Page 59 of Asher

Everyone stared silently, mouths gaping, as she took a seat next to me like nothing happened. Well, everyone but Mason who, I’m pretty sure, was going to bust a damn nut laughing.

I scowled at my mother. “What the hell was that for?”

She turned toward me gaze narrowed. Arms crossed. “That is for keeping this girl a secret.”

“Oh, shit.” Mason mumbled and quickly turned around to face the grill.

I stared a hole in the back of his head as my mother continued.

“I had to find out from Mason that you two were dating? I should’ve been the first person you called. Then I could’ve stopped the dating group I started for you on Facebook.”

“You told Mason?” Haley hissed, slapping my thigh.

I winced getting ready to apologize but Rylie cut me off excitedly. “You’re dating?” Haley opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. Her face flushed bright red, speechless. I didn’t think that happened often, so for any other reason it might have been amusing. Eventually, she swallowed and nodded.

Rylie clapped. Hopping up from her chair, she ran around to embrace Haley. “Finally! I better get a full report of how this all happened.”

Haley agreed, and they started planning a girls’ night, Rylie already pulling out her phone to text the others.

Leaning over, I pressed a quick kiss to Hales temple and then glowered at Mason. “You told Mom?”

He shrugged, taking a pull of his beer. After a minute, he pointed the bottle in my direction, one brow cocked. “I think the more important piece of information that you seemed to have missed is that Mom set up a dating group for you on Facebook.”

Fuck.He was right. My head swiveled back to my mother who looked pretty damn pleased with herself. “You started a dating group for me?”

“I will not apologize for that. How else was I supposed to get you back out there? I helped set up Rylie and Mason. And look how amazing that turned out.” She gave me a smug look.

“You didn’t set us up. You weregoingto.” Mason swung his grilling tongs around his finger before winking at Rylie. “I worked my charm all on my own.”

She scrunched her nose in his direction. “Okay, Officer Dickweed. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves there. I’m pretty sure you had to work for it.”

“Did you ever stop to think that maybe I didn’t want to put myself back out there because I already knew who I wanted to end up with?” I cut in before Ry and Mason could start arguing. Haley’s blue eyes softened as her pouty lips turned up in the corner. Rylie swooned as I reached over and placed my hand on Haley’s thigh, my fingers slipping beneath the tear in the jeans, rubbing her silky-smooth skin.

“Get your hand out of her pants, Asher!” Mom admonished, shaking her head like she couldn’t believe me.

Dad chuckled from his seat at the head of the table. “Strangely, this is not the weirdest family dinner.”

I hummed my agreement and squeezed Haley’s leg before pulling my hand from underneath the denim and laying it on top. I refused to remove my hand from her completely. “Mom, if my hand was in her pants, you’d know it.”

“Oh, dear god.” Haley hung her head, rubbing her forehead.

“Haley, are you embarrassed?” Rylie laughed. “It’s a miracle.”

“I’m not embarrassed.” Haley muttered.

“Your cheeks are flushed.” Rylie pointed out.

“Thanks. I couldn’t tell.” Haley grabbed a roll and threw it at Rylie. Nix chose that moment to step back onto the deck.

“Oh! Food Fight!” She yelled and grabbed a hand full of chips throwing them at my mother before I could stop her. The shocked look on her face was enough to lighten the mood.

“Phoenix.” I leveled her with a stare.

She gave me an innocent look and just shrugged.

“Yep. Still not the weirdest family dinner,” Mom said, pulling a chip from her hair.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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