She closed her eyes, and Ash watched her carefully. He felt the moment when she fell asleep, as her body relaxed completely, and she nuzzled against his neck.
He knew he was right. This was somehow his fault. Crystal had such a malicious glint in her eyes when she said his name. He let out a sigh, as he felt Lucy’s breath on his skin. He would have to take control of this situation. He needed some advantage against the onslaught that Crystal seemed to bring.
“No, don’t.” Lucy muttered in her sleep, and Ash looked at her to see a distraught expression on her face.
“Shhhh, Belle, it’s alright.” He whispered softly, as she began struggling in his arms.
“Get away from me!” She shouted, before letting out an ear-splitting scream, and shoving him away violently. Her eyes snapped open looking wary, terrified, and unfocused.
Her family came barrelling into the room, only to find her sobbing uncontrollably against Ash’s chest. He gave them a reassuring nod, and they backed off, sending a worried look towards Lucy. She eventually calmed, and fell back to sleep.
Ash’s heart was in his throat, his whole body tensed and distressed. He hated that he couldn’t help her in this defenceless state. After this, he was even more determined to find out what had truly happened between mother and daughter.
“My demons for yours, Belle. Don’t forget.” He whispered into her hair, before drifting off into an uneasy doze.
Chapter 20 – Too much too soon?
Ash woke blinking in the light that was hitting his face from the wrong side of where it would usually be. His bleary eyes looked around, and instant panic filled him, he had no idea where he was. God, he needed his glasses.
“Here, Ash,” a familiar voice said, before he felt his glasses placed in his hands. He put them on, and Lucy’s face came into focus.
“Belle,” he muttered, feeling himself relax. “Where am I?”
“My room.” She said with the tiniest of grins.
He instantly tensed back up, while trying to recall what had happened. Memories swamped him: Crystal grinning while saying his name, Lucy talking about a video before collapsing, finding out about her accident, and finally that he had lain down beside her.
“Wait a moment, how come we didn’t wake up earlier?” He asked, when he looked at his watch realising that it was the middle of the night. Lucy just shrugged looking a bit sheepish.
“I don’t know, I would have thought Mum or Dad… you know… would have woken us up. Anyway, it doesn’t matter; I’m starved, so let’s go see if there are leftovers.” She grabbed his hand, as he pushed to a stand rather groggily.
The television was on low, with Bill asleep in his recliner when they entered the lounge room. Lucy let out a sigh, a guilty expression smothering her features. She gently tapped her father on the shoulder, as she called out to him. He awoke with a start, but smiled with relief when he saw Lucy.
“Are you alright?” Bill asked seriously.
“Yep, I’m fine Dad. I just needed to sleep it off, like normal.” She told him with a reassuring look.
“Good. I should get the old body of mine to bed. Don’t you stay up too late; you know you have school tomorrow.” He told them both. Ash looked down, only to realise that he was still in his school uniform, as was Lucy.
“Yeah, I know.” Lucy answered.
“Go through Daz’s old clothes for Ash, and he can stay here tonight.” Bill advised, before walking up the stairs, and leaving them alone.
Ash sent her a perplexed look, while Lucy just grinned. She tugged him into the kitchen, and peered intently into the fridge. Within a minute, she had popped something into the microwave, while Ash just watched her feeling rather bemused.
She lifted herself onto the counter top, and watched the microwave spinning, before turning to look at him. She reached out a hand to him imploringly, so he clasped hers tightly. She reeled him in, until he was right in front of her, and swung their hands together between them.
“Are you really fine?” Ash asked, peering at her with a worried look on his face.
“Of course I am.” She reached out her free hand to stroke along his scratchy cheek.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the accident?” He asked quietly, and for a second she looked stricken, before she smoothly composed her features.
“It wasn’t important at the time. I fell down some stairs; it’s no big deal really.” She said with what she hoped was a casual shrug.
“You know that when you lie you get a tiny little twitch in your lip?” He asked his voice deadly serious and she winced. He knew her far too well.
