Page 103 of Gravity

If only Asher knew of the turmoil he’s brought to this family with his absence. He may be grieving in his own way; he may be broken—and for that, a small part of me accepts his behavior—but with my heart, and now seeing Mom so torn and broken, I will never forgive him for the distress he has caused. Mom was right: he was never raised to be selfish or heartless, but for some reason, he has turned out to be just that. And when I see him again, I don’t know how I’m going to control my temper, and I don’t care.

* * *

“Hey, this is Ash. I’m obviously not available. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you.”

“Asher, this is getting ridiculous. Can you please come home? We need you.” I cut the call and throw my phone down on Grayson’s desk. I’d spent the morning with Mom to make sure she was okay, and as soon as she realized why I was hanging around, she told me to stop worrying and go to Grayson. Once I’d entered Hot Tuna and found him in his office, I’d curled myself up on his lap and let him hold me like I’ve been craving. “I just don’t get it. Why has he gone MIA?”

“I hate to say it, Shortcake—and you know I’m not happy with what he’s doing—but maybe he just needs it. Your Mom copes by remaining silent. You cope by having me and bubbles. I have you. And Asher—”

“Has alcohol and hot girls. How is that coping?”

“It’s not. It’s denial. But in his head, that’s obviously the only way he knows how to keep going. He must believe that by behaving the way he is, he’s dealing with everything that has twisted him up.”

“So, we should all forgive him?” I ask as he strokes my hair, resting his chin on my head.

“No. That’s not what I’m saying because you have every right to feel like you do. But just try and understand that if he’s messed up—not just with your dad but everything he’s endured with being a SEAL—then he’s going to act way out of character. He needs help, Nora. He just has to get to that point where he admits he needs it.”

“Meanwhile he damages his organs with booze and catches STIs.”

“That’s one way of putting it.” He chuckles. “Just try not to stress yourself out over it. Jackson is keeping an eye on him. He’ll be home when he’s ready.”

“I just don’t want to lose him, Gray. He’s still my brother.”

“I know. He’ll be okay. In the meantime, I’ve got you.”

I tilt my head up to look at him and cup his jaw. “I don’t think I will ever get over the fact that even in my darkest of times, you shine a light on me that makes me feel so safe and secure.”

“I shine the light of love, baby.”

I grin. “That sounded so romantically cheesy. But I love it anyway.”

“And I love you.” He places a kiss on my lips, and I welcome his embrace as he holds me close, dancing his tongue with mine and causing me to fall even further for him.

But just as he deepens the kiss, we are rudely interrupted by a female clearing her throat.

“Is this a private party, or can anyone join in.”

I pull back, a little startled at the sound of Lacy’s voice. As I go to move off Grayson’s lap, he holds me in place, giving Lacy a clear message that we are together, and judging by the glare I’m getting, she’s not impressed.

“Lacy, didn’t your mother ever tell you to knock when a door is closed,” Grayson says a little irritated.

“Did yours ever tell you that dating little girls was wrong?”

I feel his body tense immediately, and just from that comment alone, she’s got my back up. But I keep quiet. I’m too exhausted to react, but if she continues to look at me with disgust like she is, then I can’t promise it will stay that way.

“What do you want, Lacy,” he growls.

“The dishwasher is broken.”

“Then get Ryan to sort it.”

Stepping into the office, she comes over to us, not fazed in the slightest that she is interrupting as she stands there, looking at us like she’s some kind of headmistress and we are about to be reprimanded. Resting her hands on the desk, she presses her breasts together, so her cleavage becomes more prominent. Her black shirt is so low cut that she’s practically popping out of it, and her ruby red lipstick does nothing for her complexion. I’m not one to judge another’s appearance, but Jesus this woman needs a good look in the mirror.

“Why would I ask him when you’re the manager?”

“Because when Ryan is working, he’s in charge. You’d usually get him to deal with it, so I don’t know why you’ve come to me now.”

Because she can’t bear the fact that I’m in here and she isn’t.