Zacky’s PoV

No one said anything. No one moved. It was only for a second, but it felt like an eternity. After all, no one was expecting Brian to just lash out at Ashlynn like that. It was a bitchslap to the face for all of us, especially Ashlynn.

Ashlynn. Saying her name allowed me to snap out of my trance. I rushed over to Ashlynn’s side, pulling her into an embrace and causing her to come out of her own trance. Then came the tears. Uncontrollable and relentless waterfalls that soaked my shirt, but I didn’t care. Ashlynn gripped my shoulders up from under my arms and buried her face in my chest. I rubbed up and down her back slowly, trying my best to calm her.

“Zacky- I- I-” Ashlynn gasped between sobs.

“Shhh.” I whispered, kissing the top of her head. “It’ll be okay.” The guys made their way over to us, forming a group huddle.

“How- How could he-?” Ashlynn started, but burst into a fresh wave of tears. My heart broke. I moved the hair out of her eyes.

“Are you hurt?” Matt asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“N- No.” She said, wiping at her eyes.

“That’s good.” I said. She looked into my eyes as I helped her wipe off the smeared makeup. She was so beautiful, even with her puffy eyes and red face. If anything, she was even more beautiful than before.

“I- I just don’t understand...” Ashlynn said, her voice shaking. Another tear escaped from her eye, which I promptly wiped away.

“Neither do we.” Johnny said with an edge to his voice. He’s pissed. Hell, we all are.

“I swear to God, I’m gonna go over to Johnny’s right now and beat the shit out of that goddamn motherfucker.” Matt said, clenching his fists.

“NO!” Ashlynn said loudly, taking Matt and myself by surprise. “Matt, he’s still your best friend.”

“What? You’re still defending him after what he just did to you?” I said a little harsher than I intended.

“I- I still love him...” Ashlynn said, jerking away from my arms. A few more tears fell down her face.

I sighed. “I’m sorry, A. I didn’t mean to say it like that.” Ashlynn looked at me for a minute, searching my face. Finally, she nodded and sat down in a chair. The four of us immediately pulled up chairs next to her.

“Are you going to be all right?” Johnny asked.

Ashlynn sniffled and looked up at Johnny with a smile. “Yeah. I’ll be okay. I just... need a minute to collect my thoughts.”

“Do you want us to leave?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. I want you here. All of you.”

Suddenly, I remembered Sammy. I looked over at him with alarm, thinking he had witnessed his father’s outburst. That alarm was replaced with relief, for Sammy was resting peacefully. I turned my attention back to Ashlynn.

“We should do something to get your mind off of this.” Matt said.

“I guess we can go to the beach then.” Ashlynn said.

I nodded. “That sounds great. We don’t have a car now, so we can just walk there.”

“That’s fine with me.” Ashlynn said, standing up, prompting all of us to stand up as well. “I don’t have a bathing suit, though.”

“You don’t have to have a bathing suit for the beach, silly.” Johnny laughed. “Just go skinny-dipping.”

Ashlynn threw back her head and laughed. God, what an amazing laugh. I thought with a smile. “No, Johnny. I’m not gonna go skinny-dipping.” She said.

“Worth a shot.” Johnny said, shrugging his shoulders.

“And I applaud you for trying.” Ashlynn said, patting his back. I rolled my eyes with a smile. Johnny always knew how to cheer up someone. No wonder he was chosen as “Best Personality” in high school. Then again, he was also voted “Most Obnoxious” in junior year, so things even out. He was almost voted for “Class Clown”, but Jimmy won that award hands-down all four years of high school. I smiled in remembrance of that crazy kid, remembering all the fun, stupid shit the five of us did even after high school. Especially after high school.

My thoughts were interrupted by a hand on my face. “Are you okay, Zack?” Ashlynn asked.

I smiled. “Yeah.”

“Okay. Well, let’s get going.” Matt said, opening the door for Ashlynn.

“Thank you, Matt.” Ashlynn smiled, sliding her hand down his face gently.

He responded with a big smile. “Of course.”

Once we had all exited the hospital and told Dr. Cooper we were going to come back in about three hours, we started walking towards the beach. Thankfully, Huntington Beach Hospital was on Acacia Avenue, which is only about a ten minute walk.

Because the narrow sidewalks prohibited more than two people to walk side by side, we had to walk single file. Johnny, as usual, was in the very front, Matt was a few feet behind him, Ashlynn was behind him, and I brought up the rear, which was fine by me. It allowed me some privacy to think. Which is exactly what I needed to do right now. I didn’t understand why Ashlynn would defend Brian after what he did. Why can’t she see that there’s a guy right there in front of her that loves her so much? I just can’t wrap my head around this whole mess. It’s turning into a fucking love triangle, and that will mean that I might have to choose between Ashlynn’s love or Brian’s friendship. That’s something I want to avoid at all costs. This is bullshit. I need to tell Ashlynn about how I truly feel, although at this point I’m pretty sure she already knows.

I was getting so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realize that Ashlynn had slowed down to walk beside me. Suddenly, I felt her hand slip inside mine, which caused me to look up at her.

“Do you mind?” Ashlynn asked.

“Not at all.” I said, smiling and shifting her fingers in my hand so that they would intertwine with mine.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you were thinking pretty hard about something.” Ashlynn said.

“Yeah, I guess I was... ” I trailed off. How does she always know when something is bothering me? Am I that readable?

