…
Misty smiled as the warm Florida sun filtered through the window and onto her face, it was always one of her favourite ways to start a morning. The only way it could be any better would be if someone were to bring her breakfast in bed but even she knew that would be pushing it a little bit.
Besides she needed a little bit of privacy, re-reading her divorce papers like they were a good book she couldn't put down but she needed to check that she wasn't giving Ash a raw deal. Not that he had bothered to read them before he'd flat out refused to sign, either way she needed to make sure it was all fair.
She didn't really know what she was looking for if she was being honest, it's not like they had any assets to divide. The only thing they'd owned was a dingy flat at the backend of town, and by the looks of it that had been sold years ago. And she wasn't exactly going to demand half the money now.
Misty knew divorce only got really messy when there were children involved. Custody, visiting rights, child support. These were the things that caused a divorce to drag out, be taken into court. Their situation should have been a quick deal but yet they remained completely unsigned.
Despite her nagging, Misty hadn't actually signed either. She knew she would the moment Ash did, but maybe Ash felt the same and wouldn't sign until she has done, maybe she should show willing and do it first. She reached down beside the bed into her bag, rooting around until she found one of the many pens that lurked in the bottom. But somehow she couldn't bring herself to be the first one to do it. To bite the bullet and end what remained of her first love.
She jumped when she heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs, dropping the pen and quickly shoving the papers under Ash's pillow. She didn't know why she felt guilty to be caught, the whole reason she was here was to get a divorce but she didn't want to shove it in Ash's face.
The door burst open before she had a chance to regret her choice, Ash kicked it open as both his hands were filled. Why he couldn't back into the door like a normal human was beyond Misty.
"Thanks." Misty said as Ash handed one of the cups to her, sighing in relief as he perched on the edge near her feet rather than her pillow.
"Don't get used to it, I just needed a break." He groaned, taking a large sip of his own drink.
"From what?" She frowned.
"Your little friend." He shrugged. "She's buzzing around the kitchen, not sure what has got her so excited."
"She hasn't mentioned anything." Misty bit her lip, she hadn't really been giving May much attention since they'd arrived in Florida.
She knew she was going through her own turmoil at the moment but that didn't excuse her neglect. Especially as May had pretty much dropped everything to travel cross country just to hold her hand.
"I guess I better go check." Misty said, dragging herself out of bed and downstairs. Ash following behind as if afraid May might attack. Which wouldn't be unheard of when she got excited.
"Good morning Misty!" May boomed as she walked into the kitchen. "Isn't today a glorious day?"
"I guess?" She rose an eyebrow. "Any particular reason?"
"I have a date." She squealed, jumping up and down on the spot.
"A date?" Ash asked, as far as he was aware the only people May knew were stood in the kitchen with her and he highly doubted she had a date with either of them.
"With who?" Misty asked.
"Drew." May sighed dreamily, Misty sometimes had to remind herself that her friend was nearing thirty rather than some love sick teenager.
"How do you know Drew?" Ash frowned; he'd been hoping that the return of Misty wouldn't seep into his normal life. He'd spoken to Drew recently and hadn't mention meeting his estranged wife.
"We ran into him the other day, keep up." May rolled her eyes.
Misty blinked, yes, they had run into Drew at the café but it was a very brief meeting. Not long enough for May to establish herself as a potential date. She couldn't help but feel a little proud of her friend, she worked wonders when it came to men.
"Where is he taking you?" Misty asked, smiling at May's enthusiasm.
"The Swan?" May shrugged, she'd never heard of the place but it sounded decent enough. She'd have to grill Ash to make sure she wore the right outfit. Nothing worse than turning up to a date in jeans and they'd opted for a suit.
"Well, he's come a long way from when his go to first date was a trip to the Wimpy and then a quick fingering out back by the bins." Ash joked, earning him a smack from Misty. "What? Like it took much more to impress you back then."
"Where did you take Misty on your first date?" May asked, her eyes sparkling. She always was a sucker for romance.
"She wouldn't have been satisfied with a Wimpy extravaganza; I knew I had to pull out all the stops. So, I took her to the local café." He laughed. "Seventeen-year-old me was pretty smooth."
"Well, it worked." May shrugged, gesturing to Misty. "She married you, didn't she?"
