Making It Count

Ashley's POV

The last thing I wanted to do on a Monday night was dealing with Louis's breakup. But since my coach had cancelled practice yet again he dragged Liam and I downtown for pizza and froyo.

Rizolli's had become our favorite spot over the years, close enough to the lake for summer swims but far enough from the tourist district to be cheap. And so Liam shoved me into the corner of our normal booth; keeping me from his ice cream under threat of losing a finger. Dipping my finger into the sauce of my chocolate sundae I listened halfheartedly to the discussion of yet another random breakup.

"What was it this time?" Liam asked.

"I don't know, I mean El's great and all but something just didn't feel right. There wasn't a spark and so it just didn't seem fair to her. I know we've done this before but this is the last time I swear."

"That's what you said last time." I muttered into my spoon.

"But I mean it this time." Louis sent me a less than subtle glare before taking a sip of his chocolate shake.

Louis was a great guy, most of the time. But he had his quirks that made our friendship a little rocky, one of them being the fact that he felt the need to overshare every detail of his many relationships. We got along mostly for Liam's sake.

"Besides how long did you bitch and moan to us after Parker?"

"Louis." Liam's tone was warning and I sent him a grateful look.

The only thing worse than a discussion of Louis's latest breakup was a discussion about my good for nothing ex boyfriend. Who for no apparent reason decided to make this a speak of the devil moment; causing me to try to hide my lanky 5'11" frame behind Liam.

"What the hell is he doing here?"

Parker Heffington the third was the head of the boy's soccer team and until 3 months ago my idea of the perfect boy. Until he decided we had irreconcilable differences, me being a scholarship student, and dumped me. It wasn't until two weeks later that I found out it was actually because he was going partying with his brother and a couple other frat boys and he didn't want to feel guilty about hook ups. It wasn't like he hadn't tried to feel bad about it but the damage had already been done.

"Ashley!" Braden was all smiles in his preppy rich boy manner as he approached the table.

"What are you doing here Parker?" The low rumble of Liam's voice surprised me.

"I was in the neighborhood and Ash always rambled on about this place so I figured I'd check it out."

"Well you checked it out now move along."

I could see the flash of confusion that crossed Parker's face. We had had a drunken hook-up in July (which I hadn't told anyone about) and now he thought that we were back to being an item not matter how many times I told him we weren't. He opened his mouth a couple of times debating whether to say something before he finally settled on the right words his gaze aimed right at me.

"You haven't told them have you?"

Liam and Louis' gazes turned towards me with curiosity and confusion but this really wasn't something I wanted to deal with at the moment.

"Tell us what?"

I gave them a short awkward smile before quickly excusing myself to go to the bathroom. Something resembling hurt seemed to cross in front of Liam's face but it might have just been my imagination. Parker followed me down the narrow hall behind the counter obviously wanting to talk.

"We are not an item, you messed that up." I stated bluntly without even turning around.

"But Ash I said I was sorry." I didn't even have to look to know that he was giving me the puppy eyes.

"Parker you can't just keep dragging this up. You made your choice, we're through."

I could hear him clearing his throat as I opened the door quickly closing it behind me. Sliding to the floor I cursed myself for not even being strong enough to face him. I had everyone convinced that I was strong, Ashley Sheffield the girl who no one could hurt, but Parker had done a pretty good job.

With a splash of water on my face I headed back to the table relieved to see that Parker had finally taken my words to heart and left. But the worst part was to come as I had to face Liam and Louis' stony gazes as I slid back into the booth.

"What the hell was that?" Louis asked breaking the silence.

"He just wants to get back together." I said trying to keep it nonchalant.

"Are you going to?"

There was something in Liam's tone that I couldn't read as I shook my head adamantly. Despite my slight misgivings I knew one thing for certain Parker was not going to get another chance. Although we didn't get along I could have kissed Louis for saving me from my over protective best friend and switching the conversation from me.

"Well, enough of the stupid break up talk for today, Liam I heard from Sam that you have a new girl on the brain. Are you going to tell the rest of the three amigos or just everyone else at school?"

This was news to me which surprised me since I thought that I was in the loop, provided we hadn't had the weekly Sheffield/Lawson dinner which is when Holly usually caught me up. I turned my gaze to Liam slightly hurt. He had always told me about who he had his eyes on seeking my opinion even if she was crazy (Shawna), a loser (Kat) or way out of his league (Tiffany). Liam ducked my gaze as a blush crept up all the way from his neck.

"It's nothing." He stammered like we were going to believe him.

"Who is she?" I asked bluntly poking him in the arm.

Liam looked a little lost his gaze travelling from Louis and I's expectant faces back to his napkin. An inward battle raged on his face as I tried to get my emotions in check. I won't lie and say that I've never had a little bit of a crush on Liam. But with his tattoos, jock image and winsome personality he'd never had a problem picking up girls.

"I don't know guys I mean this girl is different, I don't know what to say around her, how to act, it's like I'm in middle school again."

A mischievous smile split Louis' face and I knew that we weren't getting home until Liam had spilled everything. I admit I was a little curious myself, I hadn't seen Liam nervous about a girl since he asked Lucy Phillips to winter formal in the 6th grade.

"Cassidy Lukin." He admitted under his breath.

"What?" Louis goaded although we had both heard him.

"Cassidy Lukin, okay that's who I like."

I let out a deep breath, considering. Cassidy was a striker on the team with me and she could definitely be difficult at times. She had a no bullshit attitude that had most of us convinced she was gay until she dated Bryce Harper last year. Something about her had most of us on eggshells around her and I wondered how the hell Liam had decided to have a crush on the one girl at school I couldn't get a read on.

Louis burst out laughing at Liam's confession his hand slapping his knee like a lunatic until he caught Liam's slightly annoyed gaze.

"Wait you're serious?"

Notes

Hey everyone!

Welcome to the next installation in Making it Count. I hoped you like it :)

let us know what you think,

-A