For the Love of Ash (32 page)

"Grandchildren, how lovely," Margo said. She was in another pant suit, only this time it was black—like her soul. The blazer was three-quarter-length sleeved, and she wore a white button up underneath it.
 

Asher squeezed my hand as Margo swung the door open and stepped back. I plastered a fake smile on my face as I stepped into hell, dragging poor Asher behind me. Asher didn't resent Margo like I did. But he saw the way she treated me, and he began forming his own opinions.

"I've made us a wonderful afternoon brunch. Come, follow me." She didn't even give us an option. We had stopped at McDonald's on the way, so I wasn't hungry in the slightest.
 

We followed Margo through the kitchen and out onto her glassed-in patio. She had a large six-person table in the center made entirely of white stone. Chairs that matched the pattern circled it, with sage cushions on top.
 

Margo sat at the head to the left, and Ash and I sat as far away as we could on either side, across from each other. Annie, their maid/server/cook/driver, entered the room with a tray of finger sandwiches and a pitcher of clear liquid.
 

"Hey, Annie," I said as she placed the tray in the center of the table. Annie smiled politely at me but didn't answer me back. I knew it was because Margo was there.
 

A few summers back, when I was in high school, I was forced to spend my spring break here. My parents were busy closing deals in Japan. Due to the expansive grounds place, I barely ever had to see my grandparents and instead spent my break getting drunk with Annie and sneaking boys into the guest house.

Annie was about six years older than me, but we got along well. She smuggled in the Dubra, and I called my favorite boys of the week for us both. Looking back, she was being pretty irresponsible. But it was the best spring break I ever had. She treated me with respect and included me on her adventures. She accepted me for me. I considered Annie to be a friend despite the fact that we hadn't talked in a long time.
 

"Margaret, how are your studies?" Margo asked as she lifted a cucumber sandwich to her mouth. I watched Annie nod and scamper away. I brought my attention back to Margo and saw she had a different glass than the rest of us, the liquid slightly yellow.
 

"They're going really great. I like my classes, and I think I'm doing well."

"You should know if you're doing well." She might as well have wagged her finger at me. I didn't even bother to answer. I reached across the table, grabbed two mini sandwiches, and placed them on my empty plate. I figured if I stuffed my face then I wouldn't have to talk to her.

"Are you thinking of transferring to a better school?"

"No, I like my school," I told her, my mouthful. I knew my bad manners grated on her nerves, but truthfully, that's why I did it.

"Isn't that disappointing," she mumbled, shaking her head as she took another small bite of the sandwich. "You know, your grandfather and I would be happy to take care of Ash so you can focus and go to a better school." I looked angrily from her to Ash, who stared at me with widening eyes and a scared look on his face.

"I don't think that's wise," I answered with snark. "Where is said grandfather, anyway?" She glared right back at me but didn't miss a beat.

"He's golfing with his friends." I knew the lie the second it rolled off her alcoholic tongue. That was her go to. "Asher, tell me about your studies." She turned her attention from me to him, which I didn't like. I felt like a mama bear, ready to pounce if she attacked him.
 

"I like school. I have cool teachers and stuff."

"That's all? What's your favorite subject?"

"Gym. I love Mr. Wilson."

"Do you? What about a real subject?"

"Gym is real. I help Luke in the beginning of class and demonstrate for him. He needs me to help him all the time. I learn a lot."

"You're on a first name basis with your teacher. Margaret, do you know about this?" She clutched her hand to her chest, appalled. Shit. I didn't even know how to get out of this. It did sound bad.

"Of course, I do. Luke is a friend of mine. He's only allowed to call Mr. Wilson Luke outside of school," I told her, playing cool.

"Well, this just seems severely inappropriate."

"It's not. I can assure you."

"Are you having sex—"

"Jesus Christ, can you not in front of him?" I stood up and banged my hand on the table. It didn't thump like I hoped, and instead my palm throbbed. "And to answer your completely rude question, no."

"Well, that is a relief."

"I think it's time we go," I said as I walked around the table and got Asher. He didn't look upset at all by our sudden departure. He grabbed a little sandwich and took my hand.

"You are required to visit once a month."

"And I upheld that by being here today. It's not my fault you basically forced us to leave with your rude remarks and demeaning nature." I stomped through the hallway, Ash in tow.

"Margaret, you can be sure that your grandfather will hear about this."

"I don't care anymore. I'm a great mom. I don't need you guys."

"Mom?" She snickered, laughing from behind as she followed us to the front door. "You're a child! You don't know how to raise him."

"I'm doing a hell of a lot better than you did with Mom."

"Your mother was an angel!"

"Goodbye, Margo." I pulled open the door, walked through, and then slammed it behind us. The sad thing was, this was normal for our visits. I wished that I could just drop Asher off and run, but that wasn't fair to him.
 

Chapter Thirty-Two

Maggie

My leg was jiggling. My heart was racing. We were second to present today, and honestly, I wished that we were first. I just wanted to get this stupid thing over with.
 

