Chapter 14

Why did I bring so much with me? Lugging all this back up the stairs is really a pain of the ass. I need to get one of those passes so I can use the elevator.

Ashton left earlier than I did so I can have a little more time with my family. Now I wish I left at the same time so he could help me carry all of this up the stairs. I could call him but he’s probably ‘too busy’ to help me out.

“Hey” Luke says from the top of the 4th flight. “You’re back” he smiles down at me.

“Yeah” I breathe out and drop two bags from my arms. The red marks are already present.

Luke runs down the stairs, grabbing everything from my hands and the floor besides my purse. I wish there were more gentlemen out there like Luke. Sadly, there aren’t. Especially in a college environment.

“Thanks” I breathe a sigh of relief and follow him up the steps.

“What happened to your head?” he brushes my hair out of my face. I forgot I still had a bruise and a small bump on my forehead.

“I got hit by a foul ball.” Trying to hide his smirk he just nods his head.

I struggle with the key in the door. Something about Luke standing over my shoulder has me all out of sorts.

Finally I get the door open and luckily Amy didn’t lock our bedroom door. We could have been standing there for another five minutes.

Luke places all my bags on my bed and turns to leave.

“Thanks again. Sorry if you were in a rush to go somewhere.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “It’s okay Shane. It’s just a date.”

“Just a date?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

“I’m taking Danielle to the movies. Nothing serious.”

“Oh” is all I reply.

He turns around again to leave. I’m staring down at my feet making circles on the floor, trying to get the image of Luke and Danielle together. “That’s okay, right?”  he asks, pulling from my thoughts.

My cheeks flush red, embarrassed that he caught me frowning over him going on a date.

“Yeah, it’s cool” I nod my head. “Have fun.” He shoots me a smile and runs down the hall.

I push all my stuff off my bed just wanting to get some sleep. I crawl under my covers when the door flings open.

“Thank god you’re back!” Michael says out of breath. I should have locked the door. I need to learn to start doing that. You never know who might drop in. “I need your help!”

My mind immediately goes to Ashton and what he might be doing now. I sit straight up, getting ready to make my way down the hall and stop Ashton from throwing Calum out the window or through the TV or something.

“Where are you going?” Michael asks me when I walk into the common room.

With a loud yawn, I simply say “Ashton.”

“This has nothing to do with him” he says with worry in his voice. “Sit” he demands.

I do as he says and he sits down across from me on my bed.

“Adrienne’s parents are coming to town tomorrow.”

“Okay…”

“Okay?” he shakes me by the shoulders. “They’re going to hate me.”

“The Olsen’s are nice people. They are not going to hate you.”

“Shane” he sighs. “This is serious. You’ve seen the guys she’s dated. I’m nothing like them.”

“Thank god” I laugh. Adrienne doesn’t have the best track record with dating. It’s usually preppy douches that I can’t stand. Thankfully she breaks up with them before I really have to spend time with them.

But I love Michael. I think he’s really good for her. He brings her down to earth and doesn’t wait on her hand and foot like most guys do.

And I honestly think she truly likes him. It’s the longest she’s been with someone since I’ve known her. She’s constantly smiling when she’s around him. She finds little excuses to see him. She’s not the girl to ask a guy to hang out with her so she just finds ways to bump into him.

Like coming to my room when she has no reason to. Then taking the long way out of the building to pass his room, hoping the door is open and she can drop in to say “hi.” I think it’s adorable.

“If it makes you feel any better her parents haven’t liked one single guy she’s introduced them to.”

“How is that supposed to make me feel better?” he groans and falls back against the mattress.

“They’re going to love you” I assure him.

“Okay but what do I wear? What do I say? Should I dye my hair brown?” His eyes grow wide at the thought. I love his blue hair and I wouldn’t want him to change it. I know Adrienne wouldn’t want him to either.

He may not be her type physically. He’s more punk than she normally goes for but he’s perfect for her.

“Don’t dye your hair!” Michael shouldn’t have to change who he is to please her parents. I would never want a guy to change who he is to make my parents like him – appearance or personality.

“Come with me” he grabs my hand, yanking me down the hall. We brush right past Calum and Ashton into Michael’s room. He slams the door and pushes me on the bed.

If he weren’t so in love with Adrienne I would have completely taken this the wrong way.

“Which one?” he holds up two shirts. One is a pale blue button up and the other is a plain black sweater.

I look back and forth between the two shirts when the door bursts open and an angry Ashton is on the other the side.

He looks over at me sitting on Michael’s bed. “What the fuck is going on in here?” Ashton snaps.

“Black or blue?” Michael turns to him.

“Oh I’ll give you a black and blue” Ashton takes a big step towards him.

I stand up, stepping between the two of them. “He’s having dinner with Adrienne and her parents. What shirt do you think he should wear?” I look Ashton in the eyes and his body noticeably relaxes.

“Black” he tells Michael. “You look like shit in blue.”

