furious: (adjective)
1. extremely angry
2. full of anger or energy; violent or intense

✣

I stay with Ash all day. Not caring for what Carol has to say. And he doesn't want me going back to the manor, especially not after what has just happened to him and I wouldn't break my promise. Not when he's laying in a hospital bed begging me not to go back.

Ash's parents came back into the room exactly ten minutes after they said, I give them some time together but I never go far. I can tell by the look in Ash's eyes that he doesn't want me wandering away, he wants me where he can see him.

Even though we might not be touching, our hearts are definitely connected.

There is a knock at the door later into the afternoon, that's when those familiar set of black sunglasses and dark lipstick make an entrance. I take a glance at Ash but he's not looking at me.

"Hi, Ash," she swipes the glasses from her face and into her bag. "How are you feeling?"

"Not great," he admits and I'm glad he's not dumbing down his emotions.

She offers him a slanted smile and steps closer to the bed. "I came as soon as I could," she takes a look at Ash's parents. "But I'm pleased to see that you're okay, Ash."

Ash stares back at her but doesn't respond. She opens her mouth and then turns to his parents. "Would it be okay if I spoke to your son in private? About his probation placement."

They share a glance between them and stand from their seats hesitantly. "Sure," his mother says politely. When they step out of the room Carol turns to me and I shake my head.

"I'm not going anywhere." My arms fold across my chest, proving that I am here to stay.

She places one hand on her hip and raises an eyebrow but I only give her a stand-off in response. Eventually she huffs out a sigh and throws her hands up. "Fine," she grumbles. "But you should not be here, you should be at probation."

I choose to ignore her comment and turn back to Ash. "Have the police come?"

"Yes," Ash nods. "But it's nothing to do with people. Everything to do with the manor."

Carol's face creases at his words. "What do you mean?"

Ash opens his mouth to talk but his throat clenches and I know it's hard for him to talk about, so I stand up and walk towards Carol. "Neither of us will be going back to the manor, it's dangerous and not fit for community probation."

She blinks once, I can tell she thinks I'm taking the piss but I keep my face engaged. "I don't think that's your choice to make, Bodi."

Fire burns inside of me and my lip twitches to release some harsh words but Ash gets there before me. "I'm not going back there," his voice wobbles and we both turn our attention towards him. You could see the pure fear behind his eyes, like they're vacant and remembering. Even when he doesn't want to. "I don't care what you say. Send me to prison, that place will be safer than that manor anyday."

He's breathing heavily by the time he finishes speaking and I tell myself not to reach forward and hold his hand. Especially not in front of Carol, she doesn't need to see or know what's going on between us.

"I don't understand," she clenches her eyes shut and swipes a hand across her forehead in a slow manner. "What do you mean?"

"A person didn't do this to Ash, Carol," I state. "And I believe him because that manor is creepy as fuck. He's been hearing noises, seeing things that he shouldn't. He ended up in the woods unconscious with his bracelet broken."

Carol's eyebrows dip, flicking her eyes between mine and Ash's. "Are you saying this is the act of ghosts or demons?"

A single tear dribbles from Ash's eye and I fucking hate that he's crying right now. All I want to do is wrap him up in my arms and promise him that we will do anything to make Carol believe us, even if we have to go to prison together. I'd do anything for him to feel safe. Not that prison is the best answer.

"We don't know what the hell it is," I speak for him. "But we won't be going back. It's not safe for either of us. Put us on a new placement, anything. But Ash and I will not be stepping foot in that manor again."

Carol inhales and turns to look at Ash, his broken face says it all. "We'll have a meeting once you are better, Ash," she nods at him. "But for you," she points her gaze at me. "You can report to the probation office tomorrow whilst we investigate what is going on at the manor."

"Thank you," I say gratefully.

"Turn up at ten o'clock, I should be there by then to assign you something else but if I'm not, another officer will do it for you." She tells me sternly.

"I'll be there."

When her dark eyes turn to Ash she offers him a supportive smile. "I hope you get better soon, Ash. We'll be in contact about the manor and what will happen once you're fit enough to start your probation again."

"Okay," he croaks.

Carol takes two steps away from the bed and exits the room. I huff out a sigh of relief, that could have ended so differently. At least they're going to give us an opportunity to try a new placement.

"Thank you," Ash's voice catches me by surprise. I turn towards him and perch on the edge of the bed. "My words just weren't coming out."

My hand raises to wipe the evidence of tears on his cheeks. "It's okay," I smile. "Least now we never have to go back and neither of us have to end up in prison."

This has Ash cracking a smile, one that will make my day. "True."

I stare into those gorgeous green eyes, ones that have captured me since day one. Since I saw him at the party, the same eyes that had my heart missing multiple beats because I've never seen anything as mesmerising as them.

And yet he has no idea.

"Kiss me," he murmurs. That soft voice desperate for me to move closer because he knows soon I'll have to leave.

I lean in and close the gap between us, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. My fingers slide underneath his chin and tilt his head. We break away but our lips remain connected, he flutters those long lashes up and I smile.

He copies my actions and I find my heart missing those beats all over again.

✣

Today Ash is being discharged from the hospital. I've already been to visit him today after a couple of days of new placement. Carol sent me to a local school to help them clean away their garden which has overgrown, without Ash it feels miserable.

But knowing he's coming home gives me hope. I want to see him again already.

I know his parents are going to be fussing over him, making sure that he's okay so I decide to stay out of the way. There is always tomorrow and knowing he's in his mother's care, he will be just fine.

