Chapter 46

ASHER

An anonymous invitation to dinner had come my way. Did I accept it? Hell no.

Who do they think they are, asking me to dine with them without even leaving a name? Instead, I stayed upstairs, busying myself with preparing an early dinner.

It was a good distraction, keeping my cravings at bay while I kept an eye on the girls. The blonde one was still just sitting there, watching the world go by, while Addison was on the couch, flipping through channels in search of something to occupy her mind.

I tossed ingredients together as if I were a seasoned chef. A dash of spice, a couple of chicken breasts, some passata, chicken stock, and water.

Everything went into the instant pot for thirty minutes, giving the chicken time to cook while I pondered my drug problem. Was I really ready to quit?

I guess I should clear out my apartment, get rid of all the temptations to increase my chances of success. But the thought of doing that made my heart race.

That was thousands of dollars’ worth of stuff. Maybe I could have one last blowout. Get as high as I could, savor every last second of the night until dawn, then flush the rest of the stuff down the toilet.

That seemed like a good plan. I stepped away from the stove, a thrill of anticipation for the night ahead tingling at the back of my mind.

I could spend the night in bed, start as I meant to go on. Dim the lights, turn the bed toward the window.

Pretend I was soaring out there, free and falling through the sky. The instant pot beeped, pulling me back to reality.

I added the pasta, gave it a good stir, then poured in the half-and-half. I covered it all up and walked over to the blonde, who was still sitting as still as a statue.

She glanced at me as I sat down next to her, a small smile on my face. Our eyes met for a moment before she looked away.

Her eyes were dull, lifeless. Addison was right. She was struggling, but I had a feeling she hadn’t hit rock bottom yet.

She wasn’t scratching at her skin or screaming in pain. The worst was yet to come, and seeing her like this filled me with guilt.

She shouldn’t be suffering like this, and I shouldn’t be letting her. But then there were those pesky morals that had suddenly reared their heads, making me feel guilty for giving her drugs just last night.

For once, the right thing to do won out. I couldn’t let this girl continue using drugs.

She was too young to be throwing her life away, spiraling down the rabbit hole of addiction. I knew it wasn’t her fault, and I doubted she’d started using on her own.

But I could be the one to help her climb out of the black hole she’d fallen into. Me, Asher fucking Henderson, could finally do something worthwhile with my privileged life.

I’d chosen the path she was on, but she hadn’t. I wished she’d never been introduced to the demon that is drugs, but I could be her lifeline.

The one to help her get back on her feet. Once I found her parents, she could go home and enjoy a reunion free of the shadow of her cravings.

It would be a momentous occasion, hopefully filled with happiness and love. She could go back to living her life the way it was meant to be lived, not as a girl who was used for nothing more than her body.

“The pot thing’s screeching again.” Addison’s voice startled me from my thoughts.

“Well, that means dinner’s ready,” I said with a smile, getting up from the floor.

“Want to set the table?” I suggested.

Addison smiled and followed me to the kitchen, where I showed her where the cutlery was. I stirred the creamy chicken pasta, the delicious aroma filling the room.

I was impressed with myself for managing to cook a meal for the three of us for the second time. It smelled amazing.

I couldn’t wait to dig in, but first, I had to serve it. For a moment, I wasn’t sure how much to give the girls.

Were they the type to pick at their food, or did they enjoy a good, hearty meal? There was only one way to find out, and that was by watching them eat.

I scooped two generous spoonfuls of pasta into each bowl, the steam rising and warming my face. I balanced all three bowls in my hands, carefully navigating my way to the small table and setting one down in front of myself, Addison, and the blonde girl.

“Enjoy,” I murmured to them, just before I dug into my own bowl. I’m a fan of this pasta, a recipe Tal often whips up.

It’s easy, tasty, and quick to make. But it’s not exactly the most satisfying meal, if you ask me.

Regardless, the three of us settle down and start eating. I finish my bowl first, with Addison not far behind, but the blonde girl has barely made a dent in her food.

Is it because she’s a picky eater, or is her appetite suppressed because of the drugs? I can’t tell, and I doubt she’d be able to answer even if I asked.

Instead, I ask, “What’s your name?”

Her eyes meet mine, just as they did when I first sat next to her, but they quickly drop back to her food.

Addison stays silent, leaving it up to the girl to decide whether she wants to share her name. I wait, silently pleading for her to respond.

Anything would be better than referring to her as “the blonde.”

“Eb,” she finally murmurs after what feels like an eternity.

“Eb?” I repeat, testing the name on my tongue.

She nods, offering no further explanation or context.

“All right, Eb it is,” I say, grinning at her just as the doorbell rings.