Chapter 8

Ashton’s POV

I am fuming when I step into my room. What the fuck did she say to me? I will not play games with that damn girl. And how the hell did she know what I said?

Luke is sitting on the couch when I fling open the door. Perfect. Just the person I want to see. I grab his phone that he is texting away on and chuck it across the room. It hits the wall with a hard thud before falling to the ground, pieces of the glass screen shattering across the floor. Luke glares at me, confused as to why I threw it in the first place.

“What the hell Ash?” He stands up. Luke has a few inches on me but I have more muscle.

“What the fuck did you tell her?” I shout in the middle of the common area. I push him back and he nearly hits the windowsill. Damn these tiny ass dorm rooms.

“Tell who?” So he’s going to be a smug asshole right now and play dumb.

“You just had to go over there last night and tell her, didn’t you?” I’m trying to contain my rage that’s boiling inside me. It’s really fucking hard when I want to run his head through the wall.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He shakes his head and sits back down on the couch.

“Shane. God” I groan. I wipe my hand across my forehead, trying to keep my cool. I really don’t want to hit him. “You are so desperate to get into a girls pants you go after her. Couldn’t you find you own girl to mess with.”

He lets out a breathy laugh. I’m glad he finds this so funny. “She’s all yours man” he says putting his hands up, not taking his eyes off the television. “I didn’t say anything about you.”

“Don’t lie.” Again I’m in his face, my hand clutching the back of the couch behind his head. I take a deep breath controlling myself from grabbing him by the shirt and throwing him on the ground. “You told her she only meant a good fuck to me.”

“So she’s more?” He stares me in the eye, trying to get a confession out of me. Well fuck that. That’s not happening.

“No” I shoot back. She’s not. She royally pissed me off the first night I met her. Who the hell wonders into some random persons room then tries to get into a bed that isn’t theirs? Right, only her. Only one good thing came from that night. After helping Miss Drunk Pants back to her room the girl I brought home was gone. I didn’t want her there. She passed out after we had sex. I tried waking her to kick her out but she wouldn’t budge. She was snoring so I knew she was all right. She was probably pretending to sleep just to stay with me.

I hate that. I hate girls staying over night. No, I will not cuddle with you. I will not be nice to you in the morning. I want to be left alone. Plus I like my space and dorm beds are the same size as me.

Apparently I made an exception for Shane. More than once. I don’t know what it is about her. The way she talked back to me really got under my skin. No girl has ever talked back to me like that. Not to toot my own horn but I can be a complete ass and they love it. Not her. Then she insulted my manhood. I think that’s what did it for me.

She made some stupid comment about me not being good in bed because the girl was being quiet and how I left the girl to help her home. I wanted to show her just how wrong she was. What was it she said when I told her to go home with me at the party? Oh yeah, I want someone who can please me. I’ve known her less than 24 hours at that point and she was already the most infuriating person I’ve ever met.

When that guy, who she was clearly not into, starting groping her I stepped in the only way I knew how. I helped her and what does she do? Gets mad. What kind of girl is she? She’s nothing like any of the girls I know. But no she is nothing more than a good fuck. That’s all.

 “Then why do you care what I said? … If I had said something” Luke questions.

“I don’t… Just shut up” I growl. I’m in no mood for his shit today.

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.”

“Want to know where that wrong side of the bed was?” I ask, raising my voice, wanting his full attention. “Not here. In her bed. In her fucking bed.”

“Yeah and…” Of course he doesn’t get it. Luke is the lovey dovey guy. He likes taking girls on dates and being all cute with them. It makes me sick.

“I wasn’t even drunk. We didn’t fuck. You know what that means for me?”

“That you might actually like this one?” he laughs.

“Fuck no.”

“Then stay away from her” Luke repeats himself for what seems like the 20th time. I get it. Stay away from her. I’m trying. She’s no good for me. And I’m sure as hell no good for her. If only she knew half the shit that goes on in my head she wouldn’t come anywhere near me. I’m fucked up. Anyone can easily tell. So why does she keep coming around?

“Trust me. I will.”

“You going to pay to fix my phone?” Luke picks up his shattered iPhone and hands it to me. I really messed it up. I shove it in my pocket. I’ll take it to the mall when I get a chance I suppose. I owe him that much.

I calm down and sit next to Luke on the couch. It’s been an off week for me. I honestly didn’t care that she left me there this morning. Waking up to that roommate of hers though really infuriated me. I don’t know how Shane puts up with her. Why does she? Can’t she just switch rooms?

