17.Danny Cunningham

Katy Belle-Devereux looked like the stereotypical gone with the wind blond girl. That and a Barbie doll. She had the same ice cold aura as Amanda, but in blond, so they must be closely related. The point is she was incredibly beautiful, but had the personality of a Karen.

I watched in disbelief as Ashton's cousin rambled on about how important status was and at some point I had zoned out. It was insane how me telling her that I came from a lower middle class family set her on this long tangent. As much as I wanted to respect Ashton's family, this girl was getting on my nerves the more she spoke down to me. It was becoming harder and harder to take her seriously.

"So listen, I know you can't possibly understand what this life entitles, so I'll give you a million to just go away and leave Ashton alone," Katy smirked. I stared at her while I tried to hold my laughter in. How did the "give you a million to leave that man" situation suddenly pop up unexpectedly. Eventually, I couldn't help but let out an accidental chuckle, which she didn't seem to like.

"That's stupid, what time period do you think we're living in? We are in America, you know," I scoffed much to Ashton's delight. "Be honest, you got that line from an overseas drama, right?"

"Huh, it really has a fox face! I've seen how you commoners work! You pretend to love people so you and your family can be parasites to get out of your own unfortunate situations!" Katy scowled at me.

"Hey! Watch your mouth!" Ashton snapped at her.

"I advise you not to get too cocky! Ashton will get tired of you as soon as he meets someone with an equal status to him, and you won't be able to get anything at that time! When he dumps you, I'll allow you some compensation, but it'll only be a hundred thousand then. People like you don't deserve Ashton!" Katy huffed at me. This stupid chick was really mad at me for being poor. Talk about shitty priorities. Her money must've stopped her from being able to see the bigger picture. "There's people more qualified for him. They're way more beautiful and knowledgeable and agreeable than you could ever hope to be. Ashton could be with someone else by this time next month. I advise you to take your leave while you can keep your dignity."

Where was her dignity? Actually, where was her shame. I thought if I had ever experienced a moment like this in real life, I'd go off. But now that it's actually happening, I couldn't help but see how much of a clown she was making of herself.

"Who do you think you are?" Ashton rolled his eyes. "Apologize!"

"Are you kidding me? Do you see that? He's showing off the marks on him like some common whore-"

"Don't call him names," Ashton started to look more serious now.

"Ashton has always loved me very much, and our relationship is very good. While there's many people out there for him, but Ashton is very loyal. Except for me, he won't spare anyone a second glance. Only a shameless person would try and break that up over something like class," I let her know. I didn't want her adding on more insecurities for Ashton to think about.

"You're the most shameless person here! Obviously your living conditions are bad! If it weren't for Ashton, could you even afford the clothes on your back?" Katy snapped.

"How poor do you think I am? I'm not destitute! My dad can still buy me clothes!" Now I was starting to get a little offended. It's one thing to imply that I'm a gold digger, but she's been insulting my father who works very hard for everything we do have. On top of that, she made it out as if I'm from some dirty slum or something. "My living conditions aren't bad! They're perfectly normal, you bitch!"

Katy gasped and we both looked at Ashton who immediately put his arm around me. I actually didn't mean to call her bitch, but she kind of had it coming. "His father is a hard worker and a good man. You should also know my parents love Danny and his dad, Katy." Ashton spoke with a voice full of authority.

Oh shit, who is this guy?

"He disrespected me like this, and you're still on his side?" She was literally turning red. "Ashton just come back to Georgia and-"

"How did it become him disrespecting you? Clearly you insulted him first for no reason! Who do you think you are?" Ashton said. "How did you even get past security?"

"I'm your cousin!"

"When has that ever mattered?" Geez, rich families don't get along in real life either. I couldn't lie, it was all very entertaining.

"It's all because of you! You've gone too far!" Katy pointed at me angrily. I wonder if she was offended that I defended myself or called her a bitch? "Unethical and disgraceful!"

"Ashton, what this all about?" I turned to him.

