Ashley checked herself over in the mirror once more, straightening out her floral sundress, as she heard voices in the hallway. She checked her phone and saw it was just about time to leave for dinner. Grabbing her cardigan and purse she made her way out the door.
“Well don’t you just look snazzy.” Brian laughed as she met them at the end of the hallway near the elevators.
“Thanks, I try.” She laughed.
“Who you trying to impress?” AJ teased.
“I just like dressing up. I haven’t really got to in a while.” She shrugged looking around the group. “Where’s Nick?”
“Thought you weren’t trying to impress anyone.” AJ smirked.
“I’m not. I just didn’t see him and it looks like everyone is ready to go.” She rolled her eyes at his smug attitude.
“Uh huh.” He just shook his head and turned away.
“He said he didn’t feel like coming because he has nothing to wear.” Brian laughed. “I swear sometimes I honestly think there’s a girl trapped inside of him.”
“What a liar, me and Angel just got him a whole bunch of new clothes.” She laughed catching AJ’s attention once more.
“You’re shopping for him now?” AJ raised a brow as he turned to face her.
“No, Angel did the other day. I just so happened to be with her.” She said with a sigh wishing he would get over what ever it was that was causing him to act this way. “I’ll be right back.” She said as she walked away, not wanting to deal with AJ’s attitude.
“What’s your deal?” Brian asked when she was out of earshot.
“Nothing. Everything peachy.” AJ rolled his eyes.
“Why do you have a problem with them hanging out?” he said getting straight to the point.
“Who said I had a problem with it?” Brian didn’t respond, just gave him a look. “Am I supposed to be happy that in a few months my sister’s gonna be off at school and the little time we have left to spend together she’d rather spend with him?”
“That’s what this is all about?” Brian looked at him questionably.
“We were gone for a few months with tour prep and I just thought bringing her out on the road with us would be a good way to catch up and spend some time together before she moved away. But all she wants to do is spend time with golden boy.” He sighed.
“Have you tried telling her this?”
“What’s the use? It’s obvious who she’d rather spend her time with.”
“Umm did you ever think that maybe the reason she doesn’t want to spend time with you is because you’ve been acting like an ass?” Brian laughed a little. “I think you should talk to her, let her know how you’re feeling.”
“I’ll think about it. I need a smoke, I’ll meet you guys downstairs.” He said heading for the elevator.
“So out of curiosity, you don’t really have a problem with the two of them hanging out?” Brian stopped him before the door shut.
“I never said that. I still don’t like it, but as she’s pointed out many times she’s eighteen and I can’t tell her what to do.” He sighed. “I just know Nick better then she does and I don’t want her getting hurt.”
Ashley walked over to Nick’s door and knocked. She couldn’t help but chuckle slightly when he opened the door in Ninja Turtle boxers.
“Nice shorts.” She smirked at him.
“Shut up, you know you love them.” He laughed a little.
“So what’s this I hear about you not coming to dinner with us?” she said with a little pout.
“We’re going to be late for our reservations.” Kevin said coming over to the door before Nick could respond. “You’re not even dressed?”
“Relax Kev.” Ashley half smiled patting his arm lightly. “Why don’t you guys head over and we’ll meet you there soon.”
Kevin looked at her as if to question why they would need to come separately. She knew he and AJ were on the same wavelength when it came to the two of them.
“I’m just gonna help him get ready. If you guys leave now you wont miss the reservations and we can just catch up.”
“Fine. Just be quick.” He said heading back to join the group and leave for the restaurant.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Nick said as he opened the door a little so she could come inside.
“I’m sorry, I can still catch up with him if you really don’t wanna go.” She said worrying she had upset him.
“No, no. I mean wait for me.” He smiled at her a little. “It’s just one of those days.”
“Oh ok. I thought maybe you were ditching to hang with that blonde chick from the pool.” She said trying to gauge his immediate response.
“Who? Oh her.” He chuckled. “No thanks, she was a little too clingy for me.”
“You didn’t seem to mind.” She raised a brow.
“Jealous?” He smirked.
“No, just nosy.” She nervously laughed with a shrug. “So what’s the problem here?” she said trying to change the subject.
“I dunno, I just have no idea what to wear. Kevin said it’s a casual dressy place, whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean.”
“Have no fear your fashion guru is here.” She laughed a little and went over to his suitcase. “Do I have free range here?”
“Go for it.” He shrugged and took a seat on the bed.
