L shook his head. “No, I’ll only do it if I find the right man,” he said, knowing he’d do it in a second for Ash, everything right about the man standing before him.
“But you’ve got tits.”
L laughed. “You speak just like Dante.”
“I’m not rude like that bastard.” Ash’s eyebrows rose. “And how come you know how he speaks? You haven’t seen his videos, have ya, cos—”
“What videos? Did he make some music ones?”
Ash shook his head. “No, sumpthin’ totally different. Anyway, where didja see Dante?”
“At his music producer’s house. Jade hired me to play guitar for Dante.”
Clarity crossed Ash’s face. “Oh! So, you’re the Llewellyn. I know it’s not a common name, but I didn’t realise it wuz you they were talkin’ ’bout. I thought you were still in Wales.”
“I returned this week. I’m living at Jade’s while we make the album. Plus, he’s asked me to tour with Dante to promote it.”
“Yeah, Jade told me ’bout the tour, he wants me to come along as a backup singer.”
“Will you?” L asked, hoping so.
“Hell, no. I don’t do backup for bloody Dante, my voice is just as good as his. He can go find some other twat to help him. Anyway, I can’t go touring, I’ve got a kid and woman to look after.” Ash turned to Angelo, who was now playing with a PlayStation game. “Go get your mother.”
“After this,” Angelo said, not taking his eyes off the screen.
Ash walked over to the TV and switched it off. “Do as you’re told before you get banned for a week.”
“But Dad!”
“No buts! Go find your mother. Now!”
“You’re mean!” Angelo jumped up and ran out the back door, yelling, “Mum, Mum, Dad ruined my game!”
Ash shook his head, his eyes going to L. “Sorry ’bout that. If I don’t raise my voice with him, he won’t do as he’s told, and unlike my father, I don’t use my fists.”
L nodded, aware of Ash’s violent upbringing. “Are you still in contact with your father?”
“I only see him once in a while. Dante sees him more. I don’t really consider him my father. To me, Hunter’s my real dad.”
“How’s Hunter doing?” L asked, remembering Ash’s older cousin, the man having looked after Ash for a while. “Does he still live here?”
“No, he’s been having some issues. At the moment, he’s in a halfway house, livin’ with others who have mental issues. The people who run the house are takin’ care of him.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be, he’s gettin’ better. My family have a lot of mental health problems; we just hafta deal with them.” His eyes moved to the back door as his son reappeared, followed by a pretty Tongan woman.
“Tiana?” L said, Ash’s partner having changed considerably. She no longer had a sporty physique like back in high school. Instead, she was voluptuous, bordering on chubby. But she still looked sweet, her face even more lovely, while her hair was a gorgeous cascade of brown curls, tumbling over her shoulders.
“Yes,” she said, her expression curious. Her gaze moved to Ash, as though asking who L was.
“It’s Llewellyn,” Ash said. “You know, from school. Llewellyn Davies.”
Tiana’s eyes shot back to L. “You’re kidding me?”
L smiled. “No, I’ve changed a lot in the past ten years.”
“That’s an understatement.” Like Ash, her eyes flicked to L’s chest, then moved back to his face. “You look like a woman.” Her hand shot to her mouth. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
“There’s nothing to apologise for, I know what I look like. I’m intersex.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m both male and female, but I tend to tell people I’m male.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Why? Cos you don’t look like one.”
“I grew up as a male. I guess I’m just used to it. Maybe if things change in the future, that could too, though it probably won’t. It feels strange when people call me a she. Get called he enough times and it becomes ingrained.”
“That’s understandable.” She indicated to the couch. “Take a seat; I’ll get you a drink. What would you like? We have coffee, tea, water, and orange juice. We also have Coke, but that belongs to Ash.” She smiled. “He’s addicted to it. Oh, and there’s beer.”
L sat down. “Tea would be lovely, thanks.”
Tiana nodded and disappeared around the corner.
