CHAPTER XVII
ASHER'S P.O.V
"I need to leave right now."
Nathan yelled loudly clenching his fist glaring at Gram.
"You can't leave, not before I say so." She said coolly like it didn't affect her.
"Why can't you understand? I like her and she is not what you think she is." He yelled again.
"Don't raise your voice young man." Gram glared at him.
Nathan was frustrated.
"I'm leaving, mum." He told mom but mom looked uncomfortable too. Even she didn't like what Gram said to Brooke and Allie but being a good daughter-in-law she didn't say a word.
"Nate...." Before mum could say anything Gram cut her off,
"It's your entire fault, Ginny. The boys are going out of hands."
We both looked at her with a sharp gaze.
"Boys, Don't." dad said and I let out a frustrated groan.
"Dad, you know whatever Gram said was bullshit. Being orphan is not their mistake."
"I know, son but..."
"Oh really Troy? You are taking those girls' side? You know how their mind works."
"Mom, it's not what you think. You are totally wrong and basically there is nothing wrong being an orphan, Ginny had no family either." He explained and we looked at mom. She swallowed a lump.
"Yeah and that turned out to be your mistake." Gram answered.
My hands clenched and we went to mum.
"That's enough, mother." Dad roared. We took mum to her room while dad dealt with her.
"Why is she being such a bitch?" Nathan mumbled but we heard.
"Don't Nathan." Mum scolded us. We reached her room and locked the door not wanting to hear the commotion.
"Are you okay, Mum?" we asked simultaneously. She let out a small laugh and nodded.
"They are hurt, mum." Nate said as he knelt down and put his head in her lap.
"I can understand, baby. You both need to talk to them." She ran her hands through our hair.
We stayed there for sometime but I got up wanting to check on dad. I hated my grandmother more than anything.
"I'll be back."
I came downstairs.
"You know how they are protective of her after that accident." Dad said but my bitchy Gram just snorted.
So much for being a grandmother.
"Well, that accident was your fault only." She sneered and I lost my cool as I went ahead,
"What the fuck are you talking about? Just stop your bullshit and leave." I said and she gaped at me.
"Asher? You're talking to me."
"I don't care. You can't just come here and insult my parents and my friends."
"Oh, so you have a soft spot for that girl too? The one who has no filter for her mouth."
"Yeah, she is my friend." My jaw clenched.
"Let's go Ash." Nathan came downstairs. He didn't even spare a glance at anyone and took car keys.
"Where....."
"Don't and if you are done just leave." Dad said which caused a smirk on both of our faces.
Grandmother gave an angry look to dad and went to her room which I was sure would be empty by the time we would return home.
"I want to rip someone's head off." Nate muttered under his breath. I could understand his emotions.
He was more frustrated because he couldn't even defend Allie. Hailey's arrival was surprise for us but the bitch wouldn't leave. I looked at Nathan. His hands were clenched and so his jaw.
"Relax brother." I told him but he shook his head.
"It's been six hours they left. We couldn't even call them. They must hate us by now."
"It will be okay. At least Allie would understand, I can't even think what Brooke would make me do." I chuckled.
He let out a nervous laugh and agreed with me.
Brooke was different than all the girls I met. She tried so hard to resist me which was new. I didn't know what I felt for her but it was something weird. I liked to be around her and listen to her sarcastic comments. Though she appeared to be tough, she was gentle inside. The way she backed Allie, it was sweet and I wanted to see more.
"We're here." Nate parked the car and got down.
We reached the door step and rang the bell.
After sometime, footsteps were heard and door opened. Brooke's burning gaze met our and she was ready to shut the door but Nate put his foot in between.
"Please, let us in, we need to talk." He said but she just glared at us.
"Leave us alone and go away." She said as her gaze met mine.
"I can't. I need to see Allie, please, she needs me you know that." Nate begged her.
Brooke let out a frustrated sigh and opened the door little wide. Nate ran upstairs. I swallowed a little and met Brooke's cold gaze.
"You want to meet Allie too? Go upstairs." She said and walked inside.
"No. I'm here for you." I said but she just scoffed.
"Get out." she literally yelled and I closed my eyes.
"I'm sorry." I said sincerely and she let out a small sigh as she slumped on the sofa.
"It was humiliating, Asher. Nobody ever made us feel like that. Yeah, we don't have a family and money but does that make us outcasts? She showed us where we belong." Her voice cracked and without a word I pulled her closer.
She too wrapped her hands around my neck and sniffled a little. Brooke was so different. She might look strong but under that she was another insecure and fragile girl. I patted her back trying to keep her calm.
"It's okay." I stayed there for some time. Then she pulled back.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled and walked inside the kitchen. She looked mad at herself.
"Brooke, crying is not a weakness, it's okay." I went behind her but she just shrugged it off.
"So do you have a movie? We should have a movie night." I said to lighten the mood and surprisingly she agreed. We went to their room and she showed me the stack. But I couldn't see Allie or Nate there.
"Where are the lovebirds?" I tried to joke but Brooke's glare shut me up.
"Don't bring it up. She was already insecure and your Dear Gram made sure she would believe that." Her voice was tightened.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
"It's ok. It's just that I can't see her broken. Anyway they must be on roof. Allie was there."
"Oh!"
I picked a comedy movie and plugged it in. Brooke came with a bag of popcorns and we sat on her bed beside each other.
"Where are your foster parents?"
"They work till late."
"Good." After half an hour, Nate's head popped out in the window.
He looked pale and defeated. I and Brooke shared a look and went closer. He had Allie in his arms and she was sleeping.
"Can you take her? if I jump inside with her she will wake up." Nate whispered and I nodded. I went ahead and took her gently. Followed, he jumped inside the room and took Allie back going to her bed, placing her on it.
"Are you okay?" Brooke asked and he nodded looking lost.
"What's wrong, Nate?" I asked him and he sighed.
"She doesn't deserve it. She is too innocent for all this." He mumbled looking at Allie with pain in his eyes.
"She really likes you." Brooke mumbled and our heads jerked to her.
"Don't look at me like that, it's so obvious. She has never let anyone to come so close. You are the first guy, Nathan and please don't break her heart."
"I won't." Nate said and kissed Allie's forehead.
"She is a heavy sleeper, isn't she?" I chuckled but Brooke shook her head,
"She is just tired."
"Can I stay the night?" Nate asked and Brooke's eyes went wide.
"I'll go before sunrise. I just want to be with her that's all." His gaze was soft.
"Umm... okay." She nodded and I fist pumped mentally.
It was going to be a really good night.