The month had passed by quickly and the boys were only one week away from their tour. The excitement and nerves were brewing as they walked out of their final meeting. They had received their itineraries and last arrangements and were ready to hit the road. As everyone began to file out of the conference room Nick lingered by the door, pulling Brian aside before he could leave.
“What’s up?” Brian asked with a raised brow.
Nick waited as the last two people made their way out before speaking.
“You wouldn’t happen to have Ashley’s number would you?” he asked quietly.
“Wouldn’t that be a better question for I don’t know, say her brother? Or even your sister?” Brian smirked.
“I was trying to keep it simple and avoid stupid questions.” Nick sighed.
“Like why you want it in the first place?” Brian laughed egging him on.
“I told her we could get together and catch up before tour. Nothing serious.” He sighed wishing Brian would just make things easier.
“You could just say that to AJ. It’s not that big of a deal. I’m sure he wouldn’t care.” Brian shrugged pulling his phone from his pocket.
“You’re kidding right?” Nick couldn’t help but laugh a little. “He’s so over protective of her. He’s probably gonna be pissed from me just calling her.”
“He’s lightened up a little, I’m sure he won’t care.” Brian said pulling up her number in his phone book and turning the phone towards Nick so he could see it. “But here you go anyway.”
“Thanks man, I appreciate it.” Nick said putting the number into his phone.
“Just so you know, you do anything to get in trouble you didn’t get the number from me.” Brian laughed as they walked out of the room.
“We’re just hanging out, no big deal.” Nick shrugged.
“I’m just throwing it out there.” Brian said as they reached their cars. “See you at rehearsal tomorrow.”
“Bye. Thanks again.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Ash, I’m home.” AJ yelled walking through the door.
“In my room.” She called back.
He lightly jogged up the stairs and down the hall to her room. She smiled at him when he walked through the door and put down the clothes she was folding, turning to face him.
“How was your meeting?” she asked as he took a seat on her small couch.
“Pretty good. We got the final schedule and I think they added five or six more shows.” He said.
“Awesome. SO are you all done until we leave now?” she asked beginning to fold clothes again.
“No, we have a final rehearsal tomorrow when we do a complete run-through with everyone. You should come check it out.”
“I’m gonna see the show a thousand times on tour. Besides I don’t know if I’ll be home. Angel and Jared planned this whole week out, but they’re not telling me much of what’s going on.”
“Well just make sure you get all your packing done. he reminded her. “Don’t wait until last minute like you always do, because I’m not sharing a bus with you for three months listening to you complain about everything you forgot.”
“Chill out, I’ve already started.” She said pointing to the stack of clothes next to her.
“And don’t bring too much either, space is limited.”
“Alex, we’ve gone over this ten times already. I think I get it by now.” She said frustrated with him.
“Just reminding you.” He said knowing he was beginning to annoy her. “I’ll let you get back to that then.”
“Thanks.” She said as her phone began to ring. She glanced at the called ID and although she didn’t recognize the number, she picked up anyway.
“Hello?” she said hesitantly.
“Hey. Ashley?” Nick asked.
“Yeah. Hey Nick.” She smiled immediately recognizing his voice.
“I hope you don’t mind me calling.”
“No, not at all. What’s up?” she took a seat on her bed tossing the shirt she was folding to the side.
“Just wondering what you were up to. I had told you after the party I would call you but things have been so hectic I haven’t got the chance and then I realized I didn’t even have your number.” He laughed nervously.
“I was beginning to think you forgot about me.” She teased.
“No, never.” He reassured.
“No, it’s all good. I know you guys have been super busy, so I understand.”
“Thanks. I was hoping you wouldn’t be mad. So listen you doing anything later?” he asked.
“Packing, but that can always be put off.” She laughed.
“Cool, so do you wanna go grab a bite to eat maybe?”
“Yea sure.” She smiled. “That would be great.”
“Awesome. How’s about around seven?” he asked.
“Yeah, that’s perfect.” She said glancing at the clock.