Ash sat down next to L, making L sit up straighter, being so close to the man exhilarating—not to mention he was still shirtless. He hoped Ash didn’t notice his excitement, because he was barely keeping it together.
Ash placed a hand on L’s lap, the touch making L feel warm inside, his little cock waking up.
“So, I guess you know ’bout Dante bein’ in the hospital.”
L nodded. “He’s back at home now. Jade picked him up.”
“Is it true that Kara assaulted him?”
“That’s what Beth said.”
Ash grimaced. “I wouldn’t take that liar’s word for law. I question everything that comes outta her mouth. Though, I’m fifty-fifty on this one, since Kara is pushy. Still, I don’t think she’d purposely hurt Dante like that. Kara’s crazy in love with him. She’d fall on a sword for my halfwit brother.”
“You might be right about Beth not telling the truth. I overheard Jade pushing her to say it was an attack rather than an accident, yet he wasn’t even there when it happened. No one noticed me at the top of the staircase.”
Ash removed his hand from L’s lap. “The li’l shit. I bet he did it to get rid of Kara. That perv needs to get it into his thick head that Dante has no interest in him other than gettin’ paid for making music. For someone so rich, he’s thick as two planks.”
“Jade isn’t thick, he’s just in love.”
“With a straight guy. I can so see that working out,” he said, his voice thick with sarcasm. “I warned Dante not to live with Jade. I’m worried he’s only givin’ my bro the contract so he can be close to him.”
“No, Jade genuinely thinks Dante can be a star, plus he wired me Dante’s singing and he’s really good. I think he has a damn good shot of making it, especially with the way he looks.”
Ash grimaced. “Like me, which means if he becomes famous, I’m gonna have even more women pestering me, thinking I’m him. He has a tattoo on his face yet people still call me Dante. I don’t think they believe it’s a real tattoo.”
“Women pester you?”
“Yeah, all the good li’l housewives at my son’s school flirt with me when I go to pick him up. I can’t walk two steps without one of them tryna invite me and my boy over to their house for a...” he made quote marks with his fingers, “...play date. I fell for it once, I won’t again. The woman tried to get me into her bedroom.” He shook his head. “It’ll only get worse if Dante becomes famous. I won’t be able to take Angelo to school anymore if that happens.” He exhaled loudly. “Which is why I’m sticking to art. I have no desire to be famous, unlike my twat of a brother.”
L laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“I love the way you talk.”
Ash’s eyebrows rose. “Most people tell me off for it. And love?”
“You know what I mean,” L said, downplaying the word, although he loved everything about Ash.
“No, enlighten me, cos honestly, I get told off a lot for what I say.”
“You’re honest, that’s what I like. Most people don’t speak their minds, whereas you do. It’s why we got on so well, plus you’re a very caring person.”
Ash smiled wide, making L smile back. Tiana placed a cup of tea in front of L, pulling his attention away from Ash. He hadn’t even realised she’d re-entered the room, Ash captivating him completely.
Tiana frowned down at L. “I agree with Angelo, you do look like a model. You really are beautif
ul, Llewellyn.”
“Thank you, and you’re beautiful too.”
Tiana let out a little laugh, her hands going to her hips. “That’s sweet of you to say, but I’m nowhere near beautiful.”
Ash pushed up out of his seat. “Oh, yes you are, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Tiana turned her head towards him, giving him a chaste peck on the lips. L smiled as Tiana refocused on him, although his chest was hurting, the reality of never attaining Ash hitting home even more. Though, he wouldn’t show it, because if anything, he was happy that Ash was smiling so brightly.
A knock rattled the front door. Ash let go of Tiana and walked over to it. He pulled the door open, grunting, “What the hell are you doin’ ’ere?” his lovely demeanour instantly replaced with a threatening one.
A soft voice replied. “I needa talk to you ’bout Saul again.”
“No, I’ll deal with it after the trial, so bugger off. You’re not welcome here.”
“Don’t be like that, Ash. You could at least be cordial towards me, after all I’m havin’ Dante’s baby. That’s another thing I wanted to talk to you about. You’re gonna be my child’s uncle, so we need to bury all the animosity between us.”