I leave Michael to get ready. I sit down on the couch between Calum and Ashton who have resumed their game.

Adrienne is texting me non-stop, freaking out just as much as Adrienne but for different reasons. She thinks that once Michael meets her family he will break up with her because they are loud and obnoxious with no filters.

I love her family. They are so much fun to be around. Then again she thinks my family is great to be around too and I couldn’t agree any less.

I finally calm her down via text. Ashton is constantly glancing over my shoulder to see who I’m texting. He has no right to even be jealous regardless of who I was texting. If I wanted to text Keith or Frankie he is not entitled to an opinion.

“Is this okay?” Michael steps out of the room.

“Perfect” I tell him at the same time Ashton and Calum just shrug. “Ignore them. You look great.”

“Thanks Shane” he smiles. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You’re welcome” I stand up and wipe out a few of the wrinkles on his shirt. “At least someone appreciates me.”

“Why don’t you take Shane on a date?” Calum laughs and Michael joins in with him.

Ashton’s jaw clenches. I know how mad that makes him.

“It’s okay” I shrug it off like it doesn’t bother me. It bothers me. A lot. “I know Ashton would never do that.”

“You know what?” Ashton turns to me. “We’re going to dinner tomorrow night.”

“It would be nice if you ask me” I fold my arms across my chest, narrowing my eyes in on him.

“I thought I just did” he puts down the remote.

“No. You told me.”

“Don’t push me Shane. You’re lucky I’m even offering to get dinner with you.”

“Should I be swooning?” I ask sarcastically but inside I actually am doing a happy dance. Ashton is taking me on a date. A real date. Just the two of us at a restaurant. Let’s pray nothing goes wrong.

“Reilly’s at 8.”

“Fine” I grin.

“Fine” he mocks me.

“Look at that” Calum slaps Ashton on the back. “Ashton’s going to be his first date” he pinches his cheeks. Ashton immediately pushes him away threatening to throw him down the flight of stairs if he ever touches his cheeks again.

“I’m leaving” Michael says, interrupting the two idiots from killing each other. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck” I smile and give him a hug. “Remember just be yourself.” He nods and then leaves.

“That’s going to be disastrous” Ashton laughs as soon as Michael is out of hearing distance.

“No it’s not” I shoot back. “They’re going to love him.”

“Parents hate any guy their daughter brings home.”

“My mom didn’t hate you” I remind him. Surprisingly she was very fond of Ashton. She loved Cody because he was the poster child for the perfect boyfriend. It took her a few months to warm up to Keith. But Ashton – she liked him right off the bat despite the fact that I spent the night crying over him.

********

“Eeeeeep” Adrienne jumps on my bed bright and early in the morning. “I had the best night!”

“I told you” I yawn.

“It was perfect. My parents adored him. He charmed the socks right off of them.”

“Michael… charming?”

“You know what I mean” she shakes her head. “So…” she pokes my side. “I hear you and Ashton are going on your first date” she claps her hands together. I think she’s happier than I am.

On the inside I am doing cartwheels but I don’t want to get my hopes up in front of anyone. “Yeah” is all I say back.

“I thought you would be jumping for joy. You nervous?”

“I don’t know” I shrug.

“Since when has Shane Harrison been nervous about a date with a boy?” she places her hands on her hips as she stares at me in disbelief.

“Since I can’t read this boy. The only reason he likes proving people wrong. If Calum never opened his mouth we wouldn’t be going in the first place.”

“So?”

“So… I know he really doesn’t want to go.”

“Shane” she sighs. “I’ve said this and I will continue to say it until you listen to me. Are you listening?” she stops to make sure she has my full attention. I nod my head. “He’s so in love with you.

“Stop saying that.”

“I just told you that I wouldn’t. You really don’t listen to me. Anyway tell me about your weekend.”

“It was good” is the only bit of information I give her, which of course isn’t good enough. “He was really nice all weekend. He’s so good with Kyle and Bella. You should have seen it.”

“That’s adorable. Now get up! We’re going shopping.”

“No” I whine. “I want sleep!”

She flicks my forehead and I cry out in pain. “Holy shit!” Adrienne covers her mouth. “Did he hit you or something?”

“What? No. I got hit by a ball.”

“Oh. So that’s what you’re in to. I always knew you were the kinky one. I thought Michael was in to some weird stuff but-”

“At a baseball game” I groan. “You are sick.”

“Well I know this make-up artist at Bloomingdale’s who will take care of that. Grab your black card. You are going to look hot tonight.”

———-

Thank god for Mallory at the make-up counter. You can barely tell that I have a melon on my head. Plus she did my make-up so beautifully that I’m sure no one would be focusing on my forehead.

We spent all afternoon at the mall. Getting lunch, going in and out of every store. She asked me over hundred questions about my weekend home with Ashton and I answered most of them.

Adrienne managed to pick out the tightest, shortest, most expensive dress that Bloomingdale’s had to offer. But I won’t deny that it looks perfect on me and boosts my confidence.

