Author's Note:

I'm back! And we're in double figures now!

Thanks for the encouragement about the dissertation, guys... If any of you like, you could come over and write it for me. That would be a great help! :P

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination.


Chapter 10:

I'm woken very pleasantly by an excited Casey jumping on my bed.

"Casey, what the hell?" I turn my head to look up at her, my eyes adjusting to the light.

"Have you text her yet? Have you text her yet?" She's bouncing up and down as she asks.

"What? No, Casey! Incase you haven't noticed, I'm not even out of bed yet!"

"Well hurry up! Don't leave her hanging, jeez!" She's stopped bouncing now.

I sigh before replying.

"I'm going to get washed. I'll text her later." With that, I get out of bed and make my way to the bathroom.

When I return to my bedroom, Casey's gone. Probably off downstairs. I check the time before getting changed and making my way downstairs. 8.40am. Too early to be up during Summer...

Surprise, surprise, the twins are already up, and they're running rings around Dale as he chases them around the living room. I knew they'd be up after the early bedtime last night.

Glen and Chase come into the living room then, toast in hand.

"Hey, Ash."

"Morning, Glen. Hey, Chase."

All I get is a nod from Chase as the pair of them leap ever so elegantly onto the sofa beside me, Glen using the remote to switch the television over to something more manly.

"So what's on the agenda for today then?" I ask.

Glen keeps his eyes glued to the television as he answers.

"Don't know. Dale was talking about going out somewhere for dinner later though."

"Really?" I turn to Dale, who has managed to settle the twins down and is carrying them over to the other sofa now. "The only restaurant I can think of near here is the one thirty minutes down the road, but that place was a dive... Weren't they going to shut it down?"

"Yeah, but it got new ownership, see? Got the whole place done up, from top to bottom. I looked it up on my phone the other day. It seems pretty nice, and the reviews were actually very good. I figured we could at least try it out. Couldn't hurt, right?"

Glen turns to Dale then.

"Well I'm guessing it'll be better than your burgers anyway..." I can't help but chuckle at this.

Dale chucks a cushion at Glen, who puts his hands up to shield his face.

"Three, dude! You had three!"

Chase seems non-fussed as he keeps his eyes on the television. I reach out and yank the last piece of toast from his plate before taking a bite.

"Hey!"

I just raise my eyebrows at him, swallowing before sticking my tongue out at him.

"First you take the orange juice, now you take my toast." He's pouting now.

"Aww, cheer up Chase! We'll get some more orange juice from the shop, and there's plenty more bread in the kitchen. I'm heading there now; I'll make an extra slice, just for you." I wink before getting up from my seat.

This seems to do the trick as there is no protest.

"Hey, Ash?" Maybe I spoke too soon...

"Yes Glen?"

"If you're going into the kitchen, can you bring these dishes in?" He flashes me a cheesy grin.

I sigh, rolling my eyes before holding my hands out.

"Okay boys, hand them over..."


After everyone surfaces and has their breakfast, we decide to hit the supermarket to stock up on some supplies. Casey had come down earlier looking forward to a nice refreshing glass of orange juice, only to be left disappointed upon realising there was none left after the fiasco the other morning. We figured we should go get some more to avoid anymore disappointment. Besides, Annie has been having some weird cravings lately and has been dying to go food shopping...

Rob offers to stay behind and look after the kids, which are perfectly happy with the arrangement once he tells them he'll take them out into the woodland to track some rabbits.

When the girls and I make our way to my car, we see Dale and Glen carrying a large bag to Dale's, both wearing snapbacks. Chase follows them with a flask, matching hat on, before disappearing back into the house for a second. When he reappears, he's equipped with three fishing rods which Dale helps to secure in the back.

"You guys going somewhere?" Casey asks Dale.

"Oh. Yeah, well, we thought since the pier is more or less right beside the supermarket, we could hang back for a while; get some man time in, you know? Don't worry though, we'll be back in time for dinner tonight. We'll leave the house at six, yeah?"

I look at Annie who just shrugs, before we get into the car.


When we arrive at the 'shopping complex', we split the list we've written into half, grabbing two trolleys before agreeing to a race against the boys. We've all chipped in with the cost, but I think everyone has a few things they want to get that we haven't got on the list.

"Losers do the dishes for a week!"

"You're on, Glen! You better stock up on rubber gloves..."Casey seems pretty confident that we'll win.

Annie's already off in search of her chocolate and pickles. I really hope she isn't planning on eating them together. Gross...

"Okay, first ones to the checkout win! Ready, set... Goose!" On Dale's command, we set off, girls towards the pasta and guys towards the beverages.


After about fifteen minutes, we turn the corner to go down the snack aisle on the lookout for our last item; Oreos. But just as we're about to make our way towards them, the boys turn down the same aisle. Shit, they have the crackers on their list...

Their trolley's pretty full... I'm betting they're on their last item too...

I lock eyes with Glen as he moves his trolley level with mine. We keep moving, slowly at first, until we both take off in an attempt to grab our last item and get to the checkout first.

