The Redemption of Ace Merrill

Shirt buttons

Stella awoke to loud shouts coming from upstairs.

She quickly jumped off the sofa as she heard the girls voice shouting at Ace. From what she could make out, the girl had found an item of clothing that clearly didn't belong to her.

Just as she was beginning to struggle with what to do, footsteps were heard and Ace soon appeared.

"Oh shit it's you!" He almost jumped as he tried not to bump into her. "I need-"

His words were cut off as his eyes once again looked her up and down. He was never usually one for letting a girl wear his clothes but Stella had nothing else and it seemed to work.

"Fucks sake Ace!" The girl shouted as she stormed down the stairs and burst into the living room.

She was set to continue shouting at him but stopped as her eyes fell on Stella. She eyed her up and very quickly noticed Ace's shirt, barely covering her.

"I thought you were fucking Eyeball?" She snapped at Stella.

Stella shook her head.

"Look Shayla can we-"

The girl scoffed as she snapped her head to Ace. "My names Sandra."

Ace stood back slightly. "Shit."

"Who the fuck is Shayla?!" She snapped.

Ace sighed slightly. "Honestly? No fucking clue, I don't remember."

The now named Sandra's face filled with anger as she tugged down at her dress from the night before.

Yet just as she went to take a step closer, her mind fully focused on hitting Ace, she was stopped.

And once more, one of Ace's one night stands dropped unconscious to the floor.

Ace laughed slightly as he nudged Stella's back. "Okay I'm definitely using you again." He said confidently.

Stella turned and looked up at him. She managed a small smile as she saw Ace's mouth crack to one for a split second before it went again.

"Shirt suits you." He mumbled as he went to bring a hand up to it but stopped himself.

Stella nodded slowly, yet just as she went to speak the door opened.

Eyeball, Billy and Charlie all stumbled in laughing together. Their eyes fell on the unconscious girl and Ace and Stella standing there as Eyeball grinned.

"Killer punch?" He asked.

Ace nodded as he couldn't stop the small smile on his face.

"Well I was gonna suggest breakfast?" Billy mumbled as he didn't hide the fact he was eyeing up Stella in Ace's shirt.

Ace nodded slowly. "Get her home first." He snapped down at his one night stand.

The boys nodded as they all bent down and attempted to scoop her up as she somewhat flailed in the arms.

"You want a shower?" Ace asked Stella quietly.

She looked up at him blankly as he sighed slightly. "You really have lost it all ain't you?"

"Come on." He mumbled as he placed a hand on her back and guided her out.

Leading her up the stairs, he walked into the bathroom. Stella watched as he showed her how to work the shower.

Yet if she was honest, it still baffled her. She gave him a small smile as he left quickly before returning.

"I got your jeans and a new top. We'll pick you up some clothes today or something?" He offered as he handed her the bundle of clothing.

Stella nodded as she gave him another smile. She placed them down as she attempted to fiddle with the buttons on the shirt.

"Eyeball!" Ace snapped impatiently as he couldn't pull his eyes from her.

Growling slightly he realised the boys had already gone to take whatever her name was home.

Stella turned to Ace slowly as she almost looked like she wanted to ask for help.

"I'm not sure I'm the one to help with that." He mumbled as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Can't you do them either?" She finally spoke up, taking a small step closer to him.

Ace shook his head then quickly nodded. "No I can, I just meant-" he paused. "I just don't have the best restraint, as you can probably tell." He mumbled as he waved his arm about.

Stella looked at him confused.

"And you have no fucking clue what I'm talking about." Ace sighed out as he sat down on the edge of the bath. "That makes it fucking worse."

"It's not bad is it?" She asked quietly.

Ace quickly shook his head. "No no, not bad." He turned his head to look up at her. His eyes focused on her long legs that were barely covered by his shirt.

He groaned slightly to himself. "Definitely not bad." He grumbled out as he looked away.

Rising to his feet he tried to look anywhere but her neck and collarbones, also barely covered by his shirt.

"Just wait till Eyeball gets back. He'll help you." Ace snapped as he quickly left the bathroom.

Stella took a small step as she sat on the edge of the bath where Ace had been. What had she done wrong?

*****

"Boys are waiting out in the-" Eyeball started but stopped as he saw Ace now sat on the sofa, his head in his hands.

"She needs a shower but she can't..." Ace mumbled as he looked up and sighed.

"Shirt buttons?" Eyeball finished.

Ace nodded as he sighed again. "You all wanted to bring her home instead of somewhere else, you all can deal with her." He tried to snap but Eyeball wasn't buying it.

"She suits your shirt doesn't she?" He cautiously pushed Ace.

"Just go fucking help her."

Eyeball smirked down at Ace. "Any ground rules?"

Ace glared up at him in silence. Eyeball nodded.

"Understood." He mumbled as he walked out and began up the stairs.

"Don't fucking touch her." Ace quickly snapped as he moved to the bottom step.

"Knew that already!" Eyeball shouted back as he disappeared into the bathroom.