Disclaimer: I own nothing. Songs used 'Perfect' By Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé and 'Love Me Like You Do' By Ellie Goulding.
Author's Notes: So, this chapter was a little different from the other ones and I hope I did it right. I hope the visualization works for everyone. I did the best I could. Thank you for the reviews. Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy and let me know how I did. Thank you!
World Tour
Chapter 23 – Miami
(Spencer's POV)
We arrived in Miami about 5 this morning. We left straight from Tampa. We have two shows here before our break. First one is tomorrow night. Ashley and I have slept all day. It is 6pm. We have a radio interview the morning of our second show. I have been going a little crazy lately. Ashley has been dealing with a lot of pressure. People won't stop hounding her about her girlfriend. She can't go anywhere or do anything without getting swarmed. The media and fans have lost their minds. I really hate that she is dealing with this alone. There have been a couple magazines that have come out with Ashley and I on the cover saying that I'm her girlfriend. I haven't read it, but Ashley and I have been questioned about it by paparazzi and anyone that wants to ask. I can tell it's really starting to get to her. I just ignore their questioning. Ashley just repeatedly says she hasn't nothing more to comment on the subject. I really need to come out and get it over with. Ashley seems to be in her own head a lot lately. I ask her what is wrong, she smiles nd says 'nothing'. I feel like this is really starting to become an issue that neither of us want. I know she doesn't want to push but closing me out isn't going to help either.
"Would you to help me with something." I blurt out shyly. Ashley's face fills with concern before nodding her head.
"Okay, what is it you need help with?"
"Well… I… um…"
"Baby just spit it out. I will gladly help you with anything you need. There is no reason to be all shy about it."
"I have written a new song and am going to close my set with it. I have a male dancer coming in the day of, but I was wondering if you will watch this video with me and help me practice. I need this to be right and I don't want to mess it up." I admit avoiding eye contact. Ashley puts her hand under my chin and guides it up to meet her eyes.
"I will help you with anything you need." Ashley declares. I lean over and peck her lips.
"Thank you."
"Where is this video and when do you want to start practicing?" Ashley asks with a sweet smile. I grab my laptop and click on the video that was e-mailed to me earlier that day. After not even a minute into the video, Ashley hits the pause button and looks at me with a raised eyebrow.
"You are going to be dancing that sexually with some male dancer?" Ashley asks. I clear my throat trying to hold in my laughter.
"Yes. Why? What's wrong with it? It goes really well with the lyrics of my new song." I tell her.
"Hm… At least I know I will be breaking you in first." Ashley says with a smirk on her face before pressing play once again. I start laughing at her words while shaking my head. This woman is crazy.
(41 Hours Later)
"Thank you for listening to Miami's #1 Hit Music Station Y100. We are here this morning with amazingly talented ladies Spencer Carlin and Ashley Davies. How are you doing?"
"I'm good. How are you?" I respond.
"Great." Ashley says following quickly behind me.
"I'm good. It's a beautiful start of the day here in Miami." The announcer says with a smile.
"It really is." I say thinking about this morning. I glance at the brunette next to me and see a light blush on her cheeks. I guess she was thinking about how our morning went too. She is a goddess in bed.
"Planning anything special for your last U.S show tonight?"
"Hm... Maybe." Ashley says with a smirk. We have our song finished and ready for the show tonight. I can't wait for it. It is going to be great.
"Your new album titled 'Living on the line' drops on June 7th, how are you feeling about that? You released your first single from it called 'Beautiful Crazy' and it has been doing amazing. Been #1 on the charts for the last 2 and a half weeks and still seems like it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Do you know what your next single is going to be on the album?"
"I feel good about it. I can't wait for the album to be released. I am so glad the song is doing so well. It means a lot to me. My next single hasn't really been discussed yet but I think I have an idea of what I want it to be."
"What inspired the title of the album?"
"When I was trying to decide what to name the album and thinking of all the songs on it… I was thinking about why I wrote most of the songs and why they meant so much to me to even make it on the album… At the time, I felt that's how I was feeling about my life. How I was living my life. On a line. Whether it had to do with my personal life, my tour life, my relationships with any given person. I seemed to be pushing it to that line but never crossing it." Ashley stumbles through a quick definition on why she named her album that. I bite my lip trying to hold in my laughter. HA! That isn't why she named it that. She said she named it that because her and I always seemed to be living on the line between friends and lovers but never crossing it. She came up with a reason rather quickly though. I give her big props for that. She did good.
