Page 36 of The Step Don't
“Colin, it would be impossible for anything with you to make me uncomfortable. That’s not how we work.”
No, it’s really not. “Dad said Lauren is ordering Chinese. She knows how much you like it,” I change the subject.
“That was nice of him to ask her to ask Sarah to do that.”
“Ash…” I hate that he thinks of it that way, like he’s an afterthought, when really, that’s not the case. Lauren’s love language is just different—not that that changes how it makes Ash feel. If I’d grown up with Lauren and his dad rather than my parents, I might feel the same.
“It’s not a big deal. She’s busy. She has to work harder than men who do the same job.”
Fact. Still, I have a feeling Ash doesn’t think he’s as important as her job. Or at least, she doesn’t put as much effort into being the mom Ash needs as she does in her career.
“Plus,” Ash says, “she’s really had to prove herself since the drama when our parents got together.”
“She’s a badass lawyer. A so-so mom,” I say.
Ash nods. “She is. I’m damn proud of all her accomplishments.”
“As you should be, but if you ask me, you’re even more badass.” I wink, and Ash shakes his head as if I’m being ridiculous, but I know how much he loves it. Giving him that makes my insides tingle. Makes me feel…important?
“I’m lucky I have you,” Ash says.
“Truth,” I tease, both of us snickering.
We don’t talk about anything important the rest of the ride. We pull into the driveway of their gray house—the front done with a lot of expensive stonework. Both Dad’s Beamer and Lauren’s Lexus are in the driveway. Ash and I have grown up privileged, something we both acknowledge and which inspires us to give back.
Dad opens the door, giving a goofy wave like he hasn’t seen us in years. It’s so him. We’re similar, he and I.
“Hey, boys! Glad you could make time for us!” he teases, pulling me into a hug.
“It was hard, but we managed.”
Dad snickers, then hugs Ash. “Hey, bud.”
I don’t know why he calls Ash that. It’s not something he says to me, and clearly, Ash isn’t a kid, but my dad has always done it.
“Hey, Steve.”
Lauren steps into the doorway next. She has the same dark hair as Ash, only hers reaches her shoulders. She’s wearing a pencil skirt and a nice blouse, looking like the shark she is.
She tries to emulate my father, but the hug she gives Ash is stiff and unsure, closer to a pat on the back than comfortable affection. “I got your favorite. General Tso’s.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Dad wraps his arm around her and squeezes her shoulder as if to say good job and make sure she knows he’s proud of her.
“How is school going?” she asks as we file into the house. We settle in the living room, Ash talking about his classes and his internship. Lauren glances at her phone from time to time like she worries she’s going to miss something while also trying to stay in the moment.
We make small talk for a while. Ash finally had a chance to catch up with his dad about his adventures in Japan, so he shares a little about that.
When dinner arrives, Dad rushesto say, “I’ll grab dishes!”
“I’ll scoop everyone’s plates!” Ash adds.
“I’ll…” Fuck. What will I do? “Damn it!” I hate being the last one to offer to help.
“What…?” Lauren’s looking at the three of us like she’s not sure what’s going on.
“It’s just a silly game, dear. The last one to offer to help has to do the dishes.” When she frowns, maybe wondering how she missed out on that, Dad adds, “We don’t do it all the time. It’s pretty random.”