Chapter 18

*sorry for the delay ... i forgot to upload here*

I wake up with a big smile on my face. Finally time to ditch the fake ID and use my real one. Watch out world – Shane Harrison is officially 21 and ready to create more chaos than ever before.

Adrienne is at my door before I have the chance to call her. “Happy birthday bitch!” she screams and pulls me in for a tight hug. “I brought some refreshments” she shakes a bottle of vodka in her hand.

“It’s 11 in the morning” I say but really that’s not going to stop either of us from taking shots. You only turn 21 once and I might as well enjoy it.

“Exactly. We’re already behind schedule” she laughs and grabs two shot glasses from my desk.

Amy sits up in her bed, letting out a loud yawn. “Good morning. Happy birthday cuz.”

I give her a sweet smile and thank her. “Join us?” As predicted she shakes her head. She grabs her shower stuff and leaves the room.

“I figured we could go shopping. Pre-game at Keith’s.” I gave her a knowing look. Ignoring me, she continues. “Then bar hopping all night. I have a crown and everything” she smiles big.

There is no one I trust more than Adrienne to plan the perfect night out for my 21st. Yeah, maybe a quiet dinner with my boyfriend would be nice but I doubt we can pencil that in the schedule for today. I don’t even think Ashton knows it’s my birthday.

“You think Keith is cool with Ashton being there?” I question even though I know the answer.

“Absolutely not” she answers honestly. “But he’ll to get over it. It will be fine” she tries to calm my nerves.

Keith already banned Ashton from his house after he beat Dan into the floorboards. And Ashton can’t stand Keith for numerous reasons. One –he’s my ex-boyfriend. Two – I’m still friends with him. And three – I used Keith to get to Ashton. It was a low blow on my part and I do regret it.

“Whatever you want to do today. We don’t have to go to Keith’s. But he did buy a lot of good stuff” she says sweetly, trying to convince me that it will be more fun than it sounds.

Keith is a part of my life. Ashton is an even bigger part of my life now. I’m not the kind of person that will push away a friend because my new boyfriend feels threatened. Ashton has to be completely blind if he doesn’t see how I truly feel about him. I’ve never felt so drawn to anyone in my entire life. Keith isn’t competition. No one is competition.

“We can go.” I shrug it off like it’s no big deal. To me it isn’t. It’s telling Ashton that’s going to cause problems. I’m sure he doesn’t want to go there but I can’t avoid all my friends just because my boyfriend has a problem with it.

“Yay” she claps her hands together. “Let’s hit the mall!”

Adrienne is quick to search my closet for anything to wear. Pajamas aren’t a suitable shopping outfit. She throws a pair of leggings and a sweater at me. I change quickly after running to the bathroom to brush my teeth and fix my hair.

“Hurry up!” Adrienne calls as I’m pulling on my shoes. “Before your boyfriend comes and swoops you away from me.”

I peak my head into the common room. “You know you’ll always be my number one” I remind her and wink.

“Honey!” my mom enters the room without even a knock. “Happy birthday!” She pulls me in for a hug after I pull my sweater over my head. When I realize what’s happening and that she’s actually here, I wrap my arms around her, hugging her in return.

In the hall I see Kyle walking towards us with birthday bags in his hands. He mumbles a happy birthday as he walks past me. “Hi Adrienne” he says smoothly.

“Hey little buddy” she returns, messing with his hair. It’s no secret that Kyle has a little crush on Adrienne. At least she’s a good sport about it – not wanting to be the first girl to break his heart.

“Where’s Bella?” I ask my mom.

I see her turn the corner. Before I even have a chance to hug her, Ashton calls her name. With wide eyes and big smile she turns around. “Ashton! Ashton!” she squeals and books it towards him.

He lifts her off the ground and above his head. “Hey munchkin” he greets her and gives her a kiss on her cheek. She wipes it off with a gross look on her face. Thank god she still thinks boys have cooties. I’m not ready to go through the boy phase with her yet. My mom will give her the worst advice. She’ll need me around.

“Hi” Ashton says and passes Bella to me. He gives me a quick kiss, respecting that my family is here. “Happy birthday Shane” he smirks sending a fire throughout me. With him, I know this will be the best birthday of my life.

“How did you know?” I question.

“Well this one” he takes a step towards Adrienne and wraps his arm around his neck. “Wouldn’t stop talking about it for days and days.”

“I just want it to be perfect” she defends and I absolutely love her for that. I feel like she’s more excited for my birthday than she was her own.

“I got you presents!” Bella cheers and sets them up on the floor.

“Thank you. I’ll open these later.”

“Open them now” Bella demands with a pout on her face.

“Bella” my mom says in a warning tone. “I’m sure Shane has a lot to do. We just wanted to stop in and wish you a happy birthday.”

