Page 57

ASA

I’m the jokester, the guy they think is always after the next piece of tail, a man who is bound and determined to sow his wild oats before settling down, the one they think is a fuckup but will never say it out loud.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Well, maybe the jokester part is the truth.

Alright, fine, it’s not a maybe. It’s always come naturally.

Being the third boy out five children tends to do that to you.

You’re lost in the fray, and not in a bad way; it’s in that everyone is so busy with everything, you can easily be overlooked.

So, I made myself stand out at an early age and never looked back.

If that meant being the guy who everyone rolled their eyes at, well, it is what it is.

“Looking good, Montana Rose,” I tell my baby sister’s best friend. Her long dark hair is falling in loose waves down her back, around the face of a fucking angel, lush lips. Her slender body is one I want my hands on, and she’s got an ass I’m itching to grip.

“Beat it, Asa. No one’s falling for your smarmy charms.” She shoos me away with her hands. I lick my lips, exaggerating it just to piss her off. Montana in clothes is hot; her in a bikini, she’s fucking smoking hot.

“Asa, how many times have I told you not to hit on my best friend? You’re so gross.

Come on, Montana, let’s go grab a drink,” my baby sister Leena tells Montana.

She’s dressed in much the same thing as her friend, and if there were other people here besides our family, I’d be telling Leena to cover her ass up.

I hold my comment back, barely, figuring Tanner, Keller, or Deke will get ahold of her, if not our father.

“Later, Asa.” Montana walks away, waving over her shoulder with a hint of a tease. I watch as her ass bounces with each movement, a tempting sway of her hips, the skimpy fabric sliding up further. It’s me who has to look away first.

“I think you’re losing your touch.” Deke walks in about the time I’m walking into the kitchen and they’re walking out the sliding glass door.

Thankfully, my shirt is untucked. That’s one thing none of us would ever live down—popping a boner like we’re still teenagers.

That’d give them more than a laugh at my expense.

“Nah, she’ll cave eventually. They always do.” Mom sent me in here to get the meat out of the fridge for today’s menu of burgers, hotdogs, and bratwursts. All of us know that if we leave Dad by the grill, our food will be well done and of the burnt variety.

“Sure, because we all believe that.” Deke must have followed me into the kitchen.

Our parents never did open up the floor plan in their house, preferring to keep it the way it was.

Mom said something to the tune of being able to hide the mess when people came over, you know, all the people coming over being family.

“Says the man who’s been celibate by choice for how long now?” I snicker. Deke hasn’t talked about a woman, let alone brought one around, ever.

“We can’t all be playboys like you, Asa.” I grab the tray of premade burgers, knowing I’ll have to come back for the second tray unless Deke gets off his ass and actually helps besides pestering the hell out of me.

“You could, but then you probably couldn’t handle them. Are you going to just watch me work or help?” I arch an eyebrow at him. He’s sitting on the countertop, a beer beside him, seemingly lost deep in thought since he hasn’t responded.

“Yeah, I’ll help if you keep your dirty-ass paws away off Montana.” I rear my head back, wondering why Deke is throwing down right now.

“The fuck is wrong with you? I know better. Just because I tease and flirt with Montana, that doesn’t mean I’m banging her.

Get a fucking life, man.” I leave him in the kitchen with his mouth wide open.

No one knows, and with the way my family acts, they never fucking will.

I take a few deep breaths, realizing he’s just another one who doesn’t understand jack shit when it comes to who I really am.

Once I’ve got my shit together, I plaster on my signature smile and make my way out towards the backyard, where the pool is filled with more kids than adults, some people sitting on the lounge chairs, others standing in small groups.

Everyone is getting along and having a good time.

And even that interaction in the kitchen isn’t going to fuck with my mood, not again at least.