"That sounds amazing. I can't wait to hear more. Spencer any new stuff coming out for you?"
"When I have time, I have been writing and working on new stuff for my album. It will still be awhile before you see a new album from me. I'm trying to mainly focus on the tour right now. This is the biggest and longest tour I've done. It is quite tiring." I finish with a giggle. Ashley seems to be the only thing tiring me out lately though. I was already ready for a nap before we ever made it out of bed thing morning.
"Ashley you've seemed to be laying low lately or any time I see something on you it's been about those pictures and about a girl you are currently dating but no one knows anything about. Is it becoming to hectic for you? I could imagine all that persistence of people hounding you can get annoying."
"It's not too bad. I am used to the camera's and the questions. I've dealt with it my whole life. I only feel bad for Spencer here. We can't even ride to an arena together from our hotel because she gets swarmed also. Our show in Tampa, we were walking out of the hotel and the paparazzi ran at us and almost knocked Spencer down. If I weren't behind her to catch her, she would have fallen. That wasn't okay at all. They really need to realize that we are people and we can get hurt. We have had to hire more security detail because they have literally gotten out of control. So, it has been a little too much sometimes." Ashley says annoyed. She was so mad that day. She held it in until we got into the car, but she ranted about it all the way to the arena. I let her get it out, I didn't say anything until she was finished then I kissed her repeatedly while telling her I was okay. Ashley has become incredibly protective of me. I love her even more for it.
"Spencer, how are you feeling with all of this?"
"I'm alright. They do need to give Ashley a little bit of a break though. It has been really ridiculous." I admit.
"Sorry to say this to everyone out there listening but this is short interview today. These ladies need to go get ready for their show tonight. Let's take a couple calls then they need to go. Hello, who is this?"
"My name is Ruby. I just really wanted to tell you both how amazing last nights show was and can't wait to see you again tonight. I hope it is even better with it being your last U.S stop. Thank you both for being such amazing role models."
"Aw... Thank you. I hope you enjoy the show tonight. I am glad you liked last night's show." Ashley coos out.
"Thank you for supporting both of us and like Ashley said, I hope you enjoy the show tonight. Thank you again." I add after Ashley.
"Next call. What is your name?"
"My name is Piper. I just wanted to say that you guys are cool and both such big music inspirations in my life. I can't wait for your new album Ashley. Spencer, I have watched the video from Boston, your last surprise song, over 100 times. I swear. I really love the song and the performance. Will you be performing it tonight? You didn't last night."
"You will just have to wait and see." I say.
"I hope you do. It is my favorite song right now." The girl says happily over the phone.
"Either way I hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for the support." I add.
"Thank you, Spencer and Ashley, for coming. I hope you have a good show tonight." The announcer says. Both of us say goodbye before removing our headphone. The rest of our day was spent at the arena making sure everything is ready for our shows. We finally get back to the hotel around 4:30 to rest a little bit. I can't wait for our break. I really feel like it is going to be good.
"Babe, your phone." Ashley yells from the other room.
"Who is it?" I yell back. I don't want to get up right now.
"Your mom." Ashley says with my phone in her hand walking into the room. She hands it to me before walking back out again.
"Thank you." I yell out to her retreating body. I push a couple times on the screen of my phone to call my mom back. "Hi mom, how are you?" I ask once I hear my mom say hello.
"I haven't heard from you in a while. I just wanted to check in. When are you going to be back in L.A?"
"I will be back in L.A in the next couple days. I will have a couple weeks off. I plan to spend as much time as I can with you and dad. I have been meaning to call you. I have something I want to share with you. More of a heads-up type thing."
"Okay… You okay, Spence?" My mom sounds worried.
"I'm okay mom. I just… Hang on…" I walk out onto the balcony and close the door behind me. I fill my mom in on everything that has been happening. She really gives the best advice. I'm so lucky to have her. After about 30 minutes I walk back into the room and Ashley is laying on the bed on her stomach. I lay down lightly beside her and put my arm around her waist.
"How was your phone call? Everything okay in Lala land?" Ashley asks quietly before turning her head and repositioning herself to face me.
"Everything is good. She just wanted to catch up. I haven't called in a while. I told them we would see them the day after we come into L.A unless you are busy. I can go alone, but they do want to meet you as my girlfriend."
"I would love that." Ashley says with a small smile. I smile back.