"I guess." He nodded, jumping slightly when May gasped.
"How did you propose?" She asked, Misty wincing. It was hard enough to think about their first date, she really didn't need to relive their engagement. Especially after last night, her heart couldn't take it – it would fall in love with Ash all over again.
"I think that's enough of a trip down memory lane for now." Misty rolled her eyes. "Don't you need to get dressed?"
"Oh god!" May exclaimed, grabbing Misty by the hand and pulling her. "Help me pick something out."
Least she knew May would be suitably distracted for now.
…
When Misty was finally freed from May's room she found Ash in the kitchen, uselessly opening and closing cupboards.
"Right, it's official. You've eaten me out of house and home." He declared, slamming a cupboard shut.
"Sorry." She apologised; she knew now would be the perfect time to remind Ash if he just signed the paper's she'd be out of his hair but somehow, she couldn't bring herself to. Her mind was scrambled after last night. She shook her head; she was not about to throw away her current partner for a near kiss on the floor. She opened her mouth to speak but Ash beat her to it.
"We'll have to go out. Think May will want to come?" He asked.
"She'll be far too nervous to eat." Misty shook her head. "Besides, she'll be saving herself for lunch."
"Right, just us then." Ash grabbed his keys and walked out, never giving Misty a chance to confirm whether she was coming or not.
After driving for a few minutes, Misty felt her stomach dropped. She knew this route; it might have been a good few years since she'd done it, she still knew it like the back of her hand. It was their place, they only ever called it 'our place' that she couldn't for the life of her remember what it was actually called. They'd spent many nights there; the staff were surprisingly lax on ID and you could order what you liked. They always let Misty and Ash stay beyond closing, they were their best regulars after all, and the pair never caused much fuss. Just content to sit in the quiet at their table, hold each other like nothing else in the world mattered. Which at the time it really didn't, life was simple back then.
Misty swallowed thickly as Ash pulled into the parking lot, what she wouldn't give to turn the clock back. Back to a time when she was happy and carefree, blissfully unaware of what lay ahead.
"I didn't know this place did breakfast." She croaked, a lie but she needed to say something to break the silence that had fallen over the car.
"Come on." Ash scoffed. "You haven't been away that long."
Misty couldn't help but wonder if May's questioning had prompted this visit, this was the place where Ash had proposed after all. But judging by the look on his face as he strode towards the door, he regretted the choice now.
She deliberately didn't look at the seat in the window as Ash spoke to the server, their usual spot. Great for people watching but hidden away enough for privacy. The server lead them in the opposite direction and the relief seeped through Misty. She imagined Ash didn't come her much once she'd left and none of the original staff probably stayed so they were just a random couple on an idle Tuesday morning.
Despite being sat away from their spot she couldn't help but look at their table, nothing special but for her it held a whole lot of history.
The proposal hadn't been anything spectacular, the ring box practically thrown at her as Ash's fingers shook while he stumbled through his speech. But it was theirs and it was perfect, a quiet moment between the two of them as the staff tidied the tables around them. Not a big grand gesture but everything Misty wanted.
Better than asking you in the middle of a party. Her mind spitefully added.
"What you thinking?" Ash asked, breaking Misty out her musing.
"Hmm?" She frowned, surely, he couldn't tell she was having a trip down memory lane.
"Food?" He asked, gesturing to the menu.
"Oh! Probably just pancakes." She shrugged.
"Still got that sweet tooth, huh?" He chuckled.
If she was being honest, it had been a long time since she had indulged in something sweet, especially at breakfast. Rudy always gave her a look if she tried to order pancakes or waffles for breakfast, didn't think it was the most substantial way to start her morning.
She didn't realise how much she'd changed since dating Rudy, it was only little things here and there but as time went on they added up. Not that she was against change and bettering oneself, she just never noticed that it all seemed to be once Rudy came on the scene.
Misty couldn't really blame this all on Rudy, it was just time for her to grow up. She was only feeling nostalgic for her old self because she was back home. She could barely walk down the street without being slapped in the face by her former self.
"Ah." She cringed as Ash kicked her under the table. Clearly the waitress had been waiting for her order for a while. "Sorry, could I get the pancakes and a coffee please?"
