Hand In Glove

Chapter 11

Once outside, Chloe felt the cool air on her face and she breathed deeply. It had stopped raining so she decided to take a walk, hoping it would clear her mind.

What the heck happened back there? What was all that about? Just a whole lot of testosterone flying around, she told herself. She had experienced similar at the dorm but not quite so intensely focused on her. Men could be so unbearable sometimes. Nick and his brother, Chris, seemed nice enough but that Jamie character was something else. How dare he act like that? He talked about her like she wasn't even in the room.

Besides all that, she couldn't help noticing the tension between Jamie and Ashton. It would appear that there was something going on beyond what had transpired today.

And what about Ashton? Why hadn't he stepped in sooner? Why did Nick have to intervene on her behalf? She was grateful he had, but really, it should've been up to Ashton. It was his house after all and she worked for him.

To be honest, she felt a little let down by his initial lack of intervention, especially after reassuring her the other night that she would be safe. Of course, she realized nothing bad had actually happened. Well, except for being embarrassed in front of his friends. Oh, perhaps she really was overthinking things.

The rain started again as she headed around the block. Stepping quickly, she made it back just before it started pouring. Realizing that she hadn't brought her keys, she just about kicked herself. Now she would have to knock and face them again. Luckily the back door was open so she snuck in, hoping to avoid another confrontation. Locking the door behind her, she crept in quietly.

Thankfully they were all upstairs. She could hear their muffled voices and music coming from above. She decided that she may as well make a grocery list since Ashton had reminded her earlier that tomorrow she was on the clock. Yes, boss, she giggled to herself. She should also pick up some bedsheets along with a few other personal items, perhaps a fluffy bath towel or two. Hopefully, by the time she returned the boys would be gone.

So, off she went in her sporty new Mini. I guess things could be worse, she thought as she held the steering wheel in her hands.

Her plan was to stretch out her shopping trip as long as she could. It wasn't hard to do. The Mini was packed to the gills with groceries by the time she was done. She was grateful the credit card had worked but cringed thinking about the bill. Hopefully, Ashton wouldn't freak.

Oh well, that's what it was for. Anyway, it was just the initial shopping trip and she needed a lot of stuff to get started. She assured herself that things would level off as time went by.

It was already dark at 5 pm when she returned. The cars were gone except for Ashton's BMW. Good. Maybe they'd left and taken him with them. She would have the place to herself for a while.

She grabbed the grocery bags and started piling them on the kitchen table. Turning to get the rest, she heard footsteps descend the stairs and watched as Ashton approached her. She couldn't help but notice the worried look on his face.

"Chloe, you're back." He sighed with relief. Seeing the bags on the table, he darted by her, retrieving the remainder of the groceries from the car.

She shrugged off her jacket and wondered what he could be thinking. Did he think she'd taken off for good? She couldn't help but smile at that. Maybe he should feel bad about his lack of intervention.

Placing the bags down, Ashton hesitated a moment. "Hey, is everything okay?" he asked warily. "I'm sorry for earlier. I can't always predict what Jamie will do but he's harmless, really. He felt pretty bad after you took off. He didn't realize you'd freak out."