Page 2 of Ash (Hel's Ink - Extended Book 3)
ONE
“So, how’s your sister?” Mom’s light voice, mixed with her Minnesota accent, fills me with a sense of calm. Smiling at the barista, I take my coffee before walking out of the coffee shop.
“She’s good, I think. I don’t know, Mom, she’s not really listening or even talking to me.” Indy got home from the hospital two days ago and has been in a pissed-off, rebellious mood ever since, which tracks for her. Usually, she’ll get home and be mad at me as if I’m the reason she was put there.
“Be easy on her, Ashy baby,” Mom says softly, and I smile fondly when I hear the Christmas music playing in my ear. It’s summer, but Mom is obsessed with Christmas, and knowing she gets to experience it year-round gives me a peace I didn’t know I needed. You know she’s going through a lot, especially after losing her job.”
“Yeah, and yet she’s trying to go back to doing the non-profit,” I mutter, sipping my coffee.
“Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. She needs to get out.” I choose to ignore her comment. If Mom”s so concerned about Indy’s social life, she should’ve made Indy stay with her instead of moving in with me. It’s my job to protect her, but I can’t do that if she’s working at the hospital.
“So,” Mom starts, and I roll my eyes, already knowing where this is going. “The wedding is happening soon,”
“I’m aware,” I state while getting into my car.
“Ashy, please tell me you’ll have a proper date.” I hate the disappointment in her tone. My job has always been to take care of her and Indy. Since I was way too young, I would always try to help my mom with chores, groceries, cooking, taking care of Indy, and keeping the asshole men away—including my father—so that they couldn’t hurt them. So, the last thing I want to hear from Mom is disappointment.
“Mom, I told you I will have a respectable date for your wedding,” I reassure her as I drive down the street toward Hel’s Ink.
“Right, and how do you suppose I know she’s respectable when you don’t show her off? I don’t even know the girl’s name.” That’s because she doesn’t exist.
“I don’t want to count my chickens quite yet. Let me see how things pan out before I start introducing people.”
“You know I don’t believe a word you’re saying, right?”
“I know,” I chuckle while parking behind the tattoo shop. “I got to head into work. I love you.”
“I love you too, Ashy baby. Tell your sister to call me before Neil and I make a special trip down there!” Laughing, I hang up the phone before stepping out of my car.
“Oh my god!” The shrill feminine voice behind me turns my blood to ice and my coffee to fall from my grip. Whipping my head around, I see the brunette talking on her phone as she walks past me. It’s not her. Still, it doesn’t stop the panic from washing over me.
“Ohhhhh HUBBBBY!” Looking up, I see Atlas hanging over the railing at the top of the stairs. “I need my morning words of validation if I’m going to be of any use to anyone.” Forcing a small laugh, I pick up the empty cup before heading upstairs.
Atlas shakeshis head while sipping on his beer. “Dude, shit, or get off the pot. These women are all over you tonight; what’s going on?” Running my hands through my hair, I groan while leaning on the bar. Why did I ask At to go out with me? I mean, I know why. I needed him to confirm what I already knew to be happening: I’m losing my groove.
“At.” I can’t be sure my voice is audible over this god-awful music. And since when did I find this music terrible? Why am I not on the dance floor right now with a pair of best friends wanting to make me a sandwich? “Do you believe your dick only has so many fucks in it? Like, your heart has an expiration date; maybe he does too.” At curls his lips before looking down at his crotch.
“I mean, I thought that too, remember? Turns out he just had his sight set on Ren.” Rolling my eyes, I down my shot, allowing the warm liquid to tamp down my nerves.
“I know what you’re going to say,” I mutter, shooting him a sideways glare. “It’s the same shit I’ve been getting from Mom and Indy; I don’t need it from you too, dude.” Atlas holds his hands up in mock surrender.
“Ash, I love you and want you happy. Whether that involves you settling down or you fucking those girls that keep trying to get your attention.” My eyes lazily make their way across the bar to the ladies in question. Both tall, slim, and covered in so much highlighter, I nearly have to squint. I should be making out with them already. Me settling down? Please. I’ve been down that road and ain’t traveling that way again.
I take my other shot and down it before chasing it with At’s beer and sliding off the barstool. “You good to get home?” I ask, not waiting for his response as I head to the giggling women, determined to force myself out of whatever funk this is. I don’t settle down, I don’t date. I fuck and move on. What’s their names? Who fucking cares. All I need to know is if they are legal, consenting, and clean. Nothing else matters.