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Author's Notes: Thank you for the reviews. Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!
World Tour
Chapter 22 – Atlanta
(Spencer's POV)
Ashley is cuddled into my side with her arm thrown across my waist and head on my shoulder. I have always had a problem sleeping on my back but ever since I started holding her, I can fall asleep no matter how I am positioned. She makes me feel so safe and comfortable. I glance over at the clock and sigh. It is 12:50. We need to get up and get ready. We have a radio interview with Power 96.1 at 3:30. The station is about 10 minutes from us. We still have some time before we need be ready. This will be our first interview since the pictures surfaced 8 days ago. I'm a little nervous and Ashley being the amazing woman, she is just keeping telling me everything will be okay, and she has it covered. Some days I hate that she is dealing with this alone.
Ashley and I have been doing great. We are in a honeymoon stage and I am loving every single second of it. We haven't had too many problems with the media. Ashley a little more so but nothing she says she can't handle. We don't do anything out of the ordinary. We still ride to the arena together and back to the hotel. We don't really do much anymore outside of our hotels. I know it is better that way right now, but it has me going a little stir crazy. It has also been hard with not being able to touch or kiss her whenever I want too. I can tell it has been just as hard for her. She hasn't said anything about it. She hasn't even brought up the question about when I want to 'come out'. I know it is going to be something we need to talk about soon because I don't want anything to ever start to come between us. Ashley has just been amazing and patient about everything. I need to start preparing myself to come out. Our relationship is way too important to me to keep hidden.
"If you don't stop twitching." Ashley says amusingly.
"I am not twitching!" I exclaim. Ashley starts giggling.
"What are you thinking about?"
"You. Me. Us. Preparing myself." I tell her lightly before kissing the top of her head. Ashley tightens the hold around my waist.
"Preparing yourself for what?"
"I know we haven't talked about it since those photos came out and I know you said you'd never push me, but I don't want to hide us forever or for too much longer. You mean way too much to me. I'm not ready yet but I need to start taking those steps to come out." I let out lightly. Ashley lifts her head and meets her brown eyes with my blue ones.
"Honestly, I'm glad you are taking your time but whenever you are ready so am I. I like that we are making a foundation for ourselves before we let everyone into our lives. Once you come out and we come out as a couple things are going to be hectic for a while. Paparazzi and everyone are going to be going crazy. I love that we are enjoying us first. In conclusion, I am in no rush if you aren't." Ashley tells me. I let out an ear to ear grin before fitting my lips on hers.
"You are amazing." I breathlessly draw out.
"I give what I get baby." Ashley giggles. I shake my head at her while giggling also.
"We were having a moment and you just ruined it."
"Well let me start another one then." Ashley smirks at me before meeting our lips once again. I enjoy our kiss for a few moments before I pull back.
"We need to start getting ready for our interview. You can shower first. You take way longer to get ready." I state to the brunette still in my arms.
"Lies! You are always the last one of us ready, no matter what we are getting ready to do. I am always waiting on you." Ashley exclaims. I smile down at her pouting face.
"I was teasing baby. I know I take forever. I promise to try not to keep you waiting on me."
"And what else would I be doing? I don't mind waiting on you. I get the best gift in this life after waiting for you."
"What is the best gift?" I ask. Ashley looks at me lovingly. I feel a blush start to fill my cheeks and I am not even sure why. Probably because I know she is so sweet and caring.
"Simply put?" Ashley asks with a raised eyebrow. I smile at her and nod my head. "You." She states with a nose crinkling smile. Gosh, I love that smile. We lay there in each other's arm, smiling.
"I love you." I whisper out while rubbing my thumb lightly over her cheek, never breaking our eye contact. After a few moment Ashley still hasn't said anything or moved. Okay, maybe I read that wrong. I feel panic start to creep its way into my body. I gently pull my hand back away from her. "Um…" I start to say but stop. My words are caught in my throat and I'm trying not to cry. I roll over in the bed and sit up on the edge of it. "I'm going to go shower." I mumble. I get off the bed, grab my bag, and close the bathroom door behind me. Well I don't think that could get anymore awkward. Was it too soon? Does she just not feel the same way? Am I reading too much into our relationship? Are we just not there yet? I feel like I am going crazy with everything that is going through my mind. I turn the shower on before sitting on the edge of the tub. I drop my head down into my hands and sigh. This is simply great. I shouldn't have said anything. I felt like it was the right moment to say. I guess it wasn't for her. I sigh once again before forcing myself into the shower. After slowly getting ready I finally make my way back into the room. Ashley is laying on the bed with her face covered with a pillow. She didn't run away this time, so I guess that is a little bit of a good sign.
"Spence?" Ashley says lightly as I start to walk back out of the room after I placed my bag back where it was before my shower. I don't turn around to look at the brunette.