“No, I didn’t know that.”
“It’s actually really cute when you’re lying about something silly,” he ran his finger along her lip sending a shiver through her. “But not now when you are lying about something this serious, Belle.” His voice dropped to a whisper, and she refused to look at him.
“I…um…” She stuttered, not knowing how to answer him.
“Look at me, Lucy,” he demanded. She slowly raised her eyes to meet his beautiful golden ones. “Why are you lying to me about this?” He asked, as he placed his hands on either side of her hips, trapping her there.
The microwave rang, startling them both. Lucy used it as her excuse to get away. His arms encircled her, preventing her from leaving, as she pushed off the bench. She frowned at him, before letting out a sigh.
“Talk to me, please.” He pleaded with such concern that she softened.
“I never told anyone what happened because…. it didn’t seem believable. At first, I couldn’t remember, but when I did… well that was my first black out.” She stumbled through her explanation.
“And?” He persisted.
“Can we please talk about this another day? Especially not where my family can overhear, it will just worry them more.” She asked sending him a compelling look.
“Fine, but you will tell me.” He demanded, as he let her go.
“I will certainly try.” She promised, which he raised an eyebrow at, but said nothing.
They sat on the couch together, and watched the end of a movie, while sharing some leftover steak and vegetables that Belinda had left for them. They finished together, and Ash took their plates back into the kitchen.
Lucy raised a hand to her brow, thankful that she was able to detain Ash’s questions for a while. She didn’t really want him to know the truth about her weakest moments, but he was very hard to say no to. Those eyes of his melted any resistance that she had.
“Are you okay, Belle?” His concerned voice asked from the doorway, so she nodded her head. “I probably should be going.” He said, as he walked over to give her a quick kiss, before making his way to the front door.
“No, wait a minute!” She quickly ran over to him, and grabbed his hand. “Didn’t you hear what Dad said?”
“What are you talking about?” Ash sent her a puzzled look, and she shuffled her feet uncomfortably.
“You can stay, please stay. You always make me feel better.” She finished, sending him her best pleading look. He ran his hand through his hair, and smiled softly.
“Of course, I can stay.” He told her, as he gathered her in his arms for a tight hug.
After her shower, Lucy went searching for some old clothes for Ash. She couldn't stop thinking about the naked guy in her shower, as she went through the chest of drawers in Daz’s old room. She reminded herself that that naked guy happened to be her boyfriend too.
She gulped in some air, and told herself not to think about it anymore. Then again, it was a much nicer image than rethinking about her mother again. She walked back into her bedroom, just in time, as the water cut off.
“Ah, Belle?” She heard his hesitant question, and smiled to herself.
“Right here Ash. I have some spare clothes and a towel as well. There should be a spare toothbrush in their somewhere too.” She told him quietly, not wanting to disturb the rest of her family.
She hand
ed the stuff through the doorway, which he had opened a crack, and told herself not to peek. When he finally came out smelling like her soap, she paused. She missed his tangy citrus smell, but admired his nice chest, before he pulled a shirt on.
“So, where am I sleeping? Do you want me to take the couch?” Ash asked, as he scrubbed his wet hair with the towel.
He looked over Lucy appreciatively, tilting his head to the side, as he gazed longingly at her. She was wearing one of Daz’s old t-shirts that was huge, grazed the middle of her thighs, and was becoming a bit threadbare in places. She blushed a little at his question, then a lot at the smouldering look he sent her.
“Um, would you stay with me?” She asked in a whisper.
“I would, but I don’t want to have to face your parents in the morning, let alone Penny or Daz,” he explained, and disappointment flooded her face.
“Uh, huh. No wait I have it. I forgot it was under there.” She mumbled to herself, and Ash sent her a perplexed look.
She stepped over to her bed, ducked underneath it, and pulled out a trundle bed that hid underneath. She grinned at him, while he prepared himself for an interesting night’s sleep.
