Angels Drown

Chapter 2

His tennis shoes made a loud thumping noise that echoed every time his foot hit the pavement. His breathing was coming out in short breaths.

Ashton stopped to catch his breath as he brushed his curls out of his eyes. Exercising was part of his program and his therapist recommended it whenever he felt tempted.

He heard footsteps pounding behind him and knew that was his best friend, Fletcher Irwin.

"You couldn't wait for me." Fletcher gasped out as she stopped and panted.

"Slow poke."

"You're mean, Ashton." She said and laughed.

Ashton was struggling more then usual, and not when it came to running. He had tried not to think about his addictions for years.

Most of the time it worked, but some of the time it didn't. When it didn't it got unbearable. It would feel like claws were tearing his skin, and a fire was burning through him that only substances could get rid of.

He would go home and snuggle into his fiancé's chest until it calmed down. Elijah understood every time Ashton would be in tears and trembling.

"Are you okay?" Fletcher asked as she put her hair into a bun.

"Yeah."

"Are you having a hard time?"

"Is it that obvious?" Ashton asked with a nonchalant shrug.

"Kind of, you always get shaky and look like you're about to have a breakdown."

"Sounds like me." Ashton said.

"We should head back. I have to meet my editor this afternoon." Fletcher mentioned.

Ashton was very proud of his best friend. He met Fletcher in rehab, they helped each other out a lot, Fletcher drew him in.

"Is he hot?" Ashton said raising his eyebrows.

Fletcher hadn't stopped talking about getting her book published.  Rightfully so of course.

That was the only topic of conversation that came out of her mouth at the moment.

"I saw a picture and yes he's hot."

"What's his name?"

"Uh, Lucas I think."
That name sent a shiver down Ashton's spine.  He hadn't heard that name in years.  He hadn't spoken it since......he made him leave.

He heard he went to New York for school but that's as far as he new.  If he kept asking then it just became more painful.

Ashton knew he didn't deserve that.  He just couldn't help but wonder.  A man that had been on his mind for so long.

Even when Elijah came into the picture there were moments when he would enter his thoughts and cram his way into his mind.

"Do you mind if I come with you?"

"To my meeting?"  Fletcher asked in a curious tone.

"Yeah I'm just curious."  Ashton said with a shrug.

It wasn't really a lie to be fair.  Ashton had a feeling, it was a gut feeling.  A feeling that it was him.

Sure, there were many men named Lucas, but for some reason he has this desire to see this editor.  If it's a random man then fine but if it wasn't...

Well, Ashton has always been the kind of person to indulge in risky behavior.

"Yeah sure but we are meeting at a café so sit at a different table."