LOGINShare
54
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56ASHTON
…a few years ago.
The docked yacht sways gently as the ocean waves crash against its sides. Amidst the lively and crowded deck, I find myself standing, detached from the rowdy end-of-summer bash behind me. Swimsuit-clad individuals navigate their way through the party, occasionally bumping into low-hanging pineapple streamers as they make their way to the bar.
Torches cast a warm glow, illuminating the night.
I tighten my grip on the yacht's railing and direct my gaze towards the dark horizon. My eyes narrow and remain fixated, unblinking.
Only twenty minutes ago, I committed a colossal mistake—one that no
Related chapters
Falling for a John 55
ASHTONWe left the crowded yacht in search of some privacy. As we reached the second deck, we passed a crowded hot tub where Willow was engaged in a lively conversation with her younger sister.I exchanged a quick glance with Willow and nodded towards the next set of steps. She nodded back, silently conveying that we would catch up later.Once Sandro and I were off the yacht, we stood on the wooden dock. The towering boat next to us served as a constant reminder of our privileged background.I never forgot who we were and where we came from.There were no paparazzi in sight, thanks to the private marina. I cracke
Falling for a John 56
ASHTONIn a rush, I hastily slip into a plain green shirt inside a bedroom at the lake house. As I hurriedly dress, my elbow accidentally knocks over a bear-shaped lamp. I react too slowly, unable to catch it in time. The crash of glass meeting the hardwood floor fills the room, and frustration escapes my lips.Knowing there are more pressing matters with my family, a broken lamp seems insignificant. I reassure myself that I can handle it. Squatting down, barefoot, I start picking up the larger pieces of shattered glass. Just as I begin, Lennox joins me, crouching down and assisting in collecting the sharp fragments. He's multitasking, fitting in his earpiece while already having a radio clipped to his black pants.I consider protesting, wanting to tell him that I
Falling for a John 57
ASHTONTo my surprise, I wasn't the one running late this time. Willow sent me a text saying she would be in the kitchen shortly. I'm not the type to wait patiently, so when Lennox starts unwrapping a piece of gum and rummaging through the fridge, I offer my help.Lennox chews his gum slowly and looks at me in a way that reminds me he's older, twenty-seven to be exact. I'm only twenty-two, and he's perfectly capable of doing things on his own.A smile starts to form on Lennox's face. "It's cute that you think I need help getting eggs," he remarks as he grabs a carton and closes the fridge."You could've dropped the damn eggs," I retort, engaging in a pointless argument. I cringe and force a smile, ann
Falling for a John 58
ASHTONDamn it. "We've always been the ones protecting them," I explained, frustration evident in my voice. "We even used to confiscate their phones and block numbers of porn producers who called us, just so they wouldn't be able to reach them." Lennox closed the binder in front of me. "Look at me," he said firmly.Reluctantly, I turned my gaze towards him, my shoulders tense. I wanted to reopen the damn binder and read through everything again."Ashton," he began, his voice calm and understanding, "I understand why you're irritated. I'd feel the same way if my younger cousins decided to repay a debt I didn't want to exist. But this is happening, and you have to deal
Falling for a John 59
ASHTONThe conversation abruptly halted as the door creaked open. Willow and Lincoln entered, carrying trays of coffee for everyone. Willow handed me a mug of hot tea, and we all dispersed around the study.Lennox and I were the only ones still standing. While he leaned against a bookshelf, absentmindedly playing with a handheld wooden puzzle he had already solved twice, I held my mug of tea and listened to the conversation drift towards FanCon-related matters and logistics.Kaleb motioned towards Willow, who sat on a rocking chair, and Lincoln, who settled on the couch beside Perry. He said, "If you have any acquaintances or friends or..." Kaleb paused to find the right word."NSA," Davin clarified.
Falling for a John 60
LENNOXThe weather reports warned of a white-out blizzard at 0900 hours, and Kaleb's voice echoed through the communication devices. Exhausted from a never-ending Omega meeting, I climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor, removing my earpiece. I had hoped to escape Kaleb's presence, but his voice still reached my ears, even with the volume high. "Be alert if you're driving to the lake house," he cautioned.Turning the knob on my radio, I silenced his voice. Security had agreed to stay at the main house instead of the cabin a mile away. There were plenty of empty rooms, but I decided to share one with Ashton.Quietly, I entered the bedroom, expecting to find him fast asleep. To my surprise, he was sitting up, leaning against the log headboard, typing furiously on
Falling for a John 61
LENNOXThe weather reports warned of a white-out blizzard at 0900 hours, and Kaleb's voice echoed through the communication devices. Exhausted from a never-ending Omega meeting, I climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor, removing my earpiece. I had hoped to escape Kaleb's presence, but his voice still reached my ears, even with the volume high. "Be alert if you're driving to the lake house," he cautioned.Turning the knob on my radio, I silenced his voice. Security had agreed to stay at the main house instead of the cabin a mile away. There were plenty of empty rooms, but I decided to share one with Ashton.Quietly, I entered the bedroom, expecting to find him fast asleep. To my surprise, he
Falling for a John 62
ASHTONNo matter what I had planned to say or how I thought I would feel, it all vanishes when I see my dad. He paces anxiously between the living room fireplace and the window, his hand clenched into a fist. His gaze drifts towards the kitchen, a longing in his eyes.It's a familiar craving, one that screams for just one drink. Throughout my entire life, he has never given in to that urge, never taken a sip of alcohol, never broken his sobriety. But now he's looking again.I stand on the balcony of the second floor, overlooking the living room with its high ceilings and tall windows. Sunlight streams in, illuminating the leather furniture and wooden floors. Outside, snow falls heavily on this cold morning.
