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“How did he react?” she asks.
“He texted me the next day and agreed,” I reply. “But I didn’t mention my shit grades.”
“Are you really going to help them get off?” she asks.
I laugh. “I’d like to see him shit his pants if I become district attorney.”
Charlotte laughs and nuzzles closer. “So if you’re going to be a lawyer, you have to stay in school.”
“Meeting your grands makes me want to,” I whisper. “I want a decent life, and I have all the parts I need. I just have to commit to school, you, and everything.”
Charlotte pulls the covers over us. “I’ve been thinking about it. I’m letting everything that happened at Monarch go. I didn’t understand why you did those things until now.” She lifts her head and looks me in the eye. “I love you, Asher, but I can’t do it 100 percent until I forgive you.”
Her kiss is warm on my lips and flows through my body. She presses against me, and I tug her tight, consuming her with my kiss. The doubt that’s been controlling me since I met her instantly loses its hold. It’s been making me feel like I’m nobody, but it can’t hold on to me anymore—not now that she loves me. Charlotte curls up against my body, and it’s morning when we wake up again.
Daylight takes the creepiness out of that house, and I don’t give a shit about Ivymore or Uncle Trunk. Charlotte said she loved me, and the part of my heart I wouldn’t let her touch is completely open. At her grandmother’s house, Charlotte reached for my hand and kept me close. And she smiled when they referred to me as her young man. It’s a lot of proof I can’t argue away.
I did it. I got out of Weymouth, and we’ll be together.
The doorbell rings like a church bell throughout the empty house while Charlotte is in the bathroom. Who the fuck? I get out of bed to open the door and roll my eyes when I see who’s standing there. A grinning Jaxon with his duffel bag in his hand, and he points to the Mercedes in the drive. I forgot they were coming.
“Hudson is parking the car.” He steps inside, looks at the bare walls and the marks left on the carpet by the furniture. “What did you do? Did you steal it while she was in the shower?”
“She sold it, wise ass.” I zip up my sweatshirt and comb my hair with my fingers. “You couldn’t wait an hour before showing up?”
“An hour?” Jaxon scoffs as we enter the kitchen. “You need a whole hour, Ash? What, a minute for the deed and fifty-nine to load up again?”
“Jerk.” I swing the fridge open, almost hitting him with it. I want to tell Jaxon about yesterday while we have a minute alone. We stop bullshitting and lower our voices.
“How did it go with the father?” he asks.
I shake my head. “The father’s dead, but the grandparents instantly fell in love with her.”
“With her or the money?” Jaxon can be as cynical as Hudson or me despite his free spirit appearance. But he’s right to be suspicious. Eddie Kessler has been put away, but there are other jerks ready to replace him. Jerks who want to get rich off Charlotte.
“I don’t say this about a lot of people,” I reply, “but the Andersens are decent, honest, and kind people. They really only wanted to meet their granddaughter.” I stare out into the hallway. “What’s taking Hud so long?”
I go back to the front door to check, and Hudson is leaning into the window of a black Saab. He opens the driver’s side door, and Astrid Bowen leaps out. Instantly, she’s glaring at me over the tops of her Ray-Ban’s.
“The Wicked Witch of the West just blew into town,” I mutter to Jaxon.
“She’s okay,” he laughs. “Besides, she’s part of the deal.”
I open the door for them, and Astrid makes it a point to slow down and give me a withering look. I thought everything was perfect, but I leaped too soon, judging by the tight scowl on Astrid’s face. She’s dressed in a black suit as if she’s a professional killer, and I have a bull’s eye on my forehead. I head upstairs to tell Charlotte, and she laughs at my grousing.
“Rawlins texted her,” Charlotte replies as she dresses quickly. “Astrid didn’t know you were coming with me until the last minute.” She kisses my forehead. “Don’t look so morose. You look like the black hole of emotions. It’s not like she’s going to kick your ass.”
Charlotte leans on me for everything except shopping. Hudson has the best taste out of us, so they drive into town to buy furniture. Jaxon decides he wants a piano and tags along. I can’t come up with an excuse fast enough, and I’m left behind with my future sister-in-law.
Astrid finds me in the kitchen and places her hands on her hips. “Drive me to the gym.”
I’ve seen the Phoenix gym from the highway, but this is the first time I’ve been inside. It’s neutral territory, except MCs aren’t allowed. Word has spread that I took down Eddie, and he’s been involved in stuff so dark that even the Hunt don’t want him anymore. Charlotte wasn’t the only woman he had stalked and assaulted. If I had known, I would have punched him a hundred more times. At any rate, when I walk in, I’m greeted with pats on the back and handshakes.
“You want to spar?” Astrid smirks.
I shake my head. “It would upset your sister.”
“Yeah, she wouldn’t be happy if I beat your ass.”