“Welcome to Reilly’s” the hostess says sweetly. “Do you have a reservation?”

I look around and can’t find Ashton anywhere. “Irwin, maybe.”

She scans the list looking for the name. “Yes, Irwin party of two for 8 o’clock. Would you like to be seated now?”

Deciding that I need a drink first to calm my nerves I follow her to the table. I order a glass of wine and wait.

And wait.

And wait.

“Another glass Miss?” the waiter stops by the table. I nod my head, completely embarrassed that I’m still sitting here when I know he’s not coming. “Can I say something?”

I signal for him to take a seat. He’ll probably get in trouble for slacking on the job but he sits anyway.

“He’s an idiot.” I look up at him confused. “The guy who stood you up tonight.”

“No. I’m the idiot” I shake my head and finish off my glass. He fills it up again, almost to the brim. “I should have known he wouldn’t be here. Typical Ashton.”

“Any man would be lucky to be sitting across from you. It’s a shame that he doesn’t see that.”

“Yeah, well” I shrug, taking another long sip.

“I have to get back to work. Anything you ordered is on me.”

“Thank you…”

“Nathan. Nathan Reilly.” Must be the owner’s son. Now he’s a catch. Working for his parents though he doesn’t have to. He’s sweet, kind and makes me blush.

I call Adrienne on my walk back to campus to rant and vent. My feet hurt from being in these shoes and I’m freezing because I didn’t bring a jacket thinking that Ashton’s car will be warm.

“Red or white?” she asks, referring to the bottle of wine I’m in desperate need of.

“Red” I say into the receiver.

“You sure he stood you up? You didn’t mix up the dates or the restaurants?”

“He made a reservation Adrienne. He stood me up.”

I am slightly drunk and ready to open another bottle with Adrienne. This is what we do. Any heartbreak, stupid fight or we’re just upset about a boy we drink away our sorrows. Tonight looks to be like two bottles of wine, mostly to be drank by me.  

As I get to my floor I hear Adrienne screaming for someone to open the door as she pounds on it. I stand in the hall, listening to her yell.

“You are playing X-Box?!” she screams at the top of her lungs. “You’re a fuckin’ idiot! I have no idea why she even likes you or puts up with any of your shit! I would have walked away from you the first day” she roars.

“I know Adrienne” Ashton snarls.

“No you don’t!” she yells back. “I hope another guy hit on her while she waiting for you to show. I hope she went home with him too.”

“Shut your fuckin’ mouth!” he barks at her. I almost want to step in and stop it but I can’t move my feet. This is the first time Adrienne has ever gone off on a guy for me.

“Don’t talk to her like that!” Michael jumps in.

“Get her the fuck out of my room.” I can picture it all in my head. Ashton just took a step towards Michael, fisting his shirt ready to knock him out. Luke is probably sitting on the couch, completely irritated with the scene around him. Calum is probably laughing to himself as he watches his roommate losing his mind.

“Because you’re a fuckin’ tool don’t take it out on her. Or me” Michael shoots back.

“I’m sorry” Ashton sighs.

“I’m not the one you should be saying sorry to but you’ll be lucky if she ever speaks to you again.”

“I know” he says defeated.

“No you don’t” she continues on and at this point I would rather her just keep quiet. “She was so excited for tonight. This weekend you made her the happiest person. Where is that Ashton?”

The room falls silent. All you can hear is the faint sound of the game in the background.

“You coming home with me?” Adrienne asks Michael.

“Uh, yeah. Just don’t destroy anything.”

I start running down the hall but Adrienne sees me before I turn the corner.

“Hey!” she calls out for me.

“Hi” I respond quietly.

“You okay?”

“Mhmm” I shake my head, fighting back some drunken tears.

“Want to come stay with me tonight? The three of us can cuddle and watch movies all night.”

I feel bad imposing on Adrienne and Michael. There were many nights that Keith, Adrienne and I have shared a bed when Adrienne was upset over a guy. I knew it made her feel better so maybe it would work for me. And with the two of them my mind would be off Ashton.

“You look gorgeous” Michael winks and I accept his compliment.

I slide into the backseat of Adrienne’s car when I hear a loud slap against the window. “Shane” Ashton breathes out my name.

Adrienne locks the doors so he can’t open them. Through the small space in the window I ask him what he wants.

“Will you please come back inside and talk to me?” He looks sad and angry but hopeful.

I’m completely torn. I don’t know what to do. He stood me up and from what I gather all he was doing was playing some stupid X-Box game with Calum. There wasn’t an emergency. He didn’t call and say he couldn’t make it. He let me go to the restaurant and sit alone like a fool waiting for him.

Adrienne turns her head over my shoulder waiting for my response. My heart is screaming yes. So is my body. But there’s this tiny voice in my head reminding me of all the reasons I should say no.

Yet all I can think about right now is that he ran after me – that has to mean something, right?

** it might be some time before the next chapter due to a family emergency ... ill update when i can.