Ashton's Lie

chapter eighteen

Sweaty palms? Check.

Rapidly beating heart? Check.

Dry throat? Check.

Stage fright? Double check. Multiple it by a hundred and divide by two.

What does that equal?

I honestly have no idea.

Turns out Ashton's surprise is the biggest surprise of all. There was an appointment interview for us today by some lady who resembles Ellen DeGeneres.

I squirm in my makeup chair, my hair stylist and make up artist getting irritated by my constant moving. I'm pretty sure they're ready to strap me down like a lab rat.

I hate Ashton for dragging me into his stupid lie. I'm not much of a liar, never had been. I get in trouble a lot, but I take credit for my pranks and works.

I wore a simple simple black dress for this so called interview, about to go on TV any moment now. I wonder what Ashton's wearing, or what he's feeling. I bet he's calm about all this.

I bet he has no problem lying to the entire world. He could just look in the camera, smile his million dollar smile that made girls melt and lie right to the camera.

I dig my nails into my palm as my make up artist finishes doing my eyelashes. Any minute now I would be on stage with Ashton and whoever is interviewing us.

I had no script, no lines, no prep talk, absolutely nothing that could help me right now. Ashton wanted a surprise but never thought about how I would feel with all this.

What if I said the wrong thing? What if people found out about us? That would be humiliating. My parents would be embarrassed of me and send me to Mexico. Teddy would think I'm a horrible role model and Christian and Houston would be so disappointed.

Liam was here today with permission from Ashton of course. I was ready to tell him the truth after the interview. Jonah would be here too as Ashton's wing man.

I walk out of my dressing room and see Liam outside waiting with Robin. Robin runs up to me.

She squeals, "Oh my God, I'm so happy for you! You and Ashton are so cute, I swear! Look at you all princess like! Oh, I could just eat you up!"

Like I said, she's crazy.

She's happy all the damn time. It sickens me. Nothing could bring her down. Her and Liam have been dating for about three months now and she says she's in love. She always has something to say, an entire essay on one topic.

It's annoying as hell.

"Thank you, Robin," I say, hugging her back.

Liam holds a double thumbs up. I'm lucky to have an idiotic best friend like this doofus. I make my way over to him and hug him.

"It's crowded out there," he says. "You sure you're ready for this?"

"No," I say honestly. "I think I'm gonna pass out."

Robin pssts. "Don't worry about it, Taylor! You'll do great!"

"You know what they say," Liam says.

I raise an eyebrow. "No, what do they say?

"Be with a man that make your panties wet, not your eyes."

I look at him with wide eyes. "Wow, Liam, very wise of you."

He shrugs. "It's my thing."

I hear the speakers as the show has already begun. The woman, Megan Anderson is introducing Ashton to the world. Who he is, what he's doing here, etc.

I just have to wait for my cue.

The audience starts screaming and cheering. I jumped in shock, my face probably priceless.

I'm a scaredy cat.

I look through the curtains to see Ashton walking to Megan, shaking her hand and sitting down.

He looked fucking amazing.

Totally swoon worthy.

Ashton The Panty Dropper.

I feel my knees go weak and drool down my chin.

He looked good enough to run my hands..

Stop it! I scold myself. Ashton is an annoying, rich, lying delinquent with hot abs is all he is.

He was wearing a black suit that fit him perfectly well. His hair looked soft enough for me to run my hands through it. He wore some Italian shoes to finish the look.

He even wore a bow tie.

Cute!

I'm starting to wonder if him and Teddy are spending a little too much time together.

The audience cheers and claps for him, some even taking off their shirts and throwing it to him.

I look away. That's just gross.

Ashton had a huge smile on his face. A smile that made even me fall in love with it. I hear Megan Anderson yell out my cue.

Liam and Robin come up behind me. "Go get 'Em girl. You got this. Imagine all the audience naked."

They push my way to the stage, Ashton standing up and welcoming me with open arms. I hug him to show the world we're truly together and he kisses the corner of my lips.

I look at him in shock. That was way too close to my actual lips.

He looks at me with a stern expression. He leans into my ear and whispers, "Let me do all the talking."

I nod to show him I understand. "By the way, you look beautiful," he whispers.

I blush and bite my lip to keep from smiling. I'm still on my time of the month, I'm allowed to be hormonal.

We both take a seat in front of Megan, who's smiling widely and looking between us with adoration.

"Wow! Well, aren't you two just adorable?" she gushes.

We're not children, I think to myself.

Ashton wraps an arm around me. "Thank you, Megan. My girl," he looks at me. "And I here are excited to be on your show."

My girl? Please. What happened to sweetheart?

Megan's face looks as though it's about to crack with that big smile. "Well, I'm excited for you to be here! So is the audience, am I right?"

The crowd cheers.

Megan then asks a question I've never thought about. A question I hoped Ashton had the answer to, otherwise, we're screwed.

"Looks like the two of you are happy," Megan said. "So, how did you two meet?"