Page 13 of Ashes to Ash’s

“Fuck,” he hissed, turning and legging it down the street. Fucking hell, really?

I pushed Andy away from me, zipping my jeans back up, while he pouted at me.

“Come on, Ash. I’m horny. Let’s fuck.”

I shook my head at him. “This was a mistake, Andy. You’re my boss, and you were right before. It’s an abuse of power or something.”

I felt completely sober now, like that one moment of spotting Cal had completely drained the alcoholic effects, and left me ready to hunt him down and have him instead.

Cal’s home, and now he’s mine.

Chapter Nine

Callum (also eighteen at fucking last)

I’d been back two days and I thought I’d get away with it, because our paths would no longer cross, would they? Ash was my past. Ash was from my weaker years, when I didn’t abide by the Lord’s word, and risked sinning, when I should have just prayed more for the strength to be good and decent.

Since leaving my uncle’s compound, I was back living at home with my parents, but work was going well, except for the fact that it was a work from home role. It meant I was stuck in with my parents far too much. Like literally two days with them was almost too much for me. They were overbearing, but time away from them had made me realise that they weren’t doing the Lord’s good work, they were doing their own. Trying to control me, because they felt they had that right.

When I’d said I was going for a walk, on a Friday night (gasp), I’d received the third degree before I managed to get out, because while I was an adult man, I apparently still had to explain to my parents that I was going for a walk. I just wanted some air, some time away from their stuffiness. Was that really too much to ask?

Anyway, that’s when I headed up into town and walked right past Ash, who, of course, was sinning out in the open, getting a hand job from some guy. I didn’t mean to curse out loud, but when he locked eyes on me, I knew he recognised me, despite how much I’d changed, and although he looked bigger and more dangerous, I knew he hadn’t changed a bit inside, as evidenced by his deplorable behaviour. Right there in public. That shameful behaviour. Sickening.

I ran. I felt pathetic for it, but I had to, because he looked so good, despite his filthy soul. He was older, obviously, much bigger, and his dark hair was fashionably shaved up the sides, leaving it tousled on top. He was drunk too. I could tell that from the way they’d staggered to that wall before they fell into their depravity. Carrying out that filth where anyone could see them!

I could hear his unsteady footsteps behind me, but I wouldn’t slow down, or risk him catching up with me. It was pointless though, wasn’t it? He knew my address back then, and it was the same address now. He could find me so easily.

I finally slowed as I reached the bridge under the motorway, heading into the dimly lit tunnel. It would be better to confront him and the past now, and get it over with, out of sight of anyone. Then we could both carry on with our lives as they were now. Me within my strict beliefs, and him with whatever it was he adhered to, if anything. Depravity, probably.

“Cal.”

I stopped and turned, knowing nobody could see us right now, but it was hardly a pleasant place to hang out, stinking of urine, and probably littered with drug paraphernalia.

“You’re back,” he said quietly, his eyes travelling from my eyes down my body, and back up again.

“Yeah. Shouldn’t you get back to your uh… your friend?”

He snorted. “He’s been hitting on me for months, baby, but it was always only going to be you.”

Oh no. No no no. Not this, please. I’d spent years focusing on the Lord and his words, and my faith, and I wasn’t about to let some messed up kid from school derail that.

“It was never going to be me, Ash. That’s not my thing.”

He stepped closer, one side of his mouth turning up in a grin as his dark eyes fixed on mine.

“Aw baby, you gotta stop pretending you don’t want my cock, because you’re definitely going to get it. I’m sure you’ll stop denying your feelings when you’re taking every inch of me up that tight ass of yours.” No!

I lifted my hands, backing away from him, and his filth. I wouldn’t let him confuse me this time.

“No, Ash. I’m not interested. This game of yours is over. Turn around, and leave. I’m not letting you get in my head again.”

He stepped closer once more, and I reached out to shove him back, but all that happened was I ended up stumbling back against the cold concrete wall, and he caged me in with his arms. He was bigger than me by a few inches in height, but clearly he was more muscled and dangerous than I’d realised. Maybe the danger came from that crazed look in his eyes. That intensity.

“Don’t.”

“Baby, one thing you’ll learn about the Cross family, is we never take no for an answer.” They never do what? His lips aimed for mine, and I choked out a ragged breath as I ducked under his arm, and backed down the tunnel.

“Stay away from me, Ash. This isn’t happening.”