Ash is well prepared to hate any girl Fez would like. Like properly like, not just invite over for a quick midnight visit. Those could happen much more often as far as Ash is concerned. They are flings that go mainly unnoticed and definitely do not disrupt the regular days of their household. Something more serious was yet to appear on the radar, and Ash is really not fond of the idea. He saw many men doing idiotic shit for girls who were utterly not worth it. He was very young when granny ended up on life support. Still, he could vaguely remember her talking about the dangers of love. Or maybe Fez himself quoted that to him? Either way, in his 12 years, he saw enough shit caused by women; only drugs could do a guy worse.
However, he has little doubt this will happen. He knows Fez well. Ash admires his brother's calmness and strength; he knows him to be a real warrior when the need arises. But he also knows that Fez has a soft side to him. He isn't inherently violent, quite the opposite. He has a tendency to adopt broken people. Had Fez been someone else, that would have been a cute or even useful trait. In their line of work, though, there were plenty of broken people, and adopting an addict was nothing like adopting a stray cat.
So, Ash is half expecting Fez to get into one of his rescue mission too much any day now. He isn't really religious, but he did candidly ask one of granny's statues of the Virgin Mary to make sure that Fez will not hook up with Faye or - even worse - Rue. So far, the prayer seems to work. Fez only tolerates Faye, and Rue (who Ash considered a human embodiment of toothache) is nowhere to be seen lately. And yet, Ashtray's intuition, as per usual, is not failing him.
This is an uneventful day; the business is slow, to say the least. Ash chills in his usual place - hidden from the unwanted eyes behind the fridges, but having an excellent overview of the store in front of him. At first, there's nothing to look at. His brother just sits next to the counter, trying to avoid another empty chat with Faye. The blonde, however, seems to catch the drift and is also quiet in her place by the door. Ash lazily thinks about counting the money again - he honestly considers this his main hobby.
All of a sudden, his brother's voice breaks Ash out of the comfortable stupor. Not so much the words, but the tone… Fezco sounds cheery, which like really does not happen that often. Ash moves to the side to see the reason for such development and immediately notices the red flags. Fez is talking to a girl. He is also being an idiot. He flashes that stupid shy green and even stutters a bit.
Oh, man - Ash groans - Here we go; I did have a bad feeling lately.
To be precise, he had a bad feeling since the New Years' party when he first saw his big bro hitting with the grace of the dropping wardrobe on some random chick who wasn't even gonna buy anything. Ashtray minded his own business (literally) at that party. Still, he had a couple of quick glances through the window to see that awkward shit of the couch continued for a long time. He has never seen Fez talk long to anyone; even stoned, he did not become more talkative. This was troublesome, but the glorious beating of fucking Nate Jacobs outshined any other concerns Ash might have had at the time.
Now, his brother is again behaving way out of the ordinary. Fez legit looks at the girl with puppy eyes. Embarrassing shit, Ashtray fully intends to give his bro hell about this just a little bit later. Meanwhile, he needs to assess the level of the danger. He finally gets a look at the chick's face when she stares at the fridge as she is about to cry. Just now, Ash realizes that this is the same girl from the sofa. She changed her hair (a very confusing habit girls have). Still, it is clearly her - he can remember almost anime-big eyes and delicate features. Ash has seen her before with some students of Eastland High, but she's not a regular, probably not even a user. She's too clean and proper to even stand in their shabby establishment.
Dude, - Ashtray thinks to himself - That's sorta out of our league, come on.
Fez is saying something stupid to her again this moment - apologizes for not saying goodbye at the party.
How were you supposed to do that - Ash sighs internally - right next to Nate's beaten ass? Get a grip, man!
In any case, his brother's voice tells Ash more than corny shit his bro is mumbling. Fez's sounds so soft that Ashtray realizes once and for all - the level of danger is at all time's high.
And not just because of the cute brunette. Another figure steps inside the shop. It's a well-dressed man, in his forties, with a perpetual smirk on a somewhat handsome face.
An asshole - determines Ash immediately.
What is even more important is his confident stride and right hand deep in his pocket. Ashtray knows from diverse experiences this is how people with a gun conduct themselves. He wants to draw Fez's attention to the new guest, but his brother is already seeing what he needs to see in the girl's face. He turns his head to the man, softness gone from his features. He looks stoned, unemotional, and almost dumb. Ash knows all too well that his big bro wears this mask to people he does not want to be dealing with.
The tall guy asks some random questions, Fez takes even more time than usual to answer. Ash can clearly tell his brother is not scared, he's angry. A lot of that anger has to do with the sheer horror at the face of the girl. For a second there, Ash thinks she will run out of the shop, grab her bike, and will be gone in the night. She does move behind the isles when the asshole is approaching her. This does not really help as the asshole moves there too and makes a point of grabbing something just above her head. The girl shudders, and Fez's face grows darker.
This little weird theater scene comes to a climax. The asshole asks dramatically if the girl told Fez who he is and puts his hand back in the pocket, hinting at a gun. Fez gives Ash a brief look, and Ash grabs his own from the cereal box. This motherfucker is in for a surprise if he wants to stir some shit up. Fez is still slouching at the counter, but Ash knows this look - he is more than ready to show what's he's made of. Ash squeezes the gun as the time slows. He can feel the same adrenaline pumping through his brothers' veins and almost hear the girl's shuttered breathing. Even Faye looks worried now. Truth be told, Ash wants him to do something.