Latest chapter
Falling for a John 117
ASHTONThe silver lining in the midst of losing my job and ending the tour prematurely is the beautiful scene unfolding before me today. Lavender floral bouquets fill the air, accompanied by the presence of tuxedos, a hundred close friends, family members, and a charming garden gazebo.As the spring flowers bloom, I find myself seated in the front row, surrounded by my siblings. From this vantage point, I witness a heartwarming sight. Underneath the gazebo, my mom wears a radiant lilac dress, her face beaming with joy. Beside her stands my dad, dressed in a striking black-on-red tuxedo. Both of them exude pure happiness and contentment.I remember being present at their wedding as a young child, although my memories have faded over time. However,
Falling for a John 116
LENNOXWhat surprises me the most is Ashton's reaction. He ignores Jesse, not giving him a lingering look or allowing his anger to take over. He doesn't storm forward to attack an unconscious body.His eyes lock with mine.He notices the blood, most likely smeared across my forehead, cheeks, and caked in my hair."Not mine," I say quietly. "Animal." Most likely.He continues to approach, unwavering and committed.I remain motionless, clutching the knife, unable to let go.We were
Falling for a John 115
LENNOX"Watch it, you little bastard," I exclaimed as I quickly snatched Warren, the calico kitten, before he could dart into security's townhouse. With a swift kick, I shut the door and Warren meowed while pawing at my cheek.My lips curled into a smile, not because of the cat, but because I couldn't stop replaying the moments I had just shared with Ashton. Every little detail kept playing in my mind: the primal noises he made, the intensity in his eyes, the raw vulnerability, and the overwhelming emotions. Damn it, I was annoyed at myself for leaving my stuff in his room because all I wanted was to be with him.But I needed to focus and make this quick.I released Warren, allow
Falling for a John 114
ASHTONThe realization seized my thoughts, and I could vividly imagine Lennox penetrating me with fervor on that very bed.Fuck. I blinked several times, snapping out of my daydream. I had been lost in my thoughts for too long. Grimacing, I focused on the six-foot-three Yale graduate who leaned casually against the dresser, observing me.A smile tugged at his lips. "Welcome back, space cadet."I scowled and unbuttoned my jeans. "I wasn't spacing out that much."His smile broadened. "Let me ask you something. How many times have you fantasized about me fucking you on my bed?"
Falling for a John 113
ASHTONThey look more like pink suede sandals with a chunky glittery heel attached. My aunt usually sticks to simple black dresses and classic heels, but these are eccentric.These are Willow.Upon seeing them, Willow stops midway down the stairs. "What are those?"Serena delicately holds the heeled sandals. "They're for you, but I'm not trying to buy your love," she says sharply. "I saw them, and they screamed Willow Eleanor Walsh, my beautiful and brilliant firstborn daughter... If you don't want them, I'll return them to the store or throw them into a fire. Watch them burn..." She tries to lift her chin, fighting back tears, quickly brushing the corners of her eyes. "Whatever
Falling for a John 112
LENNOXFor Perry, Kaleb, Seth, and even Davin, it was the only place they had ever known. They never went to college or moved elsewhere. It had always been Philly.Some people have a strong connection to a specific place, as if it's a person, an inseparable part of them. I could see that in Perry's eyes."Say I'm from L.A. one more time!" Perry threatened. People mistakenly believed we were from L.A. because that's where our fame originated.Kaleb started yelling back at the heavyset guy on the end. He was so irritated that being off-duty made him throw the rulebook out the window.Davin whispered to me, "Those S
Falling for a John 111
LENNOX"Get the hell out of Philly!" The profanity-laden heckle echoes through the smoky billiards and darts bar, its packed interior making it difficult to identify the source. However, the contemptuous stares and raised middle fingers leave no doubt about the target of the heckling.Surprisingly, it's not aimed at Ashton or Willow or any of the well-known figures. Instead, the recipient of the insults becomes apparent as I scan the crowd. Davin, who is currently arranging the pool balls, takes in the hostile atmosphere and comments, "Perry is going to lose it when he arrives."Perry, unlike us, wouldn't take kindly to someone demanding his departure from his own city. Philly is home to all of us, and the barrage of jeers began the moment Davin
Falling for a John 110
LENNOXHe cracks his knuckle and briefly acknowledges a boy who calls out his name. His forest-green eyes return to me as he says, "They were vague, but they mentioned that there might be a possibility for me to be reinstated as the CEO. They didn't disclose any details yet."I drum my fingers against my mug, the sound of my rings clinking together. You see, I don't appreciate the fact that they conveniently omitted what he needs to do. It could be anything, and they could demand anything from him."They hold the power," I remind him. He has very little leverage in this situation.Ashton nods. "I know, but it's the only hope I have. They said they would provide more information i
Falling for a John 109
ASHTON"Seven years ago," he continues, relentless. "Molly fell into the creek behind the lake house, sinking into the treacherous mud. I was halfway there, already ankle-deep in water, but you emerged out of nowhere, donning your shining white armor and carrying a ten-foot rope."His eyes are bloodshot as he says, "It's these little moments that define you. You mean everything to my siblings. To the Haynes girls, to your own sisters and brother. You've become an inescapable shadow, because when you're everything to them, I can't be anything. So who am I?" Sandro points at his chest. "Who am I? And what do I become if I follow you to Harvard? Lost and confused? I was already filled with self-loathing and bitterness, but I'd be even more resentful, waking up every day hating myself for not being more like Ashton J
