“You’re covering the rent on your mom’s apartment, paying her utilities and groceries, and putting Tessa through high school. You’ve got enough financial responsibilities,” I gently remind him.
The authorities swooped in after Jasper’s arrest and seized all his assets. Chad and his family had to move out of the only home they’ve ever known, and they were virtually penniless overnight. When you have led an affluent lifestyle and wanted for nothing your entire life, that is a massive adjustment.
“You moving in with me won’t cost any more than it would if I was living by myself in a three-story townhome,” I add, purposely omitting mention of how I’ll probably be spending three times as much on food with the amount he and Jase consume on a daily basis. “I want to help. Please let me.”
Tipping his head down, he kisses me, infusing his kiss with adoration and desperation and I cling to him, pouring everything I’m feeling into every sweep of my lips, hoping he can feel how much I love him.
“You help me more than you know, Siren.” His voice thickens with lust as we break our kiss. His fingers tangle in my hair as I run my hand over his newly cropped, newly dyed white-blond hair. “I could not have gotten through this last year without you. You’re my rock, Ash. You’re my everything.”
“As you are mine,” I say, closing the distance between us and kissing him again.
He rests his forehead against mine. “I love you so fucking much.”
Circling my arms more tightly around his neck, I mirror the sentiment. “I love you too.”
“I know you are only trying to help, but this is something I have to do by myself. I’m the man of the family now. Taking care of Mom and Tessa is my responsibility. I won’t fail them like Dad did. They are relying on me to look after them.Me.” He lifts his head, thumping a hand over his impressive chest. “Not you or Jase.” He arches a brow, his expression silently imploring me to understand.
And I do, to a point.
But selling your soul to The Sainthood and risking your scholarship and future NFL career is not the answer.
I just don’t know how to get him to see that.
ChapterTwo
Chad
“Wow,” I say, pulling into one of four empty parking spaces in front of Ash’s townhome. “This place is something else.”
“It’s not at all what I imagined,” my beautiful girlfriend says, twisting her head from side to side as she inspects the small, gated community of modern townhomes through the windows of my truck. I only managed to hold on to it because Dad had the foresight to put it in my name.
What a pity he hadn’t applied that foresight to other aspects of his life. We might not be in the mess we are now if he had been better prepared.
I still can’t believe the man I knew, the man I looked up to, was a sick predator and a serial cheater. I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about the things he has done. He was trafficking girls the same age as my sister, and my blood boils thinking of the risk she was in by his actions and associations. I’d have murdered the fucker in cold blood if anything had happened to Tessa.
Forcing thoughts of Jasper Baldwin from my mind, because my mood is already too black, I concentrate on the here and now. Ash is right. This is a new beginning, and I need to set my dark thoughts aside. I owe Ash that much at least. I owe her much more, but we can start there.
This place is nice. Secure, private, and peaceful. I think living here could be good for us—if Ash can get past the bombshell Jase will be dropping in her lap when he arrives.
There are four houses on either side of the road between a small park. Heavily wooded grounds enclose all eight townhomes at the rear, and high wrought-iron gates at the entrance ensure complete privacy.
We hop out of the truck at the same time, and I move to the back to start unloading our bags. Ash’s dad organized movers earlier in the week, and they took heavier items and personal belongings. Setting our suitcases down on the sidewalk, I watch Ash as she twirls around, taking everything in with a slight frown on her gorgeous face.
I don’t spot any other vehicles, and I’m glad the parking spaces at the adjacent townhome are empty. I still haven’t worked out how to break that news to her. Not that it’s my responsibility, but she deserves to know. I would have updated her immediately last night when I found out if Jase hadn’t begged me not to breathe a word. It’s only been foisted on him at the last minute I suspect so he can’t say no. Yet my best friend and fellow jock rarely accepts no for an answer, and that’s why he headed off this morning to present a last-minute case to his father and his brother.
I wouldn’t bet on either of them doing him any favors.
His dad is a cold fish, and his brother is cut from the same cloth. It’s like they don’t feel human emotions. Or if they do, they have learned how to hide them. I doubt they will have an ounce of sympathy for Jase’s predicament.
I care because I know how much this will hurt our girl.
For the first time, I question my decision to bring Jase into our relationship.
Leaving the bags, I walk to Ash’s side and reel her into my arms, needing to hold her, wanting to comfort her. “Why the frown?” I ask, smoothing my thumb across her forehead.
“It’s not quite what I had in mind for college,” she admits, and I love that she’s such an open book with me. “I don’t want to appear ungrateful, but I wouldn’t have minded living in a typical student apartment or even a dorm.” Her nose scrunches up in that adorable way it does anytime she’s thinking deeply.
“We wouldn’t get to live together if we were in the dorms.”