"I'll be inheriting my parents business in the future, as well as my biological parents business after they retire," Ashton explained to me. "It's a big deal to some people, like Katy, but in reality no one really cares because they already know I intend to take care of the entire family."

"If you're the one who's going to be powerful, why is she telling you who you should be with? Does she have authority over you?" Maybe I was missing something here. Is there a connection I haven't yet picked up on?

"She doesn't actually have any power over me," Ashton assured me. "Nothing she says really matters because she can't put any money where her mouth is. She owns nothing." Hm. If nothing she says matters or will actually effect us, then there was really no need to get so bent out of shape or nervous. Surprisingly, i felt extremely confident about how this situation was going to play out. I trusted Ashton too much to take the word of some strange girl who seemed to have boundary issues. "Please believe me."

"If nothing I say matters, why can't I speak to him?" Katy demanded.

"Do you want to speak to her?" Ashton asked me.

Katy looked red in the face. "Why are you giving him a-"

"I'll talk to her," i sighed. Obviously she wasn't going to leave until she said what she wanted to say. Some people just can't be reasoned with. "Can you get me some water please?"

"I'll be right back!" Ashton ruffled my hair while shooting a hateful look at Katy, before leaving the room. Katy stared at me as if I were a pile of shit left behind by a dog.

"I don't care about Ashton's money if that's the problem, I only like him," I started.

"When Aunt Amanda told me that Ashton had someone he liked, I really wanted to see what kind of person could move him since he's always been a bit of a loser. But seeing you now, I can tell it's just a normal moment of infatuation, just like with his tutor in the past," Katy smirked. His tutor? "Do you understand what I mean, or are you just pretending to be confused? I can bring back Ashton's ex lover. It's because Uncle Chip caught them kissing that the tutor was ran off. What do you think? Hard to accept? You really didn't expect that you're only this much, did you?"

"Well-"

"No matter what you say, you don't understand Ashton enough. He may like you right now, but it doesn't mean you're special in any way. Do you even like him?"

"I like him a lot."

"Ridiculous! Don't try to tell me you want to be with him, you can't even win over someone else."

"Do you like him?" I asked.

"Don't think that I said all this because I was jealous! You think with your cheap feelings and attitude, you'd actually have a future with him? Don't make me laugh! You're blatantly insulting my sincerity I've had for so long. But no matter, you don't have many chances anymore, because Ashton won't wait for you his entire life-AHHHH!" Katy screamed as a cup of water was poured over her head messing up her nicely done hair.

"That tutor was in his late twenties when he started to try and mess with me, he was not a first love, he was a pervert, not that it's your business. Stop talking about things you know nothing about, idiot," Ashton said. I could tell that he was refraining from pouring the glass of water in his other hand on her as well.

"Why are you so nervous? I just wanted to see the kind of person that can catch your attention, but he's not interesting at all! What's wrong with me being honest and telling him that you two aren't suited for each other? A commoner like him? Don't joke around about that stuff! Don't forget you have terrible taste and how naive were you to be tricked by that guy?! Aren't you just desperate?" Katy defended herself. I wonder if she knew what she was even saying right now? How could she blame Ashton for being groomed by a pervert? This girl was seriously ridiculous.

"Fine, if that's the case, what part of me is worthy of being liked?" Ashton looked angry but I could tell he was really holding back right now.

"You know that's not what I meant!"

"What else could you have meant? Just leave," Ashton sighed.

"If he can't even take care of his own situation, what right does he have to be leaching off of you? Do you still not understand? Stop being so damn foolish! He's not the same as us!"

"So what? I only know that Danny's the one I want. There isn't always logic behind it," Ashton walked towards me and handed me the glass of water in his hand. After i took the glass I pulled his arm a bit so he could just sit with me. When he did, I rubbed his back to try and calm him. "Since I'm just a desperate foolish person, you should leave and stop worrying about things. Tell the security who let you in that they can leave as well since they don't know how to properly do their jobs."

"What?!" Katy's eyes widened and desperately she tried to reach out to Ashton who pulled his arm back. "I thought we were good friends!"

