Chapter 22

sorry for the delay... i was on vacation

I consider myself a pretty lucky person. My family has its flaws but what family doesn’t? My parents might be going through a divorce but it’s not messy or tearing everyone apart.

I attend a great school and I’m doing pretty well. I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for. And then there’s Ashton.

It was pure luck that I stumbled upon him. We went to the same school for two years but never met. My dad used to read me fairytales when I was little before I fell asleep. I guess you could say I’ve become a sucker for a good love story and believe that everyone has a happy ending.

Ashton and I – that was fate. My fairy godmother put him in my path for whatever reason. I know that might sound childish and naïve but Ashton is the person I’m supposed to have my ending with.

Ashton has many flaws but so do I. There’s something about a bad boy that every girl falls for. The trouble is getting that boy to care about you or even notice you in the first place.

I never thought I would be interested in someone like Ashton. I don’t like the chase and he was a hard one to catch. He never cared for a girl the way he cares for me. I love that. I like being the only girl he’s fallen for. Even though he hasn’t said it and will never admit it he has fallen just as hard for me as I have for him.

Since break ended it’s been like a whole new Ashton. Before he had his moments when he was nice and caring. Lately he’s been sweet all the time. It’s new and I love every second of it.

Had I been play fighting with Luke before break I’m sure Ashton would have thrown him through the window and had no regrets about it. He wouldn’t have admitted all the fucked up shit that has happened in his life, which I am still trying to wrap my head around.

He opened up to me. That only made me fall for him more. Not even his best friends know about his dark past but now I do. He trusts me. That means more than ‘I love you.’ Ashton doesn’t trust anyone and with good reason I’ve come to learn. But he trusts me. And he’s afraid to lose me. If only he knew there isn’t much he could do that would make me walk away from him. I’ve already fallen too far.

I’m not sure what happened to him over break. Maybe he rid himself of all his demons. Now he can let go of that anger and enjoy life. That seems to be the case. He’s been really calm. It’s like all his anger issues have vanished.

Ashton walks me to class, has lunch with me almost everyday. He’s even been spending more quality time with his roommates. Instead of yelling at them, he actually laughs and has a good time with them.

When he comes to the bar with me he isn’t a belligerent asshole that he once was. He is still protective but he doesn’t try to snap every guy’s neck that says hello to me.

Now I don’t want to say that I’m the reason for his change. I think the reason for the serious mood adjustment was that he finally has something to fight for. He has a motive to be a better person.

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I roll over, my eyes still closed, and hum peacefully. My hand runs along the sheets, not Ashton’s warm body. Where is he? He’s usually there when I wake up being that he sleeps past noon everyday.

“I’m going to fuck it up” I hear Ashton curse from the common room. He left the bedroom door slightly open so I’m able to hear what they are saying.

“Only if you allow that to happen” Luke answers him.

Ashton huffs loudly like he always does when he’s frustrated. “Well then what do you suggest I do?”

He’s probably having a hard time turning to Luke for advice. I’m sure Ashton hasn’t gone to anyone for advice ever in his life except for his brother.

“Try showing up this time” Luke laughs and I realize they are talking about me. Butterflies start fluttering in my stomach. Ashton wants to try again. Maybe this time we’ll have a successful date.

Ashton groans and I can picture him burying his face in his hands. I don’t know what he’s so nervous about.

“She likes you Ashton” Luke goes on. “You know that. I would like to think you have genuine feelings for her too.”

There is a long pause. My heart sinks to my stomach. There shouldn’t be a hesitation. I wouldn’t hesitate. But this is Ashton. He’s never had to reveal his feelings so I understand the pause.

“Yeah” Ashton finally answers. “I do.”

“Then you’ll be fine” Luke says to comfort him. “Don’t psych yourself out. Grow a pair and ask her out.”

“Me grow a pair?” Ashton asks in a joking yet angry tone.

“Just go.” I hear Ashton’s feet shuffle. Luke probably pushed him towards the room.

Seconds later the door opens a little more slowly. He slides back on the bed, lying on his stomach. He buries his face in the pillow before turning to face me with a nervous smile.

“Yes” I beam before he can ask.

“Yes what?” he gives me that cute, confused look that makes my heart melt.

“I’ll go to dinner with you.”

“Who said anything about dinner?” he smirks and flips onto his back, causing the bed to shake.

I rest my chin on the palm of my hand. “Oh?” I ask as I look down at him. “Then what did you have in mind?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see” is what he answers with.

“I don’t like surprises.”

“You trust me?”

I side eye him. “Yeah…”

He nods and slides off the bed. He turns back and grins. “Wear red. It’s my favorite color on you.”

I glare at Ashton but on the inside I am smiling wider than I ever have. Something about his tone of voice has my body burning for him.

Ashton shuffles over to his closet and pulls out his stuff for a shower. Is he really going to leave me right now? Morning sex has been a routine of ours. Is he going to be a gentleman now? Wine and dine me before taking me to bed. And if he is than I am not okay with that.

“Hey!” I call out. He stops in the doorway and spins around. “You can’t just say that.”

“Say what?” he chuckles.

“I mean” I sigh, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. “Red shirt, red dress, red skirt?”

“Red” his lips curls up into a devilish smile.

“Lace?” I raise my eyebrows in question hoping to get to him as much as he has gotten to me this morning. There is no way he is not as horny as me. I can see it through his shorts.