The asshole, oblivious to the fact that he is not in charge here, slowly puts the twenty on the counter and exits, impressed by himself. Fez jumps off the counter and steps out to watch him leave. Ash barges out of the fridge just in time to see the lights flicker ominously over his brother's head.
He then looks to the females. Faye's face slowly reflects the tension. Like everyone else today, she seems unusually animated and much less self-absorbed. Ash is not interested in Faye whatsoever, though. This is his chance to have a look at the girl. She seems worthy of a very good look by now.
I'm Ash - he announces.
I'm Lexi Howard - she replies with mechanical politeness. She looks badly stirred, face white, eyes even wider than before. She's even shaking a little.
Who that hell was that? You seem to know - Ashtray enquires coldly.
That's Nate's dad - she replies.
What? Jacobs dad? - Ash turns to Fez, who is back in the store - You hearin this? What a lovely family!
Hey, are you all right? - Fez ignores him and comes right to Lexi, invading her personal space. His face is still hard, but his eyes betray his only immediate interest.
He came to us yesterday - Lexi is gasping for air as if she's hyperventilating - Cassie told him it was you. I wanted to warn you... What if he followed me? - she almost cries out.
Don be stupid. He was sitting somewhere close and decided to come in when he saw you – Ash chimes in – Asshole move.
Her distress makes him a little less wary of her. She came to warn. That went clumsily, but the effort was there. Quite a gesture for someone who clearly never even sped up in a car.
Lexi is still shaking.
My sister - she stutters - She's just such an idiot! Even Nate didn't do it- she whines.
This earns Lexi a double chuckle from both brothers. But only one of them really wants to calm her down.
Come on, Lexi - Fez is again speaking much softer – Doncha worry. Gonna be fine. He's just an asshole.
That does not work – too many emotions for one evening of otherwise probably duller life. She again looks like she's about to cry.
Fez extends his right hand as if unsure whether he wants to pat her shoulder or take her by the hand. Before he can make that critical decision, Lexi grabs said hand with both of hers.
I just… just was so worried. Do you think he had a gun?- she says hurriedly, seemingly ignoring their physical contact.
Ash makes a conscious effort to keep his brows from rising up. This cute girl, who legit looks like a straight-A student, is grubbing his bro's hand and looks at him like he's her only savior from all Jacobses of the world.
Nah, come on. He's a poser. Dealt with scarier shit. Thank you for telling, though. And for coming, - Fez also chooses to play it cool. He pulls his hand slightly back, making Lexi take a step closer to him, - You know, you could've messaged. You have my number.
Ah, yes, – that does seem to make her muster her bravery a bit – Well, I wanted to see you as well.
Really? – Fez beams – Cool, I thought the Nate thing would've put you off.
Nate's creep, - She replies sternly – That was well deserved.
Sooooo, detective Ash pieces everything together. This shy, quiet girl went to a party, talked to his genius of communication of a brother for a few minutes, later saw him beating a living light outta someone. Then she gave it a couple of weeks of thought. And then she put on her cute outfit, red lipstick, and came to warn him personally. I see you, Lexie Howard; you're fooling no one. Except for the big bro, obviously, but he just wants to be fooled.
I am so glad, Lexi - Fez does sound excited like a fool - You shouldn't worry tho. No need to be upset over this. He's not as scary as he thinks. Are you cold? Do you want anything? A drink?
Ash is not sure if he ever heard him talk so much proper English at once. He's down so bad. The only thing that gives Ash some hope is that she looks as smitten as he, if not even more. Lexi's cheeks are bright red, hair in disarray, she's breathing a little calmer now, but still in deep tense breaths. It's a pretty sight, even Ash must admit. It's different. It's sincere. As if they both wear their hearts on their sleeves or how it's called. Unexpectedly an unfamiliar warm feeling washed over Ash. Whoever this little chic is, she likes his bro. Likes him so much, she came here to say something about fucking Jacobs. And his brother likes her too. As idiotic as this gazing at each other looks, Fez seems to enjoy it immensely. Above all, Ash wants his brother to have all the good things. And this seems to be shaping in a wondrous thing.
Ash apparently is not the only one to think that. Faye chuckles out loud. Fez glances at her as he had completely forgotten she ever existed. Lexi, on the other hand, flinches. The sight of Faye seems to switch her back to reality. Lexi looks at the warm expression on Fez's face, then drops eyes to her own hands, still grabbing his arm, now pressed to his chest. She seems to realize just now that the way they stand next to each other - just short of a hug - is way closer than even loose norms of Californian teenagers will approve. She drops her hands to her sides, takes a slight step back, and gives Faye another solemn look.
Ash is about to set things straight here, but to his immense surprise, he hears Faye saying valuable something for the first time in like ever.
This' shit' crazy – she says, looking into Lexi's eyes – Cannot wait to tell my boyfriend, Custer, about it.