Bring Me Back To 5SOS {Book 2}

5- Meetings and Tension

Ashton's POV

I woke up with a smile on my face. Sky was lying down next to me with my arm draped over her waist. I shook her shoulders to wake her up.

"Babe, wake up," I said.

"Just five more minutes," she mumbled.

"You have to go to work, and I have a meeting in an hour. You need to get up," I said and went to the bathroom to get dressed.

She was making the bed when I got out. I slipped my arms around her waist from behind. She rested her head on my chest.

"You know how much I love you, right?" I asked.

"You tell me everyday," she giggled.

"Just wanna make sure."

I kissed the top of her head, and we went downstairs. The guys were moping around the kitchen. They'd been like this ever since Maya left a few days ago. I was the only one who actually looked alive. I was sad that she left but I wasn't going to let it ruin my life. We all had to move on eventually.

"Come on, guys. Are you really going to be like this?" I asked.

"Like what? Like we're not hurt because Maya was taken away from us and moved to America?" Luke snapped.

"Maybe it's a good thing she's gone. We had so many problems with her, you know. Too much drama."

"Ashton!" Sky exclaimed.

"What?"

"You did not just say that," Michael growled.

"But I did."

He shoved me and stormed out of the room. I shook my head and gave Sky a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll see you later, babe. Love you," I said and got in the car.

Michael's POV

I sat in the back on the way to our meeting. No one said anything. It was like this all the time now.

I waited until everyone was out of the car before exiting. I got out slowly, knowing it bothered Ashton, and then entered the building. We were a few minutes late for our meeting. Our manager was late too though, so it didn't matter.

"I brought you all here because there are some things we need to discuss," he said. "First off, Maya. Why did this happen?"

"Her boyfriend's parents went to court for the kidnapping situation. I lost custody of her. She's in America with a foster family," I said.

"Do you realize how bad this is for publicity? How irresponsible it makes you look? You're so lucky we kept you with us. I could've dropped you from the record label. I still can."

"Do you think we care?" Luke scoffed. "We can replace you in a heartbeat."

"Well, you should care, because record labels won't want to take you if they find out about this. If things get too out of hand, it will end badly for all of you. We need a distraction, which brings me to the next topic. Michael, say hello to Zoe."

The door opened, and a girl with brown hair and dark brown eyes walked in. She was wearing black jeans and a pink crop-top. Her flipflops slapped against the floor as she walked.

"This is your new girlfriend. I want you to walk around in public with each other. Let the paparazzi get some pictures of you. Give the fans something else to talk about besides what happened with Maya," he said.

"This is bullshit," I muttered.

I left the room and slammed the door behind me. I walked a few steps before punching the wall and leaning against it.