Before I could register what was happening, Asher turned me over, and swept me up into his arms. I wrapped myself around him, an embrace that was both sensual and affectionate. My legs clamped his waist as he held me tight against his body. I couldn’t even register how vulnerable I was allowing myself to be with him, but it was oddly therapeutic.
A part of me healed in a way I might never have been able to admit.
A part of me grew scar tissue over a wound I forgot I even had.
Maybe—just maybe—a subconscious part of me realized he was right, and that I could heal.
Maybe.
One day.
But, one day might come too late.
And I didn’t necessarily want to wait and find out. I felt conflicted between a rock and a hard place.
“Until we rot, little siren,” Asher whispered in my hair.
I nodded. “Until we rot.”
Asher
Waking up early, I wanted to head home and check in on my brother. He’d been staying with my parents since my mom didn’t like the idea of him living alone.
I hadn’t told Lennon he’d tried to kill himself. Something about saying it out loud made me queasy. A really sick, terrible part of me worried she’d find some twisted validation in it, and I couldn’t bear the thought.
When I pulled into the driveway, every vehicle was lined up. Everyone was home.
Along with checking in on Wyatt and Mila, I’d wanted to speak to my mom about the group. Having a full house sent my nerves into overdrive.
“I’m guessing the whole house is awake,” I muttered, feeling the anxiety creep up.
Duke nodded. “Yes. Bit of a frenzy this morning, too.”
He gave me that look, the one that told me everything I needed to know:everyone was already on edge today.
I stepped out of the passenger seat and waved as he smirked and took off to park the car. I should’ve thanked him for the heads up. I knew when I walked in, the house would be buzzing with displaced energy.
The moment I opened the front door, I walked straight into chaos.
Mila and my dad were bantering back and forth. She already had a chip on her shoulder. I peered down at my watch. It was only 8:19 a.m.
What could possibly have wound her up so tightly this early in the day with my dad?
Wait—no. I didn’t need that answered. My dad could spark an argument over someone breathing wrong. He was that type of person.
Upon further inspection, my mother was also arguing with Wyatt.
He was waving his arms around after she announced, annoyed, “I don’t care that they said you’re fine, I know otherwise!”
I closed the door behind me, everyone stopped to acknowledge that I was present and the silence grew.
Wyatt turned to face me like I’d just thrown him a lifeline. “Can you please explain to our overbearing mother that I’m allowed to return to my own fucking house? As per doctor’s advice?”
Oh no, I wasn’t taking this bait.
Not today.
He wasn’t going to enjoy my part in this.
