Pretty Boys // cashton + muke \\

26

Chapter 26 (edited May 2021)

"It was only one time!" Michael yelled as he walked into the living room where Ashton was silently reading a newspaper. It was 5am and the man was completely ready for work, Calum had spent the night at his house with Luke and Nathan, so he was left alone to read his newspaper and drink his coffee. Lately, Calum would be sitting beside him, drinking a cup of tea and cuddling into his side, trying to stay awake as he made little comments about how Ashton was reading a newspaper like an old man. He thought he would be getting at least thirty minutes to read the sports section, but he's guessing Michael had other plans for his morning.

Ashton sighed, folding his newspaper and setting it on the coffee table, beside his mug. He looked up at Michael, who had taken to pacing the living room as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"What was only one time?" Ashton asked patiently.

"Sex with Kina," Michael threw his hands up. "It was two months ago, give or take a few days, and I was shit faced drunk. She dragged me out to some karaoke bar and I knocked them back until I was seeing two of everything. I only vaguely remember fucking her in the backseat and the next morning I barely remembered where I was the night before," Michael explained as he continued to pace. Ashton slowly stood up, his eyebrows raised.

"Mike, please do not say what I think you're about to say," Ashton said, holding his hands up as if approaching a skittish animal. Michael turned to the man with wide, fearful eyes.

"She's pregnant, Ashton. Kina's pregnant," Michael confirmed Ashton's thoughts. Ashton squeezed his eyes shut tight, opening them again slowly as he collected his thoughts.

"Okay, okay, what are you going to do?" Ashton asked.

"Well, I'm not just going to leave her, she's carrying my child, Ash!" Michael exclaimed, tugging at his hair.

"Well you like her right? It's all okay," Ashton patted the air. Michael groaned, shaking his head.

"Kina was a good girlfriend if you exclude the whole 'cheating and lying' thing, but I, I'm, I think I'm in love with Luke," Michael stuttered.

"Tell Luke how you feel," Ashton said quickly. "Tell him the truth about everything and if he forgives you and still wants to be with you even though Kina's pregnant– yeah no, that's bat shit crazy, you're screwed," Ashton chuckled, picking up his briefcase, shaking his head. Michael punched Ashton's arm, glaring at him.

"You are not helping me, Irwin! I'm emotionally distressed with a pregnant girl who has wiggled her way into my life and a boy who has already seemed to have moved on. What am I doing?" Michael yelled, tugging at his hair again.

"Okay," Ashton placed his hand on Michael's shoulder and squeezed, "you are going to go to work, and you are going to focus on your cases, then you will confront Luke and tell him everything. No matter what either of you think, the feelings you have are mutual. He still likes you Mike, just get your head on straight and figure it all out," Ashton said, patting Michaels shoulder. Michael nodded slowly, wiping under his eyes.

"Just, don't tell Calum please," Michael said. Ashton's eyes widened and he pressed his lips together tightly.

"You want me to keep a secret from my boyfriend? The beautiful boy who has me completely wrapped around his finger? No, no way, can't do that," Ashton shook his head.