"You should get ready. I took too long. You have 45 minutes before we leave." I whisper before walking out of the room. I hear Ashley sigh before hearing her start to move around the room. I walk into the living area of the room and turn on the tv. I couldn't tell you what I turned on the tv. I can't even tell you what I was thinking while mindlessly staring at the television.
"Spence?" Ashley tries once again. I look over at her. Gosh, she is so damn gorgeous. I give her a light smile before I get up from the couch. I walk into the room to grab my phone from the charger.
"Ready?" I ask walking back into the living room area.
"Yeah, I texted John already and let him know we would be down in about 10 minutes." Ashley responds back. I nod my head at her with a slight smile.
"We should get going then. That elevator took forever yesterday." I add. I start heading for the door after making sure I have everything. I think I need to get out of this room before I lose my mind.
"Spence?"
"Come on. Time is ticking away." I tell her as I reach the door.
"I will not leave this room until you listen to me." Ashley admits lightly stomping her foot and crossing her arms over her chest. I turn my back to the door and lean against it, staring down at the floor. We stand there for several minutes without Ashley says anything.
"We have an interview. We don't have time for this. It's not that big of a deal. You don't feel that yet or whatever it is. I get it. It doesn't need to be talked about. Can we go now?"
"NO!" Ashley basically screams. I look up at her taken back by the volume and tone in her voice.
"Um… okay." I really have nothing else to say to her little outburst. It has thrown me off. This woman has lost her mind and I thought I was losing mine. Geez.
"Look, I froze up. I'm sorry. It's not that I don't feel the same way because I do. I was just feeling so many things inside of me when you said it…" Ashley stops and sighs out. "I just froze up." Ashley adds. I glance up at her and the older woman starts walking towards me. I drop my eyes back down to the floor when she stops in front of me. Ashley places her hand under my chin and lifts my head. Our eyes lock together. She has tears in her eyes. I sigh before reaching up and running my index fingers under both of her eyes.
"Please, don't cry. I get it. We really have to go though." I tell her before pecking her lips quickly. I start to turn around, but Ashley pins me to the door.
"I love you Princess. I really do. I have felt it for what feels like forever. I have never felt this way before about anyone. All this is such new feelings for me. I've almost said it thousands of times but always got scared and pushed the words away. I'm sorry I froze up and I'm sorry I didn't just come right out and say it back because… God, I feel it everywhere within me. You have completely consumed me and its exciting and frightening all at the same time, but I love every single second of it. I love everything I know about you. I'm sorry I made you feel like I didn't or that it was too soon." Ashley finishes with tears running down her face. I reach up once again and wipe her tears away before bringing her into a passionate kiss.
"We should really go before we get into trouble or something for being late." I say after pulling out of our kiss and resting my forehead against hers. "But before we go. I do get it. I have never felt this way about anyone before either. These feelings are so new to both of us. I'm glad you didn't run this time and you wanted to talk about it." I pause quickly placing a kiss to her lips. "I love you too and everything about you." I look up at her with a smirk on my face. "Inside and out." I add with a wink. Ashley starts shaking her head at me with a smile on her face. I raise an eyebrow at her.
"And I ruin moments?" Ashley questions. Her smile never leaving her face.
"HA HA HA. Now go." I say holding her door open for her. Ashley starts to walk pass me but before she makes it out the door, I lightly slap her ass. "Especially that outside part." I wink again at the stun brunette then walk pass her and out the door.
"That was so unfair." Ashley whispers as she walks up next to me. I give her a coy smile. "I will get you back for that." Ashley adds as we walk into the elevator.
"I can't wait." I tell her before looking down at my phone. It is 3:25. We have 5 minutes to be at the radio station. "Shit." I whisper out.
"What's wrong?"
"We have 5 minutes before we are supposed to be there."
"John will get us there on time." Ashley says with a smile.
(20 Minutes Later)
(Ashley's POV)
I am such an idiot. I don't like that I made her think I didn't feel the same way. I'm glad she didn't take it harder. She could have easily run out of the room and avoided me for days on end because I didn't say it back right away. I glance over at the woman to my right and give her a small smile. They just got us situated to start our interview. They are on a commercial break before they introduce us. Spencer gives me a smile back before looking over at the woman across from us.
"You are listening to Power 96.1 – Atlanta's #1 Hit Music Station. We are here with Ashley Davies and Spencer Carlin. How are you ladies doing today?"
"I'm great." Spencer and I say together. "You?" Spencer adds with a smile. She is always the more polite one.
"Good! How is the tour going? After your two shows here, you have four more shows in the U.S left, how are you feeling about it coming to an end?" Once the woman across from us finishes talking. I look over at Spencer and nod my head, letting her know she can go first.
