Damaged ♡ Lashton ✔

Chapter 5 ⚠️

⚠️*TW// mentions of past abuse*⚠️

What the hell is so important that someone deems it necessary to blow up my phone this early on a Saturday morning? I pull my pillow over my head to try and drown out the noise, but when it's clear that it won't stop, I blindly reach around until I feel the device. Without opening my eyes, I accept the call and press it to my ear.

"Hello?" I mumble, my voice deep and raspy with sleep.

"Good morning, Princess! It is officially the weekend, and I'm taking you out. Get your lazy butt out of bed and pack an overnight bag – I'll be there to pick you up in thirty minutes. Don't keep me waiting, beautiful." Before I can even get a word out, the line disconnects and I sit up in bed, staring at my phone in confusion.

Overnight bag? I look at the time and see that it's only seven in the morning. I mentally curse the god-like man for interrupting my beauty sleep, but drag myself out of bed and to my bathroom nonetheless. I hop in the shower and take my time making sure I'm clean and... ahem groomed. I step out and wrap a towel around my waist, quickly brush my teeth, and then make my way over to my walk-in closet. I grab a small duffle bag and pack a change of clothes while letting myself air dry, throwing in my toiletries and phone charger and humming to myself quietly. I pull on a pair of tight, bright blue briefs before tugging on my tight black jeans, jumping around my room as I try to get them over my ass. Once I finally get them done up, I stand in front of my shirts with my hands on my hips, chewing on my bottom lip while I try to decide what to wear. I settle on a plain pink t-shirt and pull on a pair of socks and shoes before going back to the bathroom to get my hair situation under control.

"Luke, Ashton is here!" Calum calls up the stairs and I mutter a curse, quickly running a brush through my hair as I don't really have time to do much else.

"Coming!" I call back as I grab my bag and run downstairs. Just as I step off the last stair, I collide with a solid body which quickly catches me so I don't fall over.

"In a hurry?" I glance up at Ash with wide eyes as he smiles at me in amusement.

"S-sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." He chuckles quietly and presses a soft kiss to my lips before grabbing my bag from my hands.

"Ready to go, Princess?" I nod quickly and say goodbye to Cal and Mikey, then take Ashton's outstretched hand and follow him out to his car.

"So where are we going?" I ask after we get ourselves situated and he pulls back onto the road.

"You really aren't good with surprises, are you love?" My cheeks flush lightly and I shake my head, glancing over at him sheepishly.

"To be completely honest, they kind of terrify me." His eyebrows furrow in confusion and he glances over at me briefly before returning his attention to the road.

"May I ask why?" he questions softly, resting his hand on my thigh and rubbing it gently with his thumb. I relax against the seat and watch him carefully.

"Surprises were never good with my ex," I reply quietly and see his jaw visibly tense as he clenches his teeth, squeezing my thigh gently, almost as a way to remind me that I'm in a safe place. We haven't really spoken about my ex much, other than the fact that we are no longer together, but I figure it's a conversation we'll have to have sooner than later. I take a deep breath as I take his hand in mine, playing with his fingers gently as a way to ground myself as I prepare to unload my story on my new boyfriend.

"You don't have to say anything you're uncomfortable with, Princess. I understand if it's too hard to talk about." God, he's so understanding and sweet. How the hell did I get this lucky?