Chapter 1
Ash Adams
~
Billings, Montana
November
"The flip is going good," Ash said to his brother. "It'll be ready to list in a couple of months." He laughed and shook his head. "Although last night I dreamed I got my hand mangled by the garbage disposal. I hope that's not a bad sign."
Mason made a face, and Ash's smile broadened.
"This house doesn't even have one, so I think I'm okay."
"That's gross, I don’t want to imagine that when I'm about to eat," Val said from his right.
Val and Mason were Ash's younger siblings, twins, and he was sitting between them. He had always been closer to them than they were to each other, so it was no surprise to catch him in that position even though it was their birthday dinner. He had been talking to his brother, Mason, who was on his left, but he glanced at Val when she interjected. The restaurant was packed, and they were sitting at a large table in the center of the dining room.
"You'd better get more thick-stomached than that if you want to work at a doctor's office," Ash said to her.
"One, thick-stomached is not a word, and two, I'll be in the office part—billing and whatnot."
Ash smiled at her. He was two years older than the twins, and he had always been protective of them both.
"Plus, don't tell me stuff like that. I don't like you dreaming about getting your hand caught in the sink," she said. "Power tools scare me. Dad said you were thinking about doing electrical work. What the heck, Ash?"
Ash shrugged. "It's just a few outlets."
"And some light fixtures," their mom said, chiming in. "Dad told me you were asking about ceiling fans."
"Ashh," Val said, looking worried. "You're not an electrician. Even the saws and nail guns scare me. Just get famous with your music already."
"I would if I could," Ash said, smiling confidently and shaking his head. "And I'm fine. Haden's an electrician."
"Haden, your bass player?" Mason said, knowing that was the truth but pushing buttons.
"Yeah, but he's got a day job," Ash answered.
The conversation changed around them, and Mason ducked to speak closer to Ash's ear. "Dude, over there, black coat, just walked in the door, an easy nine. Maybe a ten, honestly."
Ash instinctively glanced that way. Mason was twenty-two years old, and he was so full of testosterone that Ash didn't flinch when he ranked a woman by her looks. Ash grinned, scanning the restaurant lobby to see what got his brother all excited.
"She just walked in. You can't see her right now, but, bro…"
Ash continued to look that way while the others talked around them, and he watched as a young woman in a black coat walked through the crowded lobby toward the hostess area.
"I know her," Ash said the instant he laid eyes on Audrey.
"No way, bro, you do not! Hook me up for my birthday!"
Mason said that last part at full volume, and Val said, "Hook you up with who, bro?" in a sarcastic tone.
"That girl who just walked in."
Val looked toward the door.
"You can't see her now. She had on a black jacket." He looked at Ash. "Hook me up."
