“What. No. I mean, one day, yeah?—”
“Oh, thank fuck.”
“Hey, you’d be fucking lucky to have me as your official brother-in-law.” He grins, setting his chair back down.
“Okay, in all seriousness,” he says, his tone shifting to something more serious, “I actually want to ask her to move in with me.”
Madi’s head snaps up, her eyes widening. “Are you serious?” she shrieks. “Asher! Oh my god, yes!”
Her excitement lights up the whole damn room. For a second, it’s all I can focus on. For a second, I imagine what it would be like if she were that excited about moving in with me.
“Are you sure you guys are ready for that?” I ask.
“We haven’t spent a night apart since I got back, man. We’re constantly bouncing between my place and yours. And with Sarah and Remi here now,” he shrugs, his eyes cutting to Madison for help, “it just makes sense. Remi can take Halle’s room, and we won’t have to keep living out of bags, going back and forth.”
“It does make sense.” Madi stands, gathering our empty plates and carrying them to the sink. “Halle deserves something good after everything she’s been through. So do you.”
She’s right. They do.
Still, a selfish part of me wants to tell him to fuck off. She’s my little sister, and the thought of her moving out permanently—after only just having her back—sits wrong in my chest. I know I can’t make those decisions for Halle. She’d skin me alive if I tried, and this is Asher. We’ve been through enough that he knows exactly what’s at stake. If he ever fucked up again, I’d come for him. No hesitation. No second chances.
“Look, man,” Asher says, his voice firm, “I know this might be a lot to take in, but I can’t see straight without her. Can’t think straight. I’m not asking for permission, I just don’t want to blindside you.”
The words hang in the air between us. When I glance up, Madi’s already watching me. Her eyes are steady, reassuring, and a quiet realization hits me hard. Everything’s changing.
We’re not the same guys we were a year ago. Drunk, reckless, fighting the ghosts of our pasts. We’re both seeking something more. Some kind of peace—slower nights, meaningful connections.Fuck, we’re growing up.
“Alright, “ I say, letting out a breath. “If this is what you think is right, I won’t step in your way.”
“Yeah?” He grins, his leg bouncing under the table.
“Yeah, man. I trust that you’ll do right by her.”
Madi lets out a small squeal, clapping her hands together and bouncing on the spot. “When are you going to ask her? Are you going to do some big grand gesture, or just move her in without asking?”
Asher chuckles, pushing to his feet and running a hand through his curls. “I was thinking of asking her on her birthday when we’re out at Ashfalls, after the arcade.”
“Yes! I love that!” Madison beams, eyes bright. “Can I help plan anything? Wait, can I tell the other girls?”
I can’t help but smile at the excitement practically vibrating off her.
“Whoa, calm down. No and no. I’d like to keep it a secret and not make such a huge thing out of it. She’ll already be overwhelmed with the arcade and us all going out there.”
“Fine, but I want all the juicy details from her afterwards.” She grins at him, crossing her arms.
Asher shakes his head, not even trying to hide the smile slipping free. “I’m outta here. I wanna crash the girls’ dinner before heading to the bar.”
“Can’t help yourself, can you?” I tease.
“Nope,” he says, smirking as he heads for the door.
“Hey, man,” I call after him. “I’m real happy for you guys.”
He smiles before spinning and heading out.
“You okay there?” Madi asks, her tone cautious as she slides back into the chair next to me.
I lean forward, my elbows on the table, hand running through my hair before resting against my forehead. “I won’t lie, part of me is worried, but I don’t think I’ll ever not worry about Halle. Part of me is stoked for them. But there’s also this small part that’s kinda jealous…” I trail off.