Anyway, that bitch threw a container of pretzel rods at my head this morning while I was sleeping. I cursed her out before storming out of the room. She’s lucky she’s a girl. I would have knocked her teeth into the back of her throat.

Seeing Shane talk to that guy ignited something in me. I don’t care that she was talking to him. Actually, I do care. She goes from one guy to another that quickly? I’m not used to girls reacting like that. Not that we did anything but still.

“I spoke to Vanessa today” Luke distracts me from my thoughts. My head snaps in his direction. Vanessa. He knows better than to bring up her name. All the anger washes back. She’s in the past and to never be brought up again.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“She says hi.”

“I don’t fucking care.” Vanessa is a girl I used to hook up with. I met her two summers ago at a party at Michael’s house. The attraction was instant. It was the closest I’ve ever been to dating a girl. No, I did not take her on dates. I didn’t call her to hang out with me. We fucked a lot. It was more like friends with benefits than anything.  

My life is fucked up. No one belongs in it. I keep myself guarded and distanced from other people. If I let any one too close they are taken from me. It’s simple as that. I cared deeply for her though. Sometimes as only a friend. Sometimes more. I was quite protective over her. But apparently that wasn’t enough. It was best that she wasn’t with me anymore. In my mind I was doing her a favor.

“You know she’s dating Jared now right?” Luke said in a mocking tone. If I could kill one person and get away with it, it would be Jared. He’s taken so much from me. Including her.

Luke has a shit-eating grin on his face. Without thinking about it, my hand clenches into a tight fist. I have so much anger boiling inside that I don’t care if it’s his face I take it out on. I want to rip that ring from his lips. Before I can stop myself I swing my arm around only to have someone grab my forearm and pull me back.

“Gym!” Calum screams. “Now!” he demands pulling the back of my shirt. Luke takes a step back, not wanting to cause any further conflicts. I would have felt bad if I hit him but he was being a cocky son of a bitch. He knew I was pissed and bringing up history isn’t going to make me calm down.

***** 

Shane’s POV

“What the hell is eating you today?” Adrienne asks, concerned about my bad mood.

“Nothing” I answer with a hint of annoyance in my voice. I didn’t want to think about Ashton therefore I wasn’t going to talk about him either. He was a fun fling. That’s all.

“Okay fine” she rolls her eyes. I tell Adrienne everything. I’m a little embarrassed to tell her what I heard Ashton say. Especially after Alexa has been telling Adrienne all week the horrible things she thinks she knows about Ashton. Like I said my friends are the worst when it comes to helping me get over someone. They constantly talk about the guy. It may be all bad things to remind me to stay away but that doesn’t help. Because then he’s on my mind and I am silently defending him.

“Mike and I are going to dinner tonight. Want to join?”

“I’m not being your third wheel. I love you but it’s not happening.”

“Bring Ashton then. I heard he stayed at your room last night” she coos and I know she’s just waiting for me to dish out all the details.

“Yes and he freaked out this morning. So no I will not being go to dinner with Ashton.”

“Fine. Luke then?”

“Oh my god Adrienne” I whine. “I’m not into Luke like that.”

“But you are into Ashton?”

“No” I groan. “Please just stop. I’ve had a bad day. Ashton. Keith. This.”

“Wait Keith?” she stops walking.

“Yeah, he’s having a party tomorrow. He wants us to go.” Her face lights up. Adrienne always loves a good party. We have been avoiding his house for a while because Keith and I have been on the fence. But she loves partying there.

“So party tomorrow then?”

“I guess” I shrug.

“So are you going to tell me what happened between you and Ashton or not?” I know she’s mad I haven’t told her. I’m sure Michael has been filling her in on all the drama that’s been happening in their room.

“He came over. He fell asleep. When I was talking to Keith he came out of nowhere, all angry.”

“He likes you” she raises her eyebrows.

“Oh no” I shake my head. “I can’t stand him. He followed me to class. Who the fuck does that?”

“Because… he likes you” she repeats herself in the same playful tone.

“He doesn’t” I say more serious.

“You’re blind.”

“I’m not. He said, and I quote, ‘she’s just a good fuck.’” Adrienne rolls her eyes. She doesn’t believe it. “He told Luke flat out at the show.”

“I still think he’s in love with you” she says, now skipping towards the gym. I needed a work out to clear my head.

After changing, we head out to the main area where the treadmills are. I stick in my headphones and start slowly jogging. I scan the room and I see him.

