Chapter Three

Luckily, picking out which pictures to keep wasn't too bad. The boys were plenty of help. ;) Soon enough, we were done. Jinxx and Jake helped Sammi pack up her equipment while Andy and CC played with August (who finally got use to them and really liked them). I walked into the dressing room to clean up my stuff. *Knock knock* I turned around to see Ashley leaning in the doorway.

"I came to see if you wanted any help", he said looking the tiniest bit unsure. I smiled and nodded. "That would be great. If you could pack up my make up on that vanity over there and put it in my make up box, that would be awesome", I instructed pointing to the vanity. "I'm sorry it's a bit messy. I was in a hurry today", I mentioned. He shrugged and began to clean up.

"Oh here is my make up box", I said handing it to him. He picked it up and smiled. "You have awesome taste", he said. I looked at him confused and he pointed to the zebra striped make up box I handed him. I noticed his zebra striped nails and smiled. "Thanks. You too."

When we were finished packing up our stuff, the guys helped us load everything into the car. We decided to head back to mine and Sammi's house. I know it seems out of place but I am a Southern girl. Born and raised in Georgia. I may not be close to my family but despite the bad memories, I will always be a Southern Belle. Besides, Sammi and I are looking for a new house anyways.

As we piled out of our respective cars, August ran around the yard happily. "Welcome gents to our lovely home", I said opening my arms in a dramatic gesture. The guys chuckled at my antics and began walking towards the house. I threw off my shoes and carried them upstairs. I took my jacket off and changed my jeans into jean shorts. I jogged downstairs and into the kitchen where everyone seemed to have migrated.

"MMMMM! Something smells amazing even though it doesn't smell like pizza!", Jake said. "Back away from the crock pot!", I said. The guys all jumped away. Jake, CC, Jinxx and Sammi all sat down at the table while Andy sat on one of the bar stools by the bar counter. Ashley just stood there looking at me. I rolled my eyes and opened the fridge.

"Callie is an excellent cook. You boys came on a good day!", Sammi exclaimed. "Yes, I made my famous barbeque. It's an old southern recipe", I stated proudly. "You're southern?", Ashley asked pointing at me. "Born and raised as a southern belle. Lived in Georgia until I was sixteen.", I said. I began to add extra barbeque sauce to the meat as Sammi, Jinxx, Jake and CC went downstairs to watch a movie. Andy went to go smoke and Ashley took Andy's spot at the bar and watched me cook.

"Sixteen is a little young to be moving all the way across the country. Why did you move at such a young age?", he asked. "Let's just say my family life wasn't ideal. I would rather not go into detail. No offense but I barely know you. I have trust issues so it will be a while if and when I open up to you", I said bluntly. You may think I am being rude but why sugarcoat it? That doesn't get you anywhere.

"Fair enough", Ashley said shrugging. "Oh!", I yelled jumping (and causing Ashley to jump). I ran upstairs and came back after a few minutes with my iPod dock. I plugged it in and began to play music. "Damn Callie, you scared me", Ashley said with his hand over his heart. "Sorry Ash. If I have to do anything, I like to have music. Music makes everything better and more fun", I said. I began to blast Falling in Reverse's song Good Girls, Bad Guys. Ashley smirked as I sang along while I continued cooking. I began to make some home-made potato chips as well as heating up some baked beans. I know what you are thinking. Baked beans + boys = gross. But beans go so well with barbeque, so whatever.

Ashley sang along with me and before we knew it the song was over. The next song that came on was Grillz. I laughed and began to rap. I know every word. Haha! He looked at me like I was crazy. "What? I can't like more than one genre?", I asked smiling. He just began to laugh. "I love every genre of music: rap, opera, hip hop, rock, country, and everything in between. But if you don't like it, then pick a new song", I said pointing to the iPod. Ashley shrugged and began looking through my songs. We continued singing and cooking together until lunch was ready.

Lunch was so much fun. We set up the table on the porch and enjoyed a nice Southern meal with my amazing home-made sweet tea. It was beautiful weather and it felt like home to me. I miss the south although I love being here. This felt like home too.

