#i’m not gonna put this in main tags because i’d prefer it stayed kinda smaller

[domifucker]

hey my leafy friends pls feel free to join my lil serverino, i felt like we needed somewhere to be insane together <3

[roselukes]

Stay a Little Longer - Ch 3 - m.c.

Previous Chapters

Summary: When Michael’s life is compromised, he seeks safety in the arms of the unfamiliar

Note: this particular chapter is dedicated to @mistletoemichael because she’s Michael’s biggest fan and one of my bestest friends and she’s going through some shit and she needed this chapter more than anyone else

Tag List: @sassy-asht0n @toofadedtofight @rosesarered516 @hoe4hemmo @heartbreakashton94 @calsfrontcurl @calumspeachy @dukehoods @holidayhood @wrappedaroundcal @mistletoemichael @plainwhiteluke @irwinkitten @hereforlukescruff @astroashtonio @catchinqcalum @irwinvalentines @kinglycalum @biggestslutforcalum @calumhampton @angelmikeyy @hotmessmichael @curlyhairedpopstars @meloncal @heavenlyhemminqs @24kcalum @calsjackets @boytoynamedcalum @alyssarester @ssophisticated-simplicityy @mycollectionofnuts @mysteriouslycali @calteahood @notoriouslyhood @ohhmuke @lukesflaredpants @slimthicccal @ghostofch

That following day, James offered Michael the position, which he accepted. He was finally able to move out of the hotel and into a real bedroom. He walked into the bedroom and set down his final suitcase. Lani leaned against the doorway of Michael’s room. “Howdy, neighbor.” She smiled at him.

“What?” Michael laughed, looking at her.

“We’re neighbors now. My room is right across the hall. Right there.” She said, pointing to the bedroom.

“Can I see it?” Michael asked, peeking into her room.

“It’s just a bedroom.” Lani said, walking into her room.

“You can tell a lot about a person by their bedroom.” Michael said, walking into her room. “Like, you have a wide range in music taste, based on the photo of Big Time Rush on your nightstand, and the picture of Billy Currington on your desk. Wait, is that you with Billy Currington?”

“Yeah, I met him when I was in college.” Lani smiled. “He wrote my tattoo for me.”

“Hold on, you have a tattoo?” Michael spun around to look at her.

“I have several.” Lani nodded. “Wanna see?”

“Yes, please.” Michael grinned and sat on her bed.

“Okay, I have a dragonfly on my ankle here.” She said, pulling her leggings up to show the ink. “I have a smaller dragonfly behind my ear, here.” She said, pulling her ear slightly to show him. “I have ‘If I leave my heart with you tonight will you promise me that you’re gonna treat it right?’ on my ribcage here.” Lani said, lifting her shirt just enough to let Michael see the tattoo, her deep green bra barely making an appearance. “And, Ashton and I have matching hearts on our wrists.” She said, showing him the final tattoo.

“You and Ashton this, you and Ashton that.” Michael teased.

“You sound like Calum. He’s always jealous when Ashton and I hang out. He was miserable when Ash and Rae Lynn started dating. Now he just hangs out with Luke all the time.”

“That Luke guy is kinda weird.” Michael said, making a face.

“You get used to him after a while.” Lani giggled. “Anyways, I was gonna head to the grocery store. Do you want to come with me?”

“I’d love to come. When are we going?” Michael smiled.

“Right now.” Lani said and walked down the hallway. Michael nodded and followed Lani down the hall. He followed her out to her truck and got in the passenger seat. Lani pulled out of the driveway and started down the gravel roads.

“So..” Michael mused, looking at Lani.

“Nope. I hate awkward conversations in the car.” Lani shook her head and turned on the radio, the sounds of Billy Currington echoing through the cab of the truck.

“Hey, you like this guy.” Michael commented.

“I don’t like him. I adore him. I would lay down my life for him.” Lani said, looking at Michael.

“You’re one of those people.” Michael chuckled.

“I have many people I would die for. Billy Currington, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, the lady that does my nails.” Lani shrugged.

“There’s a place to get your nails done here? In the middle of nowhere?” Michael asked.

“No, I drive two hours once a month to get my nails done.” Lani said, turning onto a paved road.

“The dedication.” Michael chuckled and changed the station. “Sorry, I’m just not a fan of Rascal Flatts.”

“That’s okay, I’m not either. Though, I have seen them live.” Lani said, stopping at a stop sign. Not long after, Lani parked the car in the lot at Warehouse Grocery. She walked inside with Michael, grabbing a cart. “Do you have everything you need at the house? Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo?” Lani asked.

“I could use more toothpaste and deodorant.” Michael nodded and followed Lani to the toiletries aisle. He grabbed his preferred brands of toothpaste and deodorant, placing them in the cart.

