Chapter 182: Asher
The new keys are cold in my palm as 1 pull into the driveway of my parents‘ house. I catch a glimpse of them on the ring–two dull silver, one break, the Int one small and flat, probably for the mail slot. They’re already starting to feel like mine.
Behind me, the sun’s almost gone. The sky’s cast in winter blue and snowlight, but all I can think about is the way Penny grinned as she danced in her seat. while chewing on shawarma, swaying like the music was in her bones.
“God, this is so good,” she said between bites,
lettuce sticking to her lip. “I forgot how much I love garlic sauce.”
“You did a little happy dance.”
“I always do a happy dance when I eat garlic sauce. It’s involuntary.”
She was glowing, her hair still damp from the shower she took before we left the studio, cheeks pink from the cold, scarf half–dangling off her shoulders. She talked nonstop. Rehearsal. Luc. Madame. How Madame yelled at her for every fourth plié, but that somehow meant things were going back to normal.
And then-
“Oh, and Luc has a huge crush on you, by the way,” she said, pointing at me with a fry.
I blinked. “Luc.”
“Yes. And probably Mila too. And probably everyone else in the building, actually.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Even Madame?”
She gasped and whacked my arm. “You’re so dumb,” she said, laughing so hard she had to dab her eyes. “But no, Madame just wants you to stand outside the doors and keep guard because she likes soldiers.”
I watched her laugh, arms wrapped around her drink, lip between her teeth. She didn’t know it, but I didn’t care who else looked at me. Or who else wanted
- me.
Only her.
And when I’d told the real estate agent, “We’ll take it,” I saw the flush climb her neck like a secret she hadn’t meant to feel. She played it off, of course, but it hit me in the gut like nothing else. I wanted it to be hers too. Ours.,
Would her parents even let her move out? I don’t know. But it’s closer to her studio than her house is. It’s safe. Clean. It’s hers if she wants it.
I’ll ask. Not tonight. But soon.
I pocket the keys and head inside.
The scent of rosemary chicken hits me first. Garlic mashed potatoes, too. Mom’s specialty. I wash my hands at the kitchen sink and dry them on the towel that’s always hanging too low. Then I slide into my usual seat at the dinner table.
It’s quiet. Uncomfortably so.
Tyler doesn’t look up from his plate. He’s been grumpy for a full week. Not surprising–he’s grounded, under virtual house arrest. My parents confiscated his car keys. His phone gets random spot checks. And he’s been helping clean, fix, and shovel like a full–time butler.
Mom’s the first to break the silence. “Where’d you go today?”
I reach for my water glass. “Got an apartment./
The sound of choking breaks out from both sides of the table.
Mom coughs and dabs at her mouth. “You what?”
1/3
You’re moving out?” Dad asks.
I shrug. You guys knew I wasn’t planning to stay long. Three months is longer than I intended.”
They look at each other, stunned.
“Where?” Mom finally asks.
“About ten minutes from Penny’s studio. Small building. Top floor.”
She exhales like she’s trying not to cry. “You should stay longer. You just got back.”
“I know.” I place my hand gently over hers. “How about this–pick one night of the week, whichever one. I’ll come over for dinner. Every week.”
Her face lights up like Christmas. “Deal. Wednesdays.”
“Wednesday it is.”
Dad nods in approval. “You need help moving?”
“I’ll have to get furniture. Everything, really. It’s pretty empty.”
“You should take Penny,” Mom says. “She has good taste in that kind of stuff.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I’ll ask her.”
That’s when Tyler scoffs.
We all freeze. He still doesn’t look up, but his jaw is clenched tight.
Dad leans forward, voice low. “You got something to say?”
Tyler’s voice cuts through the tension, bitter and sharp. “You guys don’t see it, do you? Asher likes Penny.”
The silence is a punch.
Mom’s fork stops halfway to her mouth. “What?”
I don’t flinch. I look right at him. “Yeah. I do.”
Their surprise lasts all of five seconds.
Then Dad just sits back and nods. “Makes sense. She’s a wonderful girl.”
Mom, smiling softly: “She is.”
Tyler slams his hands on the table. “Are you serious? Don’t you see how wrong this is?! He’s stealing her from me!”
“No one’s stealing anything,” Dad says sharply. “You made decisions. Poor ones. That relationship ended because of you.”
“And Penny,” Mom adds firmly, “is a grown woman. Not your possession. Even if you treated her like one.”
That earns a smirk out of me. I take a sip of water to hide it.
They turn to me. “Are you two-?”
I shake my head. “No. We’re not together. She’s still figuring things out.”
2/3
I glance at Tyler and gesture toward him. “That took a toll. I’m not rushing her.”
There’s a beat of silence.
Then Dad nods. “Respect.”
Mom’s watching me closely now, eyes softer. “We’re not upset,” she says. “We’re
I blink. “Glad?”
actually… glad.”
“We love her,” she says simply. “If she ends up with you, that means she stays
Part of the family. And you’d treat her right.”
“Unbelievable,” Tyler mutters, standing up from the table and storming down
the hall
The sound of his door slamming echoes through the house.
My parents just look at each other, then burst out laughing.
I raise an eyebrow. “You two are more mischievous than I thought.”
Mom shrugs. “He deserves a little torment. Actions have consequences. We’re not raising him to be entitled.”
Dad points a finger at me. “We mean it, though. Don’t hurt her.”
My smirk fades.
“I won’t.”
“Because her parents will never forgive us if both our sons break her heart.“.
I lean back in my chair and shake my head. “I’d never do that. Ever.”
I think of her laugh over shawarma. Her soft cheek under my hand. Her tiny snores when she sleeps curled into my chest.
“No matter what happens,” I say, voice steady, “I’d rather die than hurt her.”
They exchange a look, proud and knowing.
And suddenly, dinner doesn’t feel so awkward anymore.
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