"Sure thing." She nodded, jotting it down on a notebook – they obviously hadn't caught up with the latest technology.
"What's with you?" Ash asked once they were alone. "You've been out of it all morning."
"Nothing, just tired." She shrugged, what was she meant to say? You nearly kissing me yesterday put the tiniest – and I mean tiniest – bit of doubt in my mind and now I'm spiralling and questioning everything? That was bound to go over well.
"Whatever, don't tell me then." He said, the smallest hint of a pout on his lips. Misty wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation, she used to long for Ash to notice her dips in moods.
"Look I just have a lot on my plate at the moment." She gave him a pointed look.
"Well you're here on holiday so try to relax a little." He smirked, purposely ignoring her comment.
"Right, and how do you suggest I do that?" She asked.
"I might have some ideas." He winked as the waitress put down their food.
…
May paced the living room, she still had a few minutes before Drew was even due to pick her up but her heart fluttered at the sound of every car that drove past. She hadn't been this nervous for a first date in a while.
She nearly jumped out her skin when she heard the front door, rushing over with sweaty palms.
"Oh, hello." May said when she opened the door. "Dawn, wasn't it?"
"Yes." She nodded, giving May a once over. "I didn't realise you were still here."
"Erm, yeah. We decided to extend our holiday." She shrugged, choosing not to mention Ash was still holding out on Misty. Once the papers were signed she was sure they'd out of her as fast as a taxi could carry them.
"Can I come in?" She snapped, wondering why this girl hadn't moved aside yet.
"Oh, god, yes!" She nodded, stepping back. "Nobody else is here but me."
"Where is Ash?" Dawn asked.
"Getting some food, I think." May noticed Drew pulling up. "Look, I'm going out but I'm sure Ash won't mind you hanging about here until he gets back."
"Why should he mind?" She rose an eyebrow, unnerving May. What was this girl's problem? May wasn't the one married to Ash.
"Right, so I'm just going to…" She trailed off, pointing towards the car and rushing out the door.
She sighed deeply when she got into Drew's car, the man unaware of how much of a knight in shining armour he was.
"You alright?" Drew laughed at her reaction, the force of her slamming the door shaking the car.
"Yeah, it's going to be messy when Misty and Ash finally get back." She shook her head.
"Well, I'll just have to make sure I keep you away from the drama." He smirked, pulling away from the house.
May was pleasantly surprised when they pulled up, she wasn't sure why but she was half expecting some falling down restaurant. The way Misty used to talk about home she was sure it was just some dusty, backwater town with nothing going for it. This little gastropub seemed perfect.
May had barely registered Drew getting out the car before he was opening the door for her.
"What a gentleman." She teased, taking his arm as she climbed out.
"I aim to please."
"As long as it's not the Wimpy, I'm happy." She joked, earning a laugh from the man.
"Which one of them ratted me out?" He asked.
"Ash."
"No loyalty." He shook his head.
"Drew!" The host smiled as the pair walked through the door. "So good to see you again."
"You too." He replied, voice slightly muffled as she squeezed his cheeks.
"And who is this beautiful young lady?" She winked, turning towards May.
"May, she's new to the area." Drew introduced her, as if May was planning on staying longer than a quick layover.
"Welcome my lovely! I'm Anna." She grinned. "Let's find you a table."
"How Ritchie?" Drew asked as they were lead through the table.
"Don't even get me started on that boy." She rolled her eyes affectionately. "Never hear from him unless he wants something cleaned or feeding, would it hurt just to visit because he loves his old mama?"
May smiled as she listened to their conversation, it was the sort of sweet town where everyone knew everyone. Quick to lend a hand, and possibly spread the gossip, but there for each other none the less. It was the sort of place she'd always dreamed of settling down in when she was younger but, somehow, she'd ended up in the anonymous big city.
"You can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his mama." Anna said, bringing May back into the conversation. "You got one of the good ones."
"Anna." Drew rolled his eyes.
"What? I'm just saying the girl struck gold." She winked, giving them both a menu. "Charlotte will be your server but give me a shout if you need anything."
She gave Drew an affectionate squeeze on his shoulder as she walked away, shooting May another wink over the top of his head. She supressed a smile, she may have struck gold but even a romantic like herself knew it was just a quick holiday fling.