“Great. See ya then.” He said hanging up.
Ashley walked out of her room to cross the hall to her bathroom and jumped, startled by AJ standing just outside her door.
“Why’s Nick calling you?” he asked.
“Why are you eaves dropping?” she retorted.
“I wasn’t, I just happened to hear you on my way to the office.” He said.
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “We’re just gonna go grab some dinner later.”
“Since when do the two of you hang out?”
“Since he asked…what’s with the twenty one questions?”
“ Nothing, I just didn’t know you guys were friends.” He shrugged.
“We’re not, but maybe that’s the point. I’m friends with everyone else. Maybe he figures since I’ll be around all summer we should get to know each other.”
“I guess you’re right.” He sighed giving up. “I’m sorry for being a pain in the ass. It’s what I do best.”
She rolled her eyes laughing. “You know you’re lucky you’re my brother or I might have had to drop you a long time ago.”
“Oh thanks, I feel so loved.” He laughed.
“You just gotta relax a little. You don’t have to play the dad role anymore. I’m eighteen and in a few months I’ll be by myself.”
“I know you’re all grown up kiddo, but you’ll always be my little sister and I’ll always be over protective. So learn to live with it.” He teased.
“Oh joy.” She said sarcastically.
“Alright, enough bugging you. Do what you got to do and have fun tonight. I think I’m meeting up with Jay later…any idea where you and Nick are going?” he teased.
“Somewhere far away from you.” She laughed pushing him away and closing her door so she could get ready.
Ashley was just about finished getting ready when her phone rang. She glanced at it before picking it up.
“Hey Nick.”
“Hey, I’m about five minutes away. Do you want me to come in, or just wait outside?” he asked.
“I’ll meet you outside. My brother’s been a pain in the ass all day and I don’t want him bugging me or you.”
“Ok then.” He laughed. “I’ll see you in a few.”
Ashley hung up and made her way downstairs hoping not to run into AJ. Her luck ran short as she passed the kitchen. He called out her name and she sighed in frustration, stopping in her tracks to turn and face him.
“Nick’s here?” he asked sitting across from his friend Jay.
Jay and AJ had been friends for a few years now. They met at Jay’s first AA meeting and AH became his unofficial sponsor. He even lived with them for a while when he lost his job and was trying to get back on his feet. Ashley saw him as family and they had a good relationship. He was like her second brother and they definitely treated each other that way.
“Almost I was just gonna wait outside.”
“Goin’ out with Nick huh?” Jay smirked. “Must be a dream come true for you. You’ve crushed on him for how long now?”
“Um last time I checked it was never.” She crossed her arms defensively.
“Yea ok.” AJ laughed.
“You’re such a bad liar.” Jay laughed. “Do you know what denial is?”
“A river.” She joked with a smirk.
“I see you’ve got jokes.” Jay laughed. “But seriously behave, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Doesn’t leave much room for error then.” She teased as she heard a honk. “That’s my cue. Bye losers, have fun on your man date.”
She quickly headed for the door before they could rebut and made her way outside. Nick was parked in the driveway, leaning against his car. He smiled as she approached him.
“Hey.” She returned the smile and greeted him with a quick hug. “Sorry for the delay, I got stuck inside with dumb and dumber…aka Alex and Jay.”
“It’s all good.” He smiled and opened her door for her. “So where to?” he asked once seated behind the wheel.
“Anywhere you want. I’m not the picky one.” She teased.
“I’m getting better.” He defended. “You like Sushi?”
“Would I be a true California girl if I didn’t?” she laughed.
“Sushi it is then.”
They arrived at the restaurant a short while later. Once seated they placed their orders and sat in a semi-comfortable silence, neither knowing what to say to start off a conversation.
“So, back on tour with us. You excited?” Nick finally spoke up.
“Not gonna lie, I’m really excited.” She smiled. “The only annoying thing is having to share a bus with Alex.”
“Why?”
“He’s always on my case about every little thing. I swear he still thinks I’m five. We fight constantly, it’s just gonna be a big headache.” She sighed.
