Page 107 of The Love Penalty

As the initial anger finally burns away, we’re left standing in the parking lot, a pitiful silence settling over us as we try to reconcile with how badly that went.

And there’s that doubt again. Niggling away.

What if it wasn’t Harvey?

Just because his little sister thinks he might be guilty doesn’t mean he is. Just because his father is worried enough to threaten Asher… it still doesn’t mean Harvey was the one who raped me.

And Asher stands to lose so much if I pursue this.

Shit. This is such a fucking mess!

CHAPTER 48

ASHER

The house is a mess, and I hate it. I’m trying to study but can’t concentrate, so I end up procrastinating by doing the dishes, then gathering up all the crap that people in this house seem to spread everywhere… all the time. I make a pile of Casey’s stuff and leave it on the stairs, then fold Ethan’s sweater, flicking it out with a growl as I try to shake off Mom’s phone call.

She wouldn’t shut up about the summer internship, which is annoying enough, but then just before signing off, she left one of those kick-you-in-the-balls comments that I didn’t know how to reply to.

“You have such an amazing future ahead of you, sweetie. Keep your eye on the prize. You don’t want to let someone come along and wreck your plans, you know?”

“Someone?” I gritted out between clenched teeth.

“Love is fickle. Family is forever. Just remember that.”

I doubt Uncle Hayes outright said anything about Harvey and his asshole ways, but I’m guessing he dropped a few little comments at the family function after I left.

“Might want to keep an eye on Asher. Think he might be going off track.”

“I heard him mention a girl. Serious relationships in college probably aren’t the best idea.”

I can hear him saying that shit in my head, and I can’t fucking believe I used to wish he was my dad. The only reason I did was because my dad and I have never gelled. I needed someone, and he was the best.

Until Saturday, when he made it blatantly clear that Harvey can be a total fuckwit, but I’d better keep my damn mouth shut.

And now he’s got my mom in on it, too, and my dad won’t be a hard sell.

It’s all about business and success and being like the twins. They date strategically, going out with girls who will better their image, then flicking them off when it’s inconvenient. They don’t have friends to party with, because how will that get them more money?

They’re fucking robots, and I don’t want that life for me.

I never did!

Which is why I hung out with the Carmichaels so much. But after Saturday, I’m not sure I ever want to see them again.

The front door pops open, and I spin to see Rachel walking in with a bunch of shopping bags.

“Hey.” I walk over to help her.

“Thanks.” She smiles at me as I take the bags out of her hands.

“What’s all this stuff?”

“Just some leftovers from the diner. Juniper was doing a big clear out and some of this stuff expires soon, so she let me have it. I thought I’d bake you up a storm and cook dinner.”

“And this is why we love you.” I wink at her, placing the bags down while she laughs and rolls up her sleeves.

“How are you doing?”

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