"I always went along with what everyone else wanted me to do. But you broke into my house, disrespected me and my boyfriend, and had the nerve to tell me that no one would like me if it wasn't for my money or inheritance. You even brought up that predator and blamed me for being molested by him!"

"I didn't mean-"

"What did you mean then?!" Ashton snapped making Katy drop her head and go silent. "Exactly, get out or else I'll have my parents cut off your family."

"You can't do that!"

"Try me," Ashton and Katy glared at each other before Katy finally sucked get teeth and stomped out of the room. In that moment, I could feel Ashton exhale and tremble a bit.

I was surprised at Ashton being so aggressive, because it didn't seem like him at all. It looked like he was hurting really badly from this confrontation he just had. Ashton was a very gentle and timid person who always wanted to extend a hand to help someone in need, not this fierce guy he just forced himself to be. My heart was breaking for him.

I put my glass of water down and took Ashton's face in my hands. "You're the best, Ashton. I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself."

Ashton lifted me onto his lap so he could hug me. "Don't listen to anything she said! She's doesn't know a damn thing about me or you. I'm sorry I let her say all that shit to you."

"But you defended me when she got out of line, every time. You've never been desperate or naive or foolish, and you aren't just some dollar sign. You're too nice for your own good and you like keeping everyone happy. You have a million great qualities and your money isn't one of those qualities," I tried my best to comfort him. "Plus you're really cute."

Ashton didn't lift his head. "Don't you think I'm disgusting?"

"Why?"

"I mean, she even said it to you. I was fooled by someone twice my age. They only touched me and taught me how to kiss people. It started when I was in middle school and it lasted for two years. Because nobody had liked me, I thought that he really liked me. Before it went to far, dad caught us and made him disappear. After therapy, I realized what had happened to me and-"

I held him close to me so he would stop talking. "It's all that perverts fault that you think you're disgusting! You're not disgusting at all!"

"I managed to be able to deal with it after some intense therapy, and I thought I was over it, but I seriously almost punched her when she tried to lie and called him an ex lover! He was nothing of the sort! I only ever loved you and my parents!"

"Why did you call yourself gross?"

"Because regardless of how I feel now, I have to live with the fact that it was thru him that I realized that I was gay. There was a part of me that genuinely liked him and the way I got touched and it's disgusting! I know that it was just a biological reaction that I had, but it makes me feel dirty on the inside."

"You're not dirty. I don't know what I should say to someone who's been through this, but you aren't dirty. I don't agree with her and I'll do anything to make sure you can be happy too!" I held him close. I could understand where he was coming from, and I felt a hateful feeling seeing the pain that Katy brought up in Ashton. What should I do? "How can I help you feel better?"

"I want you," Ashton said, showing me how much with a thrust of his pelvis into mine. He leaned me back slightly, kissing the skin of my neck. I was loving the feel of his pulse against my lips. He was brash and confident and completely back in control of himself as he pushed me down and pulled down my pants and underwear again. The fact that he could dominate me, that i let him dominate me, contributed to the rush for both of us and could clear both of our minds.

It didn't hurt that he had a killer body either.

"Ok," I agreed.

"Why, Danny? Why are you letting me do this? Why do you like to be dominated?" Ashton stared at me with glossed over eyes. I think he was ready to go now but was holding himself back.

"Don't you ever get tired of being in control? Don't you ever just want to let go and surrender all that power to someone else for a while?" I said. "It feels nice to just give in sometimes."

"No," Ashton answered. "I honestly don't."

"Well, then," i chuckled. "That's definitely a part of why I like you so much. You break that rule only for me."

"And, don't you forget it."

"I won't," Ashton groaned in response, effectively ending our little heart to heart, or whatever it was, and turned his head away from me. It still didn't explain why he wanted to know this, but he seemed in complete control of his faculties, so I didn't dwell on it.

He turned back to me letting his hair fall in my face a bit. "Now, spread your legs wider for me, baby."

