Your Lies Are Your Only Mask

To RENT: Cafe Kitchen, Sofa Included!

So it's been a long time since I last updated but here is chapter 18, hope y'all like it :)

***

There was a timid knock on the door and Ash poked his head through.

"Hey, it's just me." His tired eyes crossed from my face down to my feet, "Are you off out?"

"Um, yeah. Jared is coming to pick me up in a minute, we're going to that grill you talked about." He smiled but I noticed a look of disappointment take over his face,

"Like a date?"

"No! His mum and Jemma will be there, I might be getting a job in the cafe. You can come if you want, you were going to take me there anyway." I offered, his head raised slowly,

"Jared wouldn't want me there, he thinks I'm a dick." The words mumbled from his mouth and I released a deep breath.

"No he doesn't, I explained everything to him. We've looked after each other this whole journey and been through so much shit, he understands that now. Please come, we need to spend more time together. I miss you." 

 He grinned and embraced me in a hug, the door opened and Jared stood wide eyed and awkward. "Hey." Ash began, "Look, I know I probably haven't shown any appreciation for what you've done for us". He tugged his sleeves and looked at me for reassurance, "but I just want us to move past me being a complete arrogant shit to you, because you've been there more for Eva than I have over the last few weeks. So I'm sorry, to both of you and I want assure you that we appreciate all of this so much."

"It's fine Ash, I never expected us to get on amazingly, I didn't even want any thanks. I'm happy to help. If you want to come with us to the grill, you're welcome to." It seemed like a genuine response, but I could hear the hostility in his tone.

"Yeah, that would be great." Jared nodded blankly then turned to smile at me, the conversation from earlier had been lingering in my thoughts. He must have noticed I was staring into the room with a thoughtful expression, as he came over and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind my ear before whispering,

"Come on, lets go."

***

The walk to the grill was quiet and I felt un-easy. Despite Ashton's apology there was still tension between the two, and I of course, was stuck in the middle. Literally. The guys walked on either side of me, Jared often looked over and winked or smiled and even held my hand. Ashton watched glumly but he still remained silent. He had been oddly distant and detached but I wasn't sure if it was circumstance, or something I had done to upset him. 

Finally, we reached the grill. It was fairly busy with a low hum of music that echoed off the cars. The door opened and three large men came out with stern looks on their faces. One of them reminded me of someone, but I couldn't work out who. Ashton straightened beside me, I watched him curiously as worry took over his features,

"Hey, are you okay?" I stopped him by holding his arm, he frantically nodded then lowered his head as he walked past them.

"Ashton!" The oddly familiar man shouted from behind us, "I thought it was you, you dropped something." Ash checked his pockets then looked up to see the man waving his phone. He swallowed roughly then walked over to the trio, they seemed to be standing talking about something, I felt a tug on my sleeve and turned to see Jared with a face flared with anger.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"We should go inside." He said sternly.

"I'll wait for Ashton, you can go find your mum if you want."