Reckless - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 3

"Could you pass the bread rolls please?" Calum asked as Anne handed him the bowl. "Thanks."

When I got downstairs, everyone was already sitting at the table, waiting for me to settle down. I thought the rest of the night was going to be pretty easy with Ashton upstairs with his crew, but of course I would be wrong when they barged down stairs and paused looking for a place to sit. They insisted on eating in the living room, yet Annie wanted them with everyone and pulled up extra chairs. The little bastard had planned this, glancing at me, where I was sitting, at the corner, before placing his chair down next to mine. I held in my sigh, knowing my mother would be angry that I was still giving Ashton attitude. Luke pulled a chair up on the other side of Ashton while Michael and Calum ate in front of us next to Matt, who seemed to get on well with the two, talking about bands. 

"So how's school Luke?" Annie asks, picking up pasta noodles with a pair of tongs.

"It's good. I have a few more months until I graduate." He nods, finding me looking at him and grinning back at me. I would never think Luke was still in school since he looked a year or two older than 17, but that's a good thing. He was adorable with his hair in a beanie and his Blink shirt; he had a tiny bit of stubble around his chin which was why I presumed he was older, maybe Ashton's age. 

I keep my mouth shut almost the entire dinner to hide any attitude against Ashton because it would only cause more of a mess, only answering questions from Annie. She was really sweet except she wanted to know more about Matthew and me, continuing to "ask about life", as my mom says. 

"What do you like to do?"

"Oh I'm more of the artsy fartsy type. I dance ballet." I hinder from talking anymore and tuck my hair behind my ear. I sense the feeling of Luke looking at me and my stomach begins to heat up because he seems like a sweet guy.

"Do you play any instruments?" 

"Well I could play the piano, and my dad tried to teach me how to play guitar." I bite my lip in knowing that my mom was uncomfortable with bringing up Dad. Even though he's an asshole for leaving us, he at least taught me some lessons and bonded with me. I'm fortunate to at least experience having a father because now, I only have one parent and a brother to take care of me. 

"Oh cool. Maybe I could show you how to play after dinner?" Luke intervenes, looking enthusiastic. I don't even notice he's talking to me since I was thinking he was talking to Matthew about bands still. If he could teach someone how to play, then he must be a pro because I tried teaching my brother the piano and he still couldn't play shit.

I accept the offer invitingly. "Sweet." I giggle a bit. I could sense the bit of jealousy from Ashton when after dinner he was asking if I wanted to play his drums, which I rejected, knowing it would hurt him a little. He needs to know he can't play little games with me and expect I'm gonna let them slide. I've been through that before with my ex boyfriend Will. That's not happening again.

When dinner was over, I help Annie clean up the table and wash the dishes, going upstairs after everything was clean. I found the boys upstairs, throwing around paper balls. Who knew boys could be so easily entertained? As I open the door, they stoptheir paper ball war and greeting me again as if I didn't see them half an hour ago.

"So Isabelle, the American." Michael states, fiddling with a small rubber bear Ashton has on his desk. 

"What's wrong with Americans? I love burgers, and hot dogs, and beaches. Oh the chicks." Calum awes; I shake my head in disapproval, denying every one of those "Americanized" things. Everyone was just chilling around, this is probably what they do every day during band practice: play a couple songs, fool around, and eat. Ashton giggles as Mike hits him with a drumstick....what the fuck? I didn't know Ashton could be so adorable, usually he has a prick demeanor who doesn't know when to limit himself, but here he was laughing at himself for being a dork.