Suddenly, a piece of paper was launched onto my desk and landed right on the piece of paper I was doodling on. I smiled at Luke behind me even though he couldn't see me.
 

Stop freaking out, beautiful girl. We're going to do fine. Plus you're making me want to reach over my desk and kiss your neck until you moan in front of all these people.
 

I folded the piece of paper and tucked it into my pocket. I didn't want to pass it backwards because I wanted to keep it forever. It didn't help my nerves much, but I liked knowing that he was trying to make me feel better.

"Mr. Wilson and Ms. Larken, please come up and present chapter seven," Dr Atwater said from his squishy chair behind the podium. He was looking tired lately, and I prayed that he'd pass out during our presentation.
 

I read from my notecards first. I could tell that my voice was coming out jittery. A few times I had to stop and take a breath because I forgot and ended up getting choked up on my dry throat. Luke chuckled behind me once when I choked on some spit, but not in a mean way.
 

"Does anyone know the negative effects positive punishment has?" Luke asked, taking over for me. I blushed and looked down at the ugly brown and white tiled floor while Luke saved me. I pushed out a breath.

The class clapped at the end of our presentation. No amount of note-taking could have prepared me for speaking in front of the class. I just sucked at it. It would never be my forte, but I had to learn to live with it.

I sat down in my seat, and as Luke walked by my desk, he stopped. He bent down and kissed me on the lips in front of everyone. I doubted I would ever stop getting chills when he touched me. I didn't think my heart could handle a lifetime of kisses.
 

On Saturday, Asher and I went to pick up my car. It was a nicer garage right on the border near New Canaan. Instead of gas smells and greasy hands, the men inside the shop had on clean jumpsuits and were smiling ear to ear. It felt a little
Twilight Zone-
ish, but I ignored the weirdness.
 

Asher held my hand, like he did the entire walk from the bus stop, and grabbed the door for the both of us. I smiled down at his gesture and kissed the top of his head.

"Ma'am, what can we do for you?"
 

"I'm here to pick up my car. It's a Honda Accord." He was genuine as he smiled at me and then looked down at the computer screen. He clicked away. I saw the reflection of the blue screen in his glasses as he pulled up my bill.

"You're Luke's friend." The man nodded to himself as he spoke aloud. "Your total is two hundred dollars even." My brows furrowed because I expected the bill to be over five hundred. I had Googled the parts that needed to be fixed, and those alone cost two hundred.
 

"Are you sure? That seems low," I said despite the fact that I only had three hundred in my bank account. My plan was to put half on my credit card and half on my debit, but apparently something else was going on.

"The Wilsons are buddies of mine, especially Luke. I always give him a deal." I still looked at him like he was lying, squinting my eyes, but I couldn't do anything. I didn't have the money to give anyway.
 

I dropped Asher's hand and rummaged through my purse to pull the card out of my wallet. He swiped it and typed on the computer. He whistled a Luke Bryan song, and despite the fact that I didn't even know the name, it made me smile.
 

"You are all set," he said with a final click. He reached behind him and pulled my keys off a wooden rung, one of many that were hanging. He handed it over, and I smiled, thankful to get my car back. "It's around the corner if you go just outside the door. You should see it 'cause it's right in front."

"Thanks so much," I told him. I met his eyes and tried to convey how thankful I was that he had helped me out. I knew there was some sort of deal, but either way, I appreciated it.
 

Asher ran to the car as I unlocked it with a beep, and I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed Luke's number. He answered on the second ring.

"Hey, Sunny." His voice always made my stomach twist in such a euphoric way. It was like honey dripping from his tongue and falling right into my mouth. Sweet and sexy. I had to remember why I was calling.

"What did you do?"

"You're going to have to elaborate since I have no idea what you're talking about."

"The car. How much did it actually cost?" I started the car, and the air conditioner blew straight in my face, smelling like sawdust. I coughed and shut it off, flipping it to heat, while Asher laughed from the back seat.

"What's going on over there?" I could hear the humor in his voice. I didn't answer, waiting for him to tell me what I owed him. "Maggie, he's a family friend. I don't even know what you paid, but I'm sure it was enough. Can you trust me?"

"I looked up the parts online. I know he gave me too good of a deal. Which makes me think you paid for it."

"I didn't. I promise."

"Do you really promise?"

"Yes—Lindsay, go away!" he said in the background. "Seriously, why are you even here? I'll come down in a second! Seriously?" He paused and then came back on the phone. "Mag, I gotta go. I'll pick you and Ash up at noon."

"Wait, I have—" But the line went dead before I could object. He didn't have to come now that I had a car.
 

"Is Luke coming to my game?" Ash asked with hope in his voice.

"He'll come by to pick us up at noon."

"Yes! I hope I play really really well. Do you think he'll think I'm good?"

"I already know he thinks you are."

"True…"