Page 51 of Switched At Birth

Ash covers his mouth, trying to hold back his cackles. “Hell, someone could have been hurt, or killed. But how the fuck did your mom not know your bathtub was your fish tank?”

“Liam and I shared a Jack and Jill bath, and after we were about eight, Mom refused to come in our rooms because we were stinky boys. We showered in the guest bath, after mom was in bed.” Liam continues to overshare. “It was one reason Mom agreed to move to Queen Anne. I mean, Noah single-handedly destroyed our house.”

“You were a willing participant in the whole thing, need I remind you?” I add, kicking my brother’s leg under the table.

“Yeah, but I skirted out of the punishment. Because you were the one buying fish every three days. Let’s just say, after that fiasco, Mom was a lot more specific with Noah when she told him to do something.”

I don’t mind my brother selling me out. Lord knows there’s worse things he could be tattling to Ash about.

“Did it get fixed before you moved?” He’s really enjoying this story.

“Oh, yeah, to the tune of ten thousand dollars, and granted, that was seventeen years ago. It was Mom and Dad’s portion after insurance.”

He lets loose a whistle, slapping his thigh.

“I’m glad you find this so funny, honey, but paybacks are a bitch. Wait until I ask your sister about some of your adolescent wrongdoings.”

He opens his mouth to speak but my brother cuts him off. “You have a sister?” His brows raise with curiosity, but I know my brother.

Both Ashton and I reply at the same time. “No, absolutely no.”

I sigh, because with Liam, you tell him no and it just ramps up his interest more. “I’m serious, William Andrew. Tia is off limits.” I’m stern with my brother, more than I typically am.

With two fingers, he salutes me. “Aye, aye, captain.”

I don’t believe Liam for one moment.

“So, her name is Tia,” he muses out loud. “That’s a pretty name. Is she cute? What color hair does she have?”

He’s teasing me, but Ash’s jaw is tight. “You’re pissing off my boyfriend, little brother. Can we not do that?”

His lips curl into a broad grin, letting out a peal of laughter. “Ah, you’re growing up. A boyfriend and everything.”

“You’re fucking ridiculous, you know that, right?”

“Absolutely, but you two are so fucking cute together. Don’t worry, Ash, I won’t hit on your sister.” He pauses for a slight moment. “Most likely not, anyway.”

We get through the night, and Ashton doesn’t hit my brother. I call it a success.

The drive south is quiet, my hand on his knee the whole time.

“Your brother is a fucking mess, but hilarious. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself with me. All weekend long, I’ve learned more and more about you.”

His eyes turn to the landscape outside, and I have my next piece for my charcoal sketches. Will I ever run out of ways to draw Ash? I hope not. As long as he’s in my life, I should have an endless supply of moments to share with the world.

20

Ashton

“You don’t haveto be nervous, babe.” My hand reaches over the console, but I’m the one driving tonight. He holds flowers in his lap, and dessert. His leg is shaking, and his hands are sweaty.

“I’ve never met anyone’s family before,” he admits.

I turn onto the street that I’ve called home since I was ten. It’s a modest neighborhood in Bothell. The homes have doubled in price, because it’s the Seattle area, but the one-story ranch is less than twelve-hundred square feet and holds the best memories.

I pull into the driveway, behind my mother’s car, and before I can get out of it, Tia comes bouncing down the walkway.

“You got a car?” Her question is the first thing out of her mouth.

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