Right on cue, I complied. It made me feel even more powerful to know that he enjoyed that I answered to his demands.

He took a moment to admire all the marks he had already left on me about an hour ago. And honestly it made my entire body shiver with joy.

I was still sore since it was my first time being penetrated, but it didn't feel like what we did earlier was enough. I just felt an intense feeling of longing for more as I watched him drip a few drops of lube right above my hole. Once the drops reached their destination, he reached out a finger to trace it. Then, pushed it through the opening straight to a good spot.

"Danny," his voice was a reverent pant. "You're tighter than I thought you would be after earlier. I should get you a plug, and when you put it in to get yourself ready for me, you'll remember that you're all mine." He removed his finger and coated it, along with a second finger, with lube.

"Ash~" I let out a whine so he could feel how much I wanted him to do me again. There was no greater feeling than giving into him. Surrendering. Losing my identity, my sense of self, all the responsibilities, the pressure, the nagging, the expectations, and all the irritating voices that thought they knew what was best for me.The second that sting began to spread across my back, I gave in.

It was glorious.

"Relax," Ashton whispered so softly, I almost didn't hear it. He finally stuck his fingers in roughly. "You like that? You like being mine?" He taunted. I nodded just for him to use his free hand to smack my left butt cheek. "Tell me," he ordered.

"I like being yours," i said much too meekly.

"That's all? You just like it?" He added another hard slap to the same side doubling the intense feeling. "Tell me."

"I fucking love it, all right? I love doing whatever you say in bed. I love it when you're rough with me. Jesus, you make me so fucking hard. I want you to have your way with me, Ashton," I heard myself blurt out before thinking completely. The neediness was dripping out of my hoarse voice was almost startling to me.

Ashton leaned in a bit and slapped his dick against my ass while he showed me an obsessively horny look. "You feel that? You feel how hard I am? That's what you're doing to me when you're like this. Your ass is mine." He dick-slapped me one more time and repeated, "Mine."

I wanted him.

I wanted him to stretch me and fill me and pound me into oblivion. I wanted to forget where I was and who I was and what I was going to do. I wanted to feel his hard body press up against me and make me feel small, tamed and protected.

I wanted him inside me. I wanted him to take me again.

"I'm going to do it now, Baby. Would you like that?" I nodded eagerly, not trusting my ability to speak. Then, I spread my legs a bit wider eagerly.

He slowly pushed into me. It was torture to tease someone like this wasn't it? When he finally brushed against my prostate, I almost thought I was going to come. I have no idea how he did it, to have me on the brink already. At the same time, I didn't think I really wanted to know. So, I forced my mind to shut up.

I gave in and let go.

It was all too much. The delicious smell of Ashton's sweat overwhelming the smell of his hair... the sound of his heavy balls slapping against mine... the feel his fingertips digging into my hips as he began to thrust relentlessly into me.

It was all amplified.

My arm twitched involuntarily. Of course, Ashton noticed and grabbed it forcefully holding me back from touching myself. "Ash...pleaseAH!"

"I'm not gonna touch you, Danny. You're going to have to come just from me fucking you this time," he looked at me with seriously cloudy eyes, as if he had become possessed. He shifted his weight and he moved us to that position that had him pounding against my prostate with reckless abandon.

I was panting and moaning so loudly I was drowning out Ashton's own heavy breaths, but I was oh so close. My body was heating and my balls were tightening, and I could feel it, building and building. Rising to the surface, just waiting for that one thing that would send me spiraling down.

"Let it go now," he demanded. That was all I needed. It was as if his voice was connected directly to my dick.

I let go. I spilled over onto my stomach as the world disappeared around me. My whole body was trembling and Ashton gripped me tighter, keeping me from moving away. He continued to drill into me, frantically, and I could barely take the influx of sensation.

I was in overload. I was trembling and vulnerable and soaring so high. I couldn't think, I could barely breathe!