My mom knows how to play the guilt card. And she does it well. It comes in handy for her whenever it comes down to choosing between her and my dad. It shouldn’t have to be a choice and I wish it wasn’t that way but they both use me to get to each other.

“We’re going to the mall if you want to join.”

“Really?” my mom’s eyes light up. I know she misses having me around the house since I don’t come home that often. One of our favorite past times was shopping together and I can’t tell her no.

“Of course Mrs. Harrison” Adrienne smiles.

“But Mom” Kyle whines and I look at Ashton silently begging him to spend some time with my brother for a few hours.

“Um” Ashton clears his throat. “He can stay with me and the guys for the afternoon. He can give Michael a run for his money in Call of Duty.”

“Oh, no” my mother shakes her head. “He will not be playing any of those games.” Kyle covers his face in embarrassment.

“Fifa it is” Ashton lies to my mom. “Come on kid.”

After some shopping and finding the perfect dress for tonight, my mom takes us all out to lunch. She spends most of the time asking Adrienne and I about school, talking about her new job and questioning me about my dad. Some of my favorite questions included – Has he stopped by today? Did he call? Did he send a card? She was pleased to know that only she has visited me. He did send me a text message early this morning before he went to work, promising to call me when he was done with his meetings.

I gave my family big hugs and kisses as they took off. I breathed a sigh of relief. I could officially enjoy my 21st birthday with freedom to do whatever I pleased.

The dress I picked out is ivory on top with a black skirt. My mom bought me a pair of black pumps that gave me a few extra inches. Good for me so that I don’t have to stand on my very tippy toes to kiss Ashton.

The boys meet us in my room before we head over to Keith’s. Ashton cleans up pretty nicely. I’m surprised he’s not in a pair of ripped jeans and band tee as usual but he’s still sticking to his style – skinny gray jeans with a white tee shirt and my favorite jacket on him. It’s the one he usually drapes over my shoulders when it’s cold and we have to walk home.

“You look gorgeous” he mutters against my hair and I accept the compliment.

I feel like we have come such a long way from the start. He couldn’t stand me at first but I knew he would grow to like me, maybe one day love me. He can’t resist my charm. He could push me away all he wanted. There’s this strong pull between us, sparks flying when we’re in a room together.

As predicted, Ashton wasn’t happy about going to Keith’s for a little before hitting the bars. Not only because its Keith’s house but Frankie is also here. He didn’t say anything but the scowl on his face told all. I appreciated that he kept his cool just for me. 

“It will be fun” I tell him, standing between his legs. His hands land on the back of my bare thighs and he pulls me closer.

“I’d do anything for you” he grins up at me. If Adrienne didn’t put so much effort into my birthday celebration I would leave this second and take Ashton home.

“A drink for the birthday girl” Keith hands me a solo cup filled with lemonade and vodka.

“Classy” I laugh and throw it back and wince when it burns my throat.

“I’m not carrying you home later” Ashton says.

“Yes you will” I tease, knowing that he won’t say no to me. I have him in the palm of my hands.

He pulls me down on his lap, pushing my hair off my shoulder and places a soft kiss on my neck. “No” he says then leans closer to whisper in my ear. “But I’d love to watch that ass when you climb up the stairs.”

With a smirk, I move my hips, causing him to grow a little hard. I love what I can do this to him. I love how he craves me just as much as I crave him.

“Shit” he groans against my shoulder. “I’ll fuck you on this couch right now” he warns. Something in his eyes tells me he’s not kidding.

“Wait big boy” I whisper in his ear and he shoots me a devilish grin.

“Okay you love birds” Adrienne interrupts as we start kissing. “Birthday girl needs some shots. Get your ass up” she demands.

I do as she says, taking Ashton’s hand and leading him to the kitchen. I want Ashton to feel comfortable regardless of Keith and Frankie.

Luke hands us our shot glasses and we all cheers to me and my 21st birthday celebration, promising a great night for everyone.

O’Malley’s is filled with people by the time we get there but its our favorite bar.

“The usual?” the bartender asks me.

“Make it a double” my eyes light up with excitement. “And a Heineken.” For Ashton.

I reach in my purse for money. “All drinks are on me tonight. And every night” he smirks. “My girl won’t be paying for anything.”

“Thanks babe” I cup his cheek in my hand and kiss him. “How did I get so lucky?” I ask sarcastically but really wonder how I landed him.

He’s hot as hell. All the girls want him but they are all too afraid to approach him. I’m not sure if they are intimidated by his looks or the rumors that go around about him. I’ve always been a firm believer in ‘you can’t believe everything you here.’

Yes, he has anger issues but I don’t think it’s as bad as everyone says. I’m sure there is a good explanation for why he is the way he is and one day maybe he’ll trust to tell me. But things are going so good between us right now that I don’t want to push that.