“It’s okay, you can take my bed. I’ve had to sleep on this before, so I’m used to it.” She said, as she stood back up, while Ash just shook his head.
“No, beautiful, you sleep in your own bed.” He pushed the words out through a dry mouth, as he watched her move about the room
“Are you sure?” She looked up at him from where she was organising fresh bedding and stopped. The look in his eyes melted her, and she sucked in a breath.
“Very sure, Belle.” He muttered.
He strode across to her, and leaned down to where she was. Their lips connected, as he sat down next to her, and pulled her onto his lap. Forgetting that the bed was on wheels, it rolled away from them. Lucy laughed against his warm lips.
“Hmmm, I miss your tangy smell,” she murmured.
“Huh?” He pulled back a little, as he cupped her cheek in his hand.
“You normally smell all citrusy, kind of tangy, and nice,” she tucked her nose against his neck “Now you smell like vanilla, which is just too weird.” Her brow furrowed, as she moved away from him.
He grinned at her while tugging her back next to him, “I actually like smelling like you. Maybe I should get some of your soap for home,” he teased her, which only made her frown deepen.
“No way.” She started to argue.
Ash cut her off by capturing her lips with his. His fingers delved into her hair, wrapping her curls around his fingers. He deepened the kiss, and Lucy let out a tiny moan. She had missed these crazy, intense kisses, and had craved one all day. She relished being this close to him, holding him tight, and kissing him like nothing else in the world mattered.
“At least you still taste the same,” she murmured dreamily, as his lips drifted down her neck. His chuckle reverberated against her skin, making Lucy shiver.
“We had better get to sleep,” he said hastily, before giving her another quick kiss.
“Can’t you just sleep next to me?” She asked softly. but he shook his head.
“Up you go.” He gestured to the bed.
She sighed, but scrambled up. She looked over the edge of her bed to watch, as he settled onto the smaller bed. He took off his glasses, squinted adoringly at her, before smiling. She couldn’t help the sigh that escaped her.
He was quite simply, breathtakingly handsome. She reached over and touched his hair, loving the silky feel that was so much darker when it was wet. He leaned his cheek into her palm, and a smile spread across her face.
“I love you, Belle,” he whispered.
“I’d love you more if you gave me one more kiss,” she replied cheekily, as she turned the bedside lamp off.
“Really? I can’t see you, so I guess that’s not going to happen.”
She cut him off, as she moved even closer to press her lips against his. He responded by trying to tug her even closer. With a small yelp, she lost her balance, and fell on top of him. He kissed her arm that went flailing close to his face, as she giggled like crazy.
“That’s one; I guess you love me more now.” Ash chortled to himself.
“Blah! That was a half, nowhere near one.” She muttered.
She pushed herself back on her bed, with Ash still laughing. They were silent for a minute, only the rustling of bedclothes interrupting the stillness. She was wondering what to say about all that had happened that day. She was beginning to fear that Ash would push her away when he realised exactly how much trauma she had gone through.
“Are you warm enough?” She asked, peering over the edge of the bed again.
“I’m very cosy, Belle.” He answered concisely.
“I’m sorry about today. I know I should have told you about the accident, but if you haven’t noticed, I don’t like talking about it.” She admitted, as she dropped her hand off the edge, reaching for him. When his fingers clasped tightly around hers, she let out a sigh.
“It’s alright, as long as you tell me eventually,” he replied seriously. She didn’t answer, but scooted closer to the edge of the bed not willing to let go of his hand “You have nightmares about it, don’t you?” His words interrupted her thoughts, but she felt too exhausted to say anything.
“Sometimes, not as often as I used to. How did you know?” She finally asked into the silence.
“This afternoon you called out in your sleep.” He said simply, and his words surprised her.
“Oh, okay, I didn’t think I did that anymore.” She mumbled.
“You do, that’s why I’m worried about this. Have you told anyone what actually happened?” He asked intently, while squeezing her fingers reassuringly.
“I’ve been to therapists, if that’s what you’re asking.” She told him abruptly.