He’s hot and sweaty and in a black tank top. He’s mad. Definitely mad. He’s hitting the punch bag and it’s swinging back and forth with force. Guess I’m not the only one that needs to let off some steam.

I can’t help but think who he’s envisioning as he hits the bag. Is it Keith? Is it Dan? Is it me?! The thought sends chills up my spine.

Why? Why does he have to be here right now? Looking like that. He wipes his arm across his forehead. I watch closely as he grabs his water bottle, throwing the cap to the side and running the water over his face and hair occasionally letting some of it fall into his mouth.

I lose my balance and almost fall on my ass. I catch myself before that happens. Thank god. That would have been embarrassing.

“And you don’t like him” Adrienne laughs.

“I need to go.” I grab my water bottle from the cup holder and head back to the locker room, leaving Adrienne to her workout. It’s pretty empty since most people have classes about now.

I clean my stuff out of the locker and head for the back door. Someone pulls me back.

“Hi” Ashton says barely above a whisper. He still out of breath from going psycho on the punching bag. It was hot. I won’t lie about that.

“What are you doing in here?” I don’t have time for his games or whatever he’s trying to pull right now. I’ve had enough Ashton for one day.

“Busy tonight?”

“Yes” I lie.

“Michael said you weren’t going to dinner with all of them tonight.” Thanks Adrienne. Does she tell Michael everything the moment it goes into her brain?

“I changed my mind.”

“Good” he smiles. “Would be pretty boring without you there.”

“You’re going?” I groan. From the time I saw him after class until now I hatched a plan to avoid him. He’s obviously toxic. I’ve had enough of guys like him.

“Oh yes” he says with a shit-eating grin on his face.

————- ———— ———————

I skim through my closet looking for anything to wear tonight. Amy is sitting on her bed, ignoring me as usual. I slip into a pair of jeans and wedges. I pull a sheer black button up tank top over my head and stare in the mirror. “What do you think?” I ask her.

“What do I think?” she puts down her notebook and taps her finger on her lips. She might actually have an opinion for once on my wardrobe. “I think… I’m not okay with you bringing guys home but it’s your room too. But don’t leave them here when you’re gone.”

“Ashton?” I ask her.

“Yes” she groans. “I broke all my pretzel rods because I threw the container at his face.”

“You what?” I laugh. Oh, that’s great. “Well thank you. He deserved that.”

“You could do so much better than him.”

“Thanks Amy. Trust me I don’t even want to go there.”

“But you did” she says. “At least twice” she giggles. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Amy talk about sex. She’s never even hinted at it. She’s really pretty and she can easily get so many guys if she just put herself out there. Instead she hides in our room and buries herself in books.

“I was drunk and it’s been a long time.”

“You look good though. Have fun tonight.”

“Do you want to come?” the words escape my mouth. Amy can’t stand Ashton. Or Adrienne for that matter. I’m sure she won’t get along with the other guys either.

“No thanks. I have a huge bio chem test tomorrow.”

“Okay. See you later.”

 The guys are late to the restaurant, which doesn’t surprise me at all. Guys always think girls are late. That is the biggest lie ever told.

Adrienne and I sit at the bar and order some drinks while we wait. And wait. I’ve had three lemons drops by the time they get there.

I sit between Luke and Ashton at the table. Calum, Michael and Adrienne sit across from us. I swear we went to dinner with five year olds. We’re not at the dining hall on campus. We’re at a some-what nice restaurant in town.

The four of them are blowing their straw wrappers at each other. Ashton blew one in my face and if looks could kill he would be six feet under. Once they get their drinks it’s like a full-blown circus at the table. I am the only one that appears to have a problem with it so I order another lemon drop hoping the alcohol will distract me.

They are flinging ice into cups of water. For what purpose? I have no clue. The table cloth is pretty much drenched by the time the waitress comes to take our order. She’s a bleached blonde. Her boobs are falling out of her white button up. I can see the line of her underwear under her tight black pants. Too much make-up is on her face.

“Hey Shelly” Calum smiles at her, trying to get the best view of her boobs. Perfect. Of course they know her.

“Hi Ashton” she says flirtatiously.  I get a ping of jealousy. Why did she say it like that? I shouldn’t care. I don’t. Oh, but I do. Ashton politely waves back and quietly looks down at his menu.

