Broken

• Chapter 69 •

It's three in the afternoon. Someone knocks on my window and it startles me off my bed.

I groan as I massage my hip and look up to the window.

Oh, not someone. Ashton.

I give him a confused look and go to open it.

"Um? Hi? Could've used the front door you know," I point out.

"Are your parents home?"

"No. I told you they'd be out."

He narrows his eyes suspiciously and listens for any movements in the house. I frown at him and roll my eyes, "What's your deal? They're not going to eat you. Come on, we have shit to do."

I make my way towards my laptop and pull up our project as he climbs into my room and plops down on my bed. My room has suddenly gotten smaller. I glance down at what I'm wearing. Batman pajama bottoms, a tank top, and a black hoodie. I'm not even wearing a bra.

I zip up my hoodie to cover my tits and clear my throat, "So we have to add in the examples and add two pieces of commentary. And we also have to write up our conclusion."

He sits up on my bed and doesn't say anything for a moment, he just stares at me. I can't read the expression on his face. He breaks into a mischievous smile and brushes past me.

"Nice outfit."

"Shut it."

"No, I mean it. Cute."

I cock my eyebrow, what is with his mood swings? One day he's cold and another he's not. Maybe he's bipolar.

Although his comment was full of mockery, something flickers inside of me. Ashton removes his jacket and stands in the middle of my room. He scratches his head, and his shirt lifts up on one side, exposing his bare stomach.

Foomp! My inner fire ignites.

"It's really... Um... Organized," he says.

Fizz. Flames extinguished.

"Yeah. I can't handle messes," I shrug.

Determined to get our work done today, I pull my attention back to my laptop. He gets the hint and clears his throat, "Where do you want me?"

A funny look runs across my face before he realizes what he has said. He rolls his eyes, "You know what I meant."

I laugh and shrug, "Anywhere is fine."

___________________

"We. Are. Finally. Done."

I collapse onto my bed after saving the final version of our research project and emailing it to Ms. Shanice. Ashton smirks and cracks his neck. I check my phone to see that it's half-past eight, we haven't eaten anything. As though on cue, my stomach rumbles like an angry giant.

"You hungry?" I ask Ashton.

He nods and I jump up, leading him to the kitchen. I open up the fridge and find leftover pizza. Perfect. I pull it out and go to grab plates and cups, "What's your drink?"

"What do you have?"

"Juice, coke, water, beer, hard liquor, pretty much everything."

He has a thinking face for a while, "Beer is fine. I have to drive."

I pull out a beer and hand it over to him. "No Corona? I'm offended," he huffs.

My heart trudges and I grimace as I lead him and our frozen pizza to the living room, "Corona is forbidden in this household."

His eyebrows slam down abruptly, "Oh, yeah. What's your deal with that, anyway? Corona's good."

I shrug dismissively, "I don't have anything against the taste or quality of it. I just don't like it."

He cocks his eyebrow as though he wants me to expand, but I'm saved by someone calling out my name.

"Minty!"

My eyebrows knit together, oh shit. Mom and dad.

Ashton looks panicked. "Who's that?" he whispers.

I give him a sheepish smile, "The mailman?"

Ashton pinches the bridge of his nose. "Fuck, Clem. You told me they wouldn't be here!" he hisses.

I snort, he's a bit too freaked out for it to be considered normal. Why is he so against meeting them? It's not like they're going to shish-kebab his balls. I think.

"They're supposed to be out all day, I guess they came home early?" I shake my head at him.

"Minty, I—" dad stops in his tracks and frowns in confusion.

He studies Ashton, who is now frozen in place, and my sheepish face. I shrug and mouth Ashton. Dad's face relaxes in comprehension, and it turns to apprehension.

"So. You must be Ashton," dad steps up to Ashton, who looks like he's about to shit his pants for once.

"Um. Yes, sir."

I snort at his properness. This is new.

"Brandon, who are you—" mom peeps her head around and her eyes widen in surprise.

"It's that Ashton kid I told you about," Brandon tells her.

My heart drops, what? He told her about Ashton? What the hell did he tell her? I narrow my eyes at him, and he shakes his head as though to say don't worry, I didn't tell her anything.

Mom's face brightens up and she examines Ashton before breaking into her thousand-watt smile, "You're so pretty!"

My face falls and my cheeks flame, Ashton clears his throat beside me. Also taken aback by her comment.

"Mom!" I snap.

"What? It's true," she shrugs and walks over to Brandon with her crutches.

"Did you guys eat yet?" dad asks us.

I shake my head, "We were just about to eat this pizza—"

"Nonsense! I'll cook dinner for all of us," mom cuts me off. "Ashton, I insist you stay!"

What the hell did dad tell her?

"Uhm..." Ashton looks like he'd rather be shot, "I actually have to get home—"

Maybe I should record this for future blackmail purposes. Ashton Ashford is terrified of meeting the parents, ladies, and gentlemen.

"It won't take too long. Besides. We want to get to know you," dad tells him sternly, but adds a smile to try and ease his nerves.

I glance at Ashton. Not working.

Ashton clenches his jaw and nods once, "I'll see what I can do."

"Brandon, help me make dinner," mom tells him.

"But—"

"Now," she barks.

"Fuck. Fine, woman," he picks her up bridal-style and carries her to the kitchen.

Ashton and I look at each other, and I know that this is going to be one hell of a night.