Beside You

Chapter 15

The bright sun wakes me up the next morning and I check my phone. There's a text from Luke.

Good morning ;) I smile at his cheekiness. I can picture the flirtatious smile on his face.

Hii. I respond.

Just a few seconds later I hear a beep and check my phone.

What are you doing today?? I think and realize I have absolutely no plans for the day.

Nothing, wbu?

The guys are making me go ice skating with them :/ Will you come?? Ash is bringing his girlfriend, so you won't be the only girl there.

I consider it. I have nothing else to do, and I love ice skating, so why not?

Ok :) What time?

We'll pick you up in an hour. Wear something warm ;)

I grab a pair of leggings from my closet and a black sweatshirt. Just as I am settled onto the couch with a bowl of Greek yogurt and granola, there's a knock on the door. I grab my skate bag and answer the door.

Michael, Calum and Luke are standing on the front porch. Michael pushes himself inside, making me laugh.

"Uh, hey guys. Come in?" I say with a bit of annoyance in my voice as Calum walks past me after Michael. Luke places a kiss on my forehead when he comes inside.

"Sorry. You know how they can be." He shrugs. I hear something break in the distance and run to my bedroom. I see Michael on the ground holding my lamp, which is in pieces.

He looks up at me. "Sorry, I was just checking out your room and this got knocked over." He sends me a sheepish smile. I get down on my knees and help him pick up the pieces.

"It's fine." I say with a sigh.

Michael laughs to himself. "What?" I ask.

"This is just the first time I've been in a girl's room in awhile." I roll my eyes at him.

"Okay guys, let's go." I announce. The boys follow me through the door, and I suddenly realize Ashton isn't here. I turn to Luke.

"Where's Ash?"

"Oh, he's meeting us there."

Once we get to the ice rink, my eyes land on Ashton and the pretty blonde girl he's with. She's incredibly skinny and tall, and way prettier than I will ever be. I start to feel insecure. Once Luke sees her, he's gonna realize there are way better girls out there than me. Shit.

"Hey, Paisley. Glad you could make it." Ashton gives me a quick hug. "This is Bryana, my girlfriend." She smiles and we shake hands.

"Nice to meet you." She says.

"So, how did you and Ash meet?" I ask.

She smiles and looks at her adoring boyfriend. They're holding hands. They're so cute together. "Well, we were actually both on the same flight from Australia to LA. I was coming back from a photo-shoot and we happened to sit by each other on the plane. We got to talking, and the rest is history." She looks at Ashton and he kisses her nose. I smile, even though I feel uncomfortable. I hate being a third wheel, especially when the other two are basically perfect.

"Yeah, I just couldn't stay away from her." Ashton begins. Suddenly I feel two hands wrapping around my waist. I turn around to see Luke smiling at me. I lean back into his chest.

"So, what are we talking about?" Luke asks, resting his chin on my head. Ashton's eyes are wide.

"Are you guys..." He points between Luke and I. Oh. I didn't even consider the other boys being a problem in knowing about Luke and I's relationship. I figured as long as we kept it from everyone at the office...