The Bad boy, the baby and Me

7. Babyeater

I groaned and rolled over when a something similar to a baby’s cry reached my ears and tried to invade my sleep. But, it didn’t help, because the crying rose to an octave, seconds later.

“Whose baby is crying in the fricking morning?” I muttered, annoyed and sat up, rubbing the sleep away from my eyes.

When my vision cleared, I took in my surroundings and froze.

Shit! I was not in my room, it was not my bed and I sure as hell was not alone.

My gaze travelled around the mess that was Ashton’s room. On the bed, Ashton’s body was sprawled on one side, beside him was lying Blake.

Surprising much? I wanted to giggle so badly at that moment but, my eyes landed on the tiny form of Stella who was beside Blake. My eyes widened in realization.

Stella was between Blake and me. How the hell did two grown up boys, a baby and a grown up girl (me) fit in one bed? On each side of the bed, on the carpet, Alex and Cameron were dozing off.

I quickly picked up Stella in my arms to shush her. Poor baby was crying her eyes out. I checked the time. It was five in the morning.

Now, you must be wondering what in the hell was happening?

Long story short: after the eventful day yesterday and the night which was no less eventful, the boys wanted to practice for the upcoming fest and who was I to stop them? (Actually, I tried with every ounce in my body to stop them, but, did they listen? No.)

Anyways, so they started their midnight devil ball and surprise, surprise, Stella was thoroughly enjoying it. I will admit, I enjoyed it too (maybe because I was not in my room trying to sleep).

Somewhere down the line, exhaustion caught up to everyone and we all passed out in whatever state we were in and whatever places we could find.

This brings us back to the present. I was still trying to digest the fact that I practically had a sleepover with the guys who were my sworn enemies, like, a day ago. I needed to be back in my room before my mom woke up and found out about my absence.

Stella had not stopped crying and soon the room was filled with the groans of all the sleepy bad boys.

Good! Now, they will know what sleep deprivation actually is.

Everyone was starting to stir, orienting themselves to their surroundings.

“Oh fudge! Whose husband died?” Ashton mumbled sleepily, covering his ears

I rolled my eyes. “Wake up, guys. Stella is crying and I can’t find her baby formula.”

“Ask Blake. He was the one feeding her the last time.” Cameron said, standing up and stretching his arms.

I turned to find Blake still snoring softly in the pillow. I stuck out my leg and kicked his abdomen lightly.

“The hell!” he cursed and sat up in alarm, looking around frantically. Everyone snickered at his reaction.

“Don’t worry; you will see hell after I am done with you. For now, how about you tell me where the baby formula is?” I asked Blake, sweetly.

He turned around and his disoriented eyes settled on me, then, Stella and slowly, famiLiarity dawned on his face.

He got up from the bed and went to shove his hands inside Alex’s jacket, which Alex was still wearing, might I add. We all gave him bewildered looks while Alex could only stare at him with his mouth agape. Seconds later, he procured the bottle of baby formula from the jacket.

“What the hell, man?” Alex growled.

Blake raised his hands defensively. “Stella hid it there when you took it off during practice.”

Ashton took Stella from my arms and chuckled, “You sly little thing.” He crooned.

I think I forgot to breathe for a moment, too focused on Ashton and his disheveled bed hair which was falling over his forehead, his eyes which were more vibrant than ever after just waking up, his lips which were curved upwards in a breathtaking lopsided smile. And, most importantly, the way he was taking care of Stella, feeding her lovingly from the bottle. Who would have believed that this boy was even afraid to touch her yesterday?

“Anyways, we have school in exactly three hours. What are we going to do about Stella?” Cameron asked, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“Oh that. That’s taken care of. We have found the perfect solution for school hours.” Alex smirked.

“Don’t tell me you guys are planning to bring Stella along to school.” I said, narrowing my eyes.

I couldn’t trust them. They were insane.

“That was what we first thought, but, that would be too much of a hassle.” Blake chimed.

Seriously? They were considering that option?

“What is the second insane plan?” I asked.