"Would you go through this dance with me once more?" I ask quietly rubbing the side of her face.
"You don't think you have it down? Or you just nervous because we have spent the better part of the last few days rehearsing that dance which by the way is very, um… intimate." Ashley hesitates on her word choice. I smile at her. "Which by the way I know a dance to a song I've never even heard the words too. I have the beat constantly stuck in my head with no words. Why can't I hear the song fully considering I've been helping you practice?"
"It's all part of the surprise. You will love it, I promise. Thank you so much for helping me with this. You are the most amazing girlfriend ever. I owe you tons for this."
"It hasn't been a problem. I've had fun dancing with you. Plus, the way you move your body on me during that dance is… woah. A feeling I will never forget." Ashley finishes with a giggle while my cheeks start to turn pink.
"I love you!" I state firmly before giving her a passionate kiss.
"I love you too baby. Now come on, lets get our practice on one last time before I have to watch you turn some guy on."
"Oh god, why'd you have to put that image in my head? That is so very wrong." I gasp out. I shake my head slightly trying to get the image to go away. Ashley laughs as she pulls me up from the bed. I walk over to my laptop and turn the video on, letting the beat feel the room. This song is different from any song I have ever done for myself before. I've written a few and gave them away but never kept them for myself. The beat was all down from my laptop. It was all done electronically.
"Baby, you need to get out of your head and pay attention. You just stepped the wrong way twice. This won't go over so well with your partner if you do that. You guys will just bounce off each other. Take a breath and let's start again. You have this down, don't worry so much. Just move. You'll do great." Ashley says before going to start the video over. As she takes her place in front of me and the video starts counting down, I kiss her quickly before taking me stance. We went through the dance a couple times without any mess up's from either of us then used the rest of our time getting ready for our show.
(2 Hours Later)
I am almost done with my set. I have two more songs left. Ashley and I decided since she did our last song during her set that we will do this one during mine.
"How is everyone enjoying tonight so far?" I ask as the crew starts to change the stage behind me. They brought a piano out and had everything ready for Ashley to plug her guitar in. I am going to sing the song I sang in Boston and that is Ashley's cue to be ready because our song will be the next one. The audience screams out. "I'm glad you have been enjoying it. So, Ashley and I did a radio interview this morning. Did you guys listen to it?"
"Yyyyyeeeeeessssss!" I hear mixed with a weird sounding 'yeah'. It's weird sometimes trying to talk to a whole bunch of screaming fans. Especially if they are screaming several different things.
"Well, I was asked to play 'Sweetest Sin' so, I decided I'm going to play it."
"WOOOOHHHHH!" The arena erupts into cheers while I situate myself at the piano. Everyone went incredibly quiet as I started to hit the keys for the song. I spent the next 3 minutes singing my heart out. Ashley and I in our most intimate experiences flashing rapidly through my mind. From the shower to the hotel bed to hot tubs that have been in our room to either one of our dressing rooms. The flashes continue until I finished the song and opened my eyes once again. I smile at the brunette smiling widely at me from the side of the stage with her guitar in hand. I grab the microphone from the stand on the piano and turn to straddle the bench looking out over the crowd.
"So, this next song I really hope you guys enjoy. It is what everyone has been asking for to end our U.S tour so here is 'Perfect'. Give it up for Ms. Ashley Davies." I scream out Ashley's name. The whole arena starts going crazy.
"HELLO MIAMI!" Ashley screams out into her microphone. The crowd getting even louder. They love her so much. Ha! Not more than I do though. I love performing and traveling. I love my fans, but I'd gladly give this all up for the woman standing a couple feet in front of me. Ashley plugs her guitar in before nodding her head at me. I put my mic back and position myself to start playing. I nod back at her before we started playing.
"I found a love for me
Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight" Ashley sang out softly. As I continue playing with her, my eyes never left her body as she stood there playing her guitar. I took a deep breath before starting my part of the song.
"Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
she shares my dreams; I hope that someday we'll share a home" Ashley caught on to me changing the words from 'man' to 'woman' and 'he' to 'she'. She looked at me with shock filling her face. I smile at her then wink as I continue singing, never missing a beat.
"I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be your girl, you'll be my woman
And I see my future in your eyes
Well baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass" I smile at Ashley once again as we sing out the next line together.
"While listening to our favorite song" I love the way our voices come together, wonderfully.
"When I saw you in that dress" Ashley sang by herself.
"looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight" We sang together once again.
"Ahh ahh oh oh" I sing softly.
"No no no." Ashley adds right after me. The crowd starts screaming until we sing the next part together.
"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
While listenin' to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met" We sing together.
"An angel
In person" I sing out.
"And she looks perfect" We sing together once again.
"No, I don't deserve this" Ashley sing.
"You look perfect tonight" We sing together finishing out the song. The audience hoots and hollers while we smile at each other catching our breath. I grab my mic before getting up and walking over to Ashley. I pull her into a light side hug because her guitar is still on her body. Ashley hugs me back before placing a kiss on my cheek. I smile at her once again before I pull away.
"Give it up for Ashley. She was amazing, wasn't she?" I say causing everyone to scream once again. I giggle. "They just love you." I smile at Ashley and she smiles back.
"Thank you. I will see you guys again in a little bit." Ashley says then blows a kiss out to the crowd.
"Actually Ashley, I have something I need your help with. Would you help me before you go get ready for your set?" I ask stopping Ashley from leaving the stage.
"Anything you need Spence. What do you need help with?" Ashley has the cutest confused look on her face right now. I giggle lightly before turning back to the audience once again.
"So, these last few days, Ashley has been helping me practice a dance for this next song. She thought my dancer wasn't coming in until today but, I never had one coming."
"Spence." Ashley says hesitantly cutting me off. "What are you doing?" She adds eyeing me suspiciously.
"She has been amazing with helping me. This is a surprise I have been working on for awhile now and everything has worked in my favor so far. I really hope you enjoy my new song and the performance we are about to give you." I say completely ignoring Ashley's questioning. The audience once again starts screaming. I walk over to Ashley and grab her hand pulling her to the middle of the stage. She seems to be in a daze.
"What are you doing?" Ashley whispers as Brad hooks my headset up. I can't dance to this song and hold a mic. They placed a chair, a couple feet behind us, giving us room to move to the beginning part of the song.
"I'm coming out. I hope you don't mind." I smile.
"Are you sure about this?" Ashley questions.
"Yes. More than I have been sure about anything in my life. It is time and this is such a wonderful way to do it." I admit lightly.
"Test your mic, Spencer." Brad interrupts us.
"Testing, Testing." I say.
"How does it feel?" He asks.
"Good, thank you Brad." I tell him with a sweet smile. "You ready?" I ask meeting my eyes with Ashley's. Ashley takes a deep breath before nodding her head. "I love you" I mouth as the beat starts playing and we get into our stance in front of each other.
"I love you too." Ashley mouths back.
"You're the light, you're the night" I start out running my left hand softly down the side of Ashley's face.
"You're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain" After singing I push off Ashley's chest. Ashley quickly wraps her left arm around my waist pulling me back into her.
"You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much" I run my hands carefully down the front of Ashley's body before she grabs me by the hand lifting it above our heads and spinning me around a couple times before pulling me back into her body.
"You're the fear, I don't care
'Cause I've never been so high
Follow me through the dark" After singing out the word 'high'. I push lightly off Ashley's chest once again as the lights in the arena went off and everything went dark. Ashley began following behind me before a spotlight came on us. Before I go into the next words, I grab Ashley by the hand and pull her back into me. We softly sway our hips in sync.
"Let me take you past our satellites" The screen behind us comes on flashing pictures of space and satellites across it.
"You can see the world you brought to life, to life
So love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?" I place my back to Ashley's front grinding into her lightly then drop to the ground in front of her. Ashley watches my movements never letting go of my hand. Ashley lifts my hand up pulling me up and spinning me around to meet our fronts once again. She runs her hands slowly down my sides.
"Fading in, fading out
On the edge of paradise" Pictures of the two of us start fading in and out on the screen behind us ending with a picture we took at the top of the mountain when we went snowboarding. Such an amazing, beautiful view behind us.
"Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've gotta find" I walk Ashley backwards running my hands all over her body before pushing her down into the chair.
"Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire" I pump my chest out straddling Ashley's lap with my hand over my heart.
"Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight" I climb off Ashley and grab both of her hands pulling her up from the chair. I place her hands on my hips as I began to move them from side to side.
"My head spinning around, I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?" I spin my head around, closing my eyes letting Ashley guild my movements.
"Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around, I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?" Ashley and I swayed back and forth on the stage pressed together, our eyes never breaking their connection as I finished out the song. After singing my last line, I pushed my lips to Ashley's. Ashley's stiffened for a moment then began kissing me back.
