Sleeping With a Friend

Chapter Twenty

A few weeks had passed and I was 100% sure that Ashton had fallen off the face of the earth. Well, at least to me he did. Sophie didn't dare bring him up anymore and although I didn't have to force her, she understood why it was such a good idea. Michael was being his normal, perfect self, that I would never get used too. We had hung out a few times after that iconic first date, leading him to even send me flowers the next day. Sophie went crazy, almost blushing more than I did when I had opened the door to a bouquet of flowers with a note saying how much fun the night before had been and that he was really glad to have gone out with me. Thankfully, the feeling was mutual.

While Michael and I were still on the terms of a new relationship, he had told me one night at my place that Luke was thinking of popping the question to Sophie. I understood the whole "I'm madly in love with her." And I guess he would know his friend better than I would, but I still thought it was a tad early for a proposal to be on the agenda. It actually made me anxious I was around her. Knowing Sophie, she'd say yes and then four weeks later there would be a wedding. I remember one night in college after one of she had broken up with one of her boyfriends, we told each other the plans we had for the future with a tub of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy being devoured by the two of us. She had said, "My wedding will be the biggest most extravagant thing to ever exist. If I ever find the right guy."

I didn't doubt that she and Luke were in love. In fact, when Michael had brought it up, he added that Luke had never felt this way about anyone before, like she brought out a whole different, sensitive side that he loved. I guess I just feared losing my best friend for the billionth time. Sophie was the longest running title holder for my best friend and after my most recent acts, I realized that I needed her more than I thought I did. Sophie can take care of herself, but in the end, we'd always need each other.

Michael was on his way to pick me up for what felt like the thousandth date, when really it was only the sixth. That was a lot, considering how terrible I was at keeping a guy for longer than this. We didn't put a label on our relationship yet (key word: yet), but I found myself praying that he would. Labels never used to mean anything to me until I got into the real world and found that they actually define who you are. It seemed like human nature to want to put a name to whatever you were with someone. Me and Sophie: best friends; me and Ashton: friends with benefits and so on. In the end, labels ruined everything whether there was one or not.

I wasn't sure where Michael planned on taking me today, but I was happy to just be with him. I looked forward to any time that we would spend together and maybe that was just a way of me getting over someone else.

I began tidying up my apartment, a simple way to pass the time when I heard a faint knock at the door. I got excited, thinking it was Michael. But when I opened the door, too eager to look through the peep hole, it wasn't his smiling face I saw.

"Ashton," I spoke, wide-eyed and shocked at his sight. His hair had gotten a bit longer, now falling right at his cheek bones. "What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" He deterred my question, taking a step forward, blocking the chance for me to slam the door in his face.

"Um, that's not really a good idea. I'm about to get going."

"With Michael right? You cut ties with me and then date my friend? Is that how it goes?" His hostility was understandable yet uncalled for all at the same time.

"That's not-"

"Y/N cut the shit." He stepped fully into my apartment, shutting the door from behind.

"You can't just show up here Ashton. It's been over a month." I backed away from him, trying to keep my voice low and stern.

"Exactly! It's been over a month and the whole time you've been ignoring me for reasons I don't understand! I want an explanation." Ashton's voice boomed throughout the living room.

"You can't just show up here!" I finally yelled back at him, "You lost that right a long time ago."

"Y/N?" Michael peeked his head through the door. I hoped he didn't hear what his friend had to say minutes earlier. "What's going on?" He opened the door wider, standing in the door frame. Ashton turned around, glaring at him, then he turned back to me.

"I should have fucking known." I heard him mutter.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Michael inquired, taking cautious steps toward him.

"It means I hope you're having fun with my sloppy seconds that's what." Ashton's eyes glinted with a devious smile. My eyes burned from the build-up of tears wanting to fall down my cheeks.

Before I could say anything, Michael lunged forward, bring his fist clear to Ashton's jaw. Ashton stumbled, gripping onto the back of the couch. A low chuckle erupted from his throat as he shook his head.

"Michael!" I screeched, running forward to hold him back from continuing any more punches.

"You don't have the right to talk about her, like that, or at all." Michael yelled passed me at him, "Now get the hell out." He pointed toward the door as Ashton stood, wiping the blood that had trickled from his lip onto his chin. He glared at Michael, the tension in the room could be cut with a tiny little needle.

"Fine." Ashton told us, walking to the door that was wide open, "Whatever." He mumbled, storming out. I felt out of breath, although I didn't do anything. I could feel my adrenaline rushing throughout my body as I turned to face Michael, seeing that he was already looking at me.

"Are you okay? He didn't hurt you did he?" Michael's hand cupped my cheek.

"No, I'm okay." I reassured him, "Is your hand okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good." He snickered, then going quiet. I stared up at him, licking my lips as I did. His lips parted like he was going to say something, but before he could I reached up and placed my lips on his. He seemed taken aback at first, but quickly soothed into me, the kiss. His other hand rested on my neck as mine settled on the back of his neck. Our bodies resting together comfortably before pulling away and placing my forehead against his. I pecked his lips once more before removing my body from his, grabbing his hand and leading him into the bedroom.