Here's Chapter 9, hope you like it…
You Have To Go There To Come Back
Chapter 9
Ashley's POV
I pulled into a parking space on the UCLA campus at 2.10 exactly to pick Spencer up. I had been looking forward to seeing her all week! I had spoken to her on the phone every night since our night together, but it wasn't the same as actually seeing her and getting to watch her big baby blue eyes while she spoke. Plus we had keep things light on the phone, superficial. As great as that was I was more than ready to move past the superficial and start talking about what mattered.
It had been easy to get the afternoon off work, the perks of being your own boss. Grey promised he would handle anything that came up and then practically shoved me out the door telling me to 'go get my bird.' Not too sure how thrilled Spencer would be to be called anyone's 'bird' but with Grey there isn't much else you can do but laugh. He is totally a law unto himself!
I sat in the car waiting for Spencer. I had to take a couple of deep breaths to try and calm myself down, I was a jumble of nerves and excitement. It was almost like I was a kid going off on their first date…but of course in a totally cool and sexy way and not in a dorky, sweaty palms kind of way. The anticipation of this moment, actually getting to spend time with Spencer, was almost unbearable. I couldn't remember ever feeling so nervous.
I checked my appearance in the rear-view mirror, hey it doesn't hurt to look hot when trying to win back your ex! I had taken extra care with my appearance that day. I wanted to look hot but not in an 'I'm-trying-too-hard' sort of way. I had settle for skinny grey jeans with black pin-stripped vest that left most of my abs bare and showed off the black lacy bra I was wearing underneath. I had my hair straightened and up in a pony-tail and had accessorised with black high-heels, a thick bracelet that was made up of three chain-link strands with leather threaded through and a set of black beads round my neck.
I glanced away from the mirror and saw Spencer walking towards me with a huge smile on her face. Wow she looked genuinely happy to see me! I jumped out of the car and started walking towards the beautiful blonde. And can I just say wow! She was looking hot! She was wearing skinny blue jeans with a deep purple tank top. Her bag was slung over her shoulder and she had white Converses on her feet, my girl loves her Converse! Her hair was straight and flowing over her tanned shoulders and she was wearing a white gold necklace with a Tifany and Co heart pendant on it. I recognised the necklace instantly because I had given it to her as a belated graduation present (I'd hung it on the rear-view mirror of the car me, her parents and brother all chipped in to buy. She didn't notice the necklace until I flicked it, sending it swinging into her face). My girl had always had a thing for heart necklaces.
"Hey you," I called out as I walked towards her, a monumentally huge smile on my face.
"Hey back. I'm so glad you're here Ash," Spencer said as she stopped at my side.
I started leading her towards my car, "So how bout that coffee and donut? If I know Spencer Carlin a post-class coffee will be in order. A non-caffeinated Spencer is not a pleasant Spencer!" I teased.
Spencer laughed and playfully punched me in the arm. I just chuckled and opened the passenger door for her before heading over to the driver's side. I jumped in and smiled over at the blonde, "I'm so glad we're doing this Spence."
"Yeah me too, now drive Jeeves!" I laughed and reversed out of the car park. The drive to the café was spent with us singing, badly I might add, along to the radio. It was like old times, and it felt pretty damn good!
Once we were seated in a booth at the café with our coffee and donuts, Spencer turned to me and asked in a voice far too serious for my liking, "So Kyla said you quit your job with Ethan and Madison, can I ask why?"
I thought about how I should answer, but opted for straight up honesty, "I quit because I hated the person I was while I worked there. I hated the way I was treating you and Kyla and I hated that I had let that job consume me so much that I destroyed us. Plus Madison was getting more and more unbearable, working with her has got to be one of the levels of hell. I should have quit long ago." I looked up to meet her eyes and was surprised to find her smiling cheekily at me, "What?" I asked confused.
"I was just thinking, I wish I had been there to see you break her nose!" Spencer burst out laughing and I soon followed suit.
"I'd love to tell you I'm not proud of that, but quite frankly besides quitting, decking that bitch was the best moved I'd made in a damn long time!" I choked out between laughing fits.
