Page 12 of Forever Home

Besides the smaller kids, it’s clear Mom and my other siblings are too busy to see me right now, so I decide to call it early and head back. Though the entire drive back to the hotel, I can’t help but feel dejected. All the old feelings of not belonging, not just in a town where I grew up but also at home where I was raised, come crashing down on me like a tidal wave from a brewing storm.

You would think after everything I’ve done for them, and everything I’ve become… they would want to make more time to visit with me, or at least call me. But per usual, they’re too busy. And my mother, with her hands full, isn’t always a gracious woman when it comes to breaking routine.

Every part of me screams to give up on them, but the other part of me submits to hoping that if I achieve a little or simply do a little more, they will finally notice. Even though deep down, I know it will never happen.

Chapter Six: Jaxson

The moment I step into the dimly lit lounge of the hotel, I spot Asher. He waves me over to where he’s sitting at a two-seater table on the far side of the lounge area. The small dark wood table accented with red pleather armchairs makes for a more quiet setting. To which I’m sure he is angling for especially since he was on the hot topic of selling the property.

“It’s good to see you, man,” Asher says once I’m seated.

“You’re looking good,” I respond. “Guess playing pro agrees with you.”

I’m tall at six feet, but Ash has four inches on me. And although we played football together in high school, along with Knox, Ash has always had the build for a quarterback with his wide shoulders and the muscle tone and height to match.

“Yeah,” he chuckles. “For the most part. I love the game, you know that. But sometimes, it does take too much out of you.”

My eyes widen slightly at his words. It’s definitely not what I expected him to say considering how much going pro and living the life was all I ever remember him talking about. But I guess in a way, I can see where it could be taxing on someone.

I’d have been right there with him had I not tore my ACL in college. One wrong move and my football career was over. And though at one point, I thought it was the end of the world, it actually became my blessing. Because if it wasn’t for that incident, I wouldn’t have ever found my true calling.Cooking.

Though I can’t help but wonder if I had not, would I be living Ash’s life right alongside him?

“It’s good to have you back here, though. It seems like it’s been ages since I’ve last seen you.”

He nods, shrugging his shoulders slightly as he lifts his crystal glass of amber liquid to his lips taking a long sip. It’s in that moment that the dim lighting really highlights how run down Ash may really be. Regardless of his perfectly styled brown hair and well-dressed appearance, there’s a dark hooded gaze within his eyes—and bags underneath them to match.

“Yeah, it has. Shit’s been busy that’s for sure,” he replies, shaking his head. “I’m exhausted.”

We have lived different lives, but I’m all too familiar with how crazy things can get. And with Asher being a huge football player, he’s probably getting endorsements left and right for stuff. So between playing, practice, and other work outside… I don’t doubt he’s exhausted.

Which explains why it’s clearly written out by his facial expressions.

“Hopefully, you can get some rest while you’re here.”

His eyes turn to me and he laughs. “Doubt that too, but you never know. It’s definitely something being back here though. When I was on my back here… I kept thinking about Mrs. Kendall and why she wanted us here.”

The moment the waitress shows up, he stops talking. Both of us watch as she sets two whiskey glasses down on the table in front of us. My eyes meet his gaze with a lifted brow.

“I ordered for you,” he replies with a wave of his hand.

I open my mouth to thank him, but he continues, “Never in a million years did I think the old lady would leave us her property.”

Clearing my throat, I lift my whiskey to my lips and nod. “Me neither. She’s always been crafty, so I just figured it was to have us all gathered around in her house one last time.”

“I think it’s going to be longer than that,” he replies with irritation in his tone as his green eyes narrow absently towards a blonde server walking by. “No one can decide what to do with the house, let alone a treehouse.”

“Right… And we all have to be in agreement.”

He scoffs, clearly irritated with my obvious comment. I knew he heard exactly what I did, but he needs to be reminded of that. It isn’t just what he and Dante want. It’s about what we all want.

And that makes things even more complicated because we haven’t done stuff as a group in years.

“Yeah, I know,” he finally grumbles. “Problem is, my schedule is hectic right now and I’m worried if we don’t get this situated… I’ll have to leave before it is.”

“I get it… I’m honestly in the same boat as you. But we just have to make things work.”

His eyes drift to mine for a moment before he lets out a heavy breath and nods. “Yeah, you’re right. Shit, man… I still can’t wrap my mind around being back here. It’s crazy how things haven’t honestly changed that much.”

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