"Fuck, Danny!" he exclaimed. He leaned forward and put him lips on mine making everything more intense for me. Just when I thought I couldn't stand it for a second longer, I felt him come. His dick pulsed deep inside me as he filled me up.

His forehead came forward and pressed into my upper body, our tongues and our sweat mixing together. He was panting heavily, and I wondered just how tortuous his teasing had been for him. Once his breath began to steady, he pushed his torso off me. I tried not to miss the contact. He pulled out of me slowly, tracing circles on my stomach with his fingertips for a few moments.

"I forgot to put on a condom this time."

"I felt that," I breathed heavily wondering if he felt better now. He leaned forward, brought his hand behind my neck, and pulled my lips toward his. It was just like it was the every time, except twice as loving. My whole body melted into his knowing that I had helped ease his mental stress. My lips seemed to tell the rest of my body that it was crucial to my existence to memorize the taste, the feeling, the way my body wanted to mold his to mine. My hands went up into his hair.

His lips were a little rough and his light stubble burned slightly against my skin. I would be feeling the abrasion for the rest of the night like a souvenir. In that moment, I wanted to pull him on top of me again and drown in this loving embrace. His tongue flicked out and I took it into my mouth willingly. I pressed mine back against it and his lips parted in response. For a brief few moments, there was nothing else in the world, just me and Ashton and this balance we held.

I think I gasped when he pulled away.

"Let me clean you up, baby," Ashton cooed before scooping me up from the bed. My legs, which had regained some feeling during Katy's disturbance, were again completely useless. All my energy was drained and I felt like at any minute, I would lose consciousness.

At some point, I must have passed out, because I was lying on my stomach against Ashton's chest in a tub when consciousness began to seep back in.

I was still on fire, only now the fire spread from the outside in. He had used plenty of lube, but the stretching itchy feeling that accompanied being fucked was still there, giving a nice comfortable ache that complimented the heat on my skin.

A cool sensation began to soothe the burn, and I realized that Ashton was rubbing something into my back. I began to come back to reality in his gentle hands. It was only then I realized that he was whistling some song from a Clint Eastwood movie.

I started laughing weakly.

"So you finally woke up. I was starting to plan my escape to Canada just in case," Ashton said.

"Don't underestimate the tracking skills of the Mounties. You really almost killed me."

"Duly noted," he said as he poured some water over my back with a bowl. "I lost control back there, baby. I didn't think i'd strain your body like that. I'll find other ways to coax myself next time."

"Like you didn't pat yourself on the back for it, besides I enjoyed it," I chuckled. Ashton didn't refute and sat me up so he could look at me. He in fact, look more satisfied than he normally did. I couldn't help but wonder how someone so big could be so hot....and all mine. "Look how proud you look."

Fuck it.

I threw my arms around his neck like I've seen in the movies, then I pressed my lips to his like I was going into the desert and he was the last drink of water I'd get for days. For a second he froze in response to my bold action, but then he was kissing me back, and warmth tingled down my entire body as Ashton's arms curved around my body. His left hand pressed against the small of my back, pulling me even tighter against him. I lost myself in his lips and tongue, the heat of his body flush with mine. It was that same drowning sensation I got whenever we were together.

The release. The dissolution. The escape. The Bliss.

I pried my lips off his and buried my face in his neck, inhaling in his scent. "It looks like it's getting late. Can I stay here?"

"Your dad will throw a fit about it," Ashton smiled. "As much as I want to keep you here like this, I have to take you home."

I frowned but agreed. I was of age and I should be able to do what I want by now, but I can understand Ashton's position. He's fully convinced that my dad hates him even though I told him that he would eventually come around.

"You're too much of a good boy sometimes," I couldn't help but pout.

"How am I a good boy? I said I'd take it slow but look at us right now. We did it until you passed out and now we're in a bath together," Ashton tapped my nose with his finger before taking a look at his  work on my upper body. He ran his fingers over the teeth marks and bruises left behind. "Luckily, this can all be covered by a shirt, good thing too. Don't get undressed in front of anyone."

"Who would I get undressed for?" I asked.

