It was an early June morning as the boys sat around the conference table of their management office at another meeting. They were talking over some final details of their upcoming tour that was just about six weeks away. Everyone was excited about the feedback they had received from their small promo tour they had done a few months earlier and they couldn’t wait to bring the show to the live stage.
As the meeting came to an end everyone began to go their separate ways. AJ quickly gathered his things and followed everyone outside.
“Hey guys wait up.” He said catching up to Nick, Howie and Kevin as they were exiting the building. “Where’s B?”
“He had to go pick something up from the main office, he should be out in a minute.” Howie informed him.
“Ok, I’ll catch him later, but I wanted to let you guys know we’re having a party for Ashley this weekend over at Le Deux on Sunday.” He said. “I know it’s short notice but mom really wants you guys to be there.”
“I haven’t seen Ash in a long time. You know I’ll be there. What’s the party for?” Howie asked.
“She graduates on Saturday and her birthday was a few weeks ago, so we’re just kind of combining both.”
“Graduates? Already?” Howie said surprised. “Why do I suddenly feel really old?”
“Tell me about it.” Kevin laughed. “Me and Kris ran into her last month at the Grove and I barely even recognized her. She sure has grown up.”
“Don’t remind me.” AJ laughed as he shook his head. “So what about it, you guys in?”
“I have to check with Kris, but I’m pretty sure we can go.” Kevin said.
“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try.” Nick said with a shrug.
“Alright, well it’s at three so make sure you’re there on time. It’s technically not a surprise, but she doesn’t know about everyone who’s coming. So we want everyone there before her.”
“On time. That means you Nick.” Howie teased.
“I’m not always late.” He defended.
“No, just nine times out of ten.” Howie laughed.
“Shut up.” Nick said as AJ and Kevin laughed.
“Alright well I’ll catch you guys later. Kris and I have dinner plans.” Kevin said.
They said their goodbyes and parted ways.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Hey!” Angel waved as Ashley ran out of the house and towards the car. “You look amazing as always.”
She was in a short fitted black tube top dress with a studded silver belt accenting the waist, paired with silver peep toe pumps.
“Thanks.” Ashley smiled as she got into the car and fastened her seat belt. “I met up with Jared for lunch last weekend and he helped me pick out my outfits for yesterday and dinner.”
“How is he?” Angel said as she backed out of the driveway and onto the road.
“Mad at me, just like you.” She laughed. “I finally told him about my plans.”
“I still can’t believe you’re leaving me.” Angel said with a pout.
“You’ll survive. I promise. I just didn’t want him to be in shock tonight when I tell everyone else.”
“So who’s coming?” Angel asked as she pulled onto the highway towards Los Angeles.
“Um everyone that we invited plus some of Alex’s friends and some people my mom invited that I don’t really know.” She laughed. “They didn’t tell me much more then that so I have no idea what tricks are up their sleeves.”
“I’m sure it will be killer.”
Thirty minutes later the girls pulled up to Le Deux. They valeted the car and made their way inside. A hostess greeted them at the front and let them to the outside courtyard where everyone was gathered. Ashley smiled wide as she saw all of her friends and family. There were a lot more people then she had expected.
“Surprised?” Denise said as she greeted her with a big hug.
“Totally. I didn’t know everyone was coming.”
“We wanted to keep some things a secret.” Denise smiled.
“This is awesome.” She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. “Ok time to start making the rounds. I have so many people I need to say hi to!”
Ashley made her way around saying hello to old friends and family until AJ came and pulled her away.
“Come say hi to the guys.” He said pulling her towards the opposite end of the courtyard.
“Howie!” she said excitedly seeing his first. “I didn’t see you guys when I came in. Where were you hiding out?”
“We figured we’d let you socialize and eventually you’d make your way to us.” He smiled and hugged her.
“Well just so you know you guys always have first in line privileges.” She hugged him back before greeting Kevin, Brian, Kristen and Leighanne.
“So graduating, turning eighteen. I really think you need to stop growing up.” Howie laughed. “And I swear you get more beautiful every time I see you. I bet the guys are just lining up around the block for you.”
“Uh guys are just headaches.” She laughed. “I’m on a mission to stay single for the rest of my life.”
“Please note this is the billionth time she’s sworn off men in the past three years.” AJ threw in.
“Well this time I mean it.” She defended.
“Yeah, we’ll see how long that lasts.” He laughed.
“So what’s next for you?” Kevin asked.
“It’s a secret.” She grinned. “You’ll find out later on tonight.”
“Must be good if you’re keeping your lips sealed.” Brian laughed.
“Oh it is.” She nodded as someone called her from across the room.
“Go back to your friends.” Howie said. “I know you don’t want to spend your whole night with us old farts.”
“Aw but its so much fun. Plus I get community service hours.” She teased before hugging them all again. “I’ll come back in a little.”
“So has anyone talked to Carter?” AJ asked when she was gone.
“I called him earlier and he said he was coming. I guess he’s late as always.” Howie shrugged.
“Speaking of the Devil.” Brian said pointing towards the entrance to the courtyard. Nick spotted them and made his way over.
“I think today makes ten out of ten.” Howie laughed.
“I got sidetracked.” He shrugged; frustrated they were hung up on him being late again. “I made it, that should count for something.”
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Brian teased.
