Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“So, he’s going to hate my mom and me?”
“I think he’ll have preconceived notions. Once he gets to know you both, that will change.” I don’t point out that he’d have to take the time to do that.
I’m starting to think we’re the reason Asher hasn’t come home. There is no reason he couldn’t come home here or there to see his family he supposedly loves so much. Unless he was actively avoiding us.
“I hope you’re right.” I give Grant the same smile I give everyone so they don’t worry about me. My stomach turns as we pull up the driveway. Grant goes around the back.
“You want to practice tomorrow?” Grant asks when I undo my seat belt.
“Yeah, that works for me,” I respond before getting out of the car. I take the side entrance into the main house which leads into the kitchen, where I snag a candy bar from the pantry before heading to my bedroom upstairs to change.
“She told me what you did,” I hear Tomas say right before I’m about to pass the doors to his office. I pause, my eyes going to them. They’re cracked open just enough for me to hear what’s going on inside.
“And what is it that she told you?” a deep voice responds. I swallow, somehow knowing it’s Asher’s.
“That you offered her five million to leave me.” I almost choke on the bite of chocolate in my mouth. “It didn’t work.”
“Should have offered ten,” Asher responds.
“Asher,” Tomas shouts, the tone of his voice one I’ve never heard him use before.
“What, Dad? I was looking out for you. The woman is younger than you. I think we know what this is about.”
“You have no clue what you’re talking about. You will treat my wife and her daughter with respect. I’d love for you to give them a chance, but you’re set in your ways on this issue, so keep your opinions about them to yourself.”
“It’s not just you. What about Emily?”
“Emily happens to adore Grace, and I’m sure she’s told you as much.” I should really move, but my feet stay planted to the ground.
“Whatever, Dad. You’re fifty years old, and you run off and marry a woman after a few months? You didn’t learn your lesson last time?”
“I was young,” Tomas says defensively.
“Exactly. You should know better now.”
“When you know, you know. That’s what I’ve learned at my age.” That’s really sweet.
“Try not to knock this one up. You’re already supporting her kid. You don’t need another.” Ouch. I’m not a kid. I’m freaking eighteen, and I didn’t ask to be dragged here, either, for his information. What an asshole.
“That’s enough!” Tomas snaps. “I think you should get some rest.” Oh shit. I get myself to move, pretty sure this conversation is coming to an end. The doors swing open right as I pass them, Asher plowing into me as he makes his exit. I let out a small squeak as we collide, knocking my glasses right off my face.
“Fuck,” Asher grunts. He grabs me by the waist, keeping me from falling to the floor.
“Sorry.” I push away, unable to look up at him. I don’t want anything to do with this jerk.
“Molly, are you okay?” Tomas asks, stepping out of his office.
“I’m fine.”
“Here,” Asher says. I have to finally glance up at him to see what he’s talking about. My glasses are in his outstretched hands. Our eyes lock for a second.
“Thanks.” I grab them from his hand. He bends down and grabs my bag next. I hadn’t realized I’d dropped it. “Hey!” I say when he starts to open the paper that fell out of the front pocket. He ignores me, glancing at it before he shoves it back into my bag, only for his hand to come back out with my phone.
“It’s going off.” The phone vibrates in his hand. He stares down at the screen. I grab my bag from him and hold my hand out for it. “Someone is popular.” He finally hands it over.
“Right,” I say dryly. “I have a final to study for.” Asher’s eyes flick up and down me. They narrow. I feel like a bug under a microscope.
“You’ll join us for dinner?” Tomas asks. I nod before I flee up the stairs. I’m not going to leave my mom alone to face him even if she has Tomas at her side.
Asher is a big old jerk. A very handsome jerk. Far more handsome than I’d realized from some of his pictures. Though in the pictures I’ve seen, he was more of a boy. In them, he looked my age possibly. But that’s no longer reality; now he’s a man. One that clearly despises not only my mom but me too.
4
Asher
What the fuck was that? The smell of sweet honey still lingers even after the girl has made her escape. I can still feel the softness of her small, warm body against mine.