The Arrangement

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Ashton literally stands staring at the door where Carter has just stormed out of. The towel still wrapped around his waist and droplets of water scattered over his skin.

He seems completely and utterly bewildered by the way Carter just acted, and from the way his shoulder deflate I quickly gather that it's hit him hard too.

Finally he turns his attention back to me, where I'm still sitting on the bed.

"I'm sorry" he mumbles, his tone soft and laced with remorse. "I don't know why he acted that way"

"I do" I reply bluntly and shrug my shoulders when he continues to look at me like he's still bewildered.

Sighing, I pat the bed next to me, feeling a little bit like it's kind of condescending. He comes over to sit next to me and I take a deep breath as I prepare myself to give him the cold hard truth.

"He's acting that way because he genuinely thinks you want to up and leave him" I explain and when he goes to open his mouth to reply I cut him off before he even gets chance. "I'm not saying the way he's behaving is in any way appropriate but I do see things from his view point"

"Which is?" He asks and deep down I think he already knows why, he just doesn't want to admit it.

Not even to himself.

"He's just found out the woman that tried to kill one of you wanted you to run off into the sunset with her" I explain in the simplest way I can.

Straight away he starts shaking his head and it's obvious what his response is going to be before the words even leave his mouth.

"It wasn't exactly like that" he sighs sounding like he doesn't believe himself either.

I don't bother pointing out that it was indeed exactly like that, instead I continue.

"He then come to discover that you actually considered leaving with her, not once thinking that it would be a good idea to discuss that with him, share how you felt" as I relay this to him my tone is a little harsher than I intend it to be, although I do feel like it causes there to be more of an impact and understanding.

Again he shakes his head, but this time his expression softens as he seems to really take in what I've just said.

"I would never have gone, I couldn't" he explains and I do believe he means it, it's clear to see that what he has with Carter runs deep yet their miscommunication or lack of it completely will without a doubt be the end of them.

And for the life of me I can't figure out why I feel the need to attempt to help them, any of them after what they did, yet here I am about to do exactly that.

"Why though?" I ask arching a brow at him, "Why couldn't you do it?" I feel like for once he actually needs to voice exactly how he feels about Carter and what they share before it's too late.

Who knows it might even help him come to terms with who he is a little bit too.

He lets out a lengthy breath, seemingly preparing himself. After a few beats he finally speaks. "Because I'd never be able to leave him," he sighs before continuing. "Carter knows me, all of me, even the parts I've tried to keep hidden from myself."

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he drops his head into his hands. "I'd never loved anyone before him, he knows that"

At that I do scoff, "I really don't think he does Ashton." I reply truthfully. "And I think right now he's worried it's happening again, that you'll want to leave when I do"