Chapter 18

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Ashton checked with his manager to make sure everything was all good before heading over to Michael's bar for their Wednesday hang out.

    He'd been attending the last couple weeks because he hadn't seen Luke around much and had hoped to catch a glimpse of him.

    There was something weird going on with the blonde boy, and Ashton was determined to figure it out. He felt like the two of them had started off rocky, then there was some point where they were almost friends, but all of a sudden Luke started acting weird again. He'd like to know why and get some answers.

    Ashton entered the bar through the back staircase that he knew was kept unlocked. Often the staff would use it, but he figured he was able to use it too. Once he reached the top floor and looked around, he attempted to locate Luke. He saw Harry and Naba at the bar flicking each other with towels since there weren't any customers. Michael, Nicky, Heather, Liam, and Ben were at their usual table, but no Luke. Maybe he was in the office or something.

    Ashton made his way to the bar to get a drink before he went to sit with his friends.

    "Eyyy it's Ashton!" Harry announced, throwing his towel at Naba to end their game before he leaned on the counter in front of where Ashton took a seat. Naba caught the towel and shook her head at Harry, even though he couldn't see her. Ashton gave her an understanding smile.

    "'Ello Harry," Ashton greeted, grinning as he sat on one of the leather stools.

    "What can I get for ya?" Harry asked.

    "Whiskey sour?"

    "Sure thing," Harry set about making the drink and Ashton pretended to be casual and look around.

    "It's kinda dead here tonight,"

    Harry shrugged, focusing on the drink in his hand.

    "I guess so. I mean, Wednesday night isn't exactly a prime bar night, but we're usually decently busy with Michael and his gang."

    "Hm, yeah." Ashton nodded his head slowly. "What's Luke doing? Is he working in the office tonight? I know he does that sometimes,"

    Great job, Ashton. Way to sound totally casual.

    "No, he hasn't been around much. Michael said that incident the other night really shook him up, so he's only here when Michael can be with him. He's relaxing at home tonight." Harry didn't notice anything suspicious about his questioning.

    Ashton frowned. Poor Luke, that must be terrible to not feel comfortable in the very bar he worked at.

    Then Ashton thought about it.

    The situation was fine until Michael intervened. Ashton had shown up while Luke was laughing and chatting with those guys, and Michael was the one who got all angry. What was Luke upset over?

    Ashton took his drink and walked over to the table.

    "Hey, Ash!" Michael cheered, and everyone threw him a hi or hey.

    "It's real nice to see you here every week," Heather said with a wink. She was still hoping that Ashton would ditch his preferences for men and slide over to her.

    She was hoping in vain.

    Ashton just rolled his eyes because he'd tried to let her down gently at first but since she still wasn't getting it, he had to become more intense. Now he sort of just ignored her thirsty comments.

    "What's going on, everyone?" He said, taking a seat at the end of the booth. He was two people away from Heather, which seemed a bit too close for his liking, but there was no other place. He was next to Michael which was good, because then maybe he could get more information about Luke's whereabouts.

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