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My brother waltzes in, and stops for a flute of champagne. He has a very pleased expression on his face. He sees me and walks over, but stops about ten feet from Ash’s paintings.
“These are Ashton’s?” He points to the entire collection, stopping on the pictures of Grandpa’s cabin and Grandma’s bench. I nod my head, and his reaction is what I would think anyone’s would be, especially someone who is emotionally attached to items in the pictures.
He points to another painting. “Is that…?”
“Yeah, it’s mom and dad’s house,” I answer.
“Fuck, I’m not even an artist, and don’t know all the fancy words you use, but even I can feel the emotion in it.”
“Yeah, I know. Just to be clear, if you want any of them, you need to speak with Kate, right away.” I lean in to whisper in his ear. “By the way what’s up with your smug look?”
“Oh, nothing. I had a woman yell at me because I stole her spot, or so she said. I did no such thing. She was the one in the wrong. Anyway, you know how I get around spirited women.”
Oh, fuck. I’ve never understood it, but for some reason Liam gets turned on by what he callsspirited women. I call thempissed the fuck off, but he seems to always turn it around.
The gentlemen finally give Ash some breathing room, and Liam takes his turn to speak with him. My eyes peer at the front of the gallery, and in walks Tia. She happily grabs a flute too on her way to me. With the way my brother and Ash are standing, she can’t see the full display.
“Hey Noah.” She empties her drink in one long swig. “This place is very swanky.”
“It’s a great gallery.” I turn to Ash, who is in deep conversation with my brother over his art. And he’s using words my brother doesn’t understand. “Honey, your sister is here.” All I see is Liam’s back, and I can’t imagine he appreciates the complicity of my boyfriend’s paintings, as Ash continues to speak to my brother as if he’s an artist too.
He stops in mid-sentence, rounding my brother, bringing Tia into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re here, little sis.”
My brother turns around and utters, “Oh, fuck.”
“Tia, let me introduce you to Liam, Noah’s brother.”
Liam is slow, moving his face to hers, and she gasps, staring at him. “You. You’re the asshole who stole my parking spot.” Tia’s at least quiet in her name calling. Of all the women in the world my brother had to be an ass to, it had to be Tia. “You know, I won’t waste another moment on you.” She turns to Ash, whipping her long hair in Liam’s face.
“Oh, fuck, Ash!” She slaps her hand over her mouth. “Baby Jesus in a manger, this is beautiful.”
She walks from one end to the other, as Ash explains each painting to her.
I turn my attention back to my brother, his shit-eating grin watching every move Tia makes. “Holy shit,” Liam whispers. “I think I’m in love.”
Of course, he is. Fucking bastard.
* * *
The showing is almost over,and my brother left an hour ago. I think all of Tia’s glares and dirty looks just turned him on more. I don’t want to imagine what he’s doing with that kind of ammunition.
Dave, Greg, Tia, Ash, and I sit around a table, finishing up the wine. Kate’s back in her office with interested clients, working out deals and such.
Tia looks at her phone one last time. “Mom is five minutes out.”
There was a pile-up on I-5, and Caitlyn had been asked to stay later. She would never say no when people’s lives were in jeopardy, but she was in tears on the phone with Tia, thinking she’d miss Ash’s premiere. Kate would stay open all night if it meant Ashton’s mom could be a part of his first show.
“I had no idea, Ash. You’re so fucking talented. Soon he’s going to be leaving us, Dave.” Greg jokes, but the way Ash and I exchange knowing looks, it’s obvious of our intentions.
“Fuck, tell me he’s off the mark,” Greg says, watching me cover Ash’s hand with mine.
“It’s not fully worked out. But Noah wants me to move in with him. I’m not going to leave you guys responsible for my portion of the rent, I promise.”
“It’s not that. Honestly, our lease is almost up. But, we’re going to miss you, that’s all. You’ve become a funny asshole to hang around,” Dave quips. “But, I think we all know where you belong.”
Okay, now Dave has become my favorite person, after Ash.
“Funny asshole. That sounds about right,” Tia jokes, slugging Ash.