"Aww!" "WOOO." Was screamed out as we continued kissing. I finally pulled back from Ashley and smile sweetly at her.
"I'd like to introduce you guys to my lovely gorgeous girlfriend Ashley Davies." I tell the audience with a smile on my face. Ashley smiles back at me while taking my hand into hers.
"That was pretty amazing wasn't it?" Ashley asks. The crowd screams back at her. "She got me with that one. We had been practicing endlessly for the last few days on that dance. It was a really big surprise when she kept me on stage. Now everyone knows who the woman in the pictures were. It wasn't a publicity stunt. It was real. I am completely in love with this amazing woman. Thank you for coming out and I'll see you again for my set in a little bit." As Ashley talked on, they got the stage ready for Aiden's set.
"I hope you enjoyed my surprise and our new song together. Thank you again. Now, here is Aiden!" Ashley hands Aiden her microphone and I walk to the side of the stage letting Brad unhook me from mine. Ashley and I ignore the confused and shocked look that Aiden was giving us.
"You could've told me you were going to do that." Ashley states as we walk towards her dressing room.
"I wanted you to be surprised as well. I felt I owed you something amazing after everything you've been dealing with." I admit. Ashley starts walking over to me, pushing me into the closed dressing room door, and kisses me passionately. I instantly tangle my hands in her hair. I let Ashley take complete control. Her hands found their way under my shirt rubbing my sides lightly, slowly moving them upwards. The brunette breaks our kiss and starts kissing across my jawline and down to my neck kissing, licking, and sucking lightly.
"Are you sure you are ready to be out?" Ashley whispers into my ear before taking the lobe into her mouth.
"Fuck, Ash. It's… Um... It's too… late to… take it back now." I rush out.
"I know I am making you feel amazing right now but why is your thigh vibrating against my center." Ashley asks as she pulls back and looks down.
"My phone, perv." I say with a giggle. I grab my phone out of my pocket and look at it. Glen is calling.
"I'm so proud of you sis." Glen says excitedly as I answer the phone.
"Well, hello to you too big bro. Thank you though. It was time to stop torturing just Ashley on her 'girlfriend'. I thought it was time, I took some of the heat." I admit with a smile on my face. "How did you find out so fast anyways?" I wonder.
"Mom called me after you guys got off the phone earlier. So, I knew what you told mom. Also, the video of it is already everywhere. I got e-mailed a link seconds after you left the stage. That was incredible sis. How is Ashley feeling?" I lift my head and look at Ashley. Ashley is staring at me with a smile on her face.
"I think she is just fine with what happened tonight." I tell Glen with a smile on my face.
"That's good. I will let you two have a few moments. I know Ashley goes on stage in a little bit. Don't forget to call mom and dad again. I love you."
"I will when Ashley goes on stage. I love you too Glen. I will call you tomorrow before we board our flight back to L.A"
"Sounds good sis." Glen says then hangs up the phone. I pull my phone away from my ear and place it back into my jeans.
"Hey." I say softly walking over to Ashley. She is sitting on the little couch with her head in her hands. I move her hands away from her head and place my hand under her chin lifting it upward. The older artist has tearing lightly coming down her face. "Baby, what's wrong? Was that not okay?" I asked worriedly.
"That was more than okay. I am just so happy and surprised. You have made this tour and my life mean so much. I'm sorry for being emotional. You are just… I love you so much, Princess." Ashley admits lightly as I wipe her tears off her face. I lean forward and meet our lips together.
"I love you too. I'm so glad you are so happy about this. I love making you happy. I don't like to see you cry but I'm ecstatic, they are happy tears. Ever since we had that talk in Atlanta about me wanting to prepare myself to come out. It was never about preparing myself. It was about how I wanted to do it. I wanted to do something that would make you feel so special because you are. Plus, show you exactly what you mean to me in every single way." I tell her as our eye contact never breaks.
Knock Knock.
"Ashley 15 minutes." Someone yelled through the door. I didn't recognize the voice. I turn back to look at Ashley.
"We can talk more about this later. You should get freshened up before you have to go on stage." I say with a loving smile, still stroking her cheeks.
"Let's end the night singing 'Give into Me'." Ashley declares.
"Okay. I'll be waiting." I say. Ashley kisses me lightly before walking over to the vanity to start freshening up. God, I love the hell out of that woman.
