Page 34 of Ashton

“Come, Serena, I’ll help you.” Roan stands holding his hand out. Well, if this doesn’t seal the fuckin deal on why Roan is here—he’s sleeping with Serena.

When I enter the living room, I find Jinx curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, staring out the window. She doesn’t flinch when I bury my hand into her hair and kiss her forehead.

“Baby, your dad doesn’t hate or think less of you. Give him some time. It was a lot to take in.”

She bowed her head slightly. “I know. I didn’t expect a table full of strangers to know my love life. It’s embarrassing.”

“Yeah, I know it is,” I answered with a soft laugh. “I think we all do now.”

“Can we leave yet?”

Apparently, she has no clue what went down, and I’m not about to tell her what Serena said about her mother. That’s one fight I’m not about to start. I think Prescott handled it the best he could, but I would’ve laid her out on the floor. Woman or not, I would’ve hit her.

“Maybe talk to your dad first.”

“Worst dinner ever.” She groans.

“I don’t know, it was entertaining like always. It’s never a dull moment when you and Serena go at it. I’m sure she was gonna throw that knife at you.” I help her stand and drape an arm over her shoulders.

“Oh, she was for sure. That stupid cunt. But if you think about it, it explains Atticus’s temper.”

I pull her closer, and she wraps her arm around my waist as we walk into the kitchen, where the guys drink a beer at the island.

“Little grim, my wicked woman, you.” Atticus raises his beer with a grin.

“I didn’t do anything,” she says, confused.

Ashton chuckles in his beer can. Bringing it away from his mouth, he says, “You damn near finished your father’s marriage. I think that’s a win for you.”

Jinx climbs on the bar stool next to Ashton, stealing his beer. “I don’t know what you guys mean.” Taking a long drink, she squeezes the empty can and drops it on the countertop. “All I did was tell her the truth yet again and somehow expose our relationship.”

“Boys, can I have the room, please? I need a word with my daughter.”

Without a word, we leave for the backyard. It’s a little chilly outside, but it feels welcoming, especially after all that shit.

“Think she’ll be okay in there?” Ashton asks, sitting on the step.

I lean on the rail, looking over the yard. I spent much time out here when the twins first moved it; it was peacefulthen.

“I’m sure she’ll be alright. She has a lot to tell her dad.” I turn, taking in his features. He still looks like the same punk ass kid when I first met him, unlike his brother, the troublemaker.

“She better tell him about her fuckin’ stalker, or I will. It’s bullshit that he doesn’t know. His school has issues, and he needs to deal with them.” Atticus stalks across the yard, digging into his pants pocket and putting a joint to his lips.

Ashton turns slightly, looking up at me. “He’s right, you know. Jinx should’ve told him from the start, or one of us should have.”

“Jinx works through things on her own. We all know this, and telling her how to do things never goes as planned. We can only hope she tells him tonight before things escalate.”

Even as the words leave my mouth, they don’t mean anything. Jinx won’t tell her dad anything. Stubborn doesn’t even begin to describe her. Once she set her mind on something, good luck changing it; she didn’t think twice about leaving this town or the ones in it behind. Not once returning for a visit, she was dead set on forgetting us all.

It’s hard to look past that. If Jinx could do it once, what’s to say she won’t do it again? I want to trust her, but something in the back of my mind keeps telling me not to. And I understand it’s unfair to think those things, but I also trustedmy parents, who did precisely the same thing.

They were never there for me. I was used to the lies, but deep down, I believed them when they told me they would stop drinking and the drugs. Then that escalated to cutting me down when they didn’t get their fix quickly enough. It was my fault, and I was the useless child that ruined everything good in their life. If not for me, they would be living on top of the world. Now, I couldn't care less where they are; burning the house down never did relieve me of anything. How does one heal a fucked-up heart? Can it even be healed?

“What’s wrong?” Ashton snaps his fingers, grabbing my attention.

I give my head a shake. “Nothing, unwanted thoughts is all.”

“Don’t let them define you; you are stronger than you think you are, Maddox. If they wanted to be parents, they would’ve been. They chose their path, and it will never be your fault.”

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