“Well, if you ever need an escape you can always hide out on my bus. I don’t mind the company.” He smiled.
“I can guarantee I’ll be taking you up on that offer.” She laughed and returned the smile as the waiter came and placed their food on the table.
“Yum. It looks so good. I don’t know which one to try first.” She said looking at the variety of sushi they ordered.
“I can’t tell which one is which.” Nick said examining the plate.
“That one’s the yellow tail, this is the tempura shrimp, that one is the New York roll and that one is the vegetable roll.” She laughed pointing the out.
“Which one are you gonna try first?” he asked.
“I think the yellow tail, I’ve never had it before. What about you?”
“I’m playing it safe and sticking to the shrimp.” He laughed.
“Wus.” She teased picking up her chopsticks and taking a piece of sushi. “Oh my gosh, it’s s good. You have to try it.”
“I’ll work my way up to it.” Nick laughed opening his chopsticks. “I don’t understand why we just can’t use forks.”
Ashley watched in amusement as Nick struggled to hold the chopsticks properly. Every time he went for a piece of food he would loose grip and drop it. She could tell he was getting frustrated, but when a chopstick went flying across the table she couldn’t help but laugh. Finally having enough, Nick took his remaining chopstick and stuck it through a piece of sushi and triumphantly raised it to his mouth taking an animated bite. Ashley shook her head laughing as he finished his piece with a smirk.
“Think it’s funny huh?” he finally spoke up as she tried to control her giggles.
“Quite comical actually.” She said taunting him by effortlessly picking up a piece of her own.
“Glad I could be of amusement to you.” He smirked at her before sticking his makeshift fork into a vegetable roll. “Laugh now, just remember payback’s a bitch.”
“Oh, I’m so scared.” She laughed. “You might think you’re the king of pranks, but it’s hard to pull one over on me.”
“I enjoy a challenge.” He grinned.
“Then let the battle begin.” She smirked.
They finished their dinner and made their way back to Ashley’s house. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw no one was home. Nick pulled in the driveway and shut off the car.
“Wanna come in for a little?” she said not knowing what else to say.
“Yea, sure.”
They exited the car and made their way inside. She quickly shut off the alarm and flicked on the lights.
“Den’s that way.” She pointed out. “I ate way too much and these jeans are killing me, I’m gonna throw on some sweats. Make yourself at home.”
She quickly ran upstairs to her room to change while Nick found his way to the den. He switched on the TV and made himself comfortable on the couch.
“Much better.” Ashley smiled walking into the room and plopping herself down on the couch. She had changed into baggy sweatpants and a tank top and thrown her hair up in a messy bun.
“Welcome back.” Nick smiled looking at her. It was nice to be around someone who wasn’t trying to impress him 24/7 and knew how to kick back and relax. He had to admit he really liked it.
“So we have a butt load of movies over there.” She knocked him from his thoughts. “Pick one, I’m gonna grab some sodas.”
He watched her as she exited the room then turned his attention to the movie cabinet. He grinned automatically spotting his choice.
She returned to find him setting up the movie. She placed the sodas down on the table before taking a seat.
“What did you pick?” she asked as he sat next to her.
“The Shining.” He grinned at the horrified look on her face. “You’re not scared are you?”
“No.” she said, her face giving away the truth.
“We can change it if you can’t handle it.” He egged her on.
“I’m not scared, just play it.” She knew this was step one of his payback, but she wouldn’t let it get the best of her.
He dimmed the lights and started the movie with a grin, knowing it wouldn’t be long before she got scared. She tried her hardest to keep her composure as long as she could, but it was no use. Within the first thirty minutes she was covering her eyes and jumping at every little noise, just waiting for something to pop out.
“Oh my go, no don’t go in there!” she yelled at the TV. “Why would you go in there?!”
Nick couldn’t help but laugh at her as she held a pillow to her face and slowly peeked over it waiting to see what was next.
