The final chapter I hope everyone enjoys the ending
"So how is work?" Ashley asked Ellie
"Nothing compared to the news I have for you."
"Good or bad?"
"Not sure. It took me by surprise."
"Don't leave me hanging Ell. What is it."
"Sean came to see me yesterday."
"Sean Cameron Sean?"
"The one and only."
"The last time you saw him was when he left for Wasaga right?"
"Yep. It felt so surreal to see him standing in front of me. He has changed so much Ash."
"Why did he come to see you?"
"To see how I was and maybe ask me out to dinner." Ellie beamed.
"I'm hoping you said yes."
"Of course. A part of me always missed Sean. He was my first love and you never really get over your first love. Seeing him brought back so many memories of when I was truly happy. When I didn't need my rubber bands. We held each other together. The shooting was to much for Sean and as much as it hurt me when he left I eventually understood. Sean needed his family. I understand that now."
"I'm really happy for you Ell."
"Thanks. Enough about me I have been dying to know about you and Jay Hogart."
Ashley tried to hide the wince on her face at the mention of his name.
"Nothing on that front."
"Come on Ash you guys were acting like you where on your honeymoon."
"I thought he was into me but it turned out he was into what was in my pants more."
"Oh God Ash. I'm so sorry. You deserve someone better than that."
"You gotta kiss a few frogs before you meet your prince right?" Ashley said sadly.
"You liked him a lot didn't you?"
Ashley tried swallowing the growing lump in her throat."
"Um yeah I did. He was...being with him made me feel not so...hollow. He filled this hole in my heart that had been there since..."
"Jimmy?"
"No Craig."
Ellie's face tightened and she looked down. It happened every time someone would mention his name.
"It's okay Ellie I don't hate you for having feelings for Craig."
"You should I'm your best friend."
"I was angry and hurt at first but then Craig chose Manny over you and lied to you about the drugs. I realized I know what it is like to have strong feelings for Craig then have him smash them to pieces."
"I can't believe how spineless he made me."
"You loved him. You wanted to believe he could love you back. Love makes people insane."
"Uber insane." They both laughed.
"I miss this Ash. Me and you chatting like school girls."
"Me too Ell. You have