When we see Ashton's car in the garage, we all but run inside. Phoebe's a little slower, drowsy after sitting down in the car. I stay back to help her in. In the kitchen, Ashton is blasting the Ramones and dancing, and Phoebe looks a little surprised to see him, normally pretty serious, dancing to old punk like his life depends on it.
Calum grabs his shoulders. "You got it? Did you get it?"
Ashton spins into the counter, flashing a huge smile and two thumbs up.
The celebratory yell is deafening. Phoebe rubs her eyes and grins. Ashton grabs her in a crushing hug and kisses the top of her head hard.
She smiles, squeezes him, then ducks out of the kitchen and goes upstairs.
Phoebe's POV
I call Baz, opening with "Nothing's wrong, I just miss you."
"You're safe?"
"Yes. Come over."
"Normal place?"
"Oh, no, actually," I give him the address.
"Isn't that in the rich neighborhood? You live in a mansion?"
"Kinda. Just come over,"
He texts me ten minutes later. Baz: you really do live in a mansion. Which window?
Phoebe: East side, big bay ones, second floor. They're unlocked.
Baz: Screens?
Phoebe: I'll get them.
Two minutes later, he somersaults in the window. A device in the frame beeps. "Oh, missed that. You going to get in trouble?"
"I doubt it. They probably can't hear it anyway,"
He playfully tackles me onto my bed, burying his face in my shoulder. I ignore the pain. "Why are you living here now?"
"There was a whole thing with my mom, she attacked me, went to jail, escaped, and she's dead. So Ashton got custody yesterday, this is his house,"
"Oh. Are you okay?"
I nod. "Yeah, I'm okay."
"Which one is Ashton again?"
"Implant dentist guy,"
He laughs a little at that and rolls me over so we're both on our sides. "He nice?"
"Yeah, really nice. I think this is going to be good,"
"His friends nice?"
I hide a small cringe. "Yeah."
He stops and nuzzles my jaw. "You sure you're okay?"
I nod as the door opens. It's Ashton. Baz gets up, slow so it seems less suspicious, and offers a hand. "Sebastian Taylor."
Ashton glances to the open window. "Impressive. Use the front door next time." he says with an easy smile, and takes the handshake. "Ashton Irwin, nice to meet you."
I get up, drawing his attention. "Ibuprofen?"
Concern paints his face. "Shoulder giving you trouble?"
"That and the tooth from Tuesday."
He nods. "Speaking of teeth, everybody's check-ups are coming up and if you guys come along, I can take a look at that tooth and make sure everything's okay."
You've got to be kidding. "Would I have to have a check-up too?"
"It would really make me feel better," which, with Ashton, means yes.
