Chapter 22

ASHER

Monday is hurtling toward me at a pace that’s both too fast and too slow.

Time, it seems, is my greatest adversary.

I want to help the girls, but I can’t shake the feeling that getting involved with “Sanctum” could be a risky move.

Danger and I are old friends, but this feels like the most perilous venture I’ve ever considered.

That’s why today, on this fine Sunday, I’ve decided to show up for my parents’ Sunday lunch.

I’ve been a bit lax about attending these family gatherings, the only one of my siblings who doesn’t make it a point to be there.

I don’t have a job, a girlfriend, or even a dog to take for walks.

So, yeah, I guess you could say I’m the Henderson family’s resident underachiever.

I don’t bother knocking when I arrive, even though it’s been a while since I last set foot in this house.

I stroll in like it’s something I do every week, following the scent of my mama’s cooking down the hallway.

Sure enough, I find my Mama and all my sisters in the kitchen.

“Asher!” Mama exclaims, leaving the twins to rush into my arms.

I hold her tight, kissing the top of her head as I rest my chin on it.

Her hands clutch the back of my T-shirt so tightly I think it might tear. She’s missed me; it’s clear.

“Wow, did your apartment burn down?” Tilly teases, handing Isaac, Indigo, and Lorelei some watermelon.

Isaac looks so grown up, his hair styled into a spiky front with the back and sides cut short.

The kid is ridiculously adorable, which is surprising considering his father wasn’t exactly a heartthrob.

Then there are my little sisters. Their arrival was a shock, considering we were all teenagers when they were born, but their green eyes and strawberry-blonde curls have us all wrapped around their little fingers.

They’re the spitting image of Mama, who seems to have the dominant genes when it comes to the girls.

Despite their unexpected arrival, they’ve always been nothing short of miracles.

“Nope, just forgot to go grocery shopping…” I lie.

It’s easier than admitting that I’m worried I might soon be killed by some unknown entity that kidnaps girls and forces them into prostitution.

“Well, it’s nice to see you. You should come by more often,” Mama says, turning back to the twins.

Both girls have matching scrapes on their knees, tear-streaked faces, and the lollipops Mama always gives us when we get hurt.

“I agree. It’s good to see you,” Ella adds, her eyes twinkling with the lie that we haven’t seen each other in a while.

“And it’s good to see you three,” I say, greeting Indi and Lorelei. “Let me see those boo-boos.”

Indi shows me her scraped knee.

“Oh! That looks painful, sweetheart—what happened?” I ask, bending down to kiss it, just like Mama probably did.

“Lori tripped me,” she tattles, her ever-present smile never wavering.

These two bicker more than Atty and I ever did, and I can’t help but feel sorry for my parents. The fights over makeup and clothes will soon turn into fights over boys.

“Really? Were you two holding hands?” I ask, kissing Lorelei’s knee and rubbing it as Mama finishes applying a band-aid.

“Mm-hmm,” Lorelei nods, sucking on her lollipop.

“Just an accident, then. No hard feelings, right, girls?”

They both nod and shrug, and Mama helps them down.

Isaac follows suit and they all scamper off, likely to play in the makeshift playground that is our backyard.

“You’ll make a good Dad someday, baby boy,” Mama says, patting my cheek.

“I don’t want kids, Mama.”

She pouts in that way she always does when I bring up my lack of desire to have children of my own.

I’ve never really pictured myself settling down with one person, let alone having a kid with them.

It’s not that I’m against the idea; it’s just never been part of my plan.

I’ve always believed that if I were to have a child, it would have to be within a stable, loving relationship, like the one my parents share.

Suddenly, I hear Tal’s voice echoing down the hallway.

“Mom?”

She’s in a state of panic, rushing toward us. She skids to a halt, her eyes scanning me up and down, probably trying to figure out if it’s really me or if Atty has just gotten a haircut.

“I have a zit on my face, look… I’ve done everything you’ve told me to do. I take care of my skin, but it hates me,” she complains, throwing herself into my arms.

She’s taller than our mom, almost as tall as Callum, so she doesn’t have to reach far to wrap her arms around my neck.

“What brings you here?” she asks, her voice muffled against my shoulder.

“Just here for dinner,” I reply softly, hugging her back.

She pulls away after a moment, as if being caught hugging her older brother is the most embarrassing thing in the world.

I guess she’s still in that self-absorbed teenage phase.

“It’s just hormones, sweetheart. No one’s skin stays perfect all the time, especially during your cycle,” Mom tries to reassure her.

“Ugh, Mom, no one needs to know about my period,” Tal retorts.

“It’s a normal part of life, sis. We all deal with it, even at my age,” Tilly chimes in.

Ella stays silent, probably because she’s never had to deal with the acne-prone skin the rest of us have.

She’s always had that natural beauty, that radiant glow, just like Mom.

“So, where’s Atty? Maybe I’ll take him for a ride while we wait for dinner,” I suggest, heading toward the hallway.

I’m only three steps in when Ella calls out that he’s with Callum in Sense.

~How did I know that was going to be the case?~