“That doesn’t mean you told someone the truth, Belle.” He said sternly, looking towards her in the dark.
“Three people know most of the story.” She replied vaguely.
“And those three are?”
“Ugh, you know what? I’m just too tired for this interrogation, right now.” She said on a yawn, and he let out a huff.
“Fine, I can wait for an answer,” he squeezed her fingers again, before kissing the back of her hand gently. “Night, Belle.”
“Night, Ash.”
A bell rang persistently, and Lucy let out a grumble. What was that? She forced her eyes open to the dim glow of early morning, only to see a light flashing on her nightstand. She blearily reached out for it to find it was Ash’s phone. Without thinking, she answered it, as she looked around for Ash.
“Hello,” she said rather gruffly, when she realised that Ash wasn’t sleeping on the trundle bed, he was nowhere in the room.
“Where’s Martin?” A trilling voice demanded.
“Don’t know.” Lucy answered, as she scrubbed at her eyes and yawned.
“Get him on the phone, you little boyfriend stealing tart,” The girl’s voice went up into a screech.
“Look, who is this? I’ll get him to ring you back.” Lucy forced through gritted teeth, as she felt her anger begin to build.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m Mindy Taylor.” The girl told her regally, and Lucy felt herself relax a little. It didn’t explain why the girl had his number, nor why she was ringing this early, but Lucy knew Ash had no time for her.
Ash came back into the room, sending her a perplexed look, as he gestured to the phone. Lucy sent him a tight grin while, mouthing the words ‘Mindy Taylor’, before handing the phone over. Ash let out a groan, and then put the phone to his ear.
For a few minutes, he talked calmly, until his own anger seemed to kick in. He kept repeating that he had a girlfriend. Eventually, he set the phone on Lucy’s nightstand and pressed the loudspeaker. Lucy’s sense of humour rumbled through her at the girls outraged words.
“See, this is what I have to put up with
? Nothing but self-obsessed, self-centred, incredibly boring girls. Thank God, I found you.” Ash told Lucy, as she let out a snort of laughter at Mindy’s words.
Lucy gestured to him with the crook of her finger, and gave him an inviting smile. He couldn’t look away from her as her grin turned sultry. Her eyes beckoned to him, as Mindy’s voice turned slightly hysterical.
He picked up the phone again, and said very calmly into it, “Sorry Mindy, but I have to go. My girlfriend needs her morning kiss.” Before he hung up the phone.
He put the phone back down, before pouncing on the bed on top of Lucy who let out a giggle. He trailed kisses up the side of her neck, while she leaned back and ran her hands through his hair. His phone rang again, and he quite deliberately kicked it off the nightstand, so it skidded across the room. He had just started kissing Lucy’s lips, when her door swung open. They quickly sprang away from each other, and turned to the door.
“Oh, my God, you guys! Seriously, at this hour? Now add a stupid phone that's ringing. Some of us are trying to sleep,” Penny stormed into the room, picked up the offending phone, and went to answer it.
“No, don’t!” Ash and Lucy both shouted, as they exchanged horrified looks towards Penny.
“Ugh, do I have to listen to her again?” Ash let out a whine, Penny sent him a curious look, as her finger hovered over the answer key on the phone.
“Who is it?”
“Mindy Taylor.” He replied, with a grumble.
Penny looked between the still ringing phone, and the pair of them with wide eyes. She quite deliberately pressed the answer button this time. Ash pushed a hand through his hair. His grimace quickly replaced by a smile at Penny’s words, and by the end he was full on laughing.
Penny sent him a smug look, as she casually told the famous girl that she was interrupting her sleep. She then said that she would appreciate if she would call back at a more reasonable hour. She hung up, turned the phone off, and threw it to Ash.
“As you were,” she said with a giggle, as she went to leave the room.
“Penny, wait, you realise that you just spoke with Mindy Taylor. As in the Mindy Taylor?” Lucy insistently asked.
I Met Her On the Balcony Page 21