Love The Way You Lie - A Michael Clifford/ 5sos Fanfiction

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

 

My knees slammed against the pavement and my head swam. A steady buzz filled my ears, as I watched Laurie walk away. The mix of emotions left me dizzy. He found someone better. Someone who doesn’t slow him down. I should be happy for him.

But I can’t be.

For the first time since he left me at Ashton’s house, I cried. Hard.

They weren’t silent tears this time. They were full on gut wrenching sobs. I could almost feel my heart ripping again. I don’t know how something so broken could break again, but it did.

“Um, Payton? Is that you?”

I  froze. It only occured to me then that I was on my knees in a busy parking lot, bawling my eyes out.

I let my watery eyes look up.

Ashton’s warm eyes greeted mine. Luke and Calum stood behind him, eyebrows furrowed in concern. I looked back to Ashton, and fury burned through me.

“It’s your fault.” I whispered.

Ashton gave me a questioning look, clearly not understanding.

“It’s your fault that he left me.” This was the first time I’d let it come out. I tried to hide it, push it to the back of my mind, but it was the truth. Ashton caused all of this. “In fact, every problem that we had seemed to start with you! He’s married now, Ashton. Married. This wouldn’t have happened if you just kept your mouth shut!” My voice rose with every word I said until I was practically screaming at him. As I realized what I had just said and who I’d just said it to, the tears started again. Ashton was one of my bestfriends, I can’t treat him like this.

I could hear whispers between them.

“Michael’s married?” Luke’s voice questioned.

“Can’t be.” Calum denied.

Ashton’s hand rested on my shoulder. I let myself look up.

“I know,” He whispered, “I’m sorry.” I couldn’t take how understanding he was being.

“Ashton, no. It’s not your fault. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just so angry and hurt. I don’t know what to do.”

Ashton nodded. “Want to come with us? We came here to meet you after work. You’ve been so absent lately. We don’t want you to be alone.” Ashton spoke, never breaking eye contact. Cal and Luke nodded, agreeing.

I started crying again, but this time, they were happy tears. I had my boys. But I was still missing one.

I got in Cal’s truck with the boys, leaving my car in the parking lot. Calum offered to drive me to work the next morning.

With the boys, we did what we knew best.

Cruising around town, with the stereo blasting. I let myself smile and forget, just for a while.

We sang out the windows, the boys whistled at chicks walking by. I still found myself keeping a close eye out for Michael, that would never stop.

We stopped by the Liquor Store, and Ashton went in to get the goods. Next stop was my house, to grab the tent, air mattresses, and sleeping bags. We also stopped for food at the grocery store.

Then we headed for one of my favorite places, the mountain.

-

After a long drive out of town, the highway turned into a dirt road.