“Try these.” She said tossing him a pair of dark wash jeans as she continued searching for a top. “Ohhh perfect.” She smiled pulling out a t-shirt that Angel had bought the other day along with a blue button up.
Nick took the clothes from her and headed for the bathroom.
“Are all these clothes clean out here?” she called to him as she started picking up the items he had on the floor.
“Yeah.” He said walking out of the bathroom dressed. “How is it you accomplish in five seconds what I tried to for hours?”
“Skills.” She smirked as she folded the clothes from the floor.
“You don’t have to do that, I can clean up later.” He said looking in the mirror quickly.
“It’s no problem, I’m used to cleaning up after Alex.” She laughed placing the last shirt back into his suitcase. “White sneakers and a black jacket and you’re good to go.”
“Thanks.” He said slipping on his shoes and jacket.
“One more thing.” She said walking over to him and instructing him to lean down a little as she rustled his hair a little. “There you go, perfect.” She smiled.
“Thanks.” He smiled, catching her gaze for a moment. For the first time he noticed just how beautiful her eyes were, deep chocolate brown with just a little sparkle. She caught him looking and smiled shyly. He could feel himself become embarrassed and quickly turned away. “We better get going.”
“Yeah.” She bit her lip a little as she sighed and watched him head for the door. She took a second before following him.
They arrived at the restaurant a short while later and were escorted to the back.
“Lookin sharp Carter.” Howie said as they approached the table.
“I was in good hands.” He said taking a moment to pull Ashley’s chair out for her. She smiled in thanks as they both took their seats.
“We’re all ready to order but we waited for you. So look over the menu quick.” Kevin said sternly.
They took the hint not wanting to hear any more from him, knowing a hungry Kevin wasn’t a very happy Kevin. Once the orders were placed the attention turned to conversation.
“So Ashley, when do you start school?” Leighanne asked from across the table.
“Actually I was supposed to start in late August, but since I decided to switch schools last minute I missed their deadline for fall so I have to start in January. It’s not a big deal though I had enough credits from classes I took in high school I wont be behind. Plus I get to stay on tour longer.” She smiled.
“So what made you change your mind about going to USC?” Howie joined in.
“I don’t know, I just wanted a change I guess.” She shrugged biting her lip as she lied, hoping they couldn’t tell. “LA gets old after a while.”
“So do you know what you’re going to study?” He continued.
“I’m thinking either film or Radio TV. Maybe even music management. I have a whole bunch of stupid general education classes to take so I’m gonna take some time to figure it out. I don’t wanna be in school for years and keep changing majors so once I pick one I’m sticking to it.” She said glad they had moved on.
“That’s a smart way to play it.” Kevin now joined in the conversation, obviously in a better mood having started on his appetizer. “So are you going to live at home?”
“Oh no.” she laughed. “I love my mom but I need some freedom. A very nice and loving brother promised me an apartment.”
“That was in LA. No one said anything about Orlando.” He smirked.
“You wouldn’t make me live with mom would you?” she gave him her best pout.
“No, but they have plenty of dorms.” He laughed.
“Oh hell no. Four girls to one bathroom and a closet that wouldn’t even fit half of my shoes? I would absolutely die.” She said with all seriousness.
“I thought you wanted the whole college experience?” he said.
“Maybe just the slightly watered down version.” She joked as everyone laughed a little. A moment later their food arrived and they sat in a comfortable silence as they enjoyed their meal together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dinner had finished and they made their way back to the hotel to rest up for the first show the next day. Nick was just about to climb into bed and watch a movie when he heard a knock on his door. He listened for a minute and smiled a little realizing it was coming from the connecting door. He made his way to the door and opened it a little to find Ashley on the other side smiling at him.
“Good, you’re awake.” She said. “I was afraid I would wake you up.”
“Nah. I was just about to lay down and watch a movie, but I’m still up.” He smiled.
“What a coincidence, I was about to do the same thing.” She laughed slightly. “The only good movies on are scary, I didn’t want to watch alone.”
“Is this your way of seducing me into your bed?” he smirked.
“Oh Carter you’re just too smart for me.” She couldn’t help but laugh. “If watching a movie in the same bed as a girl makes you uncomfortable there’s always the one right next to it.”
“I know that’s what you really want, the movie is just a decoy. You get me in bed and then you try and turn on your charm and do unspeakable things to me.”
“Are you gonna watch a movie with me or not?” she laughed shaking her head as she jumped on the bed and made herself comfortable.
