S E E K I N G
I guess I've known it all along
• • •
"Alright, we're here." Calum says as they pull into Ashton's driveway. The guys had been spending nearly every waking hour in the studio, since they were a few days away from releasing their single, and a few weeks from the album. When they did get a small window to break, Mike had suggested they have a barbecue, to which Ashton volunteered himself as host.
"Yeah, thanks for almost killing us on the way." Roy scoffs. Calum had tried to avoid hitting a squirrel that apparently thought it had nine lives, causing him to break quickly.
"Mother nature would be proud of me." He jokes, unstrapping his seatbelt. He turns to look at Audra who had carpooled with them but hadn't said much on the drive. He could see her mind reeling with thoughts and had an inkling to what some of those thoughts were about. He waits until Roy is gone to walk around to her side, pausing in front of her. "Hey, you, okay?"
She glances at him, her eyes dropping down to their hands, not remembering when they got laced. "Are you sure I should be here?"
"I'm positive. Everyone wants to see you."
"Well not everyone." She mumbles, remembering the fact that Luke wasn't exactly their number one fan. It didn't feel good going in with that knowledge. "It just feels a bit weird."
And he hated how unnerved she looked. He sways their hands slightly. "Don't worry. No one's gonna start drama. I won't let them." And he was serious. Though he loved each and every one of his friends, he also loved her. Loyalty or not, the last thing he'd let them do is stress her out— especially not when she was in the most sensitive states of being.
Audra was keenly aware of his sudden overprotectiveness, and didn't quite mind really. She was, however, scared that his intensity for her would burn a bridge with the boys. Maybe she wasn't giving them enough credit. Either way, she didn't want to test that theory out and would never forgive herself if things went left.
"You don't start anything either." She says warningly.
"Why would I?"
"I just know you get testy when you're upset. And that can set someone off."
"Promise I won't start anything." He pulls them along. "Unless someone starts something with you." He mutters, and she only rolls her eyes before kissing his cheek.
"And the third early couple award goes to..." Ashton says opening the door.
"So, we're basically the last then?" Audra points out.
"Yeah, but I was trying to be nice about it." He giggles, pulling her into a hug. "Great to see you again Audr'."
"Same here, Ash. Where's our girlfriend?"
"If you're referring to my girlfriend," He quips, "she's in the den with the others." He turns to Calum, when she leaves. "Why so tense bro? We definitely need to get a beer in you or something."
"Yeah." He agrees, as they head to the kitchen. His looks towards the sliding door where Mike and Luke laughing at something Roy was saying. He decides to take Ashton up on that beer before going to greet them.
"This about you and Luke, isn't it?" It's hardly a question. "That's why you're tensed?"
"Not so much tense, but uncomfortable."
"You know this is Luke. He's only looking out for you. He doesn't have anything against you or Audr' man."
"So he says..." Calum shrugs. "But he's against our relationship, which makes me think he does have something against us."
