48. Asher

The house is a mess, and I hate it. I’m trying to study but can’t concentrate, so I end up procrastinating by doing the dishes, then gathering up all the crap that people in this house seem to spread everywhere… all the time. I make a pile of Casey’s stuff and leave it on the stairs, then fold Ethan’s sweater, flicking it out with a growl as I try to shake off Mom’s phone call.

She wouldn’t shut up about the summer internship, which is annoying enough, but then just before signing off, she left one of those kick-you-in-the-balls comments that I didn’t know how to reply to.

“You have such an amazing future ahead of you, sweetie. Keep your eye on the prize. You don’t want to let someone come along and wreck your plans, you know?”

“Someone?” I gritted out between clenched teeth.

“Love is fickle. Family is forever. Just remember that.”

I doubt Uncle Hayes outright said anything about Harvey and his asshole ways, but I’m guessing he dropped a few little comments at the family function after I left.

“Might want to keep an eye on Asher. Think he might be going off track.”

“I heard him mention a girl. Serious relationships in college probably aren’t the best idea.”

I can hear him saying that shit in my head, and I can’t fucking believe I used to wish he was my dad. The only reason I did was because my dad and I have never gelled. I needed someone, and he was the best.

Until Saturday, when he made it blatantly clear that Harvey can be a total fuckwit, but I’d better keep my damn mouth shut.

And now he’s got my mom in on it, too, and my dad won’t be a hard sell.

It’s all about business and success and being like the twins. They date strategically, going out with girls who will better their image, then flicking them off when it’s inconvenient. They don’t have friends to party with, because how will that get them more money?

They’re fucking robots, and I don’t want that life for me.

I never did!

Which is why I hung out with the Carmichaels so much. But after Saturday, I’m not sure I ever want to see them again.

The front door pops open, and I spin to see Rachel walking in with a bunch of shopping bags.

“Hey.” I walk over to help her.

“Thanks.” She smiles at me as I take the bags out of her hands.

“What’s all this stuff?”

“Just some leftovers from the diner. Juniper was doing a big clear out and some of this stuff expires soon, so she let me have it. I thought I’d bake you up a storm and cook dinner.”

“And this is why we love you.” I wink at her, placing the bags down while she laughs and rolls up her sleeves.

“How are you doing?”

I shrug. “Just on a cleaning frenzy.”

“Uh-oh.” She tips her head with a frown. “What’s up? Or is that like the stupidest question ever right now? I know you’re going through a really hard time. I’m sorry.”

I wince and grip the back of my neck. “You gonna hate me if you lose your apartment?”

“Of course not.” She gives me a light kiss on the cheek and moves around me. “We have to do what’s right for Lani.”

I nod, sliding onto the stool to watch her. She secures Casey’s joke Christmas present around her waist, and I grin at the apron with the large pecs, washboard abs, and huge penis on the front of it. I can’t believe she actually wears it, but I think she’s out to prove a point. Casey can’t go giving her a prank Christmas gift. She will walk around with that cartoon penis on her front all damn day if she has to.

Fighting a smile, I look away from the dangling manhood and shake my head. “What if Harvey didn’t do it and this is all for nothing?”

She spins with a sigh. “What if he did?”

“Then I’d lose it all for her.”

Rachel’s face softens with a smile. “It’s a big ask, isn’t it?”

“I don’t even know how it would all work.” I flick my hands up. “I mean, sure, we’d probably get kicked out of Hockey House, and you and Mick would get the boot, too, but does that mean I’m disowning my whole family? Will I get shunned from Christmas and New Year’s events? Will my parents cut off Hayes and Carla for treating me this way? Or am I the one on the chopping block?” I tap my chest. “Will they believe me or Harvey? Will they let Lani into their lives? Because they’ll have to if they expect me to join the family business!” I’m getting all worked up and agitated. The stool wobbles as I jump off it so I can pace the floor.

Rachel calmly watches me, her eyes darting to the mixing bowl she’s measuring flour into before coming back to rest on my face.

“Ash, can I ask you something?”

I give her a stiff nod and cross my arms.

“Do you even want to work for your family business?”

The air puffs out of me as I dip my head, then slowly shake it. “I don’t fucking know. It’s not like they’ve ever given me a choice. I’ve been raised with the expectation that I’ll graduate from college and move back to New York. They’ll find a place for me at the company, and I’ll lump it.”

“Okay.” She scoops some sugar and dumps it into the mixing bowl. “So, is the world going to fall apart if you don’t do that?”

A shocked laugh punches out of me. “I’m pretty sure theirs will, and what the hell else am I gonna do?”

“Well, what do you like doing?” She sucks the end of her finger, then grabs a wooden spoon out of the utensil holder. “Have you ever let yourself think about your dream job?”

Scratching my head, I wander back to the counter and sit opposite her. “Have you?”

“Yes!” Her eyes light up. “I want to open a bakery and fill it with delicious food and hot coffee and all things warm and inviting. It’ll be like a café where people can grab a quick bite or the place you stop at on your way to work. It’ll have traditional bakery food like donuts and cinnamon rolls, but all of them will have a little Rachel flair thrown in.” She grins, then spreads her hands across the air. “Sunshine and Cupcakes! Fill your heart with warmth and your belly with goodness.”

I let out a soft laugh, loving her enthusiasm.

