Page 32 of Unexpected Love

“No, it’s nothing,” Asher mumbles.

The smile falls. Now I’m a little concerned. “Why is it a secret?”

“It’s not, because it’s nothing.” Asher points another glare at Leo, clearly trying to communicate that he should keep his mouth shut.

It’s quiet in the Jeep for a minute before Leo breaks the silence. “I only know because I caught him with a goofy grin on his face after dinner last night. But, apparently, it’s pretty serious, and he’s afraid you’ll think he’s stupid for falling in love with her, especially at his age.”

“Leo!” Asher shouts, reaching for Leo between the seats.

“Whoa! Come on!” I grab one of Asher’s arms. “What’s Leo talking about?” Asher falls back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest, but he doesn’t say anything. I catch Leo’s eye in the rearview mirror and see him shrug slightly. “Ash. Talk to me. Why do you think I’d judge you over a girl?”

Asher shifts in his seat, and when I glance at him quickly I see the contemplative look in his eye. I don’t say anything, giving him space, hoping he’ll talk to me.

“You think relationships are stupid,” he finally says. His tone implies that I should already know the answer. “You always make comments about Dad and his relationships. And about how stressful relationships are and how you have to give up parts of yourself to be in them.”

“Ash—” I try to interrupt.

“No, Gage. You know it’s the truth. You hate relationships, and that’s fine for you, but I just don’t want to hear the negatives about them. I really like Hannah. She’s pretty, smart, and she supports me.”

I glance in the rearview mirror, looking at Leo. I can see the pity on his face, and I quickly realize the pity is for me, not Asher.

“Ash.” I sigh. “I’m sorry for ever making you feel like you couldn’t talk to me about your relationships.” I glance at him quickly, making sure he’s hearing me. “You’re right that I don’t see them for me, and I do think Dad needs to take a break from them. But that’s because I’ve never seen Dadnotbe in a relationship, and I think he could learn a lot about himself if hejust took the time to be alone. Which I think would help him find someone who would last.” I take a second to gather my thoughts before I continue down that train of thought—I have a lot of thoughts about our dad and how he handles relationships. But that is because of who Dad is and not my feelings on relationships—or at least that’s what I’ve always thought.

“I don’t think what works for me is right for everyone else. I know there are examples of good, healthy relationships out there. And you are definitely at an age where you should be exploring that.” I glance at him. “You and I might be similar in a lot of ways, but I never for a second thought you would be like me when it comes to love. You’ve got too big of a heart not to find someone to share it with.” I look in the rearview mirror at Leo. “The same goes for you.”

Looking back at the road, I take another minute. I don't like that I've let my jaded views on love impact my relationship with my brothers and their willingness to talk to me.

“I never want either of you to feel like you can’t talk to me about something. Regardless of what my views on the subject are, I’m always going to listen and support you.”

It’s quiet in the Jeep, and while I know there’s so much more I can say, I leave it there. I don’t want to influence their thoughts on the subject any more than I already have. I’m disappointed in myself for the stress I’ve already caused, and I refuse to cause more.

I feel more than see Leo lean forward between the front seats again. I’m prepared for there to be more conversation about Asher and his girlfriend, but I know better. Leo is far more like me when it comes to serious conversations than I would like to admit. We don’t like them and will always find a way to change the subject.

“I heard a rumor you might be seeing that lawyer helping the Marks family.”

My head whips to Leo’s so quickly I’m surprised I don’t drive the car off the road. “What?”

Leo smirks. “Yeah, something about the two of you getting awfully close at Murphy’s?”

I look back at the road, having kept my eye on Leo for far too long. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Great, now I sound like Asher.

“Tell me more,” Asher says, turning to look at Leo with a completely different kind of smirk this time, the tension slowly leaving his body.

I want to be upset about the rumors and the fact that Leo has heard about them, but I can’t. I’m all for lightening the heavy mood, and I like the feeling of Ava being linked to me around town. I’m almost giddy at the idea of it.

“Yeah. She’s Mr. Day’s sister, and she’s hot. Like, crazy hot.”

“Be nice,” I tell him. Even though I agree with him, Ava is hot—and so much more.

“What? How is calling her hot not nice?”

“He means there’s more to a woman than her hot factor,” Asher says.

I nod. “Right. Just like you don’t want to be judged solely on your looks, neither do women.”

“I totally want to be judged on my looks. Iamhot.” Leo falls back into his seat, a cocky grin on his face.

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