All that matters is that we enjoy each other’s company. We make each other happy and I know he cares about me. According to his roommates, he’s never been like this with a girl before. He’s never put so much effort in. He doesn’t apologize for being a dick to anyone but he apologized to me. More than once. 

The closest thing to a relationship was Vanessa. Ashton has yet to tell me about her but Calum let that slip. Again, I’ll have to wait for him to tell me because I don’t want to pry it out of him.

“Because you’re an annoying, messy drunk” he jokes and I push him in return.

We return to our friends who have the back corner reserved near the dartboard and pool tables. Ashton keeps me close to his side, hand on my hip, letting everyone know that I am his. I love it. Girls don’t approach him either.

The last place on Adrienne’s schedule was this new club that opened a few months back. We haven’t been there yet because as much as we love to dance around we’re not really into the whole club scene.

I can already hear the loud bumping music coming from inside. The line is wrapped around the building and I’m hoping we don’t have to wait to long to get in. The fall air isn’t too friendly tonight as the wind whips around us.

I tighten my arms around my body, trying to keep warm. Ashton wraps his arms around me, smoothly rubbing his hands up and down my back. I let my head fall against his chest and enjoy this sweet moment with him.

Adrienne walks up to the front of the line and starts flirting with the bouncer. Michael stands back but I can tell he’s pissed about it. No one wants to wait in the line. Although the bouncer seems pleased with Adrienne’s attempt, she fails.

“Let’s just go back to O’Malley’s” I tell her.

Ashton brushes past us and says something to the bouncer that I can’t make out. The bouncer shakes his hand and smiles, lifting up the rope to allow us all in.

“How?” I ask him.

“I know people” he smiles and wraps his arm securely around my waist.

Multi-colored lights fill the club. It’s more crowded than imagined. So many people pressed against each other in one big, sweaty cluster on the dance floor.

“I’ll be right back” Ashton says when he spots a familiar face across the club. I shrug as he walks away.

“Let’s get drinks!” I shout to Luke. He laughs and fights his way through the crowd towards the bar. The main reason I hate clubs – it can take almost ten minutes to get a drink and its all juice and barely any alcohol.

Luke returns with a beer for himself and a lemon drop for me. I take his hand and join our friends on the dance floor. I have no motive other than to have a good time and to get Luke to loosen up.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” Frankie asks and starts dancing on my right. Luke gives him a look, silently warning him to back off. Luke and I both know what Ashton will do if Frankie even puts a finger on me.

“He’ll be right back” I answer and move closer to Luke. Frankie is one of my good friends but Ashton dislikes him more than Keith. It’s my birthday and I’d rather not have a fight breaking out in the middle of a club between my boyfriend and one of my friends.

I finish my drink and want another. Since Ashton is nowhere to be found, I head to the bar myself. I find an open spot between two men and wave down the bartender.

“So it’s your birthday?” one of the men asks. He’s good looking, in his late twenties I would guess.

“Uh, yeah” I respond and then remember this stupid crown that Adrienne made me wear. I take it off and place it on the bar.

“Then let me buy a drink then.”

“Okay” I shrug one shoulder. I’m not opposed to a handsome man buying me drinks regardless of my relationship status.

I clink glasses with the man and as I raise the glass to my lips I hear screaming. “Fuck off Luke!” And then he’s in front of my face, staring me down with Luke and Calum in tow.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Ashton gets in the man’s face.

“Just buying this lovely lady a drink.”

“So hitting on my girlfriend you sleaze ball” he shoots back.

“Dude” Luke steps between them. “It’s her birthday. Don’t ruin it.” He shoots me a sympathetic smile.

“I’m not ruining shit. This creep needs to back off.”

“Ashton” I snap at his insults. This man didn’t hit on me. He was just trying to be nice or at least that’s how I saw it. “He was just buying me a drink for my birthday. You left me.”

“I didn’t leave you” he furrows his eyebrows. “I had to do something.”

“Like what?” I cross my arms wanting an answer right now.

“None of your business.”

“That’s what I thought.” I want to trust Ashton but he makes it really hard sometimes. He flips a shit when I talk to Keith but he knows my entire history with him. I know nothing about his past or what he’s doing half the time. Like who those guys were that one night. Are those the same guys he just went to talk to? I don’t have a clue.

“God, Shane” he groans. “Just leave it alone.”

“Okay, fine” I answer back nonchalantly. “Then just leave me alone” I match his tone, my eyes burning holes through him. With that, I take my drink and walk back to my friends only to be pulled through a crowd of people to any empty part of the club.

“You don’t mean that” Ashton stares down at me.

“Yes I do Ashton. Stay the hell away from me until you remove the huge stick that’s up your ass.”

His cheeks flare with anger. “Am I not supposed to be pissed when another man hits on my girlfriend?”

“He wasn’t hitting on me” I shout back, throwing my arms out in complete frustration.

