thanks to Theory of a Deadman for a great song
Spencer stood towards the back of the bar unsure how to feel. The information about Ashley and this girl Taylor was news to her. She couldn't really say much, she had been with a couple of girls since she had moved to Boston but hearing this hurt her more than she would admit to her friends.
Watching the girls interact on stage was making it worse but also clearing things up for Spencer. One would have to be blind to not notice the electricity between them.
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Ashley felt the music was getting better with every song. Agreeing to sing with them was the best decision she had made in quite a while. What made this night even better was obviously Spencer being there. Ashley couldn't remember the last time she was so happy.
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Taylor couldn't believe how great tonight's show felt. It was better than their first ever show as Tabula Rasa, before Kyle's ego took over everything. Ashley at the lead added so much dimension and added talent to their music.
As she looked through the audience she happily noted that Kyle was slouched at the bar looking miserable. Serves him right she thought. Then she saw Alex, her ex with whom things ended oddly. They still loved each other but some things just aren't meant to be. She made a quick decision to add a song to the set. During a quick break between songs she told Ashley she wanted to add this song after her song for Spencer. She knew if she said one word, the guys would follow her lead.
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Ashley looked through the crowd and made eye contact with Spencer. Then she said, "This song was written for someone who means the world to me. You know who you are." never breaking eye contact she also mouthed you while Taylor started the opening chords.
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As Spencer listened to Ashley's words relief and guilt equally flushed over her. She was so glad that Ashley still loved her and understood that she needed space. Spencer should have never believed what she heard about Ash and Taylor, especially since the source was the bands ex lead singer. He was probably just a bitter asshole.
The guilt was there too. She wasn't being completely honest with Ashley. It hadn't really hit her until now. Ashley was still in love with her even though she moved across the country and away from her.
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Taylor took a couple extra moments to switch back to her electric guitar and said to all the guys Alex was there. They all knew what this meant. She was gonna do most of the singing for their second to last song. Ashley would chime in from time to time but this was Taylor's song to sing. Ashley made a big statement with Come Down to Me, and now it was her turn.
"We've only got a couple of songs left. Thank you all for coming out." Taylor said, "now this song is the opposite of our last song. If you've ever ended a relationship you'll understand."
It's never enough to say I'm sorry
It's never enough to say I care
But I'm caught between what you
Wanted from me, and knowing
If I give that to ya
I might just wins when everyone's losing
Oh, it's like
One step forward and two steps back
No matter what I do you're always mad
And I can't change your mind,
Oh, it's like
Trying to turn around on a one way street
I can't give you what you want
And it's killing me and I, I'm starting to see
Maybe we're not meant to be
It's never enough to say I love you
No, it's never enough to say I try
It's hard to believe that's there's
No way out for you and me
And it seems to be, The story of our life
Nobody wins when everyone's losing
It's like one step forward and two steps back
No matter what I do you're always mad
And I can't change your mind, oh
It's like trying to turn around on a one way street.
I can't give you what you want
And it's killing me and I, I'm starting to see
That maybe we're not meant to be
There's still time to turn this around
Should we be building this up
Instead of tearing it down
But I keep thinking
Maybe it's too late
It's like one step forward and two steps back,
No matter what I do you're always mad
And I, can't change your mind, oh
It's like tryin to turn around on a one way street
I can't give you what you want and it's killing me
And I, I finally see,
Baby that we're not meant to be
It's like one step forward,
And two steps back, no matter what I do
You're always mad, and I,
Baby I'm sorry to see,
Maybe that we're not meant to be
It always felt good to sing that song, it was very theraputic for Taylor. Her and Alex shared a knowing smile.
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Spencer didn't even hear the band's last song, she was very confused. Was Taylor saying something to her with that song? She wanted to leave but knew she should talk to Ashley first.
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After the show Ashley immediately went to find Spencer. After five minutes she finally found her heading for the door.
"Spencer hey wait up." Ashley yelled.
"Hey Ash. The show was amazing, very insightful. You looked right at home up there."
"Thanks Spence. You wanna get a drink and talk for a bit. It's been awhile."
"Yeah it has. Look Kris is pretty tired and kinda drunk so we're gonna head out. I'll call you later though."
"Sure, that's fine. But before you go, what did you think of Come Down to Me? I wrote it for you if you hadn't already guessed."
"I had guessed Ash and the song was beautiful. You and Taylor sound really good together." And with that Spencer dashed out the door followed by her two friends.
