That’s right. I forgot that there is a big age gap between Grace and Tomas. She actually looks much younger than she is. I think it’s why they get a few looks and people assume the whole sugar daddy thing, but that’s when men go for girls in their early twenties at his age. Tomas was looking for love, and he found it. Hell, he brought it home with him, and now this house is bursting at the seams with it, and not necessarily in the best way.

“When are you going to yell at him?” Asher motions to me. I run my tongue across my split lip. I have to admit it felt good to get some aggression out. We both needed it. It’s been a few years since we’ve come to blows. Normally we did it on a mat with gloves but not every time.

I don’t know how he knew, but the second I stepped into the house, his ass was on me, questioning me about his sister. Maybe he saw her come in or caught more of her voice then I realized when we were on the phone. He could have put things together because it wasn’t normal for him to call and there be a woman in my bed.

Either way, the shit was coming out at some point. “What is it you want me to say, son? You’ve been in Japan while Chase has been here keeping an eye on her.”

“He’s supposed to be. He’s my best friend.” Asher tries to get up from his seat, but Grace puts her hand on his shoulder, and he keeps his ass put. I want to laugh. It was a week ago he wanted nothing to do with his stepmom, and now he’s doing whatever she tells him.

“Asher, you’re not stupid,” Tomas says, leaning forward and putting his elbows on his desk. Asher goes quiet for a long moment, and I know what he’s doing. He’s playing back the past in his mind. He drops his head and takes a deep breath.

“We really failed her,” Asher finally says. I know he’s talking to Tomas and not me. “I might have gotten Mom out of her life, but really, have I been the best brother I could have been? Sure, I threw money at shit. Spoke to her about surface shit.” Tomas nods in agreement, knowing he’s done the same.

“But you know, don't you, Chase? I bet you know everything,” Tomas asks.