"Our tour has been amazing for me. I'm pretty excited. I have seen so many places in the U.S I never thought I would and now I am about to travel the world. I have never been out of the country before well besides Mexico so, I can't wait."
"The tour has been good. Our fans have been amazing. I love traveling so bring on the rest of the tour." I say my small response with a goofy smile on my face.
"Let's jump right into this. Everyone is dying to know about your mystery lady, Ashley."
"Well, I have nothing to really say about it at this moment. I will tell you things are progressing, and she has been amazing. Maybe soon everyone will be able to meet my gorgeous girlfriend but for now… We still aren't ready to make our relationship public yet. I think we will be in time. I just need everyone to continue be patient with us. I am grateful for the space most of you have given me so far." I say with a smile on my face.
"Is your mystery woman famous also?" The woman asks.
"She is in the music industry, but that is all you get." I state.
"Spencer, what do you think about Ashley's new personal life and all the attention she is getting about it right now?"
"I'm not here to comment on Ashley's private life." Spencer tells the announcer.
"Fair enough. Spencer how is your personal life going? Still taken?" The announcer asks. Spencer quickly glances at me before looking over at the woman.
"It's going great. Yes, I am taken." Spencer says with a smile.
"So, your relationship is still going strong?" The woman asks throwing more questions in Spencer's direction.
"Something like that." Spencer says then giggles.
"You guys don't give much out do you?"
"I can't answer for Spencer here, but I just don't think this needs to be about the person I have or don't have on my arm. This is about my music and my fans."
"I second what she said."
"I hope we can meet your mystery woman soon Ashley. Now, since this is about the fans, lets pull up some questions people have posted on our social media for you guys to answer, shall we?"
"Sounds good." Spencer says. I nod my head.
"First question is for Spencer. This question comes from Barb. What is the best gift you have ever gotten from a fan?"
"Um… It would be a drawing I got of me and my brother. It was during my second tour here in the U.S. We had a show in Houston. It was the first gift I had ever gotten from a fan. I have the drawing framed and hanging in my living room." Spencer announces proudly.
"That is awesome. Do you remember who gave it to you?"
"Yes. Her name is Katie." Spencer replies.
"Okay, next question. This is for you Ashley. This question is from Erin. She would like to know how many instruments you play."
"5. I can play guitar, drums, piano, violin, and flute. I haven't played the violin or flute since I was in middle school, so I'd be rusty, but I do still remember how to play a little bit."
"This next question is for both of you. This is from Savannah. She wants to know who your musical inspiration's are and to explain your own creative process."
"I've grown up around music so we would be here all day if I went into detail about my musical inspiration. My father was my biggest one though. My creative process… I like the spare of the moment type of music that I make the most. I will take a situation that is going on in my life or a feeling I am having or maybe even a feeling someone else has that is around me and I will run with it. It all depends on the day. Sometimes I like to write the lyrics before the melody. Others it's the melody then I find words." I say before looking over at Spencer.
"My musical inspiration growing up was Kelly Clarkson. I was a huge fan of hers. I have always turned to writing lyrics since I was about 10. It was my outlet. It was how I communicated with the people within my… world. I had an extremely hard time being vocal until I was almost 14. I was incredibly shy and withdrawn from everyone around me. When I was 13 my dad started to teach me the guitar and piano. I picked them up rather quickly but learning those brought me out of my shell so to speak." Spencer finishes with a blush lightly filling her cheeks. I guess you can learn something new every day. I think her and I need to talk more about our childhoods I really want to know everything about this woman beside me.
"This is another one for the both of you. Anthony would like to know what advice you would give someone wanting to follow in your footsteps and if you have ever dealt with performance anxiety"
"I had major performance anxiety my first couple of open mic nights when I was in high school. I had it a couple times when I started touring too, but other than that I haven't had to deal with it. Advice I would give would be to make sure no matter what happens never give up on yourself or your dreams. Always stand up for yourself and believe in yourself because no one else is going to do it for you." Spencer advises.
"I am with what Spence over here said about the advice. As for performance anxiety. Yes, almost every single night. I always take at least 5 minutes to myself every time I am about to go on stage to collect myself. I have dealt with fans and performances my whole life, but the anxiety has never fully gone away for me. You learn to find things that work for you to bring that down. Find that thought or moment or one thing that brings you calmness before a show and run with it. I hope that helps anyone who needed the advice." I say trying to explain it the best I could. I really like this interview. I am learning so many more things about Spencer. It has been awhile since I have done an interview that was mostly about the music. I love this.
"Next question is for Ashley. Mariah would like to know if your pictures were just a publicity stunt, she continues to say she thinks it is because you have never been caught in an intimate setting with a woman or anyone else. She also says that is probably why you will not come out publicly with the woman because there really isn't one. You wanted more attention." Wow okay maybe I thought too soon. I could not help it. I bust up laughing. I look over at Spencer. I think she might think I have gone crazy. She is kind of looking at me like I have. That makes me laugh even more.