Once out laughter was under control Spencer gave me a smirk, "So Dirty Mind Records huh? Where'd you come up with that name?" She asked teasingly.
"Well I may have been inspired by this certain blonde I know," I smirked back, leaning forward to flick at a few strands of her long silky hair for emphasis.
"Ah I see, lucky blonde," Spencer grinned and then bit her lip, "Ash I just wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you, really proud."
I felt tears fill my eyes, tears of happiness of course, and flashed her my nose-crinkling grin, "you have no idea how much that means to me Spence, thank you." Spencer then surprised me by leaning over the table to take my hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"You're so welcome," She said softly.
"Spence, I'm proud of you too. I heard about the documentary you did and it sounds incredible. I'm so proud of you for making your dreams come true." Now it was her turn to get all teary-eyed.
"Thanks Ash, it was a labour of love and really helped me to um cope after…well everything." The smiles faded from both our faces to be replaced by looks of compassion and understanding.
"The record label was that for me too." I replied.
"I like that we are both starting to live our dreams," Spencer said with a small smile on her lips.
"Yeah me too, I just wish it had played out differently you know." I loved my job and was excited about the future there but I desperately wanted Spencer with me so my dreams would be complete, they never would be without her.
Spencer gave my hand another squeeze and then said sweetly, "You know what Joey said on Dawson's Creek, 'dreams come true, not free'. We are starting to live our dreams, but it's not totally complete is it?" Yeah my girl quoted Dawson's Creek, our former guilty little pleasure back in high school, we are both geeks at heart and I love it.
"No but now that you're here the dream is getting a bit closer." I said softly. Spencer flashed me a blinding smile and untangled our hands to take a drink of her coffee. I immediately felt the loss of her hand, but hey a little hand holding was more than I thought I'd ever get from her again so I was a happy camper.
"I feel the same. It's gonna take time, but I know we'll get there, at least I have my best friend back." Ok so my heart totally melted at her words, how is it possible that I just keep falling more and more in love with her?
Our coffee date ended up lasting over three hours. We fell easily back into our old familiar banter with some subtle flirting mixed in. We talked about our lives, filling each other in on all the news since we had parted. It was pleasantly surprising how easy it was to be together. There was no awkwardness, no bitterness, just friendship. It was amazing.
After I had told some lame story about being hit on by a 60 year old man while seeing a band I wanted to sign to the label, Spencer glanced down at her watch and looked really disappointed. "Shit, how did it get so late?! I'm so sorry but I really have to go."
I felt disappointed sure, but also kinda pleased that she seemed so upset she had to leave. "Ok well can I give you a ride?" I asked, anxious to prolong my time with the stunning blonde in front of me. I gave her a small smile, which was ready to become a big smile with the slightest encouragement. Which I got.
"Yeah that'd be great, thanks Ash," Spencer grinned at me, "I'm due home for dinner with the family, its Chelsea's second last night before she heads back to Paris. Um actually why don't you come over for dinner?" I think my smile became scary and creepily big at that point, I was so glad she'd asked me!
"My Dad is making dinner so you know it'll be good and I know the family would really love to see you," Spencer said trying to convince me, like I needed convincing!
"Seriously? You sure that's ok?" I asked, trying not to show how absolutely ecstatic I was at the prospect of this dinner and failing miserably.
"Absolutely Ash. It would mean a lot to me and my Mom has been driving me crazy asking about you so please do me this favour and say you'll come to dinner? Pretty Please?" Spencer asked with her endearing, puppy-dog pout on her face. It was a look I had never been able to refuse and I wasn't going to start now.
"Sure I'd love to. Thanks Spence, it means a lot that you asked me."
"My pleasure, now let's go so Glen doesn't eat it all before we get any!" we laughed and left the café to head towards the car. Spencer surprised me, yet again, but linking her arm through mine as we walked. I bit my lip and smiled joyously. I saw Spencer grinning at me as she glanced over out of the corner of her eye.
The drive to the Carlin's house was spent reminiscing about past dinner's we had shared with Spencer's family, despite the way our relationship had ended we had definitely shared a multitude of truly wonderful moments. Being together it was easy to forget the awful, upsetting memories and only remember the good.