“Stop laughing at me.” She smacked him lightly with the pillow before using it as cover again.
“You’re yelling at the movie like the kid can hear you. How am I supposed to keep a straight face?” he laughed.
“Oh hush, you act like you’ve never been scared. If I remember the stories correctly weren’t you the one who used to make the guys check your closet for monsters on tour?” Before he could even respond a loud crescendo in the music caused her to jump and bury her head into his shoulder.
“That’s what you get.” Nick laughed moving his arm around her as she continued to hide her eyes. “It’s almost over, I think you can handle it.”
“The ending’s the scariest part.” She couldn’t help but laugh at herself a little. No matter how many times she watched this movie it always scared the crap out of her. She mustered up her courage and forced herself to look at the screen. She leaned into Nick a little more and smiled slightly when he didn’t pull his arm away. She couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him. She always had been, but she had never expected anything in return. Even if it was just a friendship, she had to admit she liked it.
AJ pulled into the driveway and shut off his car. Spotting Nick’s car he quietly made his way inside, hoping to catch them off guard. The house was quiet but as he made his way down the hallway he saw the TV on in the den. Stopping in the doorway he smirked knowing he had the perfect opportunity to scare them. He waited a few moments until the right part and quietly snuck up behind them.
“Here’s Johnny!” he yelled in sync with the movie, grabbing Ashley’s shoulder.
She screamed, horrified as she practically jumped out of her seat, clinging to Nick.
AJ burst into a fit of laughter.
“Holy shit dude, not cool.” Nick said glaring at his friend as he paused the movie and turned the lights on.
“Alex, you are such an ass!” Ashley yelled throwing a pillow at him. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“I had to do it.” He said controlling his laughter a little. “You almost jumped through the roof.”
“I hate you so much. My hear is fricken racing.”
“Oh relay, you’re not gonna die.” He laughed. “It was funny and you know it.”
“So funny I forgot to laugh.” She glared at him, mad that he had interrupted their time together. “Don’t you have anything better to do then bug me?”
“Yes, but this is more fun.” He smirked. “ She glared at him and he chuckled slightly. “I’ll take a hint.”
“I’m sorry about that.” She sighed turning to Nick as he walked out. “He’s such a pain in the ass.”
“It’s ok.” He laughed a little. “You ok?”
“No, he practically scared me to death.” She shook her head but couldn’t help to laugh a little. “Sorry I screamed in your ear.”
“I’ll be ok.” He laughed glancing at the clock on the wall. “I gotta get going though, we have a really early rehearsal tomorrow and if I’m late I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“I’ll walk you to the door.” She smiled standing from the couch. Nick followed her back to the foyer. “I had fun, thanks for dinner.”
“Me pleasure.” He smiled and hugged her goodbye. “I had fun too. I guess I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Bye.” She waved slightly as he walked to his car.
“You two seemed nice and cozy.” AJ said from behind her as she closed the door.
“I’m mad at you right now, don’t talk to me.” She pushed past him and walked back to the den to clean up.
“You know he’s no good for you right?” he followed her.
“You do realize you’re talking about your band mate right?”
“I love the guy, but just look at his track record. He’s a player and a heart breaker.” He pointed out.
“I guess it takes one to know one.” She mumbled.
“All I’m saying is you need to watch yourself with him, unless you want to get hurt again.”
“Number on, we’re just friends, nothing more and number two, I can take care of myself, and hangout with whoever I want whether you like it or not.” She said angrily.
“Well don’t come running to me when you get hurt, cuz’ I’ll be there waiting with a big fat I told you so.”
“Well you can hold onto that because nothing is going to happen. We are just friends and that’s all we’ll ever be.”
“Yeah, well make sure he knows that.” He said.
“Alex, just let me live my own life.” She said frustrated as she retreated to her room before he could say anything else to set her off.
Author's Chapter Notes:
thanks so much for all the amazing reviews! I'm so happy that you guys are loving this story! Hope you like this chapter just as much :) Keep those reviews coming!
