Crash 》Hemmings

Chapter Twenty Three

"Ash," I sighed into my phone. "You and Bianca have been seeing each other for awhile. You'll be fine to go on a date with her alone. If she hasn't left you by this point, I don't think she will be anytime soon."

"Pleaseeee," Ashton begged. I rolled my eyes as I hung upside down off my bed. "It's just to the beach. Come on Crash!"

"You're going to the beach!" I exclaimed. "There will be loads of other people there. No, Ash. You'll be fine."

"Crash," he whined. "Pretty please? Pretty pretty please?"

"You're annoying."

"Pleeasseeeee."

I groaned loudly into the receiver. "I hate you."

"Great! So I'll see you soon!" And he hung up.

*

"What kind of date is the beach?" Luke questioned, driving the two of us to Ashton's apartment. I shrugged. At least Ashton was going on dates. I still didn't know what Luke and I were.

"Can we go skinny dipping?" Luke asked. He had all the windows rolled down and the wind was whipping his hair all over.

I laughed. "It's a public place."

"Your point?"

I lightly hit him on the arm and he chuckled. He pulled up to the curb and I instantly spotted Ashton, grinning ear to ear. He was lucky he had an adorable smile.

"Hey guys," he said sliding into the backseat. Bianca followed shortly after him. It was nice to know they were still getting along. Ashton needed someone like Bianca in his life.

"Hey," I said. "So...the beach huh?"

Ashton nodded, fiddling with the strings on his shorts. I hardly saw him wear shorts, so it always surprised me. Much like Luke. I was used to seeing him in his black skinny jeans. So when he picked me up, sporting bright green swim trunks I couldn't help but giggle.

"When was the last time you guys were at the beach?" Luke asked, trying to make small talk.

"I don't even remember," Bianca spoke up. "I've been so busy lately, so this'll be fun."

I had to agree with her. I didn't remember the last time I was at the beach either. It wasn't that far away from my apartment, I just never had the urge to go. I wasn't the tanning or looking for sea shells by myself type.

"So, what are you two?" Bianca asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"Are you two dating?"

My face heated up as I looked towards Luke. I was going to let him answer this one. When he noticed my stare he cleared his throat.

"Uh, not exactly.."

"Why not? I thought you wanted I date her," Bianca pressed on. I closed my eyes, wishing this would end.

"It's complicated," Luke muttered. Thankfully we reached the beach. Before Luke even had the car in park I opened the door and hopped out. He popped the trunk and I grabbed my drawstring bag.

"It looks really busy," Ashton noted. I nodded. It was the weekend, and hot and sunny. It was also California. Everyone here seemed to live at the beach.

"Did you ask Michael if he wanted to come?" Ashton asked me as we made our way towards the sand.

"Yeah. He said he didn't want to be a fifth wheel or go out into the sun and in public."