Ashton's Lie

chapter twenty two

"What's Taylor's favorite color?" Houston asked.

"Blue," Ashton says immediately.

"What's Taylor's favorite movie?" Christian butts in.

Ashton thinks for a moment. Before he could say anything, Christian adds, "Horror, to be exact."

"The Conjuring."

I smack my forehead, hating how Ashton knew these things when I didn't know anything about him.

Talk about worst girlfriend of the year.

Ashton ruffles my hair and I glare at him. My curls took forever to do and he's messing it up.

We were currently doing some couple game where Houston and Christian ask questions about each other. Apparently, they both watched some talk show and thought it would be cool to do it on Ashton and I.

"Favorite band?"

"Maroon 5."

"Favorite actor?"

"Ian Somerhalder."

"Favorite clothing store?" Christian smirks and rests his head on his palm, probably thinking Ashton doesn't know this.

I honestly have no idea if he does.

"Forever 21."

Houston and Christian groan in defeat. They both take out forty bucks and hand them to Ashton.

"Pleasure doing business with you, boys," Ashton comments.

I rest my head on Ashton's lap as he plays with my hair. I watch as Houston and Christian bicker about loosing and Ashton 'cheating'.

"Nice going, Marshall," I say.

He chuckles. "Thank you, sweetheart."

We both get up and head downstairs. I see my parents arguing quietly in the kitchen. I tell Ashton to stay where he is and slowly walk in.

I hear my name once.

"Mom?" I ask. "Dad?"

They both turn to me, surprise on their faces. Shocked like they got caught like a deer with headlights.

"Honey, did you hear any of that?" My mom asked.

I shake my head. I didn't see the point in lying. "No ... What happened?"

My father sighs. "Nothing you should concern yourself with, love." He kisses my forehand and tucks my hair behind my ear. "You should be outside, do some things with Ashton."

I eye my parents suspiciously. I have a feeling they're up to something but I don't push it. When I was a kid, I used to go through the air vents like Zac and Cody Martin and eavesdrop on my parents.

I don't think I fit in there anymore ...

Screw it, I'll give it a try.

I walk backwards, not removing my focus on my parents as they wait for me to leave. They look as though they're afraid I'll do something rash.

I mentally scoff. Of course I would, I'm Taylor Ramirez.

Ashton looks up upon my entrance. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

I cross my arms. "My parents are up to something," I huff.

He nods in thought. "Let's go."

I follow him. "Go where?" We're always going somewhere. I'm not complaining, but it would be nice to stay home for once.

I go into my mailbox and see a magazine. Ashton and I are on the cover. The photo was when we went to the carnival for our one month anniversary.

Ashton comes to me. "What's that?"

I hold up the cover. "Look who made it on the front cover of a magazine," I gush.

He takes the magazine. "Chris Hemsworth?"

I roll my eyes and smack his arm. "Us, you dumbass!"

He laughs at me and puts it back in the mailbox. "The interview really helped."

I nod, agreeing with him. "Yeah, it really did."

He gets on his motorcycle and I follow behind. "Where are we going?" I ask.

"Meeting my mom," was his response.

I bite my tongue to keep from yelling at him. I was definitely not ready to meet his mom. I hate how he doesn't tell me anything important.

His hotel wasn't far from place, twenty minutes most so the ride was short and quick. I see a limo out front and bodyguards around, knowing his mom must already be inside.

"Come on, sweetheart. She won't bite," he teases.

I roll my eyes but follow him. I look down at my clothing. Ripped jeans, simple t-shirt, leather jacket and combat boots. Is this appropriate?

I stop in my tracks. "I can't do it," I shake my head. "I look bad."

He raises an eyebrow. "Who cares about how you look?"

I snort. "Parents do. Amanda did!"

"My mom isn't Amanda, sweetheart." He holds his hand out. "I got your back, remember?"

I scowl. "Like I actually believe that."

He takes my hand and leads me in the living room. I see a woman in her forties watching the interview with Ashton and I.

She stands up upon our entrance. Ashton hugs her and kisses her cheek. "You must be Taylor." She holds her hand out. "I'm Janie."

I shake her hand. "Nice to meet you Janie."

Ashton and I sit across from her on the couch. She claps her hands. "I assume we're all here to talk about my ex-husband's ultimatum?"

Ashton nods. "I don't care about the company or money, I care about Skylar."

Who's Skylar? I thought to myself.

Janie nods in sympathy. "I know, son. But she's gone, love."

He looks away angrily.

Janie looks at me. "I'm sorry Taylor."

I shake my head. "It's fine," I lie. Curiosity is going to kill me one day.

Ashton glances at me, his expression unreadable. I can see slight sympathy in his eyes when he looked away.

"Does your father know I'm in town?" Janie asked.

Ashton shakes his head in response.

Janie sighs softly. "I'll deal with him. In the meantime, I'm sure you two are staying here?"

"Ashton's staying here alone," I say quickly.

Janie nods. "Of course, I just thought you would want to keep your relationship seem real by staying together where paparazzi and people can see you."

"You know about us?" I asked.

Janie smiles. "I understand why my son is doing what he's doing, and I'm on board with it. Amanda has Robert wrapped around her plastic little finger."

I let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, I can see that."

Ashton stands up, Janie and I follow. "Good to have you back, mom. It means a lot."

They hug tightly. "I'll be in touch," she says. She walks over to the door and turns to me halfway. "Oh, and Taylor? You should stay here, give them something to talk about other than Kylie Jenner's lips."

I smirk. "Don't worry about me, Janie."