Daisy (lashton)

Chapter 45

Luke was acting off. And Ashton wasn't stupid as to why. It was the one thing Luke had been telling him over and over again; not to let Maureen's words get under his skin. And what did the blonde boy do? Exactly that.

Ashton knew when it came down to it, Maureen's words could cut to the quick. But it seemed Luke was just now learning it.

He had been avoiding Ashton the whole day. The party was now in full swing, and as much as Ashton should have been enjoying his daughter's 6th birthday party, he wasn't. All he could think about was the tall blonde hiding behind his vintage film camera. Ashton knew he needed to talk to him, but every time he worked up the courage, something came up. And now was no exception.

"Ash-Ashton, c'mere!" He was broken out of his thoughts by the sound of an intoxicated Calum and Michael waving him down across the yard. Ashton sighed as he made his way through the crowd of toddlers and parents, smiling at the dance moms who complimented the party.

He approached the two boys that were slumped against the big oak tree in his mother's backyard and laughed. It was clear by their dopey smiles and glassy eyes that they'd been drinking, and if that wasn't clear enough, the pile of empty bottles next to them did it.

"Where the hell did you two get beer? I don't remember buying any alcohol for this party." Ashton's teasing voice and crossed arms made the two boys giggle. He could be such a dad sometimes.

"Of course you didn't, cuz you're boooooooring." Michael teased, elbowing Calum playfully as the Maori boy snorted.

Ashton rolled his eyes as he began collecting the bottles. "How did you two clowns find each other?"

Calum threw Ashton a cheeky grin as he sipped from his bottle. "The only two dudes that had the brilliant idea to bring alcohol to a child's birthday party? Of course we found each other."

Michael smiled, throwing his arm around Calum's shoulder and squeezing him tight. "And now we're best buds. Sorry Ash, you and Luke are kicked to the curb."

Ashton scoffed, trying to hide his smile as he continued to clean up the bottles that surrounded the boys. "I expected Michael to get trashed-"

"Hey!"

"-But you're supposed to be the mature one, Cal."

Calum just rolled his eyes as he finished off the last of his bottle and tossed it to Ashton. "What can I say, he brings out the worst in me." He leaned over and placed a sloppy kiss on Michael's cheek and the red haired boy pushed him away with a laugh.

"Don't tell Mallory or Crys, but I think Cal and I make a better couple."

"Dear god, only two hours together and you're already inseparable. I owe Luke ten bucks."

Both drunk boys laughed and Calum took a moment to look around the yard. Even in his drunken state, he could tell the younger one was missing. "Speaking of blondie, where is he?"

"He's right-" Ashton was ready to point out the tall blonde standing in the corner, but he was no longer there. He gazed around, taking in the laughing parents and squealing children, but there was no sign of his boyfriend. Ashton's eyes roamed around the yard once more before catching a glimpse of shaggy blonde hair through the back door. His back was turned to the door and he was leaning against the kitchen counter. Luke had been distant all day, but not this distant.

Without excusing himself, Ashton made his way across the yard and towards the house. He was stopped along the way by multiple ballet mom's gushing over Daisy and rubbing up against his side, but his eyes never left his boyfriend. He was afraid the younger boy would disappear if he lost sight of him.