Ashton realized what he said and pouted in embarrassment. "What I meant was don't let your dad see, Smartass."

"Even if he does, I'm already eighteen. Oh, speaking of, what's your birthday?"

"It's in February," Ashton said. I'm older than him? "On Valentine's Day."

"No wonder you're such a romantic."

"Baby, I'm from Georgia. Being a gentleman is taught since birth as we are the epitome of classiness or something like that. I forget what the teacher taught me in detail but I remember most of the lessons," Ashton smiled very wide. The countryside didn't exactly sound bad when Ashton spoke about it. It sounded like a pleasant place I'd soon like to see, for once.

"I'll take you on a date for your birthday!" I suggested. Ashton smiled stupidly and looked away.

"I'll hold you to that," he mumbled before putting his arms under me and standing up, lifting us both out of the water. Before I could feel any cold, Ashton put a towel over me.

"Ok, take me home," I sighed. To my surprise Ashton never let my feet touch the ground. He dried me off, dressed me and carried me to his car like a child. I had long regained function of my legs but he just wouldn't put me down.

When we reach my house, Ashton gave me a quick peck on my cheek. "So....good first day? How'd I do?"

"Perfect," I said. As much as I wanted to smile at Ashton and enjoy the moment, I couldn't help but notice the blinds open and shut quickly. I had made contact with two pairs of eyes.

Who was there? In my fathers house?!

"Dan?"

"Someone's there with my dad!" I snapped suddenly enraged and worried. I hopped out of the car and ran inside to see just what hell was going on with Ashton not close behind. What if they had done something horrible to my father? What if he's hurt? Are they robbing us?! "DAD!!!" I ran into the living room in a panic to see the last thing I ever wanted to see.

Theresa and my father were frantically adjusting their disheveled clothes as he was trying to stuff the sofa bed away. "Hey, Dan-"

"What the hell? In the living room?!" I averted my eyes when I smelled the room. They were obviously going at it for a long time! Gross! I want to throw up! "Open a damn window!"

Teresa scrambled to open a window so the room could air out some more. My dad just stood there frozen in embarrassment as he was clearly turned a bright shade of red.

"I just invited her over to show her the pool table-"

"That's obviously not true."

"Well....just look the other way this time, cuz that's what was going on. She saw the pool table and we played a Wrestling game, ok?" my dad mumbled.

"Agreed, never bring this up to me again," I awkwardly said.

"Shouldn't we talk about this?" Teresa asked.

"NO!" Dad and I yelled at the same time. I just want to rewind to a minute ago when I was oblivious to what was going on. Aren't they too old to be doing that? My dad didn't have sex! He's too old to be having intimate contact with anyone.

A large hand landed on my shoulder reminding me of Ashton's presence in the room. "There's no danger at least."

"I'll walk you to the door," I sighed and quickly turned away from the scene grateful for the distraction. Ashton is such a godsend. I turned him around and led him to the door. "That was awful. Ugh, parents having sex should be illegal."

"Awful and awkward. At least you didn't see them in the act," Ashton pointed out. "Besides all that, I'll pick you up in the morning. If you're still sore when you wake up, use the ointment I put in your bag, directly on the sore spot."

"Didn't you already?"

"Yeah, but just in case, do it in the morning so you can heal properly," Ashton leaned down to kiss me goodbye. "Goodnight, baby."

"Text me when you get home," I called out watching him get into his car and pull off. I wish I could stay outside for the rest of the night instead of going back inside and dealing with those two degenerates in the living room. But alas, it was too cold.

Damn my weak constitution.

I made my way back inside managing to avoid conversation all the way back to my room. Once I sat on my bed, I could feel the weight of the day come down on me like a ton of bricks.

Today was actually incredibly exhausting!

Standing up to Vincenzo for real had brought out a side of Vincenzo I had never seen before. He looked more desperate and panicked than I had ever seen him be. Most of all, those crazed eyes that put fear in me all these years, seemed out of control. If Ashton wasn't there, I think something crazy really would've happened to me.