“That’s if it’s even Dante’s child. Again, I wouldn’t put it past you to cheat on him. Once a cheater, always a cheater.”
“Ash! I wouldn’t cheat on Dante.”
“So, I’m mud am I? The type that should be cheated on?”
“No, it wuzn’t like that, I never meant it to happen, and I genuinely love Dante. So, please, can you at least be cordial and not say such horrible things. Dante’s proposed to me and I know he’ll want you at the wedding, so we hafta learn to get along.”
Ash sneered. “He’s already married to Kara, and if I wuz him, I wouldn’t divorce her for you. You’re not even half the woman she is. He should be with her, not you.”
“Ash, stop bein’ so cruel.”
“I will as soon as you leave my property.”
“I can’t, I really do needa talk to you ’bout Saul—in private.”
“No. Leave.”
“Not until we work things out, you owe me that much.”
“I owe you nuthin’!”
“Why do you hafta be so difficult?”
“I’m not the difficult one, you are. Get it into your thick head I don’t want you anywhere near me.”
“But this is important.”
“Yeah, cos you’re the centre of the fuckin’ universe.”
“This isn’t just ’bout me, and I won’t leave until you hear me out.”
Tiana walked over to the door. “Beth, please respect Ash’s wishes.”
“Why can’t he respect mine?”
“Cos you don’t deserve respect,” Ash spat.
“I don’t understand why you hafta be so hard on me, Ash. I wuz just a rebound for you, someone to fill in until you got Tiana back. And you think I wuz the cheat? You cheated on me every second you were with me, cos your heart wuz always with Tiana. You should never have said yes to goin’ out with me. What did you expect to happen? For me to stay true to you when you weren’t true to me?”
“I don’t give a shit ’bout your opinions after you slept with my brother.”
“You forgave him.”
“Cos I love him, whereas you could drop dead for all I care.”
“Oh, God!” Beth said loudly, retching sounds following.
Ash stepped back, his face disgusted. “Don’t puke on my lawn! Get the hell off my property!”
Tiana tugged on Ash’s arm. “Go sit with Llewellyn, I’ll help Beth.”
“Just get her to leave. I’ve had enough of lookin’ at her skank-ho face.” Ash turned and headed over to L.
L peered around Ash, recognising Dante’s partner. She looked much sicker than the last time he saw her, her soft caramel complexion considerably paler, the woman looking like she wanted to throw up again.
Ash sat down next to L. “Ignore her, it’s my lying, cheating ex.”
L continued to stare at the woman, thinking she was mad for cheating on someone like Ash ... though, his words had been cruel, Ash looking scary while talking to her.
“Please can I use your bathroom,” Beth said.
“Yes,” Tiana replied.
“No, I told you to get rid of her,” Ash piped up.
Tiana turned to Ash, her expression stern. “Stop being a nasty man, Ashley Rata. She’s sick and has your brother’s child inside of her. You could at least let her use the bathroom.”
“But she—”
“No, buts, you’re taking things too far. For goodness’ sakes, she’s pregnant, you unfeeling oaf.”
“You don’t like her either.”
“And I’m not liking you right now, so be quiet while I help her.” Tiana turned and assisted Beth through the passageway door.
Ash shook his head. “Tiana’s too soft. You give Beth an inch and she’ll take a mile. I don’t know how I lasted so long with her, I really don’t.”
“Why did you have a break with Tiana?” L asked, more than a little curious.
“She left me for a while cos I couldn’t quit my job.”
“What job would make her leave you? And why couldn’t you quit?”
Ash grimaced. “I’d rather not talk ’bout it.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t meant to pry.”
“No worries, my past just sucks. I just wish I could keep Beth in my past too, but she’s like a bad smell that won’t go away. I really don’t trust her. She slept with Dante while we were still together, and I wouldn’t put it past her to do the same to Dante. That baby could be anyone’s.”
“She appears to really love Dante.”