"Sorry…" I start to say then stop because I'm trying to compose myself. "I don't mean to seem rude by laughing, but I have never even thought that people would think that. Now that Mariah has brought it to my attention, I realize it is something people are going to think. I'm not going to go too much into this, but I will say that I would prefer there be no pictures taken at all. If that does or does not answer your question, I'm sorry. I just really want my private life to stay just that, private!" I let out a bit annoyed. I feel Spencer lightly squeeze my thigh under the table. I sigh lightly before putting a smile back on my face. I let the blonde calm me down with the slight touch of her hand.
"Let's move on to our last question. Our time is almost up. This question is for Spencer. How you do feel about Ashley's new relationship?"
"That is kind of like the first question I was asked. Again I'm not here to comment on Ashley's private life." Spencer answers with a sigh.
"This question is more about you then about Ashley." The announcer says.
"As long as Ashley is happy. I really enjoy a happy best friend. She deserves all the happiness in the world." Spencer give me a small smile before looking at the lady across from us once again.
"Alright ladies, thank you for stopping by. It has been amazing. I hope you have a good rest of your tour."
"Thank you for having us." Spencer and I say in unison.
"Ashley's next album comes out June 7th, make sure you go get it or buy it on iTunes." Spencer says before she pulls her headphones off and smiles at me and everyone else in the room. The younger singer is more of a people person than I am. I really like that about her.
(2 Hours Later)
"We should start working on that song we wanted to do for the end of our U.S tour." Spencer says breaking our silence. I pick my head up from my plate and look at her.
"You have something in mind already?" I ask after I finish chewing my food and swallow it. We ordered room service like we have been doing most nights.
"I think I might have something. I think we might be able to work with it. After we finish eating, we can pull everything out and see if we can figure something out." The blonde next to me smiles softly before taking another bite of her food.
"That works for me." I smile back.
"So, in the morning I was thinking we could take our guitars and go down to the children's hospital for a couple hours. Play a couple songs, take some pictures, sign some autograph's, maybe we can stop on the way there and find some little teddy bears or something." Spencer say in-between bites of her food.
"If you want, I can make a few calls and see if I can have the teddy bears delivered to the hospital tomorrow. It would be a lot easier then trying to lug around hundreds of bears."
"You can just make a few calls and get hundreds of bears?"
"It's not the first time I've ordered hundreds of bears and this won't be the last." I say with a shrug. "What color bears would you like?"
"Hm… What do you think?" Spencer asks.
"Your idea, your choice."
"Let's go with yellow. I don't know, its neutral. Plus, its supposed to be a 'happy' color." The blonde next to me smiles once again then goes back to her food. After finishing my food, I made the calls I needed to.
"They will be there by 10am." I tell Spencer as I walk over to our bed. Spencer has her notebook out and her guitar across her lap. I lean down and peck her lips before moving over her to sit beside her. "So, let's hear what you got." I add. Spencer winks at me with a smile on her face. The younger woman situates herself and the guitar before she starts playing the cords. I listen to her continue to lightly strum the guitar. I close my eyes to concentrate on the feelings I have going through me as I listen to the melody she is playing.
"What do you think?" Spencer asks pulling me from my thoughts.
"I like it. I think we could work with it. You have any lyrics at all yet? And I think adding piano with the guitar would work wonders with the melody." I admit to Spencer. The blonde closed her eyes and started slowly bobbing her head. I'm pretty sure she is trying to hear it with piano in her head. We sat on the bed for the next couple of hours working on the lyrics. I think we made great progress on it. We have about 6 days before it must be finished. I can't wait for our next break before we go to Europe. Maybe we should talk about what is happening during that break. See if she has any plans.
"Princess." I say quickly gaining her attention. Spencer picks her head up from her notebook and meets my eyes.
"Yeah?"
"We have two weeks off before we go to Paris. What are you planning to do with that time?"
"Um… I have an album to finish. Glen told me the other day that the label wants it ready for release before the award show in August. Other than that, visit my family, sleep, getting ready for the next part of the tour. Why? Do you have something in mind?"
"I just don't want to spend it away from you like we spent our last one. It might sound a little needy or clingy or…"
"Ash, I feel the same way." Spencer quickly cuts off my rant. "I'd love to be with you during all my free time on break. Plus, it would be weird going two weeks without seeing you now or having you next to me at night. I probably wouldn't sleep." Spencer adds with a loving smile on her face. I lean over and kiss her softly.
"So, you are going to stay with me?" I ask resting my forehead against hers.
"We can stay anywhere you'd like." Spencer states with a smile. We sit in silence enjoying a quiet moment together.
