Obsessive Secrets

Chapter 1

I lay my head down on Ashton’s chest as he slips his arm underneath my back, holding me close for a while. I was going to miss listening to his heartbeat. I was going to miss feeling him breathe in and out beneath me. I know that sounds crazy but some nights it’s the only thing that keeps me from staying awake. If I was distressed or worried or scared, all I had to do was listen to the rhythm of his heart and I knew everything was going to be okay.

I feel a hand stroke up against my ear and look up to see Ash staring into my eyes. “I’m gonna miss you so much.” I say. He sits up and kisses me on the forehead.

He doesn’t reply to my comment but instead changes the topic. “Are you hungry?” Am I hungry? Ash still hasn’t told me he was going to miss me. All he’s said is “I know babe. I know.” Why can’t he just say it back?

“No not really.” I say shaking my head.

“Babe. We’re both traveling early in the morning, you need energy.” He says getting up and offering me his hand. I take it. He pulls me up and wraps his arm around me as we walk inside. At this point it was 10 and the other guys would be back any minute now.

Ashton walks into the kitchen and starts opening the cupboards, he just forgot one thing, they’re empty. “Oh.” He says in realization. I laugh a little. “So babe. We kinda don’t have any food, because well, you know, no one is gonna be living here for like 4 months so-”

“I know Ashton. You asked me to throw the food out this morning, remember?” I say giggling.

He turns around and leans up against the table. I take this as an invitation and walk up to him, leaning against him as he places his hands on my lower back. “Oh yeah. Now I remember.” He says cheekily, kissing me.

We both turn our heads at the sound of a car door shutting. “They’re home.” I say smiling. Ashton just rolls his eyes at me. I walk over to the door to unlock it. Before I do, there’s a loud knocking noise.

“Hey! Is it safe to come in the house?!” Calum shouts from behind the door.

“No! If I were you I’d come back in an hour! Things just got really heated!” I say shouting back, messing with them.

“Well cool things back down and let us in!” Michael shouts.

“Nope sorry. You boys are just going to have to wait outside.” I say and Ash starts laughing, smiling at me.

“Please we are fucking freezing!” Luke finally shouts.

“Okay I think we should let them in.” Ash says, trying hard to keep his laughter in. I crack the door open and I see all three guys standing there. Luke has his arms wrapped around him, shivering.

“Luke, where’s your coat?” I ask because he was the only one not wearing one.

“I forgot it at the restaurant.” He says, clearly ashamed of himself.

I smile at him and roll my eyes. “Fine, you can come in.” Luke looks up with a big smile plastered on his face.

I open the door allowing the freezing boy to run in and jump on the couch, wrapping himself in a blanket. “Ah warmth, how I missed you!” he says cheerfully. Everyone smiles at the icicle on the couch. I sit down on Ashton’s lap, who is still seated at the kitchen table. He ties his arms around my waist as I lean my head on his shoulder.

“What did you guys do?” Michael asks, pouring himself a cup of water.

“Nothing much. Just hung out.” I say casually.

“That’s nice.” Calum replies back, smiling.

“Well I’m going to bed. We gotta wake up in like 7 hours anyway to get to the airport. Ughh.” Luke whines, stretching his arms out and then walking upstairs.