“I still don’t trust her, and if that kid comes out lookin’ like anyone other than Dante, I will demand a paternity test.”
Noise came from the passageway. L looked up to find Beth staring at Ash in horror.
“The child is Dante’s,” she said.
Ash looked over his shoulder at her. “We’ll see ’bout that, cos as I wuz telling Llewellyn, you’re having a paternity test after the birth if that baby doesn’t resemble my bro.”
She lifted her chin. “The child will either look like me or Dante, and that decision is to be made by him, not you. You’re not the father, so you have no say.”
“I didn’t say I wuz, and thank God we used protection, cos there’s no way in hell I’d want a kid with you. Christ, I can’t even stand bein’ in the same room as you, so leave and don’t come back. I’ll deal with Saul, then that’s it, we have no more contact.”
“What ’bout your nephew or niece?”
“I can see the child, just not when you’re around.”
“You are horrible! I hate you!”
“The feeling’s mutual, so piss off.”
Beth ran for the door, tears streaming down her cheeks. L looked over at the passage as Tiana leaned against the doorway, shaking her head at Ash. “You really are callous.”
“No, I’m unforgiving.” Ash looked at L. “So, now that bitch has gone, you wanna stay for dinner? Tiana’s a great cook.”
L nodded, still in shock at Ash’s behaviour. One second he was lovely, the next he was vicious. L didn’t know what to think—other than he never wanted to get on Ash’s bad side.
Ash smiled at him. “Cool, and since you like playing the guitar, I’ll get my electric ones so we can jam.”
“You play?”
“Yeah, after you left you sort of inspired me to start.”
“I did?” L said, feeling good he’d had an influence on Ash.
“Yup, plus I like singing too, so it’s good to get the guitar out and just have a sing-along instead of always watching TV.” He pushed to his feet. “Stay here; I’ll go get my guitars so we can jam.”
L watched Ash disappear through the back doorway. His eyes went to Tiana, who was look
ing at him with a quizzical expression.
“Is there something wrong?” L asked. “Because if you don’t want me to stay, I can go.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that, I’m happy for you to stay for dinner.”
“Then what?”
“You still love Ash, don’t you?”
L grimaced. “Only as a friend.”
Tiana gave him a knowing look. “I don’t believe that for a second. So, what are your intentions? Cos I’m not willing to lose him again.”
“I wouldn’t dream of breaking your family up, Tiana. Plus, Ash isn’t interested in me like that. I’m a male to him, no matter what I look like. He’s also totally in love with you. I can see it in the way he touches and talks to you.”
Tiana smiled. “You can see that?”
“Yes, which is why I wouldn’t even try to come between you two. I just want Ash to be happy, and he seems very happy with you.”
She walked over and sat down next to L. “You’re still a sweetheart, do you know that?”
L smiled. “No, I just want what’s best for the people I care about.”
“I wish more people were like you, and if you like how Ash looks, you should try goin’ out with Dante. He can’t keep his hands to himself, so I doubt he’ll be with Beth or Kara for much longer.”
L’s eyes widened. “I don’t think so; he’s gotten that woman pregnant. Not only that, Kara is acting like she owns him, plus Jade would skin me alive. No thank you. Besides, Dante scares me.”
“How? Cos Ash is much more aggressive than Dante. Dante’s the goofy, easy-goin’ one.”
“He was in a mental hospital.”
“He’s still the easy-goin’ one, and also needs a good woman. He always seems to attract the bitches.”
“One, I’m not a woman, and two, maybe he likes the bitches, because he is rather rude.”
Tiana smiled. “Yes, he’s very rude. That one has no filter to what he says. Still, you should give Dante a try. Maybe you’ll be the one to settle him down; God knows you’re good-lookin’ enough for that woman magnet.”
“Which is why he wouldn’t go with me, he’ll want a real woman.”
“Dante’s open-minded. He may not like men, but if a male looks like a woman, he will hit on them.”
Behind the Secrets (Behind the Lives #4) Page 18
