The band had been rehearsing for a good eight hours straight baseless when Ashley finally folded and let everyone take a break. Spencer, along with Danny at Ashley's request, had gone back to the hotel for some rest. The Trouble Makers decided to practice a little karate to kill the time until Ashley had to start auditions.
Eric, on Ashley's order, was the human dummy. His body was completely covered with contact body padding. His only job was to stand there and take whatever kicks and punches the rocker had to deliver. Ashley loved it … Eric not so much.
"Uff," Eric grunted as his back hit the floor. He looked up at the smirking rocker. "You're supposed to hit me not send me flying to the ground," he chastised as he rolled himself onto his feet.
"Where's the fun in that," Ashley laughed getting back into her karate stance.
Eric shook his head, "Couldn't we have just gone to the gym and beat on a punching bag," he asked as the rocker kicked at his head then stomach.
"And get swarmed by crazy fans," Brian asked sipping from his coffee.
"Ashley could've gone incognito," Eric grunted as the rocker continually punched at his stomach, "Choose a different spot to hit yeah Ash? I'm actually starting to feel that."
"This is awesome," Tom said gleefully.
The driver glared at him and raised his padded hand, "I know you can't see my hand right now," he hissed. "But you can guarantee there's a middle finger sticking up for you underneath this padding."
Ashley rolled her eyes and proceeded to kick him on his shoulders. Eric turned his attention back to the rocker, "I don't know how you do it Ashley," he said suddenly.
"Do what," the rocker breathed out delivering a punch to his stomach.
"I mean," he continued. "You've been with Spencer since she was fifteen so that's what … four years now you've been together?"
Ashley nodded. "What's your point," she grunted as she kicked.
"C'mon Ash," he laughed. "Four years with no sex? How do you do it?"
The rocker froze. She set her hands on her hips. The other Trouble Makers cringed, they had no idea if she was gonna blow up on him or … if she was gonna blow up on him.
The brunette simply smirked and said, "I don't know Eric. You tell me. You're the one that goes for long periods of time without sex."
The gang burst into laughter. Eric blushed deeply, "Hey," he hissed. "I get around okay."
"Yeah," Brian laughed. "With blow up dolls!"
"Screw you guys," Eric growled as he angrily shucked off his helmet and tossed it towards the group. "You guys suck!"
"I think you hurt his feelings Ash," Aiden chuckled.
Ashley laughed and shook her head. "He shouldn't have been talking about Spencer in that way. What we do is our business," she said.
"But in all seriousness Ash," Brian said. "How do you do it? I mean, there's got to be a whole lot of pent up sexual frustration."
The rocker sighed, "I'm not gonna lie," she said with a shrug. "It is hard not being able to … do anything with Spencer but … she's worth waiting for. I want to respect her and I'd do anything for her." The rocker added bashfully.
"Are you blushing," Aiden teased.
"Shut up," Ashley growled while the gang laughed lightly.
"More power to you then," Brian commended. "I wouldn't be able to do it."
"Yeah well," the rocker shrugged. "Let's just say cold showers have become my best friend… but if you think about it though, the wait is only going to make our first time together that much better."
"Queue the sappy romantic music," Eric joked pretending to conduct an orchestra.
Ashley glared at him. Suddenly she delivered a swift kick to his chest knocking him on the ground with a loud thud. The group fell into hysterics.
"Not cool," Eric groaned in pain.
"Help him up guys," Ashley ordered with a smile. "I'm gonna go change back into my clothes," the rocker said before walking off to the bathroom. She stripped off her karate robe revealing her bra.
"That was a nice kick you delivered out there," a sultry voice said from behind Ashley.
The rocker turned around to see Heather leaning back against the door way with a smirk. Ashley cleared her throat awkwardly and nodded. "Thanks," she said.
"When did you learn karate," the singer asked.
"When I was touring over in Europe four years ago," Ashley replied. She shifted her feet awkwardly and looked around for her shirt.
"Looking for this," Heather questioned holding up the rocker's garment.
"Yeah, thanks," Ashley said holding out her hand.
The singer smirked and held the blouse behind her back teasingly. "Why don't you come and get it from me," she taunted.
The rocker sighed, "C'mon hand it over Heather," she commanded but the singer was unwilling. Letting out another sigh she walked up to the singer.
Their bodies were inches apart. Heather's breath hitched in anticipation. She closed her eyes and leaned forward. She felt something rip from her hands. Her eyes shot open. Ashley finished shucking her shirt on.
"I thought," the singer muttered. "I thought we were going to-"
"Think again," Ashley growled out as she pushed past the singer towards the door.
Heather caught the rocker's arm, "Wait Ashley, we need to talk," she said.
"About what," Ashley hissed tearing her arm from the singer's grip.
"About us," Heather replied meekly.
"Heather," the rocker sighed. "There never was an us. We fucked and that's it. We barely even talked to each other. Our so called 'relationship' involved nothing but sex and drugs."
"But you once told me that you loved me," the singer said with a confused frown.
Ashley shook her head, "I was probably high. Besides, back then, I would say anything it took to get what I wanted from a girl. I never meant anything by it," the rocker explained.
Heather looked down sadly. She felt her eyes start to water, "It meant something to me," she whispered almost inaudibly. She sniffled and then looked up at the other brunette with saddened eyes, "I'm in love with you Ashley."
The rocker felt a pang of guilt hit her. She set her hand gently on the singer's shoulder, "I'm sorry Heather," she replied quietly. "I'm sorry I led you on but … I'm in love with Spencer."
