The Arrangement

Chapter Sixty-Two

Ashton 

If there's one thing about Henley, it's that he just loves to fucking stir the pot and he's just gone and done exactly that in the worst way possible. 

Blair looks at me expectantly, with an edge of frustration glinting in her eye and I know whatever response I give her right now isn't going to make her happy. 

Of course I knew Carter would have been able to see us in here, but it's not like I did it for that exact reason. I'm not like that, I wouldn't use Blair as a way of getting to him. But then I can't denying that knowing it would infuriate him did spur me on slightly. 

It's just how to I portray that over the Blair without her thinking the worst of me. 

In truth I don't think I can. 

I've only just managed to get her to let me in and start trusting me again but something tells me this right here is going to be the cause of her walls slamming back up again. 

"You knew about the camera's?" she asks, evident hurt in her tone and I don't miss how Lennox and Henley have gone remarkably quiet as they observe the fall out that's about to happen no doubt. 

I don't even attempt to voice my response. Instead I just nod pathetically. 

The hurt in her tone mirrors the expression that falls across her face as tears well in her eyes. "You knew that Carter would be watching didn't you" 

"Blair it wasn't like that, I didn't-" I begin to feebly explain but she cuts me off brashly. 

"Don't even try to explain your way out of this Ash," she snaps at me a furiousness in her tone that takes me back a little. In truth she has absolutely every right to be pissed with me, to feel like I've used her but the next words to leave her mouth shock me a little when there's no actual concern for herself but just concern for Carter. 

"How could you do that to him?" she breathes blinking fast as if she's trying to will her tears away. "After everything, how could you willingly hurt him like that?" she then says her voice cracking a little as she speaks. 

I'm completely taken back by her reaction. He's the one that had her locked down there in that room, manipulated her into this whole agreement without her knowing and has done nothing but treat her with distain for days. Yet she's fucking sitting here upset for him. 

It takes me a moment to speak as I try to comprehend what the hell is happening right now. "You're upset about Carter?" I ask needing some clarity but that just seems to infuriate her even more. 

"Of course I am!" she shouts shoving my hand off her thigh. 

"After everything he's done you're upset for him?" I scoff, shaking my head. 

Her mouth drops open, and she gapes at me for a moment. "Yes! And for the record I seem to be the only one of you that actually seems to care that he is spiralling at the thought of losing you all." she accuses looking round at us all and from the way Henley and Lennox shrink back a little I don't think they were expecting this reaction from her either. 

She's defending him, when his actions are nothing for him to be defended for. I swear as each day goes by she finds a new way to completely surprise me. Her reactions never what I'm expecting. 

"Which is his own fault" I point out, not earning myself any points at all. 

Her nostrils flare, nothing but pure anger flashing across her face as she take in what I've just said and glares at him. There's a tense silence that follows as her mouth pops open and closes a couple of times, as if she's trying to find the right words to say.

All of us silently waiting for her to speak. 

Finally she closes her eyes and shakes her head. "Go away" she breathes and I'm pretty sure I've just imagined it. 

"What?" I ask, completely dumbfounded. 

As she opens her eyes, she looks away, fixing her gaze on the TV. "Ashton I can't even look at you right now." she says, the anger seemingly gone from her tone, all that remains is hurt. "Please just get out" she then says and I see a stray tear trickle down her cheek.  

I don't attempt to reason with her, or explain myself any further. Instead like a wounded puppy I retreat, feeling like a completely fucking jackass even though I don't quite understand why. It's as if she's just stripped me bare and punished me in a way I haven't experienced before.