“Have faith on us, shorty. Our plan is arriving here shortly.” Alex said.

I raised an eyebrow. “Arriving here?”

Just at that exact moment, there was a knock at Ashton’s bedroom door.

“She’s here.” Ashton announced and went to open the door, handing over Stella to Blake.

The plan is a she?

The door opened to reveal a stunningly beautiful girl covered in tattoos and piercings from head to toe, dressed up in black crop top, black jeans and black biker boots. She looked like she belonged to some gothic themed runaway show.

“What’s up, boys?” she asked casually, entering the room as if she owned the place and went to sprawl on Ashton’s bed.

I quickly got up from the bed and watched her with my mouth agape. Who the hell was she?

“Crazy, meet Julia, Stella’s new babysitter. Julia, meet crazy, she’s…well she is crazy.” Ashton so-very-kindly introduced us.

I glared at him for calling me crazy in front of a stranger, “You will pay, Sylvester.” I gritted out.

“Not now, kids.” Blake admonished us and moved over to hand Stella to Julia.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” I snarled and took Stella from his arms instead. Stella was peacefully sleeping at the moment.

“What’s your problem, chic?” Julia asked me, analyzing me from head to toe, trying to belittle me.

I ignored her and took Ashton aside.

“She looks like she eats kids for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No offence, but doesn’t exactly strike me as the babysitter type.”

Ashton’s eyes widened. “Do you have any idea how judgmental and ridiculous you sound right now?”

I hated that he had a point. “How old is she?” I asked, instead.

“She is of our age. She attends a night school and works part time during day hours. I have known her practically my whole life. She is a professional baby sitter. If I can trust someone, it’s her.” Ashton stated.

I glanced at Julia, who was still looking at me with her eyes narrowed. I don’t know, whether it was my over protectiveness over Stella, or the fact that Ashton talked of her so highly, I still found it hard to place my trust on her. Call me judgmental or rude or opinionated, but, it was what it was.

“I don’t know. I don’t like her.” I muttered.

“Well, the feeling is mutual, sis.” Julia suddenly snapped, walking up to me.

I gasped at her words. “I told you, she is a bad influence.” I said, aloud.

“Well, you aren’t exactly accommodating, shorty. And, Julia here is our best bet at a babysitter.” Alex said.

“Damn right, I am,” Julia said smugly, “otherwise, have a good time explaining everyone about your one night stand with a random dude.”

My eyes widened, “What did you just say? My one night stand?” I shrieked.

Julia turned to look in Blake’s direction, who had a horrified look on his face.

“What did you tell her?” I asked Blake, slowly, calmly.

“Oh, s**t! Would you look at that? My mom keeps calling me. Bye, guys. See you in school.” Blake blurted quickly and darted out of the door.

I yelled in frustration and went after him to claw out his eyes but two strong hands wrapped around my waist before I had hardly taken two steps.

“Calm down, crazy. Blake was kidding.” Ashton’s deep voice came in my ear.

“Chill, Millie. We need to wrap up things here or else we will be late for school.” Cameron said.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to control myself. When Ashton was sure that I had switched off my battle mode, he released me, much to my disappointment. (Weird)

“Look, we will explain everything to Julia. We have known her for long and she is the only one who can do this job while keeping our secret or without asking questions.” Alex explained.

I eyed Julia warily, “Fine,” I relented, “but, if anything goes wrong, I will have your head.”

Julia rolled her eyes, “Whatever, crazy.” She mocked.

I glared at her, then, at Ashton for suggesting her that name.

“Sorry, Jules, only I get to call her crazy.” Ashton said, smirking in my direction.

Jules? He had a nickname for her? Exactly how long had he known her? What was their relationship? Why was she so beautiful? Ugh! I was going crazy for real.

I was shocked at the direction of my thoughts. I don’t know where these negative feelings were coming from, but, I did know one thing, I didn’t like how much Ashton seemed to admire Julia and the fact that I probably looked like a potato in front of her, didn’t exactly help.