27. Asher
27
ASHER
“ I still can’t believe you’re a fucking teacher,” Linc exclaims, and Viv quickly covers Baz’s ears jokingly.
“Little ears, Linc,” she scolds, and he holds his hands up, laughing.
“Sorry.” He looks at Baz. “That was a ‘no no’ word.”
“I already know that,” Baz says as he goes back to his dinner.
I laugh and look across the table at Linc. “You would always be in detention if you were in my class.”
He laughs, and it’s surprisingly nice to hear. “Yeah, well I already spent most of my childhood in detention.” He points his fork at me. “But so did you.”
That’s true. I was not a star pupil by any means. “Yeah, Lols and Colt were the good ones.”
Viv seems to tense when I say that, and I wonder what that’s about, but Lola just laughs and sips her wine. “Hey, I had detention once.”
“Oh wow, you rebel,” Linc teases, and Penelope smacks him.
“Be nice to your sister.” She smiles at Lola, teasing in her eyes. “I’m sure you were quite the rebel.”
Lola playfully flips her off behind Linc’s back, shielding it from Baz, and we all laugh.
Everything feels calm tonight, but for the Sterlings, that’s usually a very bad thing.
“I’m happy for you though, Ash.” Linc turns serious, and it’s hard for me to accept his praise. “I have no doubt you’re the best teacher they have.”
I straighten my shoulders, acting overly cocky. “Of course I am.”
Lola rolls her eyes at me, but she’s smiling brightly. “Oh, I'm sure you are. You probably know all their tricks.”
“That I do.”
“Mommy, can I have a party for Halloween?”
“What?” Vivienne looks caught off by Baz’s question. Clearly, he was sick of the adult conversation.
“I want to have a party for Halloweeeeen.” He drags out the “e” to show us he’s serious.
Vivienne looks over at Lola and then back to Baz. “This is Aunt Lola’s house. You’ll have to ask her.”
Lola shrugs her shoulders, and it’s apparent she doesn’t mind at all. “I’m all for it. I love Halloween.”
So does Viv. Slasher flicks and gore are kind of her thing. Even if she looks like an angel on the outside, sin burns within her. And it’s fucking hot.
“Okay. Sure. Do you want to invite your class?”
He nods his head excitedly. “Yes! And Jacee!”
I smile at that, having seen them playing at recess quite a bit. I think my nephew has a little crush.
“Who’s Jacee?” Viv asks, clearly not privy to this information. We haven't talked that much since that night in my room.
Her admitting she can’t kiss me. Can’t fuck me. Because she’s not okay.
Yeah, that kinda made everything awkward with us yet again. And of fucking course, even though I already knew she was lying to herself if she thought she could separate her feelings from sex, now it only makes me want it more.
Because I’m a sick, twisted bastard.
“She’s in kindergarten.”
“She’s in my class,” I add, and I see the grin form on Linc’s lips as he looks across the table at our nephew.
“Aw, does Baz have a girlfriend?”
“No!” He scrunches his little nose, because you know, at their age, girls still have cooties and shit.
I laugh. “Jacee is sweet. She wouldn’t be a bad choice for a girlfriend.”
He shakes his head adamantly, and Viv gives me a look, telling me to stop, which I only find funnier. “She’s my friend.”
“That’s great, sweetie.” Viv eyes me again and then looks at Baz. “I’m all for you having friends.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “I kind of hate her too.” My eyebrow raises as he lifts his shoulders again. “But she gave me her pudding at lunch.”
I can’t fight my laugh. He’s totally serious. “Careful, little man, that’s how it always starts. The sweeter the pudding, the crazier the girl.”
Linc snickers, and Penelope, Lola, and Viv all glare at me. I’m pretty sure Hayden would be on my side if he were here, but he had a meeting.
“Can you please not make him a commitment-phobe?” Vivienne’s tone has a bite to it, and I know, without a doubt, that’s directed toward our situation and not Baz.
“I’m just giving him all the information.”
I mock innocence, and she shakes her head, focusing back on Baz. “Since we’re talking about Halloween, what do you want to dress up as?”
Baz puts a finger on his chin, thinking it over with careful consideration. “We’re all going to be superheroes!”
“All?” Viv asks nervously.
He nods his head, utterly serious as he looks around the table. “All. And Hayden and Swearer.”
My eyes meet Viv’s, and I see hesitance there. Sawyer hasn’t been around much since they put an end to having sex added to their friendship, but when it comes to Baz, I know without a doubt, we’ll all be showing up at this party in whatever costume he chooses.
And here comes the storm.