Somehow Calum and Michael manage to get their hands on some crayons. I wouldn’t be shocked if they bribed the kids at the table next to us. I look at Adrienne and she just shrugs. I give her a look as to say ‘this is what you’re dating.’ She smiles back at me. I love the fact that we can communicate without words.

Shelly brings our food. She places Ashton’s down in front of him, making sure to put her cleavage in his face. She has to be joking right now. She then runs her hand along his shoulder.

“Can I get another lemon drop?” I ask harshly.

“Don’t you think you had enough?” she asks and I’m about two seconds from knocking her to the ground.

“No, I don’t. Another please.” She rolls her eyes and if it was up to me she wouldn’t be getting a tip tonight.

My phone buzzes on the table. I snatch it before anyone else can read the message on the screen.

Adrienne: do I see a green eyed monster on your shoulder?

I put my phone screen down and glare at her. I am not jealous. I am annoyed with how hard she is trying and obviously he’s not into it. Wait… Why isn’t he into it?

By the time dinner is over I have successfully finished 6 lemon drops. Way over my limit.

“Michael’s going to stay at my apartment tonight. Do you mind getting a ride with one of the guys?”

“I love you” I sing and wrap my arms around her.

“Okay, she’s drunk.”

“I’ll take her home” Luke offers.

“No you won’t” Ashton interferes. “I’m taking her” he says but it sounds more like a demand.

“Yes, sir” I do my best soldier impression but end up in a fit of laughter. Calum and Luke go their separate ways. Ashton holds me up as he leads me to his car. “This is it?” I look up at his truck like it’s the Statue of Liberty. How the hell am I supposed to get up there?

Ashton opens the door and the top half of my body lies on the floor of the truck. I try to lift my leg but it’s a fail. Okay, new approach. I grab a hold of the handle, placing one foot in the truck and hoisting myself up. Ashton is hysterically laughing the entire time I am trying to get in. I would be mad but I’ve never seen this side of him. So playful.

“Would you like to try?” I growl at him. “If this was a race I’d be winning” I say rather proud of myself. I reach for the steering wheel and pull myself in. With a sigh of relief, I am in the car.

Ashton hops into the driver’s side with ease, shooting me an award-winning smile. He fires up the truck and roars the engine. Show off. “I didn’t pin you for a truck man.”

“My baby’s in the garage. She only comes out for special occasions.” Oh, okay. Boys and their toys.

“Maybe I’ll see it sometime.”

“Doubt that.” Okay then.

The ride back to campus is short. We walk quietly up the stairs. When I get to the 4thfloor I run away from him. I walk towards my room. I reach for the knob but it turns and out walks two gorgeous boys. I stare up at them in awe.

“Hi” I say full of joy.

“Hello beautiful” the tall blonde boy grins, taking my hand and twirling me around.

“Going out tonight?” the other one asks.

“No she’s not” Ashton interrupts. He’s always interrupting. Maybe I want to go out. He’s not my father.

“Where we going?”

“You’re going back to your room” Ashton orders. God, he’s so bossy.

I look at the door then back at Ashton. “This is my room.” The three of them look at me like I’m crazy. “Well have a good night” I wave to them and step in my room.

Ashton lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder. Clearly he like manhandling me. Or girl-handling me. “Put me down” I smack his butt. He walks down the hall towards the stairwell. “Bye!” I yell to the guys as they drift off into the distance.

Ashton doesn’t put me down until we get to my door. “Keys?” He puts out his hand and I drop my clutch into them. He huffs and opens it. “Where are your keys Shane?” he hisses. I shrug my shoulders and sink to the floor against the wall.

“Let’s go” he holds out his hand.

“It’s okay” I yawn. “I can sleep here.”

“Get up” he demands. I place my hand in his and am hoisted off the floor. “I’ll tell Calum to stay somewhere else tonight.”

“Or you can let me sleep in your bed” I raise my eyebrows at him. He glares at me. I’ll take that as a no.

I follow him slowly. I don’t want to fall. He scoops me up in his arms. Obviously I am not walking fast enough for him. My head rests in the crook of his neck and I begin to drift off.

He places me down on the bed. If I’m going to sleep alone I’d much rather it be in my own bed. I hear Ashton shuffling around in the dark room. There’s a slight dip in the bed and his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

I don’t say anything because I don’t want to anger him. So I lay here, grinning like an idiot, pretending to be asleep.

“Good night Shane” he whispers. If it wasn’t so quiet I would have never heard him, which I know was his intent. He places a soft his in my hair and lays his head on my shoulder.

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