Page 24 of Whiskey & Honey

“Well, let me see what has you all teary-eyed, Ash,” Mom says, crying and holding her hand out for Ashton to hand her the locket.

Ashton shows Mom and Dad the pictures I had put in the locket. The left side is me holding Ash when she’s a baby and the right is a picture of us on Halloween. It was the year I was dressed as the Cowboy and Ashton was dressed as a very well-endowed Dolly Parton.

Mom smiles and looks at me. “Oh, Bentley James. Is that why you were in the old photo albums? It’s perfect.”

I smile in acknowledgement while she dabs her eyes with a tissue. I glance at Piper and she raises an eyebrow at me. Busted. She knows that I had a pretty spectacular gift for Ash and didn’t need her help after all. I shrug in response and she just smiles and shakes her head at me. My dad clears his throat and I glance at him as he shakes his head and smiles. Yeah, he’s not buying what I tried selling him earlier.

“Thank you for the gifts, everyone. I appreciate them all.” Ashton stands and begins putting the locket on and gathering the leftover paper from the gifts in a pile. “It’s been real, parentals, but we’ve got a party to get to. Are you two ready?”

I look at Piper as she looks at me, equally confused. “Party?” we ask in unison.

“Yeah, party. Did you think we were going to sit around here all night and play Monopoly or some shit? It’s my birthday, we’re going out.” After her proclamation Ashton heads to the front door.

I glance at Piper and she just shrugs to tell me she had no idea this was happening, but regardless we’re going out to celebrate Ashton. Dad grabs his keys. “I’ll drop you kids off so you can just take cabs home.”

Ashton thanks Dad and I stand back as she and Piper make their way out the door. Piper walking in front of me just demands that I look at her ass. Again.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long night.