Chapter 36

Shay's POV.

What was I supposed to say? What was I supposed to do? She had made her decision, she wanted space, and it's all my fault. I don't know how to fix this mess I got myself in, and to be honest, I'm too tired to try. Maybe we do need a break, maybe for us take a step towards marriage, we need a healthy and fresh start.

For the next week, Ashley and I barely said a word to each other on set. I would glance at her every now and then, and sharply hold my breath. I had the biggest urge to talk to her, to hold her, to kiss her, but I had to give her the time she needed.

The cast had agreed to rent a beach house for the weekend, because we only had a few more weeks left till wrapping and we wanted to make some final memories of us all together in one place. I had been extremely excited for the trip before, but now that the time has come, and considering Ashley and I's situation, I'm not even sure I want to go.

I finished wrapping around noon on Friday, and we were set to leave for the trip in the evening. As I grabbed my bag to head for my workout, I heard Troian calling my name.

"Shay wait up!" She said. It was obvious that the entire cast and crew had become aware that there's something wrong with Ashley and I, but I shrugged it off anytime someone would ask me about it. Only Tyler knew.

"Hey Troi." I quietly said

"You ready for the big trip?" She enthusiastically said

"Uhm, to be honest Troi, I don't think I'm gonna make it." I just truly wasn't feeling it.

"What?! Are you insane? It's our last trip all together Shay!"

"There will be other trips, it's not like we're not going to see each other any more."

"Yeah but not like this! Come on Shay, what changed your mind? You were so excited."

"I'm just not exactly in the best place right now."

"Because of Ashley?" She slowly asked, obviously trying to be sensitive about the subject.

"What about Ashley?"

"We all know there's something going on between you two, you don't have to hide this or deal with it on your own."

"That's the thing, I am dealing with it on my own. I just don't think I'll be able to have any fun when we're both going to be there together, but not actually together."

"Shan, I get that whatever is going on between you two must be tough, but this is going to be a trip to remember! We're all going to be there as a family, having fun, making memories. Besides, it might be a good place to fix things with Ash. Come on Shay, for me?" She made a pouty face that made me want to laugh. I mean, it's not really a bad idea, is it?

"Okay fine, I guess." I finally gave in.

"Yes! Okay now get going, we both know how long it takes you to pack little miss fashionista."

"Fuck you." I laughed then got on my way.

After my work out, I headed home and packed for our weekend getaway. With all the swimming and tanning going on, I'm pretty sure I'll be in my bikini half of the time, which is perfect to drive Ashley absolutely crazy. I smirked to myself, before my phone vibrated. It was a text from Lucy, reminding me that I had to pick her him since she's riding with me.

A couple of hours later, Lucy and I arrived at the beach house. Most of the cast was already there, except for a few people.

"Hey look who's here!" Ian yelled when he saw Lucy and I enter the house.

Ian, Tyler, Troian, Sasha, and Brant were hanging around the place. Keegan and Janel hadn't arrived yet, and although my eyes kept looking, Ashley was nowhere to be seen.

"Sorry guys, we got stuck in traffic." Lucy said as the guys got our suitcases from the car.

After chatting for a bit, I took my suitcase and looked around for a room to stay in. I opened the door and didn't notice anyone else's bags inside, so I entered and placed my things around. As I was checking the room's balcony's view though, I noticed that a bag was already placed behind the door. Before I could figure out who's bag it was, Ashley came out of the bathroom, dripping wet, in nothing but a freaking towel. My breath got caught in my chest, and I gasped at the sight. Partly because she's so goddamn beautiful, but also because I had no idea she was in this particular room. She looked equally surprised to see me.

"Uh, I-I, hum, s-sorry. I d-didn't know, that uh, you had this r-room." I got barely form a sentence, "I'll just go find another room." But before I could prepare myself to leave, that beautiful angelic voice rang through my ears.

"No, it's okay. Stay, most of the rooms have probably been taken by now anyways." I wasn't sure if she was saying that because she wanted me to stay, or because she was forced to.

"Are y-you sure? I can always switch with some-"

"Shay it's fine, really." She nodded, and I couldn't help but get lost in those baby blue eyes.

As she turned around to change however, and the towel was dropped to reveal her entire back, I bit my lip harshly and realized how long of a trip this was going to be.