“Alright, I need to get some things for dinner and some things for Kaiden’s lunches.” Lani nodded and pushed the cart.

“Do you have a list?” Michael asked and Lani nodded. She took the list from her pocket and handed it to Michael. They went first to the canned goods, grabbing a few cans of veggies. “Don’t we grow these?” Michael asked.

“They’re not ready to harvest and we’re out from last year’s harvest.” Lani explained. She walked to the baking aisle and looked at the list. She looked up at the shelf before moving closer to Michael, her body tucking into his side. He liked having her close, but his confusion was evident.

“Lani, what are you doing?” He asked, looking down at her.

“Shh, just go with it.” Lani said. “Don’t say anything and keep your head down.” Michael nodded and tried to obey. He kept his down, but glanced up when a man approached them.

“Hey there, Lani.” The man smirked. “Haven’t seen you around the bar lately, where’ve you been?”

“Nowhere.” Lani rolled her eyes. “I’m not a rowdy college girl anymore. I have an actual life now.”

“Uh huh, sure.” The man chuckled. “I know that rowdy college girl is still in there. You can’t change who you are, Lani.”

“Y’all findin’ everything alright?” Martin, the store owner, asked. The man shook head and walked away, leaving Michael and Lani alone with Martin.

“Thanks, Marty.” Lani sighed.

“No problem, dear.” Martin smiled softly and walked away.

“What was that?” Michael asked, following Lani to the frozen foods.

“Nothing.” Lani mumbled, grabbing some frozen fruits and veggies and placing them in the cart. Michael sighed and grabbed the frozen chicken from the top shelf, placing it in the cart. He was curious, but he knew not to press the issue. When they had finished and paid, Michael helped Lani load up the back of the truck.

“Are you sure what happened in there was nothing?” Michael asked, almost regretting his decision to ask. Lani pulled out her phone and called Ashton.

“Hey, Ash. Mike and I got the groceries but we’re gonna stay in town for a bit longer. Tell Rae Lynn to get started on dinner and we’ll be home soon.” Lani said before hanging up.

“We’re staying?” Michael asked, watching as Lani started walking toward Main Street. He jogged to catch up to her after closing the the back of the truck.

“You and I are going to have a chat.” Lani said, walking into a small bakery. “Care for a donut?” She asked, walking up to the counter.

“Always.” Michael nodded and stood next to her. “One chocolate eclair, please.” Michael ordered.

“Glazed for me.” Lani said, handing the clerk a $5 bill. The clerk handed Lani the donuts and she walked over to the bar that overlooked the street. She sat on a stool and pulled her donut from the bag.

“So, who was he?” Michael asked, sitting next to her.

“My ex boyfriend. We started dating sophomore year of high school and broke up junior year of college. He knows things about me that even the boys don’t know..” Lani sighed.

“It can’t be that bad, right?” Michael asked, looking at her. She avoided his eyes and stared out the large window, watching the few cars pass by.

“It can.” Lani said, her voice barely above a whisper. “At first, he was the best boyfriend any girl could ask for. He was supportive and kind. He’d carry my books to class, he’d help out with the ranch. And then, we went to college and he changed. It was like a full 180. He started staying out all night and coming home plastered, he’d yell at me for things I had no control over, he’d threaten to burn the place down with me in it. I was terrified. He wasn’t the same man I had fallen in love with. After I left him, I needed to make money for my own place, but I didn’t have any experience with working. There was only one place that would hire me, and they only hired me because I was considered physically desirable.” Lani sighed and Michael immediately knew what she was talking about.

“You were a stripper?” He asked quietly.

“Not an actual stripper. I was a waitress at the strip club. They paid me $24 an hour to walk around half naked, giving drinks to already drunk men. Occasionally, I’d give a lap dance or two for some extra tip money, but nothing more than that. Trent used to come into the club while I was working and at first, I was scared. Then, I noticed that he was nicer to me than he had ever been while we were together. I played myself and took him back. That’s when he got physically abusive. I’d come home from a long shift and he’d start yelling at me about how much of a whore I am for letting guys touch me and put money between my breasts. He was so angry that he wasn’t the only one to see me like that.”

“Did you ever report him?” Michael asked and Lani shook her head.

“I was too scared of what he’d do to me if I told someone. I still am..”

“Hey, he can’t hurt you anymore.” Michael said, placing his hand over Lani’s. “You’re safe.”

“He holds it over me. He knows what would happen to my career and my life if people knew what I did. I got paid in cash, so I never claimed it as a job on my taxes. I could lose my teaching license if the state knew I worked at a strip club.”

“Don’t worry. He can’t hurt you or your career. Not anymore.” Michael said, squeezing her hand gently. “If he comes near you again, call me. If you feel scared, call me. I will drop everything to be there for you.”