Ashton's Lie

chapter twenty seven

The words I blurted ring throughout the empty room. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.

Ashton looks back at me. I could see it in his eyes, the silent words he desperately wanted to tell me but for some reason couldn't.

"I ... I don't know what to say."

I sigh and smile softly. "Don't worry about it, Marshall."

He coughs and scratches his head. "Are you sure?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "Sure about what?"

"Do you ... love me?"

I blink at him. I just told him. "Yes, I'm sure." I look down at my fingers. "It's not going to be awkward between us right?"

I feel him put his hand over mine. "Of course not."

"So ... what now?" I ask.

He shrugs. "I honestly don't know."

"Are you speaking to your dad?"

He looks down angrily. "No." He sighs. "I'm sorry Taylor. The only reason I ran away was because I was planning on taking Skylar back."

My head snapped up. "You were going to commit a felony?"

"I wasn't thinking straight. Now I am."

"Wow nice defense," I say sarcastically.

"Please don't be angry with me," he says lowly.

"She's adopted now, Ashton," I nearly yell. "She's with a better family, my family. She's safe and loved and ... and ..." I'm at lost for words.

He nods vigorously. "I know, I know." He looks at me pleadingly. "If I have to choose between you and Skylar ... I'll choose you. I know I may be a selfish dick—"

"You're not being selfish," I snapped. "You can still see her, I'm sure my aunt will understand."

"What kind of father chooses a woman over his own daughter?" he asks incredulously.

"A father who knows what's best for his child," I state matter of factly.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "I don't want to fight with you."

I sigh and try to control my tongue. "I'm sorry. I'm the one who started this. I can't see it through your point of view."

He smiles softly at me. He walks over to my stool and cups my face. He caresses my cheek and I'm waiting anxiously for him to do something. Anything.

I grab his wrist and pull him in for a kiss. I feel him grin and I grin as well. I move my lips to his cheek, jaw and finally his shoulder.

His breathing gets deeper and his grip on me tightens. I can feel his hard on through the fabric of his sweatpants.

"Let's wait a couple more years for baby number two, please."

Janie's voice snapped me out of my hormonal daze. Ashton wraps his arms around my body and turns to face his mom.

"Aw, come on mom! Wouldn't you love a grandchild who looks like Taylor Ramirez?"

I giggle into his chest and blush furiously. "Sorry, Janie."

Janie smiles and shakes her head. "Don't worry about it. I'm glad you two are happy again, it's been too long since my son has smiled."

I grin and wink at her. "Oh, I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of wrinkles and frowns on Ashton from now on."

Ashton looks at me, confused. "What?" he asks. "Why?"

I shrug. "Well, now that you're my boyfriend, I'll be taking you shopping like those girly stores that guys hate going to. I'll now be in charge of your wardrobe and style, you'll be my date to charity gatherings and other boring events—"

"Okay, I get it. You're going to make my life miserable."

I laugh and nuzzle in between his neck and shoulder. I sigh in bliss. "You betcha."

Ashton rubs my back and whispers, "I think I may have fallen in love with you too."

I peck his lips and smile, hugging his waist. "Funny how revenge started all this," I say.

"And my lie," he adds.

I nod. "Yeah, that too." I take his hand and pull him out the door.

"Uh... where are we going?"

"To tell my family."

* * *

The Ramirez family blinks back at us.

I smile and awkwardly shift on my feet, "Say something guys."

Aunt Alexa shrugs, baby Katie shifting in her arms, "Your father already told us, darling. I understand that Ashton may want to see her and I'll allow it."

I scratch my arm nervously, "Yeah, about that... I don't think that's a good idea. At least, not right now. Ashton's still upset about the whole thing and I can't hold him back long."

Aunt Alexa nods in understanding, "Of course, I get it." She glances at Ashton. "Katie's an angel. I don't regret adopting her but Ashton and his partner did a good job."

I laugh, playing with baby Katie's hands while she laughs. "Yeah, his kids will be angels one day."

She raises an eyebrow with a smirk. "Kids?"

My eyes widen. "I'm not having kids for a longggg time, Aunt Alexa."

She nods, obvious doubt on her face, "Uh huh. Yeah, I got you."

I smack her arm. "I'm serious aunt Alexa!"

I smell Ashton's familiar cologne and lean into his body, "Serious about what?"

I grab his jaw and kiss him a little bit too aggressively. I arm my arms around his neck while he hugs my waist and smiles suspiciously at me.

"Serious that I'm in love with you and it'll probably make my crazy," I grin cheekily.

Ashton laughs and it's such a beautiful laugh, "I think that ship's passed a long time ago, sweetheart."

Katie squeals, her arms thrashing around in random excitement. Ashton and I turn to her, full attention on the infamous secret child of Ashton Marshall.

Something flickers in Ashton's eyes before he shakes it off and peppers kisses all over my face as a distraction. I feel his arms tighten around me.

I pat his chest in a slow beat to calm him down. "I'm here Ashton," I say into his chest.

He hums, "I know, sweetheart, I know."

I see aunt Alexa give us some privacy. My parents are watching us and when our eyes lock, they smile and raise a thumbs up.

I smile and wave. Ashton lifts me up over his shoulder, making me thrash my legs and squeal.

"Ashton Marshall," I nearly shout. "Let me go!" I punch his back.

Ashton laughs and pats my butt. "It's time we show the world who you belong to! Again!"

"What?" I shout.

"I said I'm gonna show you off to the world!"

♠♠♠

next chapter will be the epilogue. i'm truly, terribly sorry for the sucky ending.