I aim my trolley to go past the Oreos, and just as I'm about to pass them, I hop onto the trolley and reach out to grab them, jumping off once I hit the end of the aisle. Glen isn't so graceful though, and doesn't seem to be watching where he's going. Once he gets the crackers, he lets out a cheer, forgetting to stop the trolley, and heads straight into a display at the end of the aisle, everybody laughing at him as Pam rushes to his aid. I stop for just a second to take in the scene in front of me, but then, see Chase run for the trolley Glen crashed. I make a quick turn before going down the next aisle, making my way to the checkouts.

The girls, minus Pam, are already waiting for me since they saw me make a dash for it, and cheer as I steer the trolley towards them. Chase is pretty hot on my tail, but he's just not fast enough.

"Hey, Chase! Get those rubber gloves?" Casey winks at him.

"Oh, ha ha, very funny!" Aww, poor Chase.

I take a look in their trolley as Spencer and Annie start unloading ours on to the checkout.

"Chase... What's with all the jam?" He's got quite a selection in there.

"Well... I like jam. And sometimes I might be in a certain mood and want a certain type. Today, I just used the strawberry that's in the kitchen, but tomorrow, I might want raspberry... Or cherry..."

"Or blackcurrent, or grape?" He shrugs at this.

"They sound nice..."


Once everything is paid for, we say our goodbyes to the boys before packing everything into the car and heading back to the house.

When we reach the house, I go to grab my phone from my bedroom after forgetting to lift it before we left. When I get it, I see there's one new message.

Hey, Ashley. That sounds great. How about tomorrow? I can pick you up at 8. X

Mel? But I don't remember sending her a text...

I open my sent box, finding a message sent at 8.35 this morning. What the hell?

Hey, Mel, it's Ashley. It was great seeing you yesterday. I was wondering if you'd maybe like to meet up sometime soon? X

Holy shit. I definitely don't remember sending that...

Just then, Casey pops her head into my room.

"Hey, Ash! We're playing Jenga downstairs. Want to play?"

"Sure... I'll be down in a second..."

I rack my brains trying to figure out how I could have sent that text. 8.35am... Casey had just woken me, but then I went to get washed in the bathroom...

Shit! Casey! She wouldn't have sent that text while I was in the bathroom, would she? Fuck. Well if she did, she mustn't have looked in my inbox. It doesn't seem like she saw the texts from Spencer...

I make my way downstairs and see Casey, Spencer and Annie playing Jenga with the kids, Annie munching on some pickles as she removes a block from the tower. Yummy...

"Uh, Casey? Can I talk to you for a second please?"

"Sure, Ash..." She follows me to the kitchen. "What's up?"

"You didn't happen to use my phone this morning, did you? When I went to the bathroom?"

I can see the ghost of a smile on her lips.

"I might have..."

"Casey, I've just got a text from Mel saying she'll pick me up tomorrow at eight..."

"You did? Yes! Why the long face, Ash? She's hot! I knew you wouldn't have the balls to text her, so I took the opportunity and did it for you. Aren't you glad? I got you a date, didn't I?"

"Casey, I'm not interested in her. And now, she's going to think I am. You shouldn't have done that."

"Pffft, lighten up, Ash. You never know, you might like her."

"I doubt it..." I mumble under my breath.

"Just give her a chance. Now are you playing or what?" She leaves the kitchen, making her way back into the living room as I'm left standing there.

I was in a pretty good mood, but now, not so much. Casey can be a pain at times...

I shake my head before begrudgingly sending a text to Mel.

Sure. I'll see you at 8. X

Fuck this shit...


I skip Jenga, instead taking myself off down to the lake with my guitar to calm down.

When six o'clock comes, we leave for the restaurant. I've opted out of driving tonight. That way, I can dodge both Casey and Spencer and ride with Pam and Rob.

Chase goes with Dale, Annie and the twins, whereas Casey and Spencer ride with Glen, along with Brooke and Lucy.

We're ten minutes down the road as Pam turns to me.

"So why are you with the oldies, huh? I would've thought you'd want to stay with Casey or Brooke..."

"Yeah... I'm just not feeling too good. My head's kind of sore. Could do with a bit of quiet, you know?" I lie. I rarely get headaches, not even when I'm hungover. When I do, that's when you know I'm really not well. Pam knows this, so leaves me be with my thoughts as we drive to the restaurant in silence.


When we arrive at the restaurant, I make sure I'm sitting at the end, away from all the hustle and bustle. Casey of course decides to sit beside me, and Spencer, opposite, but hopefully nothing will be brought up about my 'date'...


We manage to get through the main course, but of course, nothing ever goes smoothly for me, as Casey suddenly remembers our previous conversation when the desserts are brought out...

"So where are you guys going tomorrow night?" Casey leans into me as she asks, causing Spencer to look up from her ice cream.

"I don't know. Mel's picking me up, so she's the one making the plans."

"What you didn't think to ask?"

"No, Casey. I trust her judgement."

