Chapter 47: Asher
The second we step thingh the darn, Penny lets nat a diamatic gro offended her.
geman that echoes down the hallway, throwing her ama op like the
This stupid storm is trying to kill is even now that it’s over,‘ she matters, glating at the hall soaked doormat like it
Tyler laughs—a loud, easy laugh that bounces off the walls and the whirls on him, narrowing her eyes.
“I sweat, Hayes,” she says, posting a finger at him like it’s a loaded weapon. “One more laugh and I’ll make you regret
He only laughs harder, ducking away as she hulls and shoves at his arm.
For a second- just a second- I almost muile.
Almost
Bat it sticks in my throat, because underneath it all, I’m still pissed,
Pissed at the storm
Pissed at Tyler
Pissed at myself.
We spread out, checking the house for any signs of damage.
Tyler goes upstairs.
Penny heads toward the back door, peeking through windows
I stay in the main rooms, scanning ceilings and floors, looking for water leaks, shattered glass, anything dangerous.
Everything seems fine.
Minaculously untouched.
When we step outside onto the back patio, it’s a mess
chairs overturned, the umbrella hall–collapsed, cushions soaked and scattered.
But nothing’s broken.
Penny claps her hands together thee, a bright sound cutting through the dreary moming
“Okay,” she says, beaming. “Could’ve been way worse.”
She turns to us, face still used from the cold, her shale a little crooked, and announces, I’m gonna go change into some non–gunt clothes and call my parents to let them know I survived.”
She di
disappears up the stairs, her footsteps light but quick
I stay frozen in place for a second, watching the empty staircase like an idiot.
Third time in this house
first time sering is properly in the daylight.
Chapter 47: Asher
And now that I can, it feels different.
More personal.
Little pieces of her we scattered everywher
a bright blue hair clip abroded on the coffee table, ballet shoes kicked off under a chalk, a might come back for it any second;
The house smells like vanilla and something faintly fatal.
It smells like hi
It feels like her.
Csoft gray cardigan draped over the arm of the couch the the
Warm, alive, tidy in a way that makes il tral.
I don’t realize I’m smiling – barely, but still until Tyler drops onto the couch with a heavy sigh, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table.
Man,” he says, stretching his arms behind his head, “what a crazy freaking night.”
1 lower myself onto the opposite end of the couch, muscles still tense from the branch incident earlier.
I glance sideways at him, my valce low.
“Where were you really last night?”
Tyler’s grin falters just a second – just enough for me to notice.
But he shrug it off East, too fast.
Told you,” he says, too casually. “Tonathan’s place. Watched the game, crashed when the storm got bad.”
I stare at him, reading between the lines, but in the end-
I let it go.
Not because I believe him.
But because it’s not my fight to pick
He drums his fingers on the armrest, restless, jittery.
Then his whole body jolts upright like he just had the best idea in human history.
When Prany comes bounding back down the stairs, phone pressed to her ear finishing a quick conversation with her parents, he’s practically vibeating with excitement.
She hangs up and tucks the phone into her back packet, smiling.
And I forget how to breathe for a second.
She’s changed – pone in the oversized shirt and borrowed pants, replaced with a tight blue long–sleeve that hugs every of her body like a second skin. and a pair of jeans that do wise damage to my brain than I’m willing to admit.
Het hair’s tied up in a messy bun, but louse curls fall free, framing her face, clinging to her cheeks and neck in soft, wild waves.
Chapter 47: Asher
She’s beautiful.
Breathtaking
Dangerous to my sanity.
Tyler is the first to move, spinning her in a stupid little dance that i
1 makes her laughs and swat at him.
“I had the best idea“” he assounces, grinning at both of us like he just milved world hunger.
We should stay here with you until your parents get back.”
Both Penny and I open our mouths at the same time.
⠀ “Not the best idea…” she starts.
“Yeah, no-”
h, no-” I say, almost overlapping her.
But Tyler barrels over both of us, waving a hand like he’s dismissing toddlers.
“No, no, listen — it’s perfect. You won’t be alone, Ash can cook, and hey–what’s safer than having two Hayes brothers as your personal bodyguards”
I snort under my breath before I can stop myself.
She’ll be safe with me, not you.
But I don’t say it out loud.
Penny stares at him, flustered, clearly trying to think of a reason to say no without sounding ungrateful
Tyler doesn’t give her the chance.
“We’ll ask Mom and Dad at dinner tonight,” he says, already half–way to the kitchen,
“Now, seriously, you got any food? I’m starving.”
He disappears with a crash and a bang into the pantry, humming to himself.
Penny stands frozen at the bottos of the stairs, wide–eyed, helpless
I catch
her gaze across the living room.
She looks like she just got hit by a very cheerful, very dumb track.
I shrug one shoulder, the corner of my mouth twitching.
What can you do!
11’s Tyler.
The worst part is
I know I’m not strong enough to say no ether
Chapter 47: Asher
Not when it means staying close a little longer.
Chapter Comments
4
POST COMMENT NOW
