I don’t. Anything that happens between us will be completely and totally spur of the moment. I spend most of my time trying not to think about her.
“You look like your father when you smile.”
“And how the hell would you know about that?” That fucker never smiles. He’s miserable and has been since I can remember.
“He was happy once, Asher.”
“That’s hard to believe, Mom.”
“Asher . . .” She looks defeated, like she’s finally fully giving up on me. “Vivienne is a mom. Sebastian’s mom. And she needs to be able to do that to the best of her ability.”
“I’m not here to hurt her. I’m here for Baz.”
“And for your family, right?”
“Sure.”
She doesn’t believe me, but she pushes through the doubt and puts that fake fucking smile on her face. “Good. I’m happy you’re here.”
She pulls me into another hug, and I hug her back. “Me too.”
“I’ll see you soon then.”
I nod, and we say a quick good-bye before she leaves. I close the door behind her. “You really aren’t, are you?”
I nearly jump when I hear Lola behind me and turn around. “Fucking creeper. Eavesdropping?”
“You know it.” She’s holding a coffee cup now and shrugs. “Hayden is on the phone. And yes, I caught the end of your conversation with Mom.”
“I’m not here for Viv.”
“She’s worried.”
She should be. The hot hatred that spread through my body when I first saw her this morning was overpowering. She looked so fucking carefree and happy as she bounced out of her bedroom with Sawyer. Her brown hair, wavy and just barely to her shoulders, all messy and sexy from that fucker’s hands. No bra and a thin shirt that set my senses on high alert, remembering exactly how her full tits felt in my hands, how her nipples would harden for me without me even having to touch her.
“I’m not here for her. I just want to be around Baz as much as I can be. That’s it.”
“Good. Because he needs you, but he does not need you trying to hurt his mom. Who he loves.”
“Jesus, Lols. I thought you would want me here.”
“I do.” She looks pained, and I feel like an asshole. “I’m so glad you’re here, but I love Viv too. And I don’t want her to be uncomfortable. This is her home too.”
“I won’t hurt her. She can just stay the fuck out of my way, and we’ll be fine. It shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Right. You’re living in the same house.”
I shrug. “She seems to be busy riding Sawyer’s dick these days. That and working for you and being a mom. There won’t be any time for me to torment her.”
“Asher.” My name is a cool warning coming from my big sister.
I hold up my hands in surrender. “I won’t do anything.”
“Good.” She hugs me with her free hand and then releases me, taking a drink of coffee. “I really am glad you’re here. Do you need anything?”
“Nope. I’m all set.”
She smiles, taking another drink of her coffee. “Well, my house is yours. And Viv’s. And Baz’s. Make yourself at home and be good.”
“I’m always good.”
She rolls her eyes and walks up the stairs.
I meant what I said.
I’m here to spend time with Baz, not to torture Viv. Of course, if that happens . . . that’s just a bonus.