Chapter 31

ASHER

Atty breaks our comfortable silence as we finish our meal.

“So I heard you called in sick this week,” he says.

We’ve always had this unspoken agreement to enjoy our meals in peace when it’s just the two of us. It’s a nice change from the constant chatter and questioning from our parents at dinner.

We both appreciate the quiet, the lack of pressure to entertain or impress with tales of our day.

I casually wipe my mouth and shrug, rolling a joint as I wonder who spilled the beans. Was it Daniel? Did he rat me out? Or maybe it was Ella, asking about me to the one person I’m closest with.

Could it have been Tilly, hearing it from Ella and then discussing my absence with Daniel?

“Had one of those migraines, you know? Couldn’t shake the damn thing off,” I reply.

“Smoking less weed might help. You know you’re not supposed to smoke in the building?” he retorts.

“Our fathers don’t seem to mind,” I counter.

“That’s because they avoid the topic, scared Mom might snap at them for confronting you.”

He has a point.

“So what have you been up to?” I ask, steering the conversation away from me. I don’t particularly enjoy it when Atty starts lecturing about drugs and alcohol.

“Work and school, mostly. I’ve been taking Saturdays off to spend time with the twins. They’ve been having trouble sleeping again, and Mom is a bit worn out.”

“She didn’t mention it,” I say, frowning.

Mom usually comes to me when she needs a break, knowing I’m always willing to spend the afternoon with the girls. But it wouldn’t be wise to bring them here now, not with the commitments I’ve made.

I wouldn’t want to put them at risk, especially when I’m not entirely sure who I’m dealing with.

“You’re never around,” Atty points out.

He’s right, and it stings. I’ve been gradually distancing myself from my family for years. Sometimes, days pass by and I forget they even exist, as I sit in my apartment, high and alone.

There was a time when I was constantly surrounded by people I considered friends, but that changed when I decided to homeschool with Atty and Tal.

Those I thought were close friends disappeared, leaving me alone and confused. Everyone slowly cut off contact until one day, I lost their numbers and never reached out again.

Homeschooling was a breeze for Atty, but for me, it was more challenging than regular school. By then, returning to mainstream school wasn’t an option.

What would I do? Who would I turn to if I just showed up one day, surprising everyone with my sudden reappearance?

Maybe that’s why I’m hesitant to take over as CEO of the hotel, the club, the other hotel, and the security company. What if I lose more of myself in the process of running businesses that mean less to me than they do to my fathers?

Would I enjoy being at the helm, raking in the big bucks? Or would I sink deeper into despair and disconnection? I lean toward the latter, having made a major decision in the past that I regretted.

Maybe that’s why I’m reluctant to take the leap now. Why can’t my fathers keep the company until they die? Wouldn’t their death finally force me to step into their shoes?

“Are you coming to Sunday lunch this week, or was that a one-time thing?” Atty’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He’s looking straight at me, and it unnerves me.

They say twins have a sort of telepathy. I used to believe that when we were younger. I could sense when he was being bullied.

It was a feeling that started in my gut and ended in my mind, and I would rush to his aid even before he or my sisters called for help. But with our growing distance, that instinct seems to have faded.

Whether it’s because Atty’s finally found acceptance or because being constantly high has numbed my senses, I’m not sure.

“I can’t make it this week. I’ve got other commitments.”

Atty doesn’t argue or make a fuss. He just nods, his disappointment clear on his face.

One of the things I appreciate about Atty is his straightforwardness. He doesn’t hide his feelings. He wears them on his sleeve, and if I were to ask, he’d tell me why he’s upset.

But I don’t need to ask. I already know. Sundays are meant for family.

Our family has always regrouped on Sundays, so my absence leaves a void. Not that they haven’t had time to adjust. They’ve had plenty of time to get used to my absence.

But that’s the thing about families, especially mine. Everyone has a role, and that role is for life.

Thinking about my family makes me think of Maddison. My thoughts shift from how my absence affects my family when I choose to stay away to her family.

How do they feel thinking she’s being held against her will? That must be a whirlwind of emotions.

“Well, I guess I should get going,” Atty says.

“You’re leaving?” I ask, surprised.

“Yeah, our parents have a date night. I promised to babysit the twins,” he explains.

“Oh, I thought you were coming up,” I say, frowning.

“I’ll come too,” I decide on the spot.

“You will?” he asks, his surprise evident. He’s struggling to hide his shock, and I notice he’s ignoring the fact that he made false promises earlier. Unless this was his plan all along.

“Yeah, we can take turns watching them and play that card game you mentioned?”

“Sounds good. Do you want to ride together or meet me there?”

“I’m a bit buzzed. I shouldn’t drive,” I confess.

He sighs but nods, standing up to leave the table.

As I get up, I glance back at the table where I thought I saw Fennick earlier. It’s still vacant and spotless, leading me to believe that my mind was playing tricks on me.