Chapter 13 #2
I smile, still not quite able to look him squarely in the eye.
I raise an eyebrow in Ash’s direction as I watch Scott go inside before bringing my finger to my mouth and chewing on my nail.
“Hey, are you alright with that? I can go and have a word.” Ash wraps his arm around my shoulder.
“And if lover boy doesn’t do it, I can,” Angie jumps in. “I don’t mind roughing old Knoxie up a bit.”
“No, there’s no need,” I reassure them both.
“I know you won’t make a fuss, but as I can’t see Ash letting him get away with much, I’ll let it go.
” Angie side-eyes Ash with a smile. “I’ve got to get to work myself.
We have a hot new manager at the theatre, and I want to get in his good books,” she winks then kisses my cheek.
“It will be okay, Cal.” Then she squeezes my arm before walking away.
“See she gets in there safely, Ash. I’m counting on you,” she calls over her shoulder.
“Got it,” he calls back with a grin. “Like I need pointers on how to look after you.”
I smile up at him, but he must see through me.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I can have him out of there before Rosie’s noticed he’s around,” Ash asks, running his fingers through my hair. He doesn’t realise he’s soothing my rapid nervous heartbeats.
For a moment, I think while taking in a deep breath. I blow it out with my reply, “I’ve got to get on with it. I can’t keep running away and maybe it’s time to give him the benefit of the doubt.” I carry on chewing my nail again, but this time, Ash takes my hand away.
“Promise? You don’t look too sure.” He leans forward as I spring up on my tiptoes to meet him halfway.
My eyes close to his soft lips pressing against mine and for a few short seconds, my worries soothe away.
I come back down to earth slowly, opening my eyes to the sight of his smile.
“I promise.” Ash pulls me towards his chest, while the turmoil of emotions soon returns at the prospect of working with Scott.
His arms fold around me, holding me close.
“Wow, Scott really did a number on you back then, didn’t he? ”
I let out a hard breath, not revealing what went down between Scott and me. I don’t want anyone to know. It was too humiliating.
“I don’t think I understood how much he got under your skin until now. I’m sorry Cal if I had any idea at the time, I could have helped you two sort it out.”
“Not sure you could have resolved anything but thank you,” I smile.
“Look, I wouldn’t give him the time of day if he hadn’t changed. Just try to open your mind. He isn’t the same guy you knew at school. I promise.”
“I’ll be okay; I’m a big girl now. I can handle it.”
“I know you can. You’re the strongest person I know,” Ash says with a sad tone. I’m all too aware things aren’t great with him either. “Ash, is everything alright?”
He sighs. “Fuck Cal, I really needed to see you today. I needed to do this.” His hands capture my face, then his mouth claims mine.
His tongue runs a line along the seam of my lips and I open up to him.
His kiss is full; so deep and unashamed, my body melts against his.
As I’m released, he immediately asks, “Can I see you later? What time do you finish?”
“Six-thirty,” I just about manage.
“I’ll meet you here then we can grab a pizza or something? I need some time, just you and me.”
“Okay, but I’ll need to shower before I see you. I stink of fried food when I come out of this place.”
“Sounds good. I could probably do with a shower by then.” His smirk, together with his suggestion, causes my skin to tingle.
I look down, then back to him, biting my lip. “I’ll help you wash away the stress,” I assure him, but I see the worry in his eyes. “Just be careful when you go to your parent's house today, in case your dad turns up.”
“I will.” He half-smiles, “Don’t worry,” then smooths his finger under my chin.
“We can talk about what happened with your dad later if you want. It might help to get things off your chest.”
“I could do with forgetting that piece of shit for now and losing myself in you.”
He swallows me up in his hold, his hands drifting down my back and onto my bum. I reach up, looping my hands around his neck as I reply, “Whatever you want. I’ll see you at six-thirty?”
“No doubt.”
“Calla, what the hell are you still doing out here?”
We part abruptly. “Sorry Miss Lee, my fault.” Ash takes a step backwards with this innocent look on his face.
Rosie takes one look at him and melts into a puddle of goo.
She’s all smiles. “I’ll let you off Ashton Chambers.
” Perhaps I should keep him around if ever I get into trouble with her again.
“We need to get on, Cal. There’s a full house in there, and obviously, I want a word about our latest applicant. ”
It’s an advantage working for your secondary school teaching assistant because she knows my history.
She knew Scott and I were friends once; she also knows we fell out.
I open my mouth to speak, but Rosie must think I’m about to launch some kind of rant.
She holds up her hand, “I know what you’re going to say.
” I glance at Ash, who gives me a tight smile.
“But let’s get inside and talk things over. ”
“I won’t keep her any longer Miss Lee,” Ash says.
“It’s Rosie! For the love of God, Ash.” Her lip curls while she suppresses the urge to laugh.
“Yes, Miss,” he smirks while walking away backwards.
“I’ll leave you to it.” He keeps hold of my hand, gazing into my eyes until our hands drop between us.
His fingers slip into the pocket of his black jeans and he calls, “You can do this, Cal,” before he disappears around the corner.
I turn to Rosie. Her eyes crease with her smile.
“Come on you,” she puts her arm around my shoulders.
“You know what I want to talk to you about.”
“Scott Knox by any chance?”
“Correct,” she half-smiles.
“Uhm…”
“Your opinion counts, so if you don’t think you can work with him, I won’t offer him the job.”
“No, Rosie… no, he’s good,” I hear myself saying. Ash seems to think he’s changed his ways and I trust Ash more than anyone.
She smiles. “Look Cal; the simple truth is, we’re desperate for help so I’d like to give him a try.”
“Honestly Rosie, I understand.”
“But I’m also not going to keep him on if he lets me down or causes any trouble.”
“Okay, I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Good girl.” She squeezes me in for a hug then looks over at the crockery I’d started stacking before Ash arrived. “Let’s get this sorted and go back inside. There’s a young man in there who needs training.”