"We went to school together." Drew explained. "Ritchie and I."
"Then you grew up to be a gentleman and he didn't." She teased.
"Anna has a flair for the dramatics, he's not quite as bad as she makes out." He laughed.
May glanced down at the menu, it certainly wasn't the vegan, no-cal, gluten free food she was used to. And she couldn't be happier. Maybe she needed to hook Drew in after all so she'd have a reason not to return to New York. Even if her waistline would never forgive her. But the thought of running definitely appealed more when you had a sunny backdrop as opposed to grey buildings.
"Hi, I'm Charlotte. Can I take your orders?" The waitress said with a bright smile. May did not hesitate to order the biggest, juiciest burger on the menu. She didn't believe in forcing yourself to have a salad on a first date, lay yourself bare on the table and if they didn't like it that was there lose. But Drew didn't bat an eyelid at her large order, yet another check against his name.
"I love this place." May said once the waitress took the menu.
"Good, I'm glad you like it." Drew laughed.
"No, I don't think you realise how much I love it! There was so much on the menu I wanted, this food is amazing. I will have to come back here at least five more times." She nodded seriously.
"I'm sure that could be arranged. So, you're a foodie?" He asked.
"Not really, foodie implies I know something about food but I just like food. There's a difference." She shrugged. "It's the Virgo in me."
"Star sign?"
"Yep." She nodded. "What's yours?"
It was a bit of a test, May swore by star signs and believed it explained a lot of why people behaved the way they did. For example, every time Misty snapped at her she just had to remind herself not to take it personally it was just because she was a fiery Aries.
She knew a lot of people thought it was all rubbish but she thought there was some truth behind it. She didn't expect her dates to take star signs seriously but she wanted them to at least be respectful.
"I'm a Scorpio. Are we a good match?" He asked, not once laughing at her – another mental tick, they were really racking up.
"Yes!" She exclaimed. "We are extremely compatible." Yet another tick for Drew, she really needed to calm down. It was just a first date not a marriage proposal.
"It must have been fate we met again then." He nodded calmly but May was internally screaming.
She knew that compatibility was important, she'd dated too many Libras to know it just ends in heartache when you're not. She'd never had the heart to tell Misty her and Rudy's signs weren't compatible, she couldn't help but wonder what Ash's star sign was. Probably a Gemini if he'd managed to tame Misty.
She shook her head slightly; she was here to have a break from Misty's whirlwind life. She needed to focus on her own love life.
"So, tell me about yourself." May said. "I'm afraid Ash and Misty haven't given me your best stories."
"No, not if they told you about the Wimpy." He laughed.
"And the frosted tips."
"Ouch! They really didn't want me to have a chance did they?" Drew winced
"Well, it didn't work. I like you anyway." She smiled, reaching across the table to give his hand a squeeze.
…
Misty scrunched her nose up as Ash managed to get yet another strike, it was bad enough she was wearing a pair of shoes that hundreds of other people had worn already and that it would take weeks to get the smell of nacho cheese out her clothes. But now she was losing quite spectacularly to Ash.
"Did you take up bowling lessons or something?" She moaned, taking a sip of too warm beer from the pitcher Ash insisted on getting.
"Yeah, I found nothing healed a broken heart better than bowling." He said dropping down on the bench next to her. "It helped me to channel my anger into sport and I like to imagine each one of those pins has your face on. Then it's practically impossible to miss."
"Ha ha." She rolled her eyes. "A simple no would have surfaced."
"Where's the fun in that?"
She sighed deeply before getting up to take her turn, not that there was any point as she seemed incapable of knocking down any pins.
"For god's sake." She muttered as the ball tumbled into the gutter.
"You're too stiff, you need to roll into more." Ash heckled at her.
"Aww, I bet you say that to all the girls." She replied, shooting a wink over her shoulder.
She could hear his laugh getting closer as she grabbed another ball. She jumped slightly when she felt his hand against her back.
"Just bend over slightly." He instructed, pushing slightly.
"Excuse me?" She scoffed, bending anyway. She bit back a gasp as she pressed into him, she refused to give Ash the satisfaction of knowing this tactic was getting to her.
"Perfect." He whispered; his mouth suddenly close to her ear. "Now bring your arm back and move your whole body with it."
