In Between The Good and Bad

BONUS CHAPTER PART ONE

"Ashley had a mood. I couldnt leave him." I say frowning. "Exactly. That step kid you want this one you don't." He says and I frown. "Ashley isnt just my step kid? He is my actual kid basically... I have raised him as my own. Evelyn has literally told me to my face I was a bitch and to stop talking to her?"

"So you listen to an angry teenager?" He asks

"James. Just take her and go you are giving me a headache." I say pushing him out of the room but he wasn't budging. "Everything is just more important than me. Your job your business..."

"You knew me exactly before you got married to me James." I say annoyed. I knew he was just pretending infront of Stassie amd William.. he was upset with me.. "I am trying my best." I say and he just shakes his head. "No you are not. I am always last and its not fucking good enough." He snaps at me.

"Get out." I tell him as I try push him again. My bedroom door opens and Ashley bursts in. I did not even know he was home.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ashley says frowning at James. James looks at me shaking his head.

"Mind your business please Ashley."

"Penelope is my business." He says. Ashley was a firecracker ready to be set off. He is on 10 all the time and this is the last thing I needed.

"Stop. Were just talking Ashley its okay." I say and he just stares at James. Ashley has seen me being hurt before by his father and this wasnt where I wanted his mind to go.

"Im leaving." James says as he tries to walk past Ashley who was now a 6ft2 kid blocking the door. "If you think I am going to allow you yelling or touching Penelope you got it wrong. I will literally smash your head through that wall." He says squaring up to James.

"Ashley its okay... honestly." I say trying to get in between the two tall guys.

"I suggest you move before I teach you some fucking manners." James says making Ashley shove him back and swing for James. I think my scream made Rachel run up the stairs as James had grabbed Ashley's collar.

We push them apart finally and James storms out wiping blood of his mouth. "Ashley!" I say looking at him.

"Im gonna kill him. He put his hands on me!" Ashley says. "You did first?" I say annoyed. "What the fuck Ash?"

"Are you choosing him?" Ashley asks before he storms out too. "Fuck...." I say sinking to the floor. James actually put his hands on my kid. I burst out into tears and Rachel just sighs following Ashley.

I would hate for William and Stassie to see me like this. They spent all their time when I lived in New York consoling me in my terrible relationship with Harrison. Now I am suppose to have my happily ever after.

I fix my face and go to Ashley's bedroom where he locked himself in.

"Ash. Open the door please." I say. He opens up finally and I look at him. He was angry with pink cheeks. I look around the room seeing he had flipped it upside down. Little Ash and 18 year old Ash had the same temper and I carry a guilt for not ending my relationship faster with Harrison which made Ash deal with more instability.

"You know I would never choose anyone over you. I even choose you over your dad remember?" I ask trying to make a joke.

"So funny." He says. "He is a fucking asshole. I dont want to see James ever again."

"Ash... I am kind of married to the guy? I can fight my own battles too." I say and he just rolled his eyes. "Please I will deal with James. I just want to focus on your 18th and celebrate you graduating high school soon."