Bloodlust | lrh

18. If it ain't broke don't fix it

Soka regrets killing Skylar. Not because she feels guilty. Absolutely not. Because she doesn't want the guys to leave her alone with Luke in the house again. What happened in his office the night before is eating away at her.

She's the first one up and is sitting in her favorite spot on the couch. Her mind is in the gutter, so much so that she doesn't even hold back when Ashton walks into the room.

"Is Luke dating Amelia?" She asks out of nowhere. It takes Ashton aback.

"No." He laughs, watching as the girl relaxes. He shuts up when he realizes she looks relieved. "They used to hook up." He tells her honestly. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the girl is interested in the blond.

"They don't anymore?" She asks, her attention fully on Ashton as she waits for him to answer.

"No. She's obsessed with him. He puts on a show for her so she doesn't stop getting us shit." Ashton chuckles. He thinks it's cute that she likes him, in a fucked up way at least.

It starts to make sense why Luke wanted her to stay in her room. She just nods, letting it sink in that Luke has a sex life. She wonders how many girls he has in his rotation.

"I was wrong ya know." Ashton starts, the girl turning back to him. "I've never seen him like this before. If that's what you bring out of him I don't think there's a reason for you to stay away." He tries to get her to open up about it, knowing she shuts it down every time he brings it up.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She mumbles, averting her always back to the empty yard.

"Can you just admit that you like him?" The boy throws his hands up, irritation getting the better of him.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"I give up. Have fun torturing yourself." Ashton says, bowing out gracefully.

"I'm not torturing myself. I just simply don't like him." She raises her eyebrows at the boy. Denial.

Footsteps on the staircase get them to both close their mouths. Luke comes around the corner and has an immediate demeanor change when he sees the girl is on the couch. He tenses up and sits as far away from her as he can.

"When do you want us packed up?" Ashton asks his boss, earning a frown from Soka.

She knew this was coming, but that doesn't make it any less disappointing. Luke glances at Ashton, and then he sees the look on Soka's face. There are those pesky little heart strings he hates to much.

"Stay as long as you want." He mumbles. Ashton's shocked.

"Why the change of heart?" Ashton chuckles, completely caught off guard. Luke glances at the girl again before answering.

"It's nice to have you around." Luke squeezes the words out painfully. He can't stand them being here all the time, but he has to admit that Ashton was right. He is less of a dick when they're here.

"Are you messing with me?" Ashton asks. He's more confused than shocked now that he sees the pained look on Luke's face.

"No. Someone has to talk to her." Luke says as he dismisses himself from the conversation. The boy wants to hit himself in the head for handling it like that. He hates that he can't just be nice, ever.

"Do you think Mike and Calum are going to stay?" Soka turns to Ashton with a massive smile.

"Let's ask." Ashton says, jumping up from his seat to run upstairs with her.