Misty knew it would make no difference, some people were just naturally gifted at bowling and, unfortunately, she was not one of these people. But the way Ash was leant against her she didn't have much of a choice, her body moved with his through pure force. Together they let go of the ball and for the most part it rolled down the middle, only veering off at the last minute and knocking down over half the pins.
"Not bad." Ash commented, slapping her back in an overfriendly manner – as if he hadn't been draped over her mere seconds ago.
"Glad it has your approval." She said sarcastically before returning to her seat.
"Now, just sit back and watch the master." He mimed brushing dust off his shoulder.
"Christ." Misty snorted.
But despite herself she couldn't help but watch, she knew he was far to cocky over something as simple as bowling but the confidence he oozed made it impossible to look away. And not because she was secretly hoping he'd fall in a ridiculous fashion, but because she just loved when he was in his element.
Misty had barely been paying attention to the music up until this point, it was just there in the background until she heard a far too familiar drum beat. Ash must have heard it too because he spun around with a huge smile, not even interested in what his first ball had scored. Instead, he was dancing his way back to Misty.
"Oh god." She cringed, wanting to sink into her seat. All she could picture in her mind was that same smile all those years ago as Ash danced to this song. Only they weren't in a bowling alley and Misty was wearing a white dress.
"Girl, you're my angel, you're my darling angel." Ash sung, rolling his hips in time to the beat. "Closer than my peeps you are to me, baby."
"I can't believe this was our first dance song." She moaned. "It's embarrassing."
"What are you talking about? Shaggy is a classic!" Ash tutted, grabbing Misty's hand and forcing her to dance with him.
She knew she should feel self-conscious, she didn't doubt the people around them would be watching. Two fools dancing to an early 00s hit, but she just couldn't find it in herself to care. Even when Ash started to rap, quite badly if she was being honest.
She laughed loudly as they danced, remembering exactly why Ash had charmed her in the first place. He was fun, carefree and when he was with Misty nothing else seemed to matter. If she wasn't careful, he would charm her all over again.
"Do you know why I picked this song?" She asked.
"Not really, I just accepted that you wouldn't be budged." He shrugged. "You can be quite stubborn when you want to be."
"It was the first song we danced to together."
"Was it?" Ash furrowed his eyebrows, he was sure it would have been something with much more bass from when they'd snuck into a night club with a dodgy ID.
"Yeah." She smiled at his adorably confused face. "When we were ten at the school disco."
"How do you remember that?" He asked incredulously.
"Because it was the first disco when all my friends had boyfriends or at least crushes. They wanted to dance with them all night and I was just left on the side-lines. Then this came on and you suddenly appeared to ask me to dance. I know Brock probably put you up to it but at the time it made me feel special, maybe I wasn't such an ugly runt after all." She shrugged, hoping to come across as casual but she's convinced to this day that was the night her crush on Ash developed.
"He didn't put me up to it. I remember it now, you wore your hair down and it made me feel all funny. In hindsight it's because I thought you were pretty but you know how slow I was back then. I thought if you were dancing I wouldn't keep noticing you and my tummy wouldn't keep knotting. If anything, it made it worse but you smiled so brightly when I asked that I didn't have the heart to back out." He admitted.
"God, we were a right pair." Misty laughed. "We were hopeless."
"Hopelessly in love?"
"Yeah, I guess we were." She said, smiling softly.
They were barely moving now, the more they'd talked the less they had moved. Somehow, they'd moved closer as well, what had started out as two friends dancing had turned into something far more intimate. If she just rose up onto her toes they'd be kissing, no May to stop them. It seemed Ash had the same idea because he was definitely leaning down. They were so close, his aftershave filled her senses, his lips just brushing hers until a loud wolf whistle jolted them apart.
Misty glanced over Ash's shoulder to see a group of sweat teens ogling the pair of them.
"Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!" They chanted.
"Sod off!" Ash laughed. "You're ruined the moment now."
"We didn't mean to cock block you." One of them hollered, the others whistling at Misty.
Ash went back to finish his go as if nothing had happened, purposefully ignoring their calls. Misty could barely hear what they were saying, she could hear the blood rushing in her ears. What was wrong with her? Why did she keep ending up in these near kiss situations with Ash?
