somebody to love / cashton

Forty Two

this chapter is dedicated to maxjjk  thank you for supporting this book from the very start! - Mel

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At this moment it was like watching a mama bear come to rip a human to shreds because they're too close to her kids. Except in this case, the mama bear is Mali and Ashton is about to die.

Ashton's soul just about left his body when he heard his name being called. How could he forget about Mali. They definitely didn't end on good terms, considering the last words he said to her was "fuck you and your family".

He turned around smiling but terrified. "Hi..Mali."

"Look what the cat dragged in.." Mali said sourly. Everyone in the room quietly watched and she circled Ashton and Landon.

"Nice to see you too." Ashton weakly laughed, Mali didn't find anything funny.

When she came face to face with Landon she eased up a bit. "Welcome, I'm Mali, Calum's older sister."

"I'm Landon." he smiled, shaking her hand.

"I'm so sorry you came here with him though." Mali glares towards Ashton.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Landon asks, half curious and half offended.

"It means she's joking!" Calum interjects. "Hey Mali maybe you could go get these 2 some drinks."

Mali slinks away to the kitchen, which Ashton seems to follow her to. But Calum stays to get to know Landon.

"It is so good to finally meet you! I'm Calum and Ashton has been keeping you very secret. I've been begging to meet you."

Landon laughs. "It's nice to meet you too..thanks for inviting me to this chaotic gathering."

Calum laughs, "Ah yes incredibly disjointed but we make a happy family."

Landon knew Calum was the ex, but he didn't know any details, didn't know how messy and complicated things were. Calum seemed happy with Avery so he wasn't worried, at least not yet.

"Here let me give you the rundown. The two on the couch are together, my best friends Michael and Luke. The exceptionally pretty girl over there is Lia and her boyfriend is Will. My sister's boyfriend Toddy is with the food. And my lovely boyfriend is right here, Avery." Calum smiles, grabbing Avery's hand.

"I love it." Landon laughs and goes to start mingling with people.

Meanwhile in the kitchen Ashton tries to smooth things over with Mali.

"Why did you follow me in here?" She scoffs.

"Mali I want you to know how sorry I am."

"You should be apologizing to Calum not me."

"Believe me I have." Ashton says.

"I'm not sure I believe you Ashton. Why should I after you betrayed all of us? We might not be blood but we're family. Family doesn't do that to each other." Mali retorts, clearly upset.

"Words can't explain how badly I fucked up but I promise I'm changing." Ashton pleads.

Mali takes a minute to respond, "You're a real dick you know that."

"I know." Ashton frowns.

"But I missed you.." Mali admits which causes Ashton to crack a smile.