Ashton tucks his bottom lip between his teeth. Mission accomplished. “I need to shower” he says sternly.

“Alone?” I pout my lip.

Ashton is quick to drop his shower caddy and lift me off the bed, placing a long, hard kiss on my lips that leaves my head spinning. “Let’s clean you up, dirty girl.”

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A little after seven I meet Ashton in the back parking lot. I decided on a casual black dress. Can’t go wrong with that for whatever Ashton might have planned.

When I step out the door, Ashton is leaning on the hood of his car. He looks perfect tonight. He’s doesn’t have that permanent angry look on his face. He actually grins from ear to ear when he sees me.

He’s dressed in all black like me. Black shirt and black jeans. He looks absolutely delicious to me. And he’s driving the car he said I would never get to see. I guess this is a special occasion and that thought makes me heart leap out of my chest.

The car is bright red just like the lace set I’m wearing special for Ashton. It’s some classic I think. I don’t know much about cars but it looks like it could be worth something. And he’s in love with it.

“It was my dad’s” Ashton says as we drive down the windy road. I’m surprised. I didn’t ask and I guess I’m just not used to Ashton offering up information without me pestering him for it.

“I like it” I smile.

“My brother had it for a while. He taught me to drive in this before he died.”

“Ashton” I sigh and reach across for his hand. He lifts mine up to his lips and gently places a kiss on my knuckles.

In this moment everything is perfect.

“Who taught you to drive?”

I laugh at the memory. “My mom jumped out while the car was still moving” I giggle. I barely pulled away from the curb when she started screaming that she was going to die. “After begging my dad for months he finally took me out on the road.”

“Your dad doesn’t like me that much” Ashton states, doesn’t ask.

“He will” I nod my head. I know he will. If my dad could just see how much Ashton means to me he will lighten up. “He’s just protective. You two have that in common” I point out.

The night only seems to get better. He pulls next to a lake even though it’s barely above 40 degrees outside. He wraps us in a blanket on the hood of his car as we sit under the stars and eat the fancy dinner he purchased. Pizza. It’s the thought that counts.

 “I thought I told you to wear red” he says between bites.

I turn to face him with a smirk on my face. “I am” I wink.

Ashton groans delightfully and slides down the hood of his car. He wraps his hands around my thighs and pulls me to him, our centers crashing together.

It’s pretty warm for a February night in Maryland but still 43 degrees is not warm enough to be outside this long. Even with a blanket wrapped around me, I’m still pretty cold.

“Come here baby.” Ashton slips his hands under my butt and lifts me up. The closeness of our bodies warms me up. Being around Ashton always makes me heated. He has me constantly thinking of what he and only he can do to me.

His kisses distract me. I don’t realize we are moving until I feel cold water at my feet.

“Ashton!” I screech. “What are you doing?”

“Getting a little wet” he smirks.

“It’s freezing!” I cry out. “You are crazy!”

“Only for you” he chuckles.

I continue to protest by kicking my feet and trying to fight my way out of his arms. “Don’ t you know you are supposed to wait at least 30 minutes before swimming?!”

He completely ignores me and lowers us into the water. I give up my fight and just enjoy being with him while he’s so playful. I hope this new attitude adjustment sticks but you never know.

“Tell me I didn’t fuck this up” he says barely above a whisper. I find it flattering that he’s insecure about this.

“You didn’t” I smile and try to keep my focus on him and not the fact that my legs are going numb. “I like being with Ashton. Anywhere. Anytime.”

“Good” he nods. “I love being with you too.” Love.

I bite my lip. If I don’t I might blurt out something I could later regret. Instead, I press my lips to his. We bob up and down in the water as we make-out until headlights appear in the distance.

At first I think it’s the police. We aren’t doing anything wrong. We still have our clothes on. I don’t see flashing lights though.

My second guess is Calum and Michael. They would take this opportunity to mess with our date. Not that anything they would do could ruin it but it would piss Ashton off.

We climb out of the water and Ashton wraps the blanket around me and then grabs another for himself. It’s neither the cops nor our friends. It’s them. Those men that Ashton used to be associated with. The ones who took part in the killing of his brother.

“Wait in the car” Ashton demands and flings the passenger’s side door open. His eyes never once leaving the men in front of us.

“No” I respond coldly.

“Shane” he growls through his teeth. He is focused on the one man I haven’t met before. He is young. Scars one his face and down his arms. Is he their leader? Who is he? And what does he want from Ashton?

“I’m not getting in the car” I fire back. I know it’s for my own safety but I won’t be the girl that just sits back and let’s whatever is about to happen… happen.

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ” he snaps, yanking at his hair. “Just get in the fucking car before I force you there myself.”

I take one last look at him, glaring as I slap him in the face. I turn around, taking my stuff from the car and walk as fast as I can in fear of what could happen to me. What did I just do?

I just slapped him. I couldn’t control the anger in me. I will not be spoken to that way by any man. Maybe it’s the whole fairytale dream but I want and deserve to be treated like a princess. I will not allow him to talk down to me that way or make threats even as minor as shoving me into a car to save my life.

With tears streaming down my face, I pull out my phone. Through blurry vision I scroll to find Luke’s number.

“You okay? What’s wrong?” he asks in a panic.

“Can you pick me up?” I cry and try to catch my breath. “I’m at the lake.”