…
The lights were on when Misty and Ash got home, Misty frowned slightly. She'd checked her phone as they were leaving the bowling alley and May had told her she'd gone back to Drew's and not to wait up.
"Hmm, must have left a light on." Ash said, pulling the key out the ignition.
Despite Ash's assurance it was just a simple error, Misty still stood behind him as they walked up the steps. But what attacker worth their salt turned the lights on to alert you of their presence.
When they walked into the living room, Misty wished it was an attacker. Instead, it was Dawn, eyes red and face like stone as she gripped the divorce papers in her hand. The papers that neither herself nor Ash had signed.
"I'll give you some space." Misty said, running upstairs as fast as her feet could carry her.
Ash shut the door behind her, he knew sound travelled far in his home but he could at least help along the way to keep this conversation private. Tentatively, he sat down beside Dawn who had yet to say a word since they'd walked in.
"You said you signed them." She croaked, her voice raw. "These haven't been signed."
"I… I'm sorry Dawn." He apologised. "You just assumed I had done and I didn't think it would help to correct you."
"Are you still in love with her?" She asked, refusing to move her gaze from the carpet. She couldn't look him in the eye when he answered.
"What? Dawn, come on."
"Answer the question." She hissed.
"What does it matter? I'm with you, not her." He reached out to take her hand only for her to snatch it away.
"Oh god, you are, aren't you?" She said, her eyes watering up again. "And what? You think if you don't sign she'll take you back? You'll rekindle that spark?"
"Our marriage is beyond saving." He replied.
"Then why wouldn't you sign the papers?" She screamed, throwing them across the room and jumping to her feet. "Do you realise how this makes me feel? That you don't care enough about me to end your old relationships?"
Ash watched helplessly as she paced, he'd had these conversations one too many times to know how it would always end. He wouldn't commit, he wasn't serious enough, he was too detached. It always ended with a slammed door and a cold, lonely bed again.
"What about us? What if we wanted to get married? Don't you want that for us?" Dawn shouted.
"You knew from the beginning, you knew I didn't want to get married. I told you that." Ash defended, he was always upfront with women and yet they always thought they could change him.
"You did, didn't you?" She laughed bitterly. "I just didn't realise she was the reason why." She gestured to the ceiling.
"We're breaking up, aren't we?" He asked, cutting to the chase.
"I think we have to." She sniffed, tears dripping down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry." He apologised, wrapping her up in his arms. He'd tried, he really tried to love Dawn but sometimes trying just wasn't enough.
"You're a good man Ash, you deserve love. Don't let her stop you getting that." She sobbed, releasing herself from the hug and silently walking out of Ash's life.
With a sigh he fell back onto the sofa, if he was being honest it was one of his more civil break-ups but it was yet another failed relationship all the same.
"Fuck!" He screamed as Misty slipped back into the room.
"Didn't go well I take it?" She asked, perching on the arm of the sofa.
"No shit, Sherlock." He grumbled. "Having a wife is a bit of a deal breaker."
"If you'd have just signed the papers then this wouldn't have been an issue." She said guiltily, wishing Ash would just give up on her.
"Read the fucking room Misty!" He roared, standing up from the sofa. "Get your head out of your ass for two seconds and realise people have things going on outside of your issues."
Misty winced as Ash stormed past her and out the house. Her heart screamed at her to chase him, to comfort him but she knew he needed space. He would just be angrier if she pushed him, it would be best if she left him alone.
Ash could feel his breath coming out in quick, angry puffs as he walked. He had no real destination in mind but he just needed air, he needed to get away. Get away from that toxic woman. Why was he still letting her rule his love life? Why couldn't he just let her go? Why couldn't he just cut her out of his life once and for all?
He crumpled to his knees, leaning against his neighbours garage wall as he buried his head in his hands.
He knew why and he hated himself for it. It was the same reason his heart had jumped when she'd pulled up after all the those years. The same reason she'd haunted his dreams every night. The same reason he still had their wedding photo on his bedside table. Despite everything, no matter how many dates he went on, relationships he forced himself into, he would never be over his first love.
…
Apologies as always for the long wait, I will never give up on this story I promise. Even if it takes us a while, we'll get to the end