“What about?”

I hesitated for a second, thinking about the possible outcomes if I told her the truth. Fuck it. “To be honest, I was thinking about you.”

“Aww, Zack. That’s sweet.” Ashlynn smiled, squeezing my hand. I grinned. Score one for Mr. Vengeance. “What about me in particular? Nothing too dirty, I hope.”

I threw my head and laughed. “No, I was just thinking about... I don’t really know, actually.”

Ashlynn nodded slowly. “Or you just don’t want to tell me.”

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. “Sort of. Not yet, anyways.”

“Well, whenever you’re ready, I’m here.” She said, smiling such a dazzling smile that my heart seemed to stop for a second.

“You have such a beautiful smile, you know that?” I said.

“Aww, Zacky. Stop it. You’re making me blush.” She said, covering her mouth with her fingertips and giggling.

I laughed. “I’m serious, A.”

“We’re here.” Johnny said, stopping suddenly and causing Matt to slam into him.

“Dammit, Johnny.” Matt said, slapping the back of his head. Johnny turned around to make a sarcastic remark, but stopped when he saw Ashlynn and me holding hands.

“Ooh, look at the two lovebirds!” Johnny sang.

“Shut up, Johnny. You’re just jealous.” I said, flipping him off.

“Alright, you two. That’s enough.” Ashlynn laughed.

“He started it...” I mumbled.

“And I’m finishing it.” Ashlynn said, looking at me with playful sternness.

I smiled, pulling her into a hug and kissing her nose. Johnny made a gagging sound and continued walking towards the beach. I rolled my eyes and looked down at the beautiful woman in my arms. I sighed contentedly, resting my head on Ashlynn’s forehead.

“Can’t this wait until we actually get to the beach?” Johnny yelled, once again interrupting the moment.

“Jesus Christ, can’t you just leave us alone for one fucking minute?!” I snapped, my eyes blazing with anger.

“Calm down, dude. I was just saying...” Johnny mumbled, holding up his hands in submission.

“Zack, it’s okay. He’s just teasing. Please don’t be mad.” Ashlynn whispered, turning my head to face her.

“No, it’s not okay. He’s been pissing me off and I’m fucking tired of it.” I said, glancing at Johnny with a new surge of anger.

“Please, just try to ignore him. At least for now. I want this to be special.” Ashlynn said with a tear forming in her eye.

‘’Shh, don’t cry.” I whispered, wiping the tear away with my thumb. “It will be special. I promise, baby.” I traced her jaw line with my finger and stroked her chin with my thumb and index finger.

She smiled and I planted a gentle kiss on her lips. I wanted it to develop into something more, but I knew I had to take my time. I didn’t want Ashlynn to become like some of my previous flings; a one-night stand, a marriage that only lasted for six months, or the many girls I had had sex with just because I was either lonely or drunk off my ass. No, Ashlynn was so different from all those, even my ex-wife, Gena. I loved Gena, and I know some part of me still does, but she never made me feel this way like Ashlynn does. No, what Ashlynn and I have is real. And I want it to stay that way.

“Thinking again, Mr. Baker?” Ashlynn mumbled against my lips. I opened my eyes. Shit. I had forgotten that I was still lip-locked with Ashlynn.

“Sorry, A.” I mumbled back and pulled away.

Ashlynn giggled. “Your face is really red, Zack.”

“Is it?” I said, putting my palm on my cheek. “I didn’t even feel it.”

“It’s alright. So what was the daydream about this time?” Ashlynn asked, tugging on my arm slightly to say that we should start walking to the beach. I nodded and we started off, walking side by side.

“You. Again.” I admitted.

“Really? Damn, I guess I’m on your mind a lot lately, huh?” Ashlynn teased. You have no idea. I thought to myself with a smile.

“Seems like it.” I said instead.

“Well, that’s very sweet.” Ashlynn said with a smile. “And romantic.” She added after a minute.

“Well, I guess that’s just the kind of guy I am.” I said with a smirk and a wink.

“And a big flirt!” She said loudly, pushing me playfully.

“That too.” I grinned. Ashlynn rolled her eyes and, grabbing my hand, starting dragging me faster towards the beach.

“Dammit, move faster!” She yelled, struggling with my weight. I pulled the other way, making it even more difficult for her to move me.

“Fine. Be that way.” She said, giving up and crossing her arms grumpily.

“I’m coming, A. Don’t worry.” I said.

“I won’t believe you until you run there.” She mumbled, her arms still crossed.

I groaned. “A, you know I’m not in shape.”

“I don’t care. Start running, mister.”

I exhaled sharply and picked up my feet, starting with a fast jog. “You’d better be right behind me.” I called over my shoulder. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning streaked past me.

“Or right in front of you!” The “lightning” yelled mockingly.

“Oh, I don’t think so!” I said, sprinting towards the sand, which was now in sight. Ashlynn’s laugh rang out, but was cut off with a very loud thwack!

“Ashlynn!!” I yelled, rushing over to where Ashlynn lay unconscious in the sand.

Notes

Well, after 16 days I finally found some time where I could actually write :/ School sucks ass haha.

So yeah lemme know what you think about this chapter :)

Also, since you got a little taste of both Ashlynn and Brian's romance and Ashlynn and Zacky's romance, which would you rather see together in the end? Lemme know ;)