ASH
MAY 6 YEARS AGO
You’dthinkgraduating high school would earn me a little bit of my brother’s attention, but when I hit town, he’s missing.
Ruder still, so is mysupposedbest friend who should be celebratingwithme.
“Hey, stranger,” I say, tipping my invisible cowboy hat from her doorway.
Then I notice she’s not alone. “Oh shit! Sorry!”
Right as the words come out, a head of familiar dark hair pops up from her pillow. “Oh my god! Shane?” Whipping my head to Nik, I bark, “What the fuck? Are you sleeping with my brother?”
“Shit. Ash. I’m so sorry. What are you doing here?” she asks, scrambling out of bed, attempting to shield him, like I haven’t already seen that my brother is in her bed.
“You’ve been avoiding me!” I point my finger at Shane. “What’s he doing here?”
The whole time his eyes are trained on the ceiling.
“Uh. Well, he’s my boyfriend.” She winces. “I’d tell youexactly what he’s doing here, but I really doubt you want to know since—you know, he’s your brother.”
“Ew, Nik!”
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Go wait for me outside. I’ll be out in a minute.”
I head out to the porch and sit in one of the white rocking chairs. Nik’s house is tiny, but it’s charming.
The front door swings open. “Okay, hear me out. I never meant to fall for your brother.” She moves across the porch and hikes herself up on the railing in front of me. “It just kind of happened. I swear I was gonna tell you.”
“Nik, I don’t care. I just can’t believe you hid it from me?”
“Really? I was so worried you’d hate me when you found out.”
“I mean, it’s weird, but I love you both. It might take some getting used to, but if you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“Oh my god! I’m so happy. I think I might love him.”
“Shit! Wait, how long have you been dating?”
“Since the end of last summer. After you left, I ran into him and we’ve kind of been together since.”
I smile. “I’m happy for you.”
“I’ve been such a shitty friend, Ash. I’m so sorry.”
Narrowing my eyes, I say, “I’ll forgive you if you promise to ditch him tonight to hang out with me.”
She grins. “Deal.”
The door swings open again, and my brother, now fully clothed, steps out.
“Good morning, sunshine.” I beam up at him as he pops a cigarette between his lips and lights it. “Ew. You’re so gross.”
He flips me off, sitting in the chair next to mine. “So, whatare we talking about?”
“I’m stealing your girlfriend tonight.” I stick my tongue out.
“Great. Finally, I can get a minute away from her. Your friend’s real clingy, you know.” He pretends to whisper, pointing at her.