Her nose wrinkles. “I think the tagline needs some work, but you know what I’m going for, right?”

“Totally.”

She sucks in a breath and nods a few times, turning her attention back to her baking. “I have no idea how it’s going to happen yet, but it will. Somehow.” She bites her bottom lip, then gives me a nervous wince. “To be honest, I don’t even know where to begin. I mean, I’ve got the vision and the recipes, but… how do I turn that into a reality?”

“Well… you could get yourself a business partner, or a coach. Someone who understands how to get a business off the ground and can help you with marketing and strategizing. They can map out a plan for you and help you formulate the practical steps you need to take.” I think of Desiree, my mom’s best friend from high school. She was actually my first time, and the only people who know that are Ethan, Liam, and Casey. They hassled me for hanging out in Cougar Town, but it was just one time, and it was perfect. She was perfect.

I always admired her and what she did. Getting alongside people, helping them to get their businesses off the ground with practical help. It’s kind of similar to what Bensens Co is about, although there’s no tearing down, only building up. And it’s on a much smaller, more personal scale.

As her coaching business grew, she was also able to invest and offer financial support to the people she believed in most, and now she’s a freaking money queen.

That’d be cool, doing what Desiree does. Shit, she’d probably be willing to coach me if I gave her a call.

All I’d need to do is find myself some clients and?—

I glance up, my lips parting as the idea zings through my head. Is it completely stupid?

No! You’re buzzing right now! Just say it!

“I could help.” The words pop out, at first a little quiet, but then Ray registers what I said and her face lights up like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I mean…” I shrug. “I’ve got some learning to do, but I understand the basics of business, and I could help you put together a plan. Something to take to the bank so you can secure a loan.”

“I do have some money already set aside… from my dad. It’s in a trust, but I could access some for a business start-up. I just didn’t want to do that unless I had something solid to work with.” Her smile grows a little wider. “Do you really think you could help me?”

“Yeah. I’d love to.”

“What’s in it for you, though?” Her eyebrows dip into a worried frown.

I grin. “The learning opportunity. The chance to help make your vision come to life.”

“Or you could be my partner. We could go in on this thing together, and you could help run the business and marketing side of things.”

I nod, the idea sending another buzz of excitement through me.

“We can write up a contract and make it all legit and fair and…” She lets out a soft squeal. “Do you think this could work?”

“Yeah.” I nod, then start to laugh as she jumps around the counter to wrap me in a hug.

“This is so exciting! I can’t wait to tell Liam!”

“Can’t wait to tell me what?” His deep voice pulls her away from me, and I raise my eyebrows at his assessing gaze.

Dumping his bag against the wall, he turns in time to catch Rachel, who’s flying at him with animated babbling. I’m sure he’s struggling to catch up as she talks faster than I have ever heard her talk before.

With a grin, he hugs her, throwing me a little side-eye over her shoulder.

I wonder how he’d feel about me working with his girl. Going into business together is a huge step, but Rachel’s right about covering ourselves with a contract. Helping her realize this dream would be pretty freaking epic. And if it goes well, then maybe I wouldn’t have to work for my parents.

They’ll be so pissed and let down by my decision, but with everything else that’s going on, it’s kind of the least of my worries right now.

Having something that actually pumps me up about the future is… well, shit… I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this way before.

I grin, feeling just a touch lighter as Rachel pulls Liam into the kitchen and keeps pitching him the idea. He watches her with an adoring grin, then glances at me, his quick wink telling me he’s cool and this could actually become a thing.

Fuck yeah, that feels good.

And now I can’t wait to tell Lani.

I stand up, hitching my pants, about to go call her, when I hear voices in the entranceway.

“I still say he’s an asshole!” Mikayla gripes. “I’m getting pissed again! Picturing flattened ball sacks!”

What?

I shake my head with a perplexed little laugh… until I hear Lani’s voice.

“He’s got a point, though. I do need some solid evidence or this he said/she said thing will be a nightmare.”

Concern rockets through me as I race out to the entryway. “What’s going on?”

Caroline toes off her Converse with a sad smile. “Lani found the guts to go to the police today.”

The air in my lungs turns frosty as I try to catch Lani’s eye. She looks at the floor like she’s feeling guilty or something.

“Good,” I croak. “I’m proud of you.”

She glances up, her eyes round with surprise, and I have to force myself to say it. “I am. I know that must have been really hard.”

Her eyes glisten as she nods, and then Mikayla growls and starts snapping. “It was made worse by a cop who basically told her she can’t go accusing guys of such a serious crime if she doesn’t have the evidence to back it up.”

“He said he’d pass my report on to a detective but warned us that it might not go anywhere,” Lani murmurs, so obviously defeated by that feedback.

Mick scoffs. “He basically reminded her that she was drunk and her memory was probably fuzzy. Then he went on to say that it was too long ago for any witnesses to remember, so we really shouldn’t get our hopes up!” She flicks her arm in the air. “He all but told us that this isn’t even worth pursuing!”

As Mikayla’s volume escalates, Lani seems to shrink further in on herself.

I don’t like that look on her. It’s not Lani. She’s strong, not crushed.

Stepping around Mikayla, who’s still snarling and ranting, I pull Lani against my chest and whisper, “What do you need?”

“Quiet,” she rasps against my chest.

So, without a word, I pull her down the hallway and shut us inside my man cave—a safe little haven for as long as she needs it.