Damaged ♡ Lashton ✔

Chapter 23

After another week in the hospital, I'm finally released. After reviewing my statement, the police stopped by again the next day to inform me that I should get a lawyer and that a court date would be set upon my release. I managed to find a lawyer who was willing to come to me while I was in the hospital, and we went over everything so he was aware of the entire situation, and this morning I received a call from him informing me that the date has been set for a week from today for the prosecution.

I breathe out a sigh of relief that it's all going to be over soon and that I finally get to go home as I relax in the passenger seat of Ashton's car, closing my eyes as I lazily reach beside me to pull my seatbelt on. He starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot carefully and I glance over at him to see him looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

"Are you okay?" he asks quietly, and I give him a small smile and nod, reaching over to lace my fingers with his.

"Happy to be going home."

His lips tilt up in a half smile before he looks back at the road. He's driving overly cautiously as he navigates his way through the streets, and I don't really understand why until it suddenly hits me – I was just in a serious car accident. Panic starts to swell in my throat, but I close my eyes and force it down with deep, calculated breaths.

He must notice my shift in demeanor because he squeezes my hand gently without removing his eyes from the road, driving five kilometers under the speed limit. I let out a slightly breathy laugh and he glances over at me before quickly focusing back on the road.

"What's so funny?" he asks, lips tilting up slightly in amusement.

"A woman who looks to be about a hundred just passed us," I whisper with a small chuckle, looking over at him with a teasing grin. He chews on his lip and tightens his grip on the steering wheel, amusement completely gone from his features.

"I just... I don't want you to feel unsafe," he replies slowly, and I feel tears prick the backs of my eyes but I quickly blink them away.

"I could never feel unsafe with you, Ashton. You are my safety." I pull his hand up and kiss his knuckles softly as he lets out a shaky breath and glances over at me again. I give him a reassuring smile and squeeze his hand gently. "You can go the speed limit, love. I know we're safe; I trust you. I'm okay, I promise. The second I start feeling uncomfortable, you'll be the first to know, okay?"

He pulls to a gentle stop at a red light and looks at me fully for a moment. Realizing I'm not blowing smoke and I'm being genuine, he allows a small smile to form and nods in understanding, looking forward just as the light changes to green.

We pull up in front of Michael and Calum's place, but before he has a chance to get out, I rest my hand on his forearm to stop him. He looks at me and tilts his head to the side in a silent question, and I chew on my lip for a moment to try and gather my thoughts.

"I just... was thinking..."

"About?"

"Well... that night..." He frowns and looks away from me, eyes shining slightly. "Before we left your apartment, you..." I sigh and rub a hand over my face just as he looks back over at me.

"Is this about me asking you to move in with me?" he asks softly. I nod and he smiles, running a hand through my hair. "The offer still stands. I didn't change my mind, if that's what you're worried about." I stare at him, blinking slowly as I process this new information, and a bright smile slowly spreads across my lips.

"Really? You still want me to move in with you?"

"'Course, why wouldn't I?" I giggle and shrug before launching myself across the console awkwardly to give him a tight hug.