“Are you that naïve? He wanted in your pants.”

“Oh my god” I groan. “He did not. Just get over it.”

“Jesus, you make me so-” He cuts himself off, running his fingers through his messy hair.

“Make you so what?” I shoot back. “Is this not something you want?” I question our relationship when he doesn’t answer me. “Just tell me. Tell me you don’t want it.” I can feel the tears threatening to pour from my eyes. I know his answer. He would rather continue to hook up than actually try and have a real relationship.

Testing him only made him more furious. His jaw shifts as his teeth clench tightly.

“That’s what I thought” I glare at him.

He takes a step closer and I gasp. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my whole life.”

Like a moth to a flame, he pulls me right in. Kissing me with all he has, showing me how he felt rather than telling me. Not concerned about who is staring. It’s a huge rush whenever his hands are on me. I need it. No one has made me feel the way he has. It’s almost torture when he’s not near me and it scares me that in so little time he has this much of an effect on me. But I know he is even more terrified of the things I’m making him feel.

“Only you Shane Harrison” he smirks against my lips. “I’ve never wanted to kill someone and kiss them in the same minute.”

“Take me home.” He nods quickly, taking me hand and rushing out of the club. I send Adrienne a quick text and thank her for the amazing night out she planned for me. But we both knew where it was going to end. Ashton and I having mind-blowing sex all night.

Ashton lays me down in his bed, kissing my neck, jaw, lips. Anything he can get to at the moment.

“I’m sorry” he pulls back to apologize.

“It’s okay” I answer honestly. If I put myself in his shoes, I would have gone mental if I saw another girl hitting on him or simply buying him a drink. Plus I’m too horny for him to even have this discussion right now.

“No, it’s not. I’ve been horrible to you” he shakes his head, mad at himself. He wasn’t only apologizing for tonight. “I’m used to being alone. I loved it because it’s been that way for so long.”

“You have the guys” I remind him.

He shakes his head. “Yeah but they don’t know anything. I don’t tell anyone.”

“You don’t have to tell me right now” I say to ease his worries.

“I want to” he breathes out. “But I can’t.”

“You know you can trust me.” And I hope he does. He should know that he could tell me anything and I will still want him just as much.

“I want to. Give me time. Be patient with me.”

“Okay” I say quietly.

“I don’t want to hurt you” he sighs.

“You couldn’t if you tried.” I believed that with all my heart. He could never intentionally hurt me.

“I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.” That made my heart drop and worry seep into my skin. I didn’t want to let it show but I feared that something happened to Vanessa. Something bad that involved Ashton and he’s afraid something could happen to me too.

“Let’s not worry about that now. It’s my birthday and all I want is you.”

“I got you something” he smiles and reaches into his pocket. “We can return it if you don’t like it.” We. I love the ring to it.

I open up the box to a beautiful gold bracelet with one small charm. A drum. “I love it” I screech and immediately fasten it on my wrist.

“Something to remind you of me.” Like he’s ever off my mind. “Come here” he pulls me up so my lips meet his. I straddle him, wanting to feel every inch of him. “Clothes. Off.”

In seconds are clothes are thrown throughout the room. “Did you lock the door?”

“Uh, yeah” he answers but he has no idea if he locked or not.

His eyes rake over my naked body in front him, savoring every moment as if this could be the last time. His hands cup my breasts, kneading them and causing a loud moan to fall from my lips as he pinches my nipples between his fingers. His hands slide between my breasts and down my torso. I rock my hips into his wanting any friction I can get.

“You are so wet for me” he grins when his fingers slide between my folds. “I love how your body reacts to me.”

“Only you” I remind him. My body only reacts this way for him.

“That’s right baby.”

I take him in my hand, rubbing up and down his length. He’s hard as stone as I rub myself on him. I slowly sink down on him and we both moan. He grasps my hips, steadying me as he drills into me with impeccable force for this position.

“Oh my god! Right there” I scream. “Don’t stop. Don’t stop” I cry out, completely taken over by pleasure, so close to going over the edge when the light turns on. The only light we had on was his desk lamp.

“Oh shit” Calum says. “My eyes are covered. So sorry. Leaving now.”

“Get it Ash” Michael adds in.

“Get the fuck out!” Ashton yells at his roommates, throwing a blanket over the both of us, shielding my naked body on top of his from their view. Once the door is closed we both physically relax from tensing up. “Want to stop?” he looks up at me. I answer him by rocking my hips, clenching around him.

With a quiet moan, I unravel on top of him, completely losing myself. He stills and comes inside me.

Ashton hands me a pair of his sweatpants and t-shirt. He sleeps in just his boxers.

With me closer to the wall, he pulls my back to his chest, nuzzling his head in my neck. “Happy birthday” he says and kisses the back of my head.

“A very happy birthday to me.”