The Arrangement

Chapter Sixty-Six

Ashton

By the soft light just about breaking through the curtains I know it's got to be pretty early in the morning.

As it has been for the past few mornings Blair is draped across me, her head resting on my chest whilst she still sleeps. It's a tranquil scene, with her nestled against me, her gentle breaths a soothing rhythm that contrasts with the turmoil in my mind. Even though my arms instinctively wrap around her it's Carter my eyes search for in the bed beside her.

When I find his space empty and don't hear any water running in the en-suite there's an instant pang that hits me.

Mine and Carter's relationship has had more ups and downs than I can count, we've been strained before but this time it's different. I know that and I'm almost certain he does too.

My actions these last few days have been a testament to that.

Not once have I gone to any lengths to purposely get to him, yet I did exactly that knowing full well the way it would affect him.

Shifting myself as slowly as I can, I slot myself out from beneath Blair, careful not to wake her. She stirs slightly but thankfully rolls over and falls back into a deep sleep, blissfully unaware of my departure whilst I go on the hunt to find Carter.

We need to talk there's no doubt about it and no shying aware from it anymore. Our best hope is whilst the others are still asleep so it has to be now.

As I come down the stairs I hear Carter talking, but there's no response so I quickly gather he's on the phone. When I step into the kitchen I find him starring out the windowing with his phone to his ear, barking orders, in definite work mode.

I want to scoff at his practicality, even amongst everything he still manages to keep a level head when it comes to work. That part frustrating me to no end.

"I'll need you to handle everything" he says his voice strained. He listens to the response and sighs, his shoulders tensing showing his evident frustration. When he speaks again his tone is a lot more clipped, leaving no room for argument. "Yeah well this is more important, if they want the merger to go through they'll back off and wait"

He must hear me as I step further into the kitchen because he turns to face me, his expression softening.

"Just deal with it Louis, I'll contact you when I'm back" he grits out and cuts the call, proceeding to chuck the phone haphazardly onto the counter which isn't like him at all.

"Morning" he greets me awkwardly and pathetically I just nod my greeting in response.

"There's coffee and muffins from that café in town" he informs me pointing towards the table, a strange kind of awkwardness in the air between us.

I arch a brow at him whilst I take in what he just said, the realisation taking a moment to hit me. "You drove into town?" I say, knowing he'll get the real question I'm asking.

Smirking he shrugs in that usual smug way he does. "You didn't really think I'd leave us with no way of getting into town to get supplies did you?"

"I guess not" I sheepishly reply.

Before we came out here I would've thought I could predict his every move but in truth none of us have exactly been thinking straight for the last few weeks.

Or well months really.

We both stand in silence for a moment just regarding each other.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself for the conversation ahead. "I think we need to talk," I begin, echoing the words that have been circling in my mind since I woke up. "About everything. I know I messed up, and I need to make things right."