After lunch was over we all went back inside to watch a movie. "I don't want to watch Raising Helen", Sammi whined. CC tried the puppy dog look but she wouldn't budge. "How about the Dark Knight?", I suggested. Andy's eyes got huge and he rushed to hug me. Scratch that, he didn't hug me. He squeezed the life out of me. I glanced at Ashley and noticed his hands were clenched into fists. That's weird. "Put me down Andy, so I can get the movie", I squeaked. He laughed and set me down. "Sorry. Andy is obsessed with Batman", Ashley said rushing over to rub my back as I began to take deep dramatic breaths.

"It's okay. I'm fine. You just scared me. I'm not use to people being so…. huggy", I said. I began to walk upstairs to get a movie when I heard footsteps behind me. They were way too heavy to be Sammi's and definitely to heavy to belong to my puppy. I turned around to see Ashley.

"Sorry. I was curious to see what your room looked like", he said looking around. "Well feel free to look but ignore the mess. I haven't had much time to clean lately", I said as I began to look through my DVD collection.

I watched as Ashley looked around my room. He seemed to be fascinated by it. My room was simple. It was an elegant room with a Victorian style bed. I had antiques decorating the walls. One wall was reserved for certificates and awards. Another wall was decorated by pictures people had drawn for me, especially by my nephews. Then I had a wall full of pictures of the only family I had.

"You have a lot of pictures of your friends", Ashley observed. "They are more like my family. I love my blood family, but I don't feel like part of the family. It's hard to explain. You know how you almost have to love your children because they are your children? It's like that's all it is, is instinct. There is no real emotion behind it. That's how it is. They have never been there for me. So I started choosing who my family is. Blood means nothing. Real family acts like family. And those people? They are my real family.", I said smiling at the pictures. Ashley nodded. He seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying.

"I can't believe I am even telling you this. I usually don't trust people enough to tell them.", I told him. He looked at me with this look. It's wasn't a look of pity, but rather a look that said he wanted to help me, or protect me. But I am fiercely independent. I have even avoided relationships to avoid having to depend on anyone in any way. I picked up a picture of my nephew and handed it to him.

"This is the most important person in my life. He is my whole world. I helped raise him and he is like my own son. I love him more than I could even begin to describe.", I said. "He must be a heart breaker", he said smiling softly at me. "Yeah. "This little booger is Jayden. He was the first newborn I was ever comfortable holding. I never put him down. I use to love singing him to sleep. He is three now. Jayden is obsessed with superheroes. Andy would love him.", I said.

Ashley gave me another soft smile and put the photo down. We were standing pretty close…. a little too close for comfort but for some strange reason, it didn't feel wrong at all. We got lost in each others' eyes and slowly began to lean in.

Our lips brushed against each other and we began to kiss. *clears throat* We both rapidly pull away and turn towards the door to see Sammi standing there. "We were wondering what happened to you two", she said awkwardly. "Tell them to call off the search dogs. We are coming", I said smiling at her. She laughed and walked downstairs. I started to walk downstairs, when Ashley put his hand on my arm. I turned and looked at him, tilting my head to the side. "You look so cute when you do that", he blurted out. I chuckled, and looked down to the floor hoping he wouldn't see me blush.

Wait! Blush? What the hell am I blushing for? I don't want a relationship. I do not want to have to be vulnerable or have to trust anyone. "Um, I was actually going to ask you if you would like to have dinner with me tomorrow night. I know you don't like to trust people and I know you aren't looking for a relationship. I also know we just met but you are unlike any girl I have ever met before. Please give me a chance to get to know you.", Ashley said looking deep into my eyes.

I shouldn't trust him. I have heard the rumors. I know how guys work and I know that this would only end badly. So why did I say yes? Better yet, why did I say the next thing that came out of my mouth?

"Why don't you come have dinner here tomorrow night. I will cook and we can get to know each other better.", I said smiling at him. He looked like a kid on Christmas day the way his eyes lit up. "That sounds awesome", he said smiling this big mega watt smile. "We better get going before the send the search dogs again", I joked. He laughed and gestured for me to lead the way. I can't wait to see how tomorrow goes, I thought skeptically.