To love you | Malum

Ch. 34 - I Have Hope For Us, Do You? + One Minute At A Time

Michael + Ch. 34 - I Have Hope For Us, Do You? + One Minute At A Time

It was Luke Hemmings on my door step at three in the morning, knocking while he stood in the rain. Ashton Irwin was behind him – suitcase and everything, as though they had something to say. Something more important than all five of us getting sleep in this small, comfortable house. I wheeled myself to answer, and Ashton's hair was damp from the water. Luke had his hood on, and neither had an umbrella.

"Why are you here? On my doorstep?" I had asked, and Luke asked if they could come in. The house was tight enough already, and I didn't want to wake Calum up. It seemed that I already had, though, as he came up behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders, his back arched.

Calum looked Luke in the eye, then shook his head. I could tell that he was angry, completely full of rage. His hands started to shake on my shoulders, and it was almost like his fingers were holding onto me so he could protect me. I loved that, but I also hated it. "You're not welcome here, Luke. And neither are you, Ashton. Especially after what you did to Ashley."

"That's what we came to talk to you about," Ashton mumbled, and Luke stood back with an awkward, sly smile on his face. "I didn't – I didn't know how to react when I found out she was pregnant. I mean, I'm too young to be responsible enough to take care of a child, and I'm ridiculously stupid. I could've worn a condom, but I didn't, and I blamed it on her, and I just. . Can I please come in?"

I felt hesitant, and I could tell that Calum was too. In fact, he was more hesitant than I was, and I didn't miss the way he blinked a few times because he was trying to think this through, or the way his breathing changed patterns, or the way he tried to laugh, even though this situation was the opposite of funny. Calum then decided to speak up. "So basically. . you're coming here to apologize to the wrong person. Ashley is asleep, and so is her baby."

Ashton sighed, his finger going into his mouth. He then bit his nail before speaking again. "Our baby, Calum. I am the father. She can't change that."

"No, but you could've been better to her. She was lost, and sad, and you were toxic towards her. Ashley doesn't need that in her life."

Ashton groaned. "Neither does Michael, but you're still here, aren't you?"

Calum frowned, and I automatically felt like this was my fault. Sure, Calum has hurt me a million times in the past, but I've also never had a love like his before. Ashton didn't love Ashley, nor was he planning on trying to. He just cared too much about getting laid and it resulted in this.

Calum gulped, then bit the inside of his cheek as he moved from behind me. "You didn't have to say that."

"But I did, because you did. Hurts, doesn't it?"

Calum looked away, then made eye contact with Luke. "Why the hell are you here? You have no part in this."

Luke stood back, leaning against my front door. I wanted to wheel away and go back to sleep and completely forget this was happening, but I couldn't. I couldn't leave Calum here alone, and I wanted to hear what Luke had to say. Calum was right, though. He shouldn't be here – neither should we. This should be between Ashley and Ashton, yet here we are.

"Ashton and I have news." Luke then looked down at his feet with a slight smile on his face. "We're uh, it's a little soon, but uh, we're getting married, and I guess. . I'm trying to apologize for my actions in the past by inviting you to the wedding, which is happening in about. . . four months. End of April."