Heather's eyes darkened slightly, "I know," she croaked out before rushing out of the bathroom abruptly. Ashley watched her leave the room with worried eyes.
Spencer leisurely made her way down the hallway to the rehearsal room with Danny by her side. As she was about to turn the corner someone slammed into her knocking her back slightly. Carrot Top held her steady.
Spencer looked at the person who knocked into her concerned. It was Heather. "I'm so sorry Heather I didn't mean to-"
"Watch where you're going bitch," the singer hissed as she trudged past the two.
"What's her problem," Spencer muttered.
"I don't know," Danny shrugged. "That was totally uncalled for." They made their way to the rehearsal hall and entered. Eric still clad in his karate outfit was putting on an impromptu MC Hammer dance show for the guys.
"What's going on in here," Spencer giggled.
Eric turned towards Danny and Spencer, "I'm dancing," he busted a little move. "See, you can't touch this!" He sang.
"Ashley better watch out," Carrot Top joked. "You just might still the show."
"Speaking of Ashley," the blonde said. "Where is she?"
"In the bathroom," Tom replied.
Spencer nodded and headed over into the bathroom. The rocker was leaning against the sink contemplatively. The blonde walked over to the brunette and gave her a light kiss. Ashley shook herself from her stupor.
"Hey Angel," the rocker greeted with a smile.
"Hey," Spencer replied lacing their hands together. She bit her lip and studied the brunette carefully. "Are you okay Ash? You seem a little off."
"Oh it's nothing," Ashley waved off.
The blonde dropped the rocker's hands and stepped back. "Fine," she muttered prepared to leave the room. So much for their promise.
"No," Ashley said taking hold of Spencer's hand and pulling her back. "No, I'm not going to keep any more secrets from you," she sighed.
"What's going on," Spencer asked.
The rocker took a deep breath and released it slowly, "Um … Heather just told me that she's in love with me." She rushed out.
Spencer's jaw dropped slightly. After a moment she recovered from her shock, "What did you um … what did you say back to her?"
"I told her I'm in love with you," Ashley replied taking hold of Spencer's other hand.
"How could she … I thought you said the relationship between you two was," the blonde blushed slightly. "You know … just sexual."
"It was," the rocker shrugged. "At least for me it was. Somewhere in midst of everything the lines must have gotten blurred for Heather."
"No wonder she was so rude outside," Spencer said more so to herself.
Ashley's face scrunched up in confusion. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"She bumped into Danny and I then called me the B word," Spencer elaborated.
Ashley's jaw tightened. "I should fucking kill her," The rocker growled standing up.
The blonde held her in place, "It's not worth it Ash," she assured. "I think right now what she needs is to be alone."
"She had no right to call you that Spencer," Ashley replied defiantly. "I feel like ripping her fucking head off. She's got some nerve calling you that."
"You know I don't believe in violence Ash," Spencer shook her head.
"I do," Ashley muttered with a small pout crossing her arms.
"I'm over it," the blonde replied cupping the rocker's cheeks. "So you should be to."
"I'm trying to defend your honor here," the rocker whined setting her hands on Spencer's hips and tugging her closer. "I'm very chivalrous like that."
"You're adorable," Spencer whispered leaning in to kiss the brunette before she could reply.
After a moment the rocker pulled back, "I am not adorable Spencer," she complained with a playful frown. "I don't know how many times I have to go over this with you."
Spencer rolled her eyes. "Yes I know," she sighed dramatically. "In the dictionary next to the word bad ass your name is there in big bold print."
"That's right," Ashley smiled.
"But next to the word adorable your picture is included in the definition," Spencer giggled out.
The rocker's smile dropped, "You're so mean," she whined.
"I love you," Spencer laughed giving Ashley a peck on the nose.
The brunette smiled once again. "I love you t-"
Eric opened the door. "Hey Ash," he said.
"What the fuck man," Ashley growled glaring at Eric.
Spencer laughed at her fiancée's anger. She swatted at her arm, "Play nice Ash," she chastised.
"Sorry," Eric replied with a sheepish shrug. "Someone is here to audition for bass."
"Already," Ashley sighed walking out of the bathroom with the other two.
"Yeah," Eric said. "He's right over there," he continued pointing towards a guy in dark sweats with a hood and shades in the corner. He looked like a street monk.
Ashley shared a look with Spencer. Eric shrugged, "Yeah he's a little grungy looking but … he says he can play bass like no other. His name is Tyson I think?"
"Hey," Ashley greeted Tyson as she took a seat in front of him.
"Hello," the man replied with a deep voice and nod.
"Why don't you play something for us," Clay asked taking a seat next to Spencer and Ashley.
"Sure," Tyson said hooking up his amp. He broke out into a complicated bass line from one of Ashley's first hit. He even added a few impromptu notes and licks for show.
The rocker's eyebrows shot up. She was definitely impressed. She indicated for him to stop playing. "You're pretty fucking good," she complimented.
"Language Ash," Spencer chastised.
"Sorry baby," the rocker replied. She turned back to the bass player. "Why don't you take off those shades and jacket so I can see what you look like."
Tyson took a deep breath and shucked off his jacket. He had a nice build to his body and long tanned arms. Next he slowly took off his dark shades to reveal familiar grey eyes.
Ashley frowned, "What the fuck," the rocker hissed.
Tyson wasn't in fact Tyson … It was Ryan.