Adopted By The Hemmings (mgc)

Twenty Eight

The drive was silent. Mali didn't really ask any questions except one.

"Where are all of you boys staying?" Luke cleared his throat, the sound reverberating against the roof of the car.

"We're going back to mine." Mali nodded, but said no more. When she pulled into the driveway, she turned to Calum.

"Text me tomorrow if I need to come get you. I have a few things to do so I don't know when I'll get here, but I will."

"Thanks for the ride, Mal." Everyone echoed him as they filed out of the car. When Mali turned the corner at the end of the street they all stood still. Trying to break the tension, Luke placed a hand on Ashton's shoulder.

"C'mon let's get you cleaned up. Lu, can you make an ice pack?" The other four watched as Luke led Ash into the house. Luna could only imagine what Liz was going to say. Michael cleared his throat.

"Let's head in, I'm sure we'll talk about it when Ash is ready." Luna nodded before she walked up the stairs.

"I'm going to go get that ice pack made. Anyone need anything while I'm in the kitchen?"

"Here, I'll just come with you and I'll grab sodas for everyone. Cal, why don't you and Roxie go ahead up to Luke's room?" Cal gave Michael a nod as he led Roxie out of the living room. Luna made her way into the kitchen and began rummaging for a baggie to put ice in.

"It must have been something really bad for Ash to fight with someone." She kept her eyes on her task.

"Yeah, it usually is. Listen, I'm sorry I didn't let you comfort him earlier. I know that that's how you operate. So, if I upset yo -"

"You didn't. It's okay, you do know Ash better than me. You know how to handle him when he's like this. Now I do too I suppose." Luna felt his hands fall on her waist as she closed the baggie of ice. She leaned against him, taking a deep breath.

"We should probably get upstairs." He turned to grab all of the sodas when Liz walked through the kitchen door.

"I thought I heard voices. What are you kids doing back so early? I thought you'd for sure stay out as late as possible." Liz began digging in the pantry.

"Yeah, it was fun." Luna attempted to sound enthused, but her words were a little thick in her throat. She did have fun, so it technically wasn't a lie. Liz faced Luna, her eyes landing on the ice pack.

"Did something happen?" Luna shot a glance at Michael.

"I rolled my ankle while jumping." She stuck her foot out for Liz to see.

"Definitely ice that and prop it up. I'm assuming you just paid no attention to it after it happened."

"I didn't want to ruin the fun." Luna shrugged as Liz rolled her eyes.

"Okay, well don't let me keep you. Be sure to ice that ankle though." Liz placed a quick kiss on the top of Luna's head. Luna shuffled out of the kitchen with Michael.

"Should we have just told her about Ashton?" Luna whispered with worry gnawing at her insides.

"We will. Plus you didn't exactly lie. You did roll your ankle." The two of them reached Luke's room, but it was quiet. Luna could still hear the shower in the bathroom running. Luke, Cal, and Roxie all looked up as the two of them came into the room.

"Mumma knows we're home. I didn't tell her about what happened. I wasn't sure if I should."

"There's no sense in keeping it from her, she'll find out in the morning when she sees the black eye Ash has." Luke ran his hands through his hair before taking a drink from Michael. Luna crawled up onto his bed, elevating her ankle.