I parked my Porsche in front of the Carlin's and sat tensely in my seat. "Ash, you know in order for us to have dinner we actually have to get out of the car?" Spencer teased. I laughed and hopped out of the car, Spencer always had an amazing way of making everything feel alright.
Spencer's POV
It was so sweet how excited Ashley was when I invited her to dinner with the family. I totally wasn't lying when I said she'd be doing me a favour in coming. My Mom had been asking about Ashley constantly, she had really come to care about her, which was nice to see after their history.
Spending the afternoon with Ashley was beyond incredible. The old Ashley was back, the grumpy, self-centred, bitchy Ashley that I had broken up with was gone. I had so missed my Ashley and it had been so great to reconnect with her again. For the afternoon I was able to completely forget everything that had happened and just focus on how brilliant it was to just be with her.
It was so easy, we knew each other so well. I had missed our banter and the way we could talk about anything or nothing and still always have something to say. As we walked up to the front door of my parent's house I felt hope consume my whole being. This was right. I could see how much Ashley was trying and how much she still cared about me. We would be ok, I felt it in my bones.
I opened the door and pushed her ahead of me into the house. Ashley let out an adorable yelp as she stumbled inside. I couldn't help but laugh at her, which made her pout in that sexy way of hers. I smiled and took her hand, leading her into the kitchen.
"Mom, Dad, I hope you don't mind but I invited a guest for dinner," I called out.
We walked in and Mom said absent-mindedly while helping Dad cook, "Sure Sweetie that's fine." Then she happened to glance up and see Ashley. She let out a squeal and raced around the bench towards us. I felt Ashley freeze on the spot, clearly trying to decide between flight or fight, before Mom grabbed her and pulled her into a fierce hug. "Ashley! It is so great to see you honey! We've missed you!"
"Ah Mom, I think Ashley would like to breathe at some point," I teased. Mom laughed and let Ashley go, just far enough that she could sling an arm over her shoulder, while still giving Ash some room to breathe.
"It's ok, I missed you too Mrs C, and you Mr C," Ashley said with a heart-stopping smile. Seeing her interacting with my Mom and Dad made a rush of warmth flow over me. She really was part of the family and it felt right to have her there.
Glen and Chelsea came into the kitchen, both beaming when they saw Ashley getting a big hug from my Dad, Arthur Carlin gives the BEST hugs.
"Yo look what the cat, and by cat I mean Spencer, dragged in!" Glen said as he walked up to Ashley. As soon as Dad released her Glen surprised us all and dragged Ashley into a warm hug. I think my jaw literally hit the floor! I seriously started to wonder if Glen had been abducted by aliens or given a lobotomy, but then he reverted to his true self by shoving Ashley out of the way (I had to catch her before she tumbled to the floor) and barrelling over to the table, "Man I'm starving let's eat, come on parentals, lesbos and hot girl, let's get our grub on!"
I walked over and smacked him on the back of the head before taking a seat across from him. "You can be such a pig sometimes!" I snapped. Ashley giggled and took a seat beside me, while Chelsea took her seat beside Glen. Mom and Dad brought the food in and I felt my mouth water. My Dad had made his famous burritos. I could barely wait until Mom said grace before I dug in. Me and Glen tucked in at the same time, both oblivious to the look of horror on our mother's face and the looks of amusement on everyone else's.
Finally it occurred to me that no one else was eating so I stopped, mouth full and looked around at everyone, "What?" I mumbled through my food. Ashley, Chelsea and my Dad all laughed, while Glen looked as confused as I was, Mom was not amused, "did I raise children or pigs? We have guests could you two at least pretend to be civilised human beings?" Mom shook her head and raised her knife and fork, "Utensils, learn to use them please." Utensils? Whoever heard of eating burritos with a knife and fork? Where's the fun in that?
I did however, blush an intense shade of scarlet. No one wants to be called a pig in front of their ex-girlfriend/best friend/hopefully-future-girlfriend. Ashley giggled at me again before starting on her food. I picked up my knife and fork and started eating again, much slower this time.
