Stolen Hearts

[Spencer's P.O.V]

I should be happy for her, shouldn't I? I should be in there listening as my parents and Ashley's Mom continue to have a conversation. I should be sitting on the couch next to Ashley as she whispers nonsense into my ears.

But I'm not over there. As much as I want to be happy, I can't. As much as I want to go over there and bud in the conversation and tell the story about the time me and Glen went ice fishing, I won't. But I want to. But I can't.

You're probably confused, well get used to it, so am I.

This should be perfect, but all it does is worry me. Because I want Ashley's Mom to be for real, but in the back of my mind, I know she isn't.

It makes me seem hypocritical because I was the one to tell Ashley to open up and be optimistic about her Mom's visit, but I can't help but think that was wrong. More times than not, her Mom messes everything up, and in the two times I've talked to her, she's done a hell of a good job messing with Ash's head.

But this time is different, because she's REALLY into Ashley's head, maybe for once her heart.

I listen as Ashley laughs about some stupid story my Dad's telling, and I just watch her Mom. She has a blank expression, and seems not to care.

Ashley has this laugh, which just makes it impossible for you not to join her. But apparently, it has no affect on her Mom.

I have this gut feeling, that this is all wrong. I need to find out, if not for Ashley, for myself.

The thought that mentioning anything to her Mom could potentially ruin the relationship Ashley and I are desperately hanging onto crosses my mind.

I listen as she excuses herself, and walks into the kitchen, the same place I've been standing for the past hour eavesdropping. She takes out her phone, dials a number and begins talking.

I walk around to the other side of the island in the middle of the kitchen, and hide.

"Hello darling… No I haven't mentioned the money yet… I will soon… Don't worry… I'll call you later, I have to go."

Ashley was right, this IS about money.

"You must really like the kitchen huh?"

I stand up quickly and just smile.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

I want to ask her why she's here and I want to ask her why now, why not then?

"Your parents are really nice, you're a lucky girl."

Yeah, damn right I am.

"Why are you here?"

Mistake number one.

"You invited me over?"

No, not here in my kitchen here, but in Ashley's life here.

"I just… Why now?"

She won't look me in the eyes, and I just stand here waiting for her to speak.

"I want my daughter back."

Of course you do.

"Did it ever occur to you that it might be a little bit too late for that?"

Mistake number two.

"As if that is any of your business, Ashley must really be rubbing off on you. You never seemed like the confrontational type."

That's because I'm not.

"Yeah, well things change, but apparently people like you don't."

Mistake number three.

"You really want to know why I'm here."

I just nod my head, keeping my best angry face on.

"Damn straight I do."

She looks at me and laughs.

"What's so funny? The fact that you're messing with Ashley's head, because I don't think it's funny. All you want is her money, she was right about you. I was on your side, I wanted this to work. But she was right, people like you don't change."

I began to yell as I said all that, and I didn't realize it until my parents, along with Ashley were in the kitchen, looking confused.

Mistake number four.

Everyone walks into the kitchen, to see me standing here, yelling.

"I just don't get it. She a good person, and really damn good person."

Ashley just stands there. I can't tell if she's pissed at me, or her Mom.

"Spencer, calm down. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Lies.

"Yes you do! I heard that phone call, about the money, I was standing right here the whole time!"

Mistake number five.

"Mom what's going on…?"

Ashley won't look at me, she's too focused on her Mom.

"It seems like your little girlfriend here is quick to jump to conclusions."

Ashley just looks at me.

"Then explain to us what's going on."

Her Mom looks at me, and then to Ashley again.

"Mom, what was the phone call about, just tell me."

Ashley's desperate now; I can sense it in her voice.

"I came in here, and called your uncle. Before I left he mentioned that he still had a few of your Dad's old guitars in his basement. He wanted to just give them to you, but he knows how much it would cost to ship them, and was hoping that you'd be willing to pay for the shipping, since he can't afford it. Or if you wanted them at all, because if not he's going to sell them, because they're worth a lot."

My Dad is looking at me, with a look you never want from a parent. My Mom has left the room, and Ashley, well, she won't even look at me.

I leave the house, and go to my spot by the lake. I'm not sure how long I've been sitting here, or when I'll head back home.

I feel stupid. But I'm not really sorry.

I remember back to when I was punched by some guy at the GSA club table. And I remember how mad I got at Ashley for being a jerk to that guy after he asked me to join the meeting.

That night in Chelsea's studio she told me something, that until now, I've never been able to grasp.

When it comes down to being right, and protecting you, I'll be wrong every single time.

I've never understood that until now.

I've seen how much her Mom has hurt her, and now that she's back, all I wanted to do was protect Ash from that. But obviously I was wrong.

I look up, and see Ashley walking over to the tree that I'm sitting under. The sun is beginning to set, and everything just looks beautiful.

"Hey…"

She sits down next to me, and hugs her knees while looking over at the sunset.

"I'm not mad at you Spence. I just want to know why you freaked out."

I look down.

"I thought she was going to hurt you again."

She just sighs.

"Well, you were wrong this time Spencer. I don't get it; you were the one who wanted me to open up, so how could you be so wrong?"

I don't know…

"Ashley, when it comes down to being right, and protecting you-"

She cuts me off.

"You'll be wrong every single time?"

She smiles at me.

"Yeah, I heard her on the phone, and I freaked out. I didn't want to see her hurt you."

She grabs my hand, and looks me in the eyes.

"She won't. She can't anymore. I'm happy she's here, but I don't expect much from her. She'll probably leave, and then everything will go back to normal. And I'm okay with that, because she tried. She's not mad at you by the way."

"I have a lot of apologizing to do huh?"

Ashley smiles, and looks out to the sunset again.

"She's leaving tomorrow morning. She actually left your house not too long ago. She wanted me to apologize to you for her actually."

To me…?

"Why?"

"For making you worry."

I don't say anything after this. As the sun goes down, Ashley turns to me and kisses my cheek.

" I love you Spencer."

I smile, and kiss her.

"I love you too Ash."

I made a lot of mistakes tonight, but I don't regret anything. Because somehow it ended here with Ashley and a sunset, and that's how it should be.

This chapter kind of was suckish. There's only one more left. Review please :]