“See you didn’t deny it.” He smirked as he sat down, resting his back on the headboard. “I know what you’re really thinking.”
“You’re such a loser.” She shoved him playfully as she grabbed the remote off the nightstand.
“So can I ask you a question?” Nick said looking towards her as she flipped through the menu, trying to decide on a movie.
“Umm sure, I guess.” She shrugged and turned her attention towards him, not sure of what he would ask.
“What’s the real reason you’re not going to USC anymore?” he said curious.
“What do mean? I told you at dinner.”
“I saw the look on your face. Has anyone ever told you you’re a bad liar?” he laughed.
“Story of my life.” She sighed and laughed slightly. “It’s a long story, nothing worth talking about.”
“We have plenty of time.” He said glancing at the clock. “Show doesn’t start for another 15 hours.” She couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“It’s gonna sound really stupid when I tell you.” She sighed.
“I’m sure it wont.”
“You can’t tell anyone else. Only your sister knows the whole story.” She looked at him seriously.
“Secrets safe with me. Promise.” He smiled.
“My ex boyfriend goes there and we had a really bad breakup, I just don’t want to have to face him everyday.” She said timidly, knowing it sounded stupid.
“You know that school is huge and the chances of you seeing him everyday are like really low right?” he laughed a little.
“See, I told you that you would think it was dumb.” She sighed.
“I’m just saying, if it was somewhere you really wanted to go you shouldn’t let some stupid ass guy stop you.” He pointed out.
“He’s like the youngest starting quarter back on the football team ever. He’s god at that school and everyone knows I’m his loser ex girlfriend. It would have been worse then high school, and believe me it takes a lot to top that.”
“First off you’re not a loser.” He smiled at her. “Second what happened that was so bad?”
“It’s nothing.” She shrugged.
“Come on, you can tell me.”
“Once he started school he changed. He got into a fraternity and they pretty much turned him into a complete asshole. He was ditching out on our dates and just being so mean every time they were around. That was all fine but then he convinced me to stay at the house one night and pretty much set me up to do the whole walk of shame the next morning.” She sighed. “Then there were pictures of him with all these other girls that people kept sending me. But the worst was he got mad when I wouldn’t skip Christmas last year with my family to go on a ski trip with him and his family. So he takes this other girl he knew I couldn’t stand. I didn’t know anything about it and when they had their charity football game a few weeks later he tells me to come and when I get there his family goes all weird on me. His mom said something along the lines of isn’t it a little weird for you to show up here after you guys broke up?”
Nick’s eyes went wide, not believing everything this guy had done.
“Now obviously that came as news to me but I was nice enough to wait until after the game to ask him about it. Unfortunately he wasn’t so nice and preceded to break up with me in the middle of the whole school at the after party.”
“Wow.” Nick said unsure of what to say.
“Yeah.” She sighed.
“That guy is a total douche bag.” Nick shook his head angrily. “Who would be stupid enough to give up a girl like you just to look good for some asshole fraternity?”
“A girl like me?” she smirked a little tilting her head questionably as he realized what he said. She wasn’t certain but she thought she even saw him blush momentarily. She couldn’t help but giggle a little as he struggled for the right words.
“I just uhh mean like you know…that you’re really cool and uhh smart and you know uhh…”
“Thank you.” She laughed cutting him off. “That means a lot coming from you.” She smiled and hugged him. She went to pull away but he gripped onto her arms slightly holding her in place and looking into her eyes.
“You deserve so much better then that.” He said with all seriousness. “And if he was too stupid to see what he had then you’re better off without him.”
She didn’t respond with words just a slight smile and a simple nod. She had been told the same thing plenty of times before, but for some reason coming from him it just meant so much more. She could feel his eyes studying her, as if her were trying to understand her inner most thoughts. As she locked eyes with him she could feel the butterflies rise up in her stomach. They stared at each other for a moment more before she broke the silence.
“How’s about that movie.” She said softly, diverting her eyes from his.
“Yeah, movie.” He said loosening the grip he still had on her arms. She turned around to face the TV once more and smiled to herself as he left his arm in place around her shoulder.
Author's Chapter Notes:
OMG IM BACK AGAIN lol haha jk but seriously sorry it took me so long 2 get this chapter up...things got a little hectic around here and I had slight writers block, but I worked through it and i hope you've stayed with me. thanks so much to everyone who has been leaving amazing feedback it means so much to see how you're liking the story so keep it up!