All I know was that compared to other times, I'd never been so terrified of dying than when he dropped the act he had been putting up and looked at me with serious ill intent. Of course, I would be lying if I said all that i felt was fear for myself, as I couldn't help but see what Vincenzo had been reduced too because of his own actions. It was like I could feel the hate radiating off of him as the devil took over.

I could've told his parents what was happening sooner, but they would've just punished him instead of getting him any real help. If I had told my dad my concerns earlier, he would've gotten them to take action, but I would've had to explain exactly what was going on and the road Vincenzo was going down. In a fucked up sort of way, I felt guilty for enabling him for so long and letting teenage hornyness get in the way of getting my friend the help he needed.

At least he was getting the help he needed for whatever was going on with him now. I'm really glad Ashton didn't keep that information to himself despite his pettiness. He probably knew it would worry me to death. On top of that, I found out dark Ashton's trauma. I felt my hand twitch in anger as I remembered Katy calling that pedophile Ashton's first love.

What a sick bitch!

At the end of the day, today still felt like a new beginning to me and I would forever remember every detail of it. Especially since today was the day I got to lose my virginity to someone as big and sexy as Ashton was. Today, I got screwed until I experienced back to back orgasms and passed out. I got marked an obscene amount of times by someone who was head over heels for me. The last time without a condom felt the best, as irresponsible as that sounded. And coming to in the bathtub with him cleaning me up just felt absolutely miraculous.

Ashton was a gentle but rough lover for sure. The angel in public, demon in bed type I liked to read about in comic books. A tall hot muscular guy! He checked all the boxes of a fantasy man.

The restaurant we went to blew my socks off as Ashton had managed to make me feel extremely comfortable with everything even though I was letting a small thing like class make me anxious. He was able to calm me down after I had suddenly started to panic at the beach for no reason. Then we went to his his house after school and.....Sex was definitely still on my mind. I'd never forget this happening, ever. I had to get it off of my mind before I think of ways to sneak Ashton back into my house.

My first day with Ashton was definitely top tier. He didn't just pop my cherry, he smashed it into bits.

The next morning my dad and I avoided eye contact and only spoke when we needed too. Luckily by the end of today, the mood will return to normal over some TV.

As usual Ashton was waiting outside for me.

"Good news, Katy's now on thin ice with my parents as well," Ashton smiled. "She tried to go to them to get us to break up, but they called her parents and threatened to cut them off and blacklist them all in the industry if she tries anything else. She's going to apologize to us and you or else she's cut off. By the way, don't accept her apology. It's a fake one and I don't want to be responsible for someone like that in the future using my name for stupid things."

"Is she that bad?"

"Yes, she has no respect for anyone and thinks the world revolves around her."

"She said you guys were close."

"We were never close. I had to be around her because she's family, she used to stick to me like glue so she could seem like the closest to me. It's all some pathetic power trip she's having. But don't accept her apology, it's not going to be real, also don't believe anything she says because she'll definitely try and sell a sob story," Ashton sighed. "Katy won't get her allowance until you accept her apology. Do me that favor baby."

"Ok, I won't accept anything from her," I agreed. If she really was that much of a pain in the ass, she needed to taught a lesson. Ashton ruffled my hair and smiled.

"How was everything with you and your dad after we saw....." bless Ashton for not saying what we saw out loud. It wasn't a vulgar display, but I still felt traumatized by it.

"Still awkward, we should be back to normal later though," I assured him.

"Well, do you think that you should clue your father in what's happened over the years? After all, he's the only one in your circle that doesn't know what's going on." Ashton stared at the road seriously, so I knew this wasn't just a suggestion. He really thinks I should tell my dad everything that's been happening like it won't cause any drama.

"But, his friends-"

"To him, are his friends more important than you?" Ashton asked. I stayed silent when he asked that because we both knew that wasn't true. "I understand that you want your dad to have friends, but he has the right to know what happened to his beloved son. After all it was them and their son who's negatively impacted your life."

