Damn, You're Cute (Michael Clifford)

Chapter 57

The whole room was still as Caroline slowly pulled away from Calum. Her eyes were on his while the two shared a silent conversation, Calum appearing surprised yet relieved. They acted like the rest of us weren't there as the shock seeped into their veins. Caroline had a nervous expression, but from kissing him, I could tell her heart was pounding in her chest.

"You were the reason why I couldn't call my crush," Calum breathed, breaking the silence. He was still staring right at her, Caroline's face lighting up. "It would've been awkward if your phone started ringing."

I knew his comment was supposed to be light hearted in order to kill the tension but Michael's arms were still in an iron hold around me. I quickly glanced at Luke, who was already looking at me for the same reason We both anxiously shared a moment, his eyes telling me that this was not a good situation. I ripped my gaze from him to watch Calum, although Luke's eyes were somewhat of a comfort to me.

"Oh," Caroline's mouth twitched up slightly, flattered by his comment. I hadn't ever picked up on a possible romantic relationship between her and Calum because of Ashton.

Ashton. His name began to repeat on a loop in my head as my stomach dropped. I could only imagine how he felt.

As if he read my mind, Ashton stood up from where he sat with a swift motion like he had just regained all feeling in his body. His face was rock hard, his normally tan skin almost pale as he began to stalk out of the room as fast as possible. He didn't look at any of us as he reached for the handle to Michael's front door and swung it open.

"Ashton, wait-" Caroline began but he snapped his head to look at her. Caroline's mouth quickly shut as he pierced her with his fiery eyes.

"Don't," he warned before slamming the door shut behind him. The sound echoed throughout the room and all of us sat uncomfortably.

Caroline and Calum kept from making eye contact with any of us while we all stared them down. Some serious explanation was necessary but I could hear Ashton's car engine turn on with a low rumble.

"I should probably go after him," Michael sighed, tapping my hip lightly as a signal for me to get up. Luke nodded and gathered his jacket, muttering something soft to Abigail. I, as gracefully as possible, stood and Michael quickly pecked my jaw line from behind as soon as he was standing too.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Michael told me in a quiet voice before speaking to everyone here. "If I'm not back by the time you guys leave, close the door and make sure it's locked. I have a key."

We all nodded, watching him hurry out the door after Ashton. Luke quickly followed leaving the girls and Calum behind.

"Don't you think you should go too?" Abigail asked with her eyebrows slanted downward. It frustrated me that I was thinking the same question. The idea of me and her on the same wavelength made me grind my teeth together.

"Yeah," Calum mumbled, obviously worried that he ruined a strong friendship with Ashton. He picked himself up, heading toward the door, but not before glancing at Caroline. "We need to talk after I figure things out with him."

"Of course," Caroline nodded quickly before cracking a soft smile despite the situation. "We have lot to discuss,"

Her faint happiness almost made me angry in a way. Sure, I was glad she was full of joy from kissing someone she had secretly liked but she had a boyfriend. Relationships are commitment and I didn't understand how she could do something like that with Ashton sitting right there.

Calum left, shutting the door softly behind him, which took me from my thoughts. As soon as he was out of sight, I leaned forward.

"Caroline, I don't mean to be forward but what the hell was that?" I asked, my voice laced with disappointment. She was so into Ashton two months ago but now, she goes and kisses Calum. I almost couldn't keep up.