Just Sayin'

Banquet

"Ashton, I meant Ashton." Jack said quickly trying to cover up his mistake.

Ashton didn't know how to respond. He knew about Jack's feelings for Alex but that still hurt.

"Ashton, I'm so sorry." Jack took a step towards Ashton but Ashton stalked past him and to the bathroom.

As the water crashed down on Ashton he sunk to the floor of the shower. He buried his head in his hands and allowed the tears to fall. Why did he have to be in this position? How could he think Jack ever loved him? What was he going to do? If he broke up with Jack his dad's job could be at risk. But could he stay with Jack when it was obvious he loved Alex?

-

"Luke, tell me again why you like Alex? I thought you liked Ashton." Calum frowned at his friend.

"I told you, Ashton and I are just friends." Luke answered.

"But why Alex?" Calum pressed.

"He's nothing like Jack. In fact he's the complete opposite." Luke responded with a smile.

While Alex was actually a good boyfriend and a genuinely funny guy he just wasn't Ashton. Luke couldn't help but be head over heels for the guy, which is why when Ashton text him saying he was invited to a banquet with him and Jack, Luke agreed to go.

-

Ashton was glad Luke agreed to go to the banquet. Ashton was in no mood to deal with Jack at all much less a Jack that had to be around his dad.

"Ashton, please come out. I can explain." Jack knocked on the door for a fifth time.

Ashton finally swung the door open.

"What are you going to explain? The fact that you're imagining you're fucking your best friend while fucking your boyfriend or the fact that you wish you were fucking your  best friend instead of your boyfriend?" Ashton snapped.

"I'm sorry I know I screwed up-"

"Just stop. I'm not in the mood to fight with you right now. We have to meet your dad and Luke." Ashton interrupted stalking passed Jack.

"Ashton, wait." Jack sighed grabbing Ashton's wrist.

"Drop it, or you go to this banquet alone." Ashton barked.

Jack opened his mouth to say something else but the look on Ashton's face made Jack stop. He let go of Ashton's wrist.

"We'll talk about this later." Ashton growled before heading towards the door.

-

Luke smiled as he saw Ashton and Jack approach.

"Hey, you made it." Ashton smiled gripping Luke in a tight hug.

Jack cleared his throat causing Luke to pull away and Ashton to turn to Jack.

"Don't." Ashton seethed.

Jack dropped his head.

Luke frowned but didn't say anything as he followed behind Ashton and Jack.

"Put a smile on and act like you love me." Ashton ordered.

"I do love you." Jack sighed.

"Stop." Ashton snapped.

At that moment Jack's dad approached.

"Jack. Ashton. How wonderful to see you." Mr. Barakat grinned hugging the pair.

"Who's this young fellow." Mr. Barakat frowned holding a hand out to Luke.

"I'm Luke-"

"A friend of Ashton's." Jack interrupted.

"Oh, how nice of you to come."

"Ashton has spoken so highly of you." Luke smiled.

"Oh, he's just the greatest, isn't he?" Mr. Barakat grinned at Ashton.

Luke smiled.

"Yeah. He is."

"Jack are you going to offer Ashton a drink?" Mr. Barakat snapped.

"Of course, I'll be right back. Oh Luke, do you want anything?" Jack asked looking at the blonde.

"Sure, I'll take whatever." Luke nodded.

Once Jack was gone Mr. Barakat turned to Ashton.

"So how are things going with you two?"

Ashton shifted.

"Mr. Barakat can I ask you something?" Ashton asked biting his lower lip.

"If course." Jack's dad smiled.

"If something were to happen between Jack and I and we broke up, would that effect my dad's job?" Ashton asked bluntly.

"No, of course not. Why? You're not breaking up with Jack are you? Are you two fighting? I know a great marriage counselor." Mr. Barakat rambled.

"No, no, that's not necessary." Ashton shook his head.

"It was just a question."

"Here we are, three whiskey sours." Jack handed Luke and Ashton their drinks.

"Thanks." Luke nodded.

Ashton didn't say anything as he took a large gulp.

"Jack, I have some things I want to discuss with you. You two enjoy the drinks." Jack's dad smiled as he lead Jack away.

"So you just straight up asked him." Luke pointed out.

"You were right, I do love Jack but he's so in love with Alex." Ashton stared down at his drink.

"Are you going to break up with him?" Luke asked hopefully.

"I-I don't know." Ashton looked up with tears in his eyes.

"Hey, don't cry. We don't have to talk about that right now." Luke wiped a rouge tear.

"Thank you, for being my friend. I'm sure it's not easy." Ashton smiled sadly.

"I love being your friend."

-

"Jack, what have you done?" Bassam snapped.

"What are you talking about?" Jack huffed. He was always doing something wrong.

"Ashton just asked me if his dad's job was at stake if you two broke up." Bassam crossed his arms.

Jack sighed.

"We sort of had an argument earlier."

"What did you do?" Bassam demanded.

"Why did I have to do something wrong?" Jack snapped.

"Because I know you, Jack."

"Yeah, well Ashton has been hanging out with Luke a lot lately and I don't trust him." Jack lied.

"You don't trust Ashton?" Bassam frowned.

"No, Luke." Jack corrected.

"You have always let jealousy run your life. So help me, Jack, fix this. If he leaves you I'm taking your name off the business." Bassam growled.

Jack clenched his jaw. How was he supposed to convince Ashton to stay after what he'd done earlier? He didn't know but he couldn't lose the business.

*AN*
Oh boy! What's Ashton going to Do?
What's Jack going to do?
Hope you guys enjoyed it. Love you! 😚