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"You seem real sure that Asher knohat’s best" There was a sourness in his tone and I didn’t bla was still raw and neeen us

"I was just thinking is all Not my business I’m sorry I don’t knohat your bills are or how much the farm makes for you all You do It’s not my business"

He was quiet for a ain This was going to be difficult for a while Maybe forever Could I do this? Was this even fair to Steel?

He ads in," and he didn’t seem proud of that fact either

"Oh," was all I said

We rode in silence to the only seafood place in town I fidgeted aze out thelike I’d never been here before Part of me hoped to see Bray out there somewhere on the street To assure me it hadn’t been him in the truck I really wanted to know that it wasn’t Then suddenly Steel said, "Asher does And Bray They help Momma with the finances Asher did it until he left Moood atwhen he turned seventeen When he left for college, she let Bray step in Someone had to step in Bray was the best choice"

He didn’t have to ad about Steel to love and respect He was honest, didn’t lie to e my heart I wished it could Even when my heart should’ve lied, it didn’t

"They’re older," I replied simply to comfort hi it a real working farh to pay the bills I want to see it thrive Give Momma some extra to put back into it You knohat I mean?"

I tilted my chin, but didn’t say any more Instead, my eyes suddenly found Asher Like they always see out of the hardware store with Hannah Watson stepping beside hiesture as they strolled, while Asher listened and took it all in The s hi Until this moment, I’d always liked Hannah She was beautiful, smart and nice But now I hoped she tripped over her pretty blue sandals and fell flat on her face Or for a truck to hit her in the street What was happening to hter is already hanging on his ar that"

Why did Asher need another job anyway? That was silly I suddenly agreed with Steel There was no point in hi elsewhere with so oing to be around Hannah all the time Wasn’t she supposed to be off at school? Why was she traipsing the streets with Asher? Drooling and looking all pretty?

"I thought she went up north to college so to then soften my voice at the end, but you could still hear it sounded all wrong

"She did Guess she’s home for the summer"

A su to be able to eat anything now Not a single bite

Why did I have to see this? I wanted to see Bray, not Asher

"Ready for lunch?" Steel asked as he parked the truck

"Yeah," I replied with even less enthusiasm than before, unsure I’d be able to s even one fried shrimp after the scene I’d just witnessed in the street