"Okay... God, could you imagine if she took you on one of those silly boat tours they're doing down at the pier? How boring... Where is there to even go on a boat anyway?"

"Yeah... Somehow I don't think that's where we'll be going. Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom..."

I get up and make my way to the ladies' room.

When I exit the cubicle to wash my hands, Spencer's standing at the sink at the end of the room.

"So you're 'not interested'?" Seriously, Spencer? Give me a break. This is getting ridiculous. I'm in a bad mood as it is.

"No, I'm not."

"You're so not interested that you're going on a date with her?"

"Hey, I don't want to go on a date with her!"

"Sure you don't. That's exactly why you asked her out –"

"I didn't ask her out! It was –"

"Hey, guys!" Excellent timing, Casey...

Spencer turns her head away from me. Great. Now she's huffing. Okay, this isn't fair; she has no right to be jealous. Sure, it felt pretty good to start with, but now, I'm starting to get annoyed.

"Hey, Case..." I sound so enthusiastic.

Casey goes into a cubicle to do her thing as Spencer and I proceed to scrub our hands, making sure all the imaginary dirt is gone. Soon enough, Casey reappears from the cubicle and joins us, using the sink in between us.

"So, Ash, I know you're kind of nervous about going out with Mel, but I've come up with a great idea!"

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

"We'll make it a double date! Spencer and I will come too, right, Spence?" Her head shoots back around at this.

"We will?"

"Yeah, come on, Spencer; it'll be fun!" She grabs a paper towel and proceeds to dry her hands

"Uh, yeah... Sure..." Yeah, it'll be plenty fun...

Spencer goes to dry her hands now.

"Great! Ash, you should text Mel and let her know!"

"Sure. I'll do that right now..."

"Great!" She leaves the room then, Spencer making a move to follow behind, but just as she's about to walk through the door, I grab her wrist and pull her back to me.

Her breathing hitches as I move my face closer to hers before making my statement.

"You don't get to be jealous."

I keep eye contact with her for a second before exiting the bathroom, leaving her standing there in a trance.

When I get back to our table, I pull my phone out as I send a text to Mel.

Hey, hope you don't mind, but Casey's sort of invited herself tomorrow night. She thinks a double date could be fun with her and her girlfriend. X

Spencer returns to the table then, glancing at me before she looks down at the table sheepishly.

Soon enough, my phone goes off.

Hey, that's no problem. I didn't realise Casey had a girlfriend. X

"Who's texting you, dear?"

"Oh, no one, Pam."

Casey decides to speak up then.

"It's Melanie, Pam. You remember her, right? She used to hang out with us when we were younger."

"Melanie... Was she the girl who always wore the nice shorts?" Yeah, nice 'shorts'...

"That's the one!"

"Oh, she seems like a nice girl! Rob and I ran into her and her and her mother in the shop the other week. I couldn't for the life of me remember her name though..."

"Oh yeah, she's nice alright! Ash has a date with her tomorrow night..."

"You do, Ashley? That's great! It's about time!"

"Heh... Yeah..."

"We're making it a double; Spencer and I are going to join them!"

"Can I come?" Yes, Glen, that's an excellent idea! Why don't you go in my place?

Casey just looks at him before deadpanning.

"No."

He looks slightly dejected as he goes back to his dessert. I'm sure the boys will find something to do while we're gone...

When the excitement dies down, I text Mel back.

Yeah, but to be honest, it's a little complicated... I can't see it lasting much longer... X

I've turned my phone to 'silent' now so as not to raise any more attention, so when she texts back, I'm notified by a slight vibration on my knee.

Oh, that's a shame. It should be fun anyway. I'll see you tomorrow at 8. X

I text her back saying that I'll see her tomorrow before putting my phone away and finishing my dessert.


When we get back, Chase and I play a few games of Hide and Seek with the kids before putting them to bed.

I make my way out the back to shoot some hoops on my own for a while once the kids are tucked in, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Of course, the peace doesn't last long as I hear someone make their way outside before stopping a few steps behind me.

"Hey..." Guess who.

I just glance at her quickly before turning back to the net and throwing the ball through the hoop.

"Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I just... I like you a lot and I don't like the idea of anyone else getting close to you..."

Oh, we're a bit early for confessions tonight. Usually, I'd be in bed before they start...

I pick up the ball and shoot again, letting her continue.

"I've thought about it, and I can't be with Casey any longer. I'm going to break up with her after tomorrow night. Maybe the morning after."

I keep shooting.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Nope. "And don't even think about telling me I still can't break up with her. I can't do it any longer; it's too hard."

I turn to look at her then, breaking my silence.

"I wasn't going to."

"You weren't?"

"No."

"Well... Good. I'm going to do it."

"Good."

"Good."

We just stand there in silence for a while, before Spencer decides to retire for the night, making her way back to the house.

"Goodnight then."

"Night."

When she leaves, I pick up the basketball again, watching as it goes through the hoop for what must be the hundredth time tonight.

I guess I should get myself off to bed soon too... Date night tomorrow. Yay...