While he’d agreed to the visit more for Ash to give her mother peace of mind and buy some time for herself, he was genuinely having a good time. It actually looked like Ash was too. They’d survived it together.
Ash giggled at something her brother said and Trace realized that her dad said something then all eyes were on him.
“Uh- sorry.” He shook his head. “I was zoned out.”
“Zoning out about taking my sister home later?” Jason shot him a menacing look.
Trace laughed. “No, not exactly. I mean, Ash is beautiful, but she deserves to be treated like a beautiful woman. I don’t always let my mind wander straight to sinful things, especially not at the dinner table.” He flashed what he hoped was a charming grin and her brother, who was obviously kidding just to get a rise out of his sister, stood down with a grin of his own. “I was actually thinking how nice it is that you all still sit at a table and have dinner together and play board games. I don’t know anyone else who does that. It’s nice, to be a part of your family. Thank you.”
Ash’s mom wiped a tear out of the corner of her eye and offered him a watery smile, because of course, she was the classic weepy mom wooed by the mysterious dark gentleman who offered some hope in the direction of her aging daughter’s dusty ovaries. Her dad stared at him like he might actually be an alien. Jason’s mouth dropped open.
“Now that we’re all melting on the inside,” Ash said, voice definitely off, “why don’t you get us some of that pie you’re so famous for, mom.”
Jason patted his stomach. “Right. I’ve been waiting all day for that peach pie.” He licked his lips and cast a sarcastic glance at his sister.
“Gross,” Ash mumbled. “Obviously my brother doesn’t follow your example. Who are you going to whore yourself out to tonight, Jay? Oh wait, let me guess. She’s probably not under forty.”
Jason put up his hand and made a rude gesture with his tongue and fingers. Ash flipped him the bird. Trace tried hard not to laugh. It was nice to see Ash like this. Having fun, her guard down. Even if she made out that she couldn’t stand going home to be questioned by her mother about her non-existent love life, she obviously felt safe there, welcome, and loved.
That was what he missed being a part of. He’d wanted that his whole life. His mom was always far too busy trying to support them growing up. He never knew his dad. It was just him and his sister, most times, trying to scrounge up enough food to eat. Then he got busy working and Amy got a job as well and they’d never really all been together for a meal. Not even lately. I can fix that. I can do something about it now…
“She’s not under forty. What’s wrong with having a good time with an older woman?”
“Is she paying for it? You into Sugar Mamas now?” Ash shot back.
Their poor father leaned back, eyes flicking back and forth between his children, like he wasn’t sure what to say or do. He settled for remaining silent, which was probably the wisest decision.
“No, she’s not paying for it. Sugaring isn’t my thing. I just happen to enjoy all women of all ages. Is there something wrong with that?”
“I don’t know. I just wish mom would tell you to stop sticking your dick in everything instead of always pestering me to give her grandchildren.”
“We have the opposite problem. What can I say.” Jason shrugged and tucked his hands behind his head. He leaned back, all smiles.
Ash shot him a scathing look. “God. You’re the worst.” She turned to Trace. “Even as a teenager, Jason was always out of control. The ladies always loved him. He lost his virginity to- what? A thirty-year-old woman and you were like eighteen? Barely?”
“Okay, I think that’s enough, you two. You’re going to scar our guest for life and he’ll never come back.” Ash’s father finally interjected. Red faced, he cast a stern look at both his children.
Jason held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, it’s not my fault that I was born handsome.”
“You could have some self-control.”
“You should try letting go sometime.”
“What do you call him?” Ash pointed at Trace, who wondered if it was possible to sink under the table and disappear. He forced a smile of his own.
“She has a point.” He wasn’t going to be ungentlemanly and elaborate on that. Especially not with Ash’s brother. Even though she was sitting right beside him, temptation incarnate. He forced himself not to really look at her and not to get turned on. She was wearing a longer green tunic with black leggings and it hugged her body while not even being all that tight. It didn’t need to be tight. She’d done her makeup and put her hair up in a sexy messy bun on top of her head.