Fractures

3 || The Deal

Chapter 3: The Deal

Ashton led me out the waiting room and into the hallway his strong muscle brushing against me, I could sense the scent of his cologne, the strength and tenderness at which he held me.

Away from the evasive ear of my mom, Ashton turned to me, a smile on his face.

“Someone was saying a lot about me, huh?” he teased.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t get full of yourself.” A small smile cracked on my lips and I brushed it away. I was supposed to be angry at him, when your “significant other” says he doesn't want to make it official, it isn't exactly something you gloss over.

But here I was, biting back smiles and laughs just looking at him, like we hadn't had an argument yesterday. I quickly leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his torso and hugging him. I was still so mad at him, I still wanted an explanation. But what I wanted more than that right now was him. To hold him, to know all that had happened yesterday didn't change the way we felt for one another.

“I didn't lose my scholarship,” I mumbled into his broad chest as Ashton hugged me back, continuously kissing my temple.

“I know, Maddie.”

I looked up at him, his blue eyes catching me in a trans.

“Maddie, I wasn’t being completely honest with you last night,” he said, still clinging onto me.

It didn't take a genius to know he was keeping something, Ashton was a terrible liar.

“I don't want to be that guy you think you can't trust, Maddie...”

“I trust you,” I said.

He smiled. The silence lasted for a moment, we just stood, holding each other in silence Ashton soon broke it.

“I made a deal with my dad,” he stated.

His grip on me loosened as he pulled back, taking a look at my expression. One which was filled with confusion.

“I didn't want to tell you this yesterday if he found out... But I asked him to help save your scholarship.”

Ashtons words were like bomb drops, Jaxon Malik had saved my scholarship? I knew he was a major sponsor for Prinscott and even made massive donation to the athletes. But for him to save my scholarship, that was another level of generous.

I narrowed my eyes. “What's the catch?”

Ashtons jaw ticked as his gaze fell to the ground, he shoved both hands in his pockets. “He said I had to end things with you...”

“What?!”

I knew Jaxon Malik hated my guts, he'd made that clear on numerous occasions. But for him to actively go out of his way to sabotage my relationship was obscene.

My phone pinged with a new message, I ignored it. Whoever it was could wait.

“He thinks you're–“

“A distraction? Bad luck? I think he's made that clear.” I scoffed, folding my arms. “Ashton, this is ridiculous.”

“I know, I know.” He pulled me into him. “But I can't let you lose this scholarship, I can only imagine how hard you worked for it.”

It had taken me days of continuous studies to even qualify for it. I didn't know what to say, I stood silent.

“I’m just thinking, maybe we could keep this" he gestured between both of us. "Maybe we could keep this down, just between a few of us… at least until things cool off,” he said, his arms wrapped around my waist.

Even as he said those words, I could feel the strain in his voice, he didn't want this anymore than I did.

“Cool off? When?” I asked. “You mean I can't see you anymore?”

“No!” he shot immediately, his tone telling me that would kill him. He gripped me tighter, like he was afraid to lose me. “No way!”

I held onto the fabric of his t-shirt, a bitter anger boiling within me.

“Trust me, Maddie, we’ll make this work,” he mumbled again, his voice providing some sort of comfort. "We just have to do things a bit more quiet… my dad has his eyes and ears on the whole college… we've just got to make things seem over"

Over, I didn't want it to be over. I didn't even think I could pull this off. Ashtons grip strengthened reminding me he was in this with me.

He was here. All this while, I felt I’d been carrying this burden alone, but Ashton was my boyfriend, he’d been carrying this alongside me. He was ready to stay away just so things could go smoothly for me. I loved him.

Ping!

I groaned, snatched my phone it my pocket with so much vitriol, it could snap. I looked at the screen, a message from Jessica.

Jessica- hey girl, can I stay at your place next semester? I’m really running low on cash, my mom's bills are priority right now so I got kicked out my apartment. Mind helping out?

Jessica- Hello?

I sighed. As much as Jessica and I had history, and a not so good one at that, she and Dale had really been helpful, a part of me felt grateful. And with all she was going through, she definitely deserved the assistance.

Maddie- Sure! I’ll talk to Angie, about it.

I sent the message, then turned to Ashton.

“Can I ask you this?”

He nodded.

“If I kept the scholarship, does that mean Joey was punished for his crime?” I asked.

Ashtons expression changed, he drew in a deep breath, sighing. “Doubtful, it's almost impossible they'll punish him... They’ll probably pin the blame on someone else.”

I knew that reply was coming. Joey was almost untouchable, I couldn't imagine someone taking the fall for something like this.

“But whatever happens–“ he pulled me closer. “–I’ll never let Joey anywhere near you, not again.”

•••

Did you enjoy the chapter?

It honestly took me a while to think of the dynamic in this book cause I wasn't ready to add a love triangle. Not saying they're bad (I've written a couple myself) but am I the only one who can agree that love triangles are usually written during sequels?

Who do you think is taking the fall? I’d love to know.

-Thea