The rest of the meal passed without further incident. We all chatted and laughed, Ashley filled the others in about the record label and talked about the artists she was working with. Chelsea regaled us with stories of Paris and Glen bitched about a professor at the community college that was giving him grief. Mom and Dad kept smiling at Ashley, it was sweet how glad they were to see her.
After dinner we reassembled in the living room for some homemade brownies and milk. I loved seeing my family interacting with Ashley as though nothing had changed, it made it all the more apparent that things were as they should be. After another hour or so of chatting Glen and Chelsea left to spend some 'alone' time together (which was just code for something I really don't want to picture my brother doing) and Mom and Dad left to clean up, refusing our half-hearted offers to help.
When it was just me and Ashley left I turned by body so I could face her, we were sitting at either end of the couch. "Thanks so much for coming tonight Ash, it meant a lot to me."
"No thank you for inviting me, it was so great to be here again. I really missed everyone," She said giving me a beautiful smile, "Even Glen." She added as an after thought. We laughed.
"Well in that case you're very welcome," I teased. "Hey Ash?"
"Yeah."
"It's nice to have you back. I felt like I'd lost you for a while there, but here you are and I am so glad," I smiled shyly.
"What do you mean Spence?" Ashley asked with a confused smile on her face.
"I just mean that after you started that job with Ethan and Madison I felt like the you I fell in love with disappeared leaving someone behind who I barely knew. I missed you, the you I know better than I know myself. The you that kidnapped me when my Mom freaked out when she caught us in bed together, the you who wrote Dirty Mind for me, the you who gets me and can read me like a book. I missed the you who treated me like I was the most special and important person alive. While you worked at that job, you stopped being that person and it really sucked. But the other night after the club when we were together, this week on the phone and hanging out with you today, I feel like I've found my Ashley again and that makes me so happy." I paused and saw tears start to spill down her cheeks. "Oh Ash, come here," I opened my arms and she moved to lie on top of me in my embrace.
I cradled her against me, murmuring nonsense words to sooth her. "Spence I'm so sorry I got so lost." Her words were muffled by my neck but I heard every syllable.
"It's ok Ash, you're here now, we're both here now and that's what matters. We will move on from here and everything will work out. I know it will. I've told you this before, we get the happy ending. This is just a detour we have to navigate, but we get the happy ending, of that I'm sure." I felt her snuggle closer to me and heard her crying softly. I rubbed her back and gently stroked her silky, mahogany hair.
"Why are you so amazing?" She asked, leaning on her hand so she could look me in the eye.
I smirked, "I dunno I just am!" we both laughed and sat up next to each other on the couch, my arm firmly around her shoulders.
"I can't believe how easy it has been today to just fall back into how we used to be, it's awesome but I thought it would be, I dunno…harder? I guess," Ashley said as she leaned against my side.
"I can make it harder if you like," I teased. Ashley vehemently shook her head and I laughed, "Ash it was easy because it wasn't a lack of love that broke us apart. We love each other still and care about each other. I left because I was hurting, not because I stopped loving you. Like you said we were friends first and that never really changed so it was easy for us to fall back to how we were."
"I guess you're right. I'm just so glad we're here now." I hugged her against my side as she laid her head on my shoulder.
We spent the rest of the evening watching T.V and bantering with each other. I can't remember the last time I'd had so much fun just watching T.V.
It was pretty late when Ashley said goodbye to my parents and I walked her out to her car. We stood sort of awkwardly next to the driver's door, neither of us really sure what to do.
"Spence I had a really great time with you today, can we do it again soon?" Ashley asked with a shy smile on her lips. I loved it when Ashley went all shy, it did not happen often!
"Definitely, and I had a great time too. Good night Ash," I murmured.
"Night Spence." She went to get into the car but I grasped her arm and gently pulled her into a warm hug.
It was brief, too brief in my opinion, but we had said baby steps after all. We grinned at each other as she got in the car. Our eyes were locked until she was out of sight. I hugged my arms around myself as I walked inside. I couldn't help the smile that covered my face. It truly had been an amazing day.
