Rolling my eyes, I released my microphone and continued observing Ashton and the overly enthusiastic fans. I trusted our entrance security, so I wasn't worried about hidden weapons.
Ashton received a basket of cookies from a girl, and as he was about to pass it to an assistant, I stepped in and told her I would take care of it.
He handed me the basket, and I asked, "How are you holding up?"
"Good," he nodded and smiled at his fans in line. Their cheers erupted, and then he turned to me and whispered, "How are Maddy and Lincoln doing?"
"Maddy is struggling with time management, and Lincoln is being asked to lift girls for pictur
ASHTONAs we make our way to our next tour stop in Chicago, the unsettling news headline continues to haunt me. It announces the cancellation of Cleveland FanCon due to a power outage at the hotel. The technicians were unable to fix the issue for at least 24 hours, forcing security to call off the event prematurely. The disappointment weighs heavily on me, feeling like a stab in the chest.The cancellation means that the promised Q&A session won't happen, and the majority of our fans never had the chance to meet us. Some of them even spent a significant amount of money to travel to Cleveland, only to be let down.I did my best to find a solution to salvage the situation. I made phone calls, discussed options with the crew, and suggested moving the event to another
ASHTONThe security team remains oblivious to the fact that Willow and I are aware of the @AshtondeadJohnson account. Lennox has gone against the team's protocol in the past, so this situation isn't entirely unfamiliar.Lennox's annoyance is evident as he regards Kaleb's arrival.Kaleb, the Omega co-lead, seems to pay no attention to me and Lennox. He takes a seat near Willow's feet, while she absentmindedly scratches her neck and props herself up on her arm. "Kaleb," she greets him."Willow," he replies, as though they haven't seen each other all day, which clearly they have.
LENNOXAshton forcefully presses my back against the tiled wall, causing a grunt to escape my throat. The hot water from the shower pounds against our skin, steam filling the air. It's an intense moment, to say the least.Locked in a passionate gaze, I take control and hold his face, our mouths colliding with a fierce and fiery energy. It's a kiss filled with hunger and desire, as if he's been longing for the taste of my tongue and body. And I reciprocate with equal fervor, driven by the overwhelming desire to please this incredibly attractive man.There's something exhilarating about turning him on, about witnessing his pleasure. I want to make him reach the peak of ecstasy.I c
LENNOXI knew I had to step back and let him pass, but before he could go, I reached out and grabbed his wrist, whispering in his ear, "You're not alone, Ashton."He took a deep breath, his expression almost breaking through the barriers he had erected. However, he responded, "I have to take this call." I watched as he strode down the hallway with purpose and disappeared into the second lounge, closing the door behind him.Davin guided me to the aisle of bunks, speaking in a hushed voice. "You don't want to get involved in that," he warned. "They've been at odds for years."Running both hands through my hair, I replied softly, "I can't just stand by and watch Sandro tear him apar
ASHTONThe small hotel bar was dimly lit, with a sign illuminating "Chicago" in bold letters. A variety of liquor bottles lined the counter, but there was no bartender in sight. The walls were adorned with Chicago Cubs posters in blue and red, and apart from one table, all the high-top tables were empty.As we entered, the five bodyguards sitting at the table instantly noticed us, and their conversation seemed to quiet down. I could sense that Kaleb, Perth, Davin, Seth, and Perry's attention was on me, not Lennox.Damn.It felt like I had some kind of superpower that rendered me incapable of speaking."Hey," I sa
ASHTONPerth interrupted, drumming his fingers on his whiskey glass. "Hey, everyone. Ashton should be able to skip any dares or truths that he wants—""No," I interjected, not wanting to appear too controlling or rigid. I couldn't be passive in this situation. "I can play the game just like you guys."Perth shifted on his stool, surprised by my response. "Are you sure? You can skip anything I wrote down. You should, really. I didn't think you'd be here."Davin playfully wrapped his arm around Perth's shoulders. "Perth strongly suggests and recommends it."Clearly, they all knew something I didn't. Before I
ASHTONLennox steps down from the stool and stands in front of Kaleb. "Write 'fuck you, Lennox' wherever you find space," he says.Without uttering a word, Kaleb uncaps the pen and writes "I promise to follow the rules" near Lennox's collarbone.Lennox rolls his eyes and tucks his shirt into his back pocket before returning to the stool beside me.With another roll, Kaleb loses the bet again. He loses his second dice and reads, "Truth: how attracted are you to your client—no, this is inappropriate, Davin.""I can explain,
ASHTONLennox's gaze shifts towards me, surprise flickering in his eyes."It'll be really quick," the nerdy guy insists."Sorry," I reply, resolute in my decision.Lennox interjects, "The bar is closed."The sportier guy gestures towards the Jack Daniels. "Then how did you get that?""We're special," Davin asserts."Whiskey?" the geekier guy says, shaking his head. He places his hands on his J. Son beanie and looks at me. "You shouldn't be drinking, man."
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,
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
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
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?"
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
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
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
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
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