Tonight there is a little gathering going on at one of Elijah's friends' house. I wanted to go but not before I knew what was going on with Ash. But now I want to keep myself busy, distract myself from thinking about him. I head over to the party a little late, with a couple hours before my curfew.

A beer and a good chat will help the evening go by.

I walk through the front door and greet everyone on the way by. They ask why I'm late but I brush it off with probation. Elijah is at the back with his friends and I thank the host for inviting me over.

When I'm handed an ice cold beer I can finally relax. I sent Ash a text twenty minutes before I came and he's yet to reply, most probably sleeping or being smothered in affection by his parents. Most likely both.

I'm floating from person to person until I find myself in the conservatory, the music blasting from the speakers turning aggressive and not the party scene at all. My face turns to a look of grimace at the offensive lyrics.

"Change that shit over, it's Reese's phone," Elijah shouts and I retrieve the phone that is charging on top of the speaker.

My finger taps the screen and I skip the song, only to be met with another song just as bad. I curse to myself and swipe upwards, not expecting Reese to not have a password.

I click on his Spotify and find one of Elijah's party playlists instead, something a bit more chill than that screaming match. Just as I lock the phone a notification at the top of the screen catches my attention.

The app is a porn site, that's a given from the extremely explicit name. But it's what comes next that shocks me. It's a comment on a video that reads.

'HOLY SHIT. THIS IS THE HOTTEST GUY ON GUY ACTION EVER. SO FUCKING RAW AND REAL. DAMN, WHERE CAN WE GET MORE OF THESE TWO?'

I glance over my shoulder to make sure no one is nearby and when they're not I click on the notification. It drags me to the app and suddenly the page loads. My throat tenses when I study the still image with the play button in the middle.

Blood running cold. So cold that I'm sure I'm freezing right now.

Ash's face is recognisable instantly but then I notice the back of my head. My face isn't on the camera but Ash could be spotted from a mile away. I remember this day, we were at the manor, on the sofa, the time I topped him in missionary.

I cut the bluetooth off and play the video, my stomach churning when it's visible we're having sex. Ash's cock is being stroked by my hand and then he busts his load all over himself, moaning and grunting.

Did Reese come to the manor to spy on us?

Anger rises in my body, up to my throat. I want to scream. I want to fucking end him.

I pause the video and put the music back on, my fingers rush to the page to try and delete the video. Sweat drips down my back, racing against time to get this off his phone. Next to check his photo stream.

When I locate the delete button I click, not expecting a pop up saying I need the password to delete the video. "Fuck," I grit my teeth, I pop a muscle in my jaw.

My fingers fly across the screen and I work my way to the photo app. I work against my own skill to find this video, eyes peeled and looking in every direction before I crush the entire phone between my hands.

But when I can't find it I find nausea creeping up through my veins. If he's added it to a private album or uploaded it to the cloud then I'm fucked, we're both fucked. And at this point I'm more worried about Ash than I am myself because his face is visible, I'm not as recognisable and I realise what this could do to his career.

I slam the phone down and turn around, just in time to see Reese emerging from the downstairs toilet and heading into the conservatory. My feet take two large confident steps towards him before I slam him into the nearest wall, his blue eyes stare back at me with shock.

"You're a fucking pervert," I snarl in his direction.

Reese raises his eyebrows, then he relaxes when he realises what I'm talking about. That stupid smug smile I want to smack the fuck off his lips. "I'm the pervert?"

"You fucking came to the manor, recorded us and posted it online? You know that shit is so illegal and you can get prosecuted for it." I grind my teeth before I lose control completely.

He scoffs only irking me further. "That's rich coming from a criminal."

I take a fist full of his shirt and raise him off the wall before slamming him back down. "Delete the video now," I shout, not caring if other people could hear us.

This could ruin everything, for both of us.

"No."

"You've clearly got an issue with me, so what is it? It's not fair to drag Ash into this, if you've got something against me then fucking say it."

Reese stares at me and then has the nerve to release a laugh. "You're a liar, Bodi. That's what you are."

I shake my head and grip his shirt tighter. "Leave Ash out of this."

"Na, I think I like what I've done."

"Delete the fucking video!" I slam him twice as hard, his head smacking the brick wall.

"No."

My eye twitches at his cold tone. "I swear to God, Reese."

"Or what? You'll smash my face to pieces. You can't break your probation."

Harsh breaths puff from my nose and deep down I know he's right, I can't risk going to prison and I know full well Reese would press charges against me. If he can post a video of me online without my permission, he can definitely do this.

I release his shirt reluctantly. "Who the fuck have you turned into? You are not the friend I remember."

"Neither are you. You've been so distant since you've been fucking him. I hope he's damn good. Looks like a fucking slag."

My fists tighten at my sides and I tell myself not to hit him. This won't end well for me and he'll get everything he wants. "You say another fucking word about him," I step closer but Reese doesn't blink at my action.

The corners of his mouth flick into a smirk. "Has daddy found out about your little activities?"

Oh man, he wants to fucking die. "You back the fuck off."

"You can't tell me what to do."

"You're going to regret this, Reese. I promise you. You're going to regret this."

I pull myself away from him because I know I'm going to grab the nearest beer bottle and glass him if I'm not careful. So I step away and take myself home before I make a mistake, before I actually kill him for being so fucking psychotic.

This isn't just riding on my life but Ash's too and I feel guilty for ever introducing them to each other. But something will be done and I know karma will get him one way or another.

✣

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Author's Note

Hello my loves, what did you guys think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Uhhh ohhhhh, Reese has been up to no good. What do you think is going to happen next?😱

I love how protective Bodi is of Ash, it makes my heart flutter🥹🥹

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