I was about to head upstairs when a voice made me jump, almost out of my skin for the record, "So I see you are giving her the chance to surprise you then?" I spun around to see my Mom leaning in the doorway with a huge smile on her face.
I grinned, "Yeah and so far I have been pleasantly surprised I must say. Mom it's like she is actually the Ashley I fell in love with again. I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to be with her today. I can't believe how much I missed her."
"I'm glad. She just got a little lost Spence and she made mistakes, which I'm sure both of you are well aware of. She just needed to learn what the important things in life are, which I'd say, by the looks she was giving you all night, she has. Good night Sweetie." Mom gave me a kiss on the cheek and disappeared up the stairs. I followed her soon after.
I had half expected my day with Ashley to be awkward and tense. We had spoken on the phone, but always kept it light so I was scared it'd be weird hanging out face to face. I guess I just forgot how comfortable and happy she has always been able to make me feel. I was pleasantly surprised and couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I climbed into bed. I must say I had some very pleasant dreams that night.
Ashley's POV
So dinner with the Carlins and Chelsea was beyond awesome. It felt just like old times, just with less sneaking off to make out with Spencer, not that I would have protested if that had eventuated. I really felt like me and Spence reconnected that day and things had been going great since.
It was now two and a bit weeks since the dinner and we had spoken on the phone every day, sometimes more than once. We had hung out several times. A movie here, lunch there, a trip to the beach, a shopping expedition that led to Spencer's almost wetting herself with laughter while I tried to find a birthday present for that demon I call Mom. I wanted to get her a t-shit that said 'Man-Candy Auditions' but Spencer thought it may not be appropriate, yeah she was right but can you imagine Christine's face if I got her that! Priceless!
Out friendship was firmly back on track and the flirting was becoming more and more obvious between us (like when we went shopping for bikinis, the flirting then was so blatant I think it's a miracle we didn't end up in a compromising position in the change rooms – for the record I would have been 150% up for that). It was actually a lot like we were back in high school before we got together, pretty much a couple but without the making out and all that. We were intimate without actually being intimate.
It's how it always was with us. Even when we weren't technically together we were still irrefutably connected. I mean neither of us were seeing anyone else, we spent all our free time together, we talked on the phone for hours every day, we flirted so blatantly it was almost embarrassing and we always found little ways of touching each other. It was like we literally had to have the contact to survive. Like when we went to the movies, we leaned against each other and held hands. Ok so it was a horror movie and Spencer was shitting herself (she is a royal wimp when it comes to horrors, yet she loves em) but the hand holding started during the previews and continued well into the credits. It was awesome!
The night before on the phone Spencer had invited me to the screening of her documentary at a film festival in two weeks time. It felt so unbelievably great to be asked. It meant a lot she wanted me to share that moment with her, she even told me that she didn't care if no one else came, just as long as I was there. Yeah I totally became mush after that, it was a total 'awww' moment. She is the sweetest and kindest woman I know and she says the nicest things. I am so crazy in love with her.
Tonight was the launch of Arona's first single. The party was being held at Ego (I still have some pull in that place) and we were expecting a huge turn out. The song was getting some buzz on myspace so we had high hopes for the single. Me and Grey had been working overtime to make sure everything went perfectly for this launch. I did not, however, let this interfere with my Spencer time. I had definitely learnt my lesson. I think I had found a good balance between my work and personal life and I wasn't going to fuck that up again.
It had taken losing her completely for me to realise that she was the most important thing in my universe. Without Spencer none of the rest of it meant a damn thing. I loved music and I loved my work, but without Spencer it was all for nothing. What is the point in living your dream if you can't share it with your soul mate?
This night would be special. Spencer was coming, she had seemed so thrilled when I invited her. It meant the world to me that she was going to be there for this huge moment in my life, that she wanted to be there. I wanted her there for all the moments, big or small, truth be told.
I dressed to kill, well not literally but I wanted to look smoking hot! I had something special planned and I needed to look great. I was wearing a scarlet corset-like, strapless top over a pair of black shorts that showed of generous amounts of leg. I teamed this with black, peep-toe heels and a series of chains around my neck in either black or silver. On my wrist I had a few black leather cuffs and a thick silver bracelet. My hair was in lose curls around my face, the way Spencer liked it best. I felt great.
