Page 128 of Full Body Hit, Part 1

Charlie

It’s ok i know you’re spending time with the fam

Aunix

Charlie, you would be doing ME a favour. I’m going to kill my sister if I don’t destress.

Is that what you want? For me to go to jail for murder?

Charlie

Lol ok well if it’s for you then yeah sure

Is it ok if i call you though

I don’t know what time i’m gonna be free

Auston wondered what that meant. If Charlie felt watched in that house, like prey in a predator’s pen.

If so, that was a fucked-up way to feel around your own parent. Auston could complain all he wanted about his family, but his love for them lived warm and alive inside him. He knew his sister’s teasing was good-natured—that if anything happened to him, she’d be there to back him up in an instant.

He couldn’t imagine living without that security. He wouldn’t have had the courage and strength to do the things he’d done in his career without having a home base that felt safe.

Aunix

Of course, baby

Call whenever you want

Charlie

Thanks daddy

Auston sat there for a while longer, ass going numb from the bathtub’s hard edge. He watched the screen go dark, his shadowy reflection staring back at him, brows pulled down and mouth a flat line.

He eventually stepped out with a sigh, finding his parents and sister sprawled on the couch. His mom was knitting, and the kids were playing with kinetic sand on the floor—he kept a closet full of toys and yarn for when his family visited.

Ariana peered at him, sipping her drink dramatically.

Auston raised his eyebrows in an aggressive ‘What?’ gesture. She rolled her eyes, climbing over the back of the couch, and followed Auston into the kitchen.

“Mom fished the cheese out of the trash. It was in the packet, so it should be fine.”

Auston snorted. “Thanks.”

Silence settled as Auston regathered the sandwich ingredients.

“So…” Ariana started.

“Ari—”

“You know you’re gonna tell me eventually, so, spill. What’s got you looking at your phone so much?”

Auston opened the bread bag. Ariana was right—it was pointless to argue with someone as stubborn as her. “I met someone.”

Ariana gasped way louder than was appropriate.

Auston huffed. “If you’re gonna be a dick—”