“It’s better for us to hear, Ash. Keeping us in the dark isn’t protecting us, it’s hurting us,” Channing says while moving Court out of the way so he can hug me. Channing isn’t much of a toucher but when he squeezes me for a second longer than normal, I feel warm inside. It hasn’t always been easy for him to be my brother but I know he’ll always be there for me.
Van sneers at me before wrapping his arm around my neck. “You hit like a man. Jesus.” He rubs his jaw with his other hand. “Who’s the other guy? I thought he was going to punch me so I was looking at him, not you. Plus, I never expected you to hit me.”
Damien and Storm laugh behind me and I giggle. “Brother, she’s using her fists to get her point across. I’ve seen her lay out five club whores in as many minutes. She don’t play around.” Then Storm sticks out his hand to shake with Van. “I’m Storm, Rage’s brother.”
“Actual brother or club brother?” Van asks, taking Storm’s hand.
“Unfortunately we came from the same father. But don’t let that deter you. I’m more awesome.” They let go of each other and Storm points towards the stage. “You’ll have to meet the singer, Chutney, who also came from our father. The smoking hot babe on the drums is my wife, Lola.”
And like she could hear him, “I wanna meet your brothers, Glossy!” Chutney shouts into the mic.
I just shake my head. She jumps down from the stage and rushes over to us. Lola follows behind at a slower pace. “Oh my God! I’m so excited!” Chutney says when she makes it to us. “You must be Van.” And then she tackle hugs him.
She doesn’t wait for his response before moving on to the next one. She repeats the same hug for Court and Channing. Then she calmly introduces herself to Rachel and Paisley. They remember her from high school though. As do my brothers.
“I’m glad you cleared that up. I was beginnin’ to wonder if they were ever gonna show up.” Damien comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. He places his face in my neck and inhales.
“So you did call them?” I ask quietly.
“No, I called your mother. I had a few things to say to her but I asked her to send them down here. No need to get everyone in a fit because you won’t speak to them.” He starts kissing my neck and I laugh.
“Being sweet isn’t going to get you on my good side. In fact, it’s probably gonna make you sleep on the couch.” I try to wiggle loose but he doesn’t budge.
He lifts his head to kiss my temple. “Baby, I ain’t sleepin’ at night by myself. If you ain’t in my bed, I’ll find you and drag you back.” I go to open my mouth with a reply but he stops me. “Just try me, Ashley. I mean business. We’re forever now. Ain’t no goin’ back on that. We’d never make it by ourselves.”
I think on that as we stand there watching my family interact with his family. Then I realize he’s right. What kind of existence would I have without him? It would be dark and grey with no color. Just like the last five years have been.
I turn in his arms and wrap mine around his neck. “You promise to love me forever?” I whisper, staring into his deep blue eyes.
“I promise.” He kisses my temple then. “I haven’t stopped yet.
Twelve
Damien
The first time I ever saw Ashley Southerland, my heart stopped. She wasn’t doin’ anything out of the ordinary. Just puttin’ on lip gloss but I’d never had that happen to me before. She was just so damn beautiful and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
That black hair all around her shoulders and those light blue eyes just drew me in. Her lips were pouty as she looked in the mirror on her locker door and I just knew. I knew she was mine and I had to have her.
You might think I’m crazy or stupid, but either way I don’t really give a fuck. I’m a man who prides myself on knowin’ what I want. I knew she was it for me and I couldn’t explain it to you if I tried.
But no relationship is perfect. And if you fuckin’ say that they are, I’ll probably punch you. You fight and there are things about the other person that drive you up the wall. I know because I’ve seen it all around me. My pop and his on again off again girlfriend have been playing games with each other since the birth of my little sister. My lil brother Ryan and his old lady, Lola, they definitely ain’t perfect. I mean Lola almost had to die for him to realize he wanted her on the back of his bike. Lots of my brothers have old ladies and they are constantly bitchin’ and throwin’ shit at each other.