I arrived at Ego early to set up and check on the band, which I have to say were calmer than me. This was a huge deal and I was shitting myself. I had invested so much time, energy and money into this label and I so wanted this to go well. I was on the verge of a complete panic attack when my blonde angel walked towards me. I instantly felt better, just from seeing her. She looked like a goddess!
Spencer was wearing a spaghetti strapped midnight blue dress, which clung to her body in all the right places. The dress hung to just above her knees and left a lot of tanned skin visible. She was teetering along in a pair of black heels and was wearing the Tifany and Co heart pendant I'd given her. Her long blond hair was swept half up and flowed down over her shoulders. My God she was so beautiful.
I walked over to her and pulled her into my arms. We embraced for what felt like eternity before she pulled back and smiled at me, "Hey there Rock Star. You alright?"
I beamed, crinkling my nose, and replied, "God I am now!" Spencer giggled, one of the greatest sounds on earth, and gave me another hug.
"You are a charmer Ashley Davies," Spencer said with an adorable grin.
"Oh baby you ain't seen nothing yet," I smirked. Spencer threw back her head and laughed before taking my hand in hers and giving me a kiss on the cheek.
My grin became impossibly big. "So would you like to come and meet the band?" I asked. Spencer nodded enthusiastically and let me lead her back stage. We scooted around the roadies who were hastily setting up equipment and made our way to the green room where the band sat relaxing and playing cards, I have no idea how they were so chilled about the whole thing!
"Hey guys, I want you to meet Spencer. Spencer this is Arona!" I introduced. The band members stood up to greet Spencer. Hand shakes were exchanged and then Spencer came to Hope who gave her a huge grin, "So this is the Spencer? Wow I have heard so much about you!" I blushed and started at the ground, silently praying for the impossible – that Hope would shut the hell up!
Spencer giggled and said, "All good I hope."
"Oh yeah totally, according to Ash you have no flaws and are the perfect female specimen," Hope said. Ok so my blush just became life-threatening, to Hope. I shook my head at Hope to get her to shut up, causing both her and Spencer to laugh.
"Aw Ash you really are just a big marshmallow aren't you?" Spencer teased. I mumbled something incoherent and steered Spencer from the room, desperate to end my public humiliation. I tried to ignore the sounds of the band laughing as I hurried Spencer away.
Spencer couldn't keep the grin off her face as we walked back out to the main floor of the club, but she very kindly kept her thoughts to herself. It took a while but my blush faded and I was able to look Spencer in the eye again.
"So I'd better get back stage and get this show on the road, I'll meet you after?" I asked as I got her to a table I'd had reserved for her near the stage. The table was already home to Kyla, Aiden and Glen who stopped talking as soon as we neared them…hmm wonder who they were talking about?
"Yeah definitely. Ash this is so awesome and I'm so proud of you," I kissed her on the cheek before she could continue, "Now go get your ass back stage the crowd awaits." I flashed her another smile and headed back through the crowd to the green room. The place was packed and it was time for the show to begin!
So I hope you liked this Chapter, our girls getting back on track. The start of this chapter was actually the first part of this fanfic I wrote, the rest all stemmed from there. Stay tuned for the next instalment!
Please read and review.
DontMindBnCrazy – thanks for your kinds words and I'm glad you liked the chapter. I felt it was important to see how Spencer had been faring, plus I didn't want to jump right into revealing the cliff hanger. Really glad you were ok with the length of time they didn't speak, I thought it worked for them.
hugbuddy13 – So glad you like it, and I agree it is so good that they're working on their friendship.
me4son – Awww, you are so sweet, thank you so much for your lovely review!
LoveAsh87 – thank you so much, your review means a lot to me. I used to write just for me and this site is the first time I've ever put my writing out there to be read so it is so great to get such positive responses. You are a gem!
2bz2breading – Thanks for your review, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. I have to agree with you 100%, being plastered and in love is a bad mix when you bump into the object of your affection when you're not together!
Thanks again, you guys are awesome!