He sighed and scanned the crowd trying to ignore their remarks. He usually wasn’t this moody but the rehearsals were really beginning to wear him down. Finally his eyes settled on something worth looking at.
She was in the middle of the dance floor, all eyes on her, and she looked like she didn’t want it any other way. She was totally in her element as she danced in the crowd laughing and smiling. He didn’t know what it was about her, but he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her.
“She grew up nice, huh?” Brian said coming up next to his friend.
“What?” Nick finally took his attention off the girl to look at Brian.
“The girl you were just staring at.” Brian couldn’t help but laugh knowing Nick hadn’t recognized her. “Take a better look, that’s Ashley.”
“Seriously?” he said in disbelief looking back again. “She looks…different.”
“That’s usually what happens when girls grow up.” Brian laughed patting him on the shoulder.
Nick rolled his eyes as his friend walked off. Now alone again he turned his attention back to Ashley only to find she was no longer there. He was scanning the crowd looking for her when the music lowered and a voice came over the speakers.
“Hey everyone!”
He turned his attention towards the direction of the voice and spotted Ashley standing in the back corner, by the DJ booth, holding a microphone. He gave her his full attention as she began to speak.
“I’ll keep this short 'cuz I know we all want to keep partying, but I just want to say thank you for coming out to celebrate with me tonight. I wasn’t expecting to see a lot of you and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. So thanks to Alex and my mom for setting it up.” She paused while everyone clapped for them.
“So onto the big news I’ve been keeping from you all. So I know I was set on going to USC, or so I thought, but recently I had a change of heart and have decided to move back to Orlando to go to the University of Central Florida.” She smiled. “I think it’s time for a change and I’m really excited to start school. But even better then that I’ve decided to spend my summer on tour with my brother and his oh so amazing band mates, which I know will be a crazy amazing adventure. So on that note, I hope I get to see you all at least once before I leave next month. But if I don’t have no fear, I’ll be back a lot…unless I want Angel to hunt me down and kill me. Ok, that’s all she wrote. Party hard!” she laughed handing the microphone back to the DJ.
A few people stopped and congratulated her as she made her way to the back of the courtyard where the boys were seated.
“Surprised?” she said with a smile.
“More like excited.” Brian laughed hugging her. “It’s been too long since you’ve been on the road with us.”
“I know, I’m beyond excited.”
“Have you seen Nick yet?” AJ asked. “He came a little while ago.”
“Nick’s here?” her expression lit up with excitement.
“Yes!” he teased mocking her enthusiasm with a chuckle. “He’s over there by the bar.”
“I’m gonna say hi, catch ya later.” She smiled heading his way. She didn’t know why the butterflies rose in her stomach as she approached him. She hadn’t seen him in over three years and she had to admit he was looking pretty good. She shook the thoughts from her head remembering her promise to stay man free as she got close to him.
“Hey stranger.” She said casually leaning up against the bar next to him.
“Hey you.” He turned and smiled at her. The butterflies came back full force as she stared at his smile.
‘God he is gorgeous.’ She said to herself as she struggled to focus on making words come out of her mouth coherently.
“I was wondering when you would make your way over to me. I was starting to think I was invisible.” He teased.
“No, never.” She smiled at him. “They just told me you were here.”
“So road tripping with us on tour huh?” he smirked. “Should be interesting.”
“Way better then last time. No getting left behind while you guys get to go out and have all the fun.”
“Ah partying with the big boys, you sure you can handle that?” he teased.
“I can hold my own, no worries.”
“I have to remember you’re all grown up.” He smirked looking her up and down. She tried to maintain it, but she could feel her cheeks being to flush. He saw her blush and couldn’t help but laugh slightly. She tried to think of a comeback but couldn’t find the words. She stuttered for a second before being saved from her misery.
“Ashley, come here. I want you to meet someone. “Denise called to her from a few feet away.
“Guess I’m needed.” She shrugged, trying to quickly recover, relieved to be saved. “I’ll see you later.”
“Hey, wait a minute.” Nick stopped her grabbing her arm. She stopped and turned to face him, biting her lip, anxious of what he would say next.
“Since we’re gonna be on tour and all I was thinking maybe we could get together before we leave and catch up. Like dinner or something?”
‘How can we catch up when we never really were 'up' before?’ she thought to herself but before she could even think up a witty response her brain had made the decision. “I would like that.”
‘You would?’ she thought to herself again. ’Well duh of course you would, but Nick? He’s never even paid any mind to you.’ He brain was battling back and forth before it was snapped back into reality.
“Great, I’ll call you then.” He smiled at her and gave her a quick hug.
She smiled to herself giving him a little wave before turning back to join Denise. She would have to worry about her brain battle later and just live in the moment, excited for what was to come.
Story Notes:
Although this is the second story in a series reading the first story isn't essential to understanding this one. However, I do recommend it if you really want to get the full effect of this story.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Finally got chapter 1 up! I really hope that my readers of my first story, A New Beginning, follow along on the rest of Ashley and AJ's journey. There are some new twists and turns for them to endure and I really hope you like it!
For new reader...thank you so much for taking the time out to check out my second story! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as i do writing it!
And as always any and all feedback is greatly appreciated :)
For new reader...thank you so much for taking the time out to check out my second story! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as i do writing it!
And as always any and all feedback is greatly appreciated :)
Chapter End Notes:
chapter 2 will be up soon! please leave feedback!!