"Vincenzo's parents just-"

"Neglected their son and made him your burden to handle. A burden that almost killed you on multiple occasions," Ashton said. "Does your dad deserve not to know about it? Or are you just afraid of what the fall out might be?"

"I don't want to cause any trouble," I mumbled.

"What trouble are you causing by telling your father the truth? Tell me exactly what you think talking to your dad about how you've been affected, will cause trouble for you? Are you scared Vincenzo will do something to you?"

"No!"

"Then are you scared about how your father will react if he finds out that you lied about it for so long?" He asked. When I didn't answer, Ashton ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. I know that he hit the nail right on the head, and so did he. "Your dad will understand, you know."

"I don't want him to feel guilty."

"Then, if you tell him, take responsibility for not speaking up. You're eighteen now, so he can't threaten to homeschool you anymore. He won't beat you, he won't hate you, he won't disown you."

"What if he does?"

"You can live with me until he calms down," Ashton said. We both knew none of that was necessary to do, but the offer still felt nice when presented to me like that. My dad would never hate me, let alone turn his back on me for lying, and just like Ashton, he'd probably do or say anything to not make me feel guilty about it.

Now I just felt more like shit. "I know I need to say something to him, so I can stop feeling guilty for lying to him. I can't help but still be scared of everything! I feel like if i tell him, nothing but trouble will follow."

Ashton took my hand and kissed it. "You don't get courage overnight. Courage comes with experience in life. Doing this will only make you brave and willing to face the tougher parts of your life."

I groaned and covered my face in frustration! "I thought I was already brave enough to stand up to Vincenzo! Why didn't that stick until now?"

"You can't ride a high forever, everyone crashes at some point," Ashton shrugged. "Plus, no matter what you say, you're obviously still effected by Vincenzo. You probably have some PTSD from being conditioned to think that way. In some cases, it can take years to get back to 100%, or it may never go away. I just want you to know that you don't have anything to fear anymore. Vincenzo is getting professional help for once, his parents are most likely not going to sabotage his progress since they've been trying with him, no one will bother you at school anymore, you made a new friend and I have your back no matter what. You're covered on all sides and if anything, I can protect you."

"I'm not some girl that needs protection," I couldn't help but be sore at his sweetness. I'm a man too, shouldn't I be able to protect myself?

"I'm being realistic. Unless you'd like some self defense classes. I can put some muscle on you, but we'd have to consult a doctor first," Ashton offered, ignoring the fact that I felt the way I did.

"What's the point? I can't do strenuous exercise anyway!" I huffed.

Ashton rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb before kissing it. "I'm not saying what I said to make you feel bad, baby. I don't think you're too sick or too weak and I'm not looking down on you. But while you excel in everything else, you lack physical strength and stamina. That's when you tag me in."

"I don't want to be a burden on other people," I said stubbornly.

"Luckily, I'm not people. I'm your future husband," Ashton smiled proudly. "I want to make you happy, do just let me do that for you, since you won't let me buy you expensive things."

"So it's accept the protection or get expensive things?" I felt like pulling my own hair out.

"I've got my eyes on a nice summer property for you already. It has this nice 18,000sq villa on the water-"

"Ok! I get it!" I snapped. Ashton squeezed my hand again in attempt to calm me down. And it frustrates me that him doing that worked. "You're awful. How could you just talk about real estate like that!?"

"I love you too. You and your bad attitude."

"Bad attitude?"

"It's one of the first thing I noticed about you. It was too cute how feisty you were," Ashton chuckled. "How about i be there with you so you have an easier time speaking about it?"

"Ok, that sounds good,"  I sighed feeling a bit upset at myself for feeling like I still needed Ashton to walk me through everything I was too scared too do. It was my own stubbornness preventing me from just thanking him right away for the constant support he gave me despite my negativity. "Just don't get tired of me because I'm like this. I really am trying."

"No one knows that better than me, and after yesterday I know I won't be getting tired of you," Ashton kissed my hand again.

I knew I wouldn't either.