12 Days Of Christmas // l.h. + a.i.

8 Maids a Milking

Luke Hemmings

Luke had left the next morning, thanking Jane and Rick for their hospitality, and telling Matilda he had a great time with her. He had driven all day, and most of the next day. His phone buzzed with a text from Ashton, and he smiled when he read it.

From: ash xx
12:19pm

don't worry lukey everythings okay. i ran the dishwasher last night despite the lack of dishes. im going to be so busy today, you have no idea. planning something special for when you come home ;) miss you too and love you too <3

Luke's stomach did a little flip, his mind racing at the possibilities of what Ashton could possibly have planned. Luke had driven through Maryland and was in Virginia, passing through small towns and ranches.

After finding himself passing more ranch houses than highway exits, he pulled over and wondered if it would be worth it to ask someone for directions. Deciding he'd waste more time trying to figure out where he was going, he drove until he found a nice looking house, with hopefully nice people inside it.

He pulled the rental car up next to the driveway and got out of the car. The fresh air was a wonderful difference from the smell of sweaty-teenage-boy-who-hasn't-showered-in-4-days that was taking up the car. Luke walked up the long driveway, a farm dog barking and running up to him, walking in between Luke's legs.

Just as he reached the front door, it opened, to reveal a woman with a crinkled face, that had been kissed by the sun one too many times, and gray hair that was braided down her back.

"Can I help you son?" She asked.

"Yeah, sorry. I think I'm kind of lost, I'm looking for the freeway that'll take me south," Luke explained.

The wind blew, and the old woman's nose scrunched up in disgust when she caught a whiff of Luke. Luke blushed, embarrassed, but there wasn't much he could do.

"How long have you been lost? 3 months? Go get your bag from your car and I'll wash those smelly clothes and you'll get your ass into the shower and scrub that disgusting smell off of you," the old woman said with so much authority that Luke didn't dare protest.

Nodding his head, he walked back to the car and grabbed his bag. When he walked in the house, he was greeted with modern looking furniture, and granite countertops - something quite different than what he was expecting.

"Restrooms are upstairs, the 3rd door to the right of the staircase, towels are under the sink. Now go before you stink up my entire house," the woman said, practically shoving Luke upstairs.

Luke started the water, loving the sound it made when it hit the tile floor of the shower. He stripped off his dirty clothes and stepped into the hot water, the pounding of the water on his back easing all his tense muscles from the time in the car. He did have to admit, showering in a stranger's shower was weird, but he was glad he could finally shower. Careful not to take too long, not doubting that if he used up all the hot water the woman would not hesitate to chop off his balls, he quickly washed his hair and body before turning off the water and stepping out of the shower.

Putting on a pair of sweatpants instead of his skinny jeans, and a sweatshirt that he borrowed (stole) from Ashton, he toweled dry his hair and wrapped his dirty clothes in the towel he had used, walking downstairs.