Confused, Ashley stood still for a few moments. She wasn't sure what had just happened between her and Spence. But Spencer was always protective of her friends so Ashley chalked it up to Spence's caring nature. They would hopefully get together tomorrow and talk things out.
Ashley's next search for her band mates didn't take very long. They were all at a table near the bar. She then noticed Taylor huddled close to a blonde girl. As she approached Taylor and the mystery girl hugged and shared a quick peck on the lips. Just before she reached the table a small shot of jealously, which she quickly shrugged off as stupid.
"Hey Ash, where's your girl? Did you get to ask her about the song?" Ryan inquired.
"Oh she said it was beautiful." Ashley said with a small smile.
"Well I'd have to agree but add amazingly moving." Said the mystery girl. "We haven't met. I'm Alex, Taylor's ex."
"Oh. I'm Ashley, nice to meet you." Ashley said questioningly.
"It's ok Ash. Alex and I have come to good terms. It took a while but we're there." Taylor reassured her.
"Yeah. That song you helped vocally with, Not Meant to Be, that was written for me." Alex said with ease. "I'd love to chat more but I gotta be awake and functioning in four hours so Ashley nice to meet you. Guys pleasure as always. And Ty great to see you. I'll give you a call."
All five said "Bye Alex." in unison.
Laughing Alex replied, "Band unity in one week, I love it." And with a wave she was off.
"Well guys I hate to bail too but I've got a breakfast date with Jay in the morning so I'll see ya later." And Taylor got up and left.
"So guys what's the deal with Alex?" Ashley felt compelled to ask.
"They were really tight for a little over two years then things started falling apart. Then Taylor wrote that song, told Alex to come to a show and she sang it. Not the best way to break it off with someone but it had to be done." Eric informed her.
"Wow. But she didn't seem mad about us doing the song tonight."
"Here's the thing Ash," Ryan said. "They've gotten past it. Now Ty only sings it if Alex is here. Sort of a hi, I see you're here."
"Interesting. How about a round on me."
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Taylor made it to within two feet of her car when Kyle approached. He seemed pissed and a bit drunk.
"So you replaced me so soon hey bitch?"
"Kyle you left us no choice. But yeah we did and I think we're better than ever."
"Right you would."
"Exactly, that's why I said it dumbass." Taylor paused figuring Kyle would have a quick response. Then she continued, "Anything else I can do for you Kyle?"
"You know you could have done plenty of things to fuck her, why give her my spot?"
"What the fuck are you babbling about?"
"Ashley. You wanted to fuck her so you kicked me out. Hope she was good."
"Right Kyle. Had nothing to do with your piss poor attitude or the fact that you quit. I'll see you around loser."
"You'll get yours Ty. Mark my words." Kyle yelled before angerly stumbling off.
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"Hey Spence, I wanted to make sure you got home ok."
"Ash, yeah. Thanks for callin."
"I was just worried. Hey you want to have lunch with me tomorrow? I was thinking picnic at the beach?"
"Ash I'll have to call you tomorrow." Spencer said before hanging up. "Sarah let's get home. We're out of alcohol anyways." Spence said. When they left the bar they went to the next parking lot to drink for a bit, but she knew it was getting really late and her parents would be calling soon.
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As he stumbled to his car Kyle was fuming. Ty was such a smug bitch. He would get back at her for kicking him out, well making him quit. He knew she had planned all of this. Maybe he'd start a new band. Yeah that was it, he'd put together another band. Way better than Tabula Rasa. And with a cooler name. He always hated their lame ass name. He was feeling almost giddy when he started up his car.
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Ashley and the rest of the guys finished off the round of drinks. They decided it was time to part ways. They'd all only had the one beer so they felt ok to let each other drive themselves home.
Walking out of the bar they all had huge smiles on their faces. It had been a great first show and they all knew it would only get better. It was magical.
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Taylor felt a little rattled by her encounter with Kyle. He was a total asshole, true, but she didn't know how vengeful he could be. She decided to save worrying about it for another day, she didn't want to ruin this night completely.
Once on the road home Taylor couldn't help but smile. The show had been better than she could have imagined. Despite their fight she was glad Kyle had been there. Nothing like shoving it in the assholes face. The band had played a hundred times better with Ashley singing. And the mood was so positive, she loved it. They eliminated Kyle's negative influence and everything started to click. For the first time in a long time Taylor was looking forward to their next show.
Taylor didn't have time to react to the car that swerved into her lane. She just heard a loud crunch as the other car crashed into the drivers side of her Mustang. She felt extreme pain throughout her body then everything went black, right before the second car smashed into the passenger side.
