Project Daddy || a.i

Chapter 69 || "Lads Sleepover."

Mrs Hemmings

"I'm good, Ashton." My mum beamed, flattered by his attention "What about you?"

"Good," he nodded, his hazel eyes briefly meeting my own before looking away, brimmed with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher "I'm good."

I couldn't say the same.

"Okay. Mikey, Cal and Tarzan are coming in about an hour." Luke informed us, slipping his phone back into his pocket before shooting us all a pleased, beaming smile - happy to have gotten his own way.

I paused, my lips drawn down into a sceptical frown.

"Wait... Tarzan?"

"Yeah, that's Harry's ni-"

"I know what it is." I confirmed "I was just wondering why he was invited."

"He's kind of our friend now," Ashton answered, lightly chuckling as he saw my puzzled expression "it's a long story."

"But you hated him."

"Shít happens."

"Mum, is it okay if we sleep downstairs tonight?" Luke asked, abruptly breaking my attention away from Ashton.

"What? No!"

"Why?" He frowned, shooting me a perplexed glance.

I felt myself visibly redden as all eyes fell upon me, yet I kept my confident stance, mentally preparing myself for the battle that awaited me.

He could not have the TV tonight.

"Because," I began "How to Get Away with Murder is on tonight."

"So?" He questioned, causing my chest to tighten in annoyance

"So, it's a new episode." I explained, attempting to keep my calm composure "Evie was coming over so we could watch it."

"Well, you can watch it another night." He announced, completely disregarding my plans and prioritizing his own "Cause the boys are coming over and my rooms too small for us all."

"Luke, that isn't fair." I stated through gritted teeth, watching as his lips twitched up into an all too familiar cocky smirk.

"Life isn't fair, Pandora."

I tensed, my jaw clenching as I bit back my hateful words. Although I wished to swear and yell at him, I had to keep my calm composure, for the better my reaction, the better chance my mother would take my side.

And in the end, it was my mother who would truly decide.

"Luke, it would only be for an hour." I spoke, my words soft and formal.

He just shrugged, clearly disinterested by my futile attempts to reason with him.

"You can just record it."

"But I had plans."

"Well, cancel them."

"I promised Evie."

I was lying. I didn't promise Evie shít

"Well break your promise," Luke sighed, exasperated "I don't care, Pandora. I need the living room tonight."

"Luke." Ashton murmured, his eyebrows drawn down in disapproval "It's fine. We could just chill in your room for a while."

"It's not fine, Ash." Luke snapped back, seeming to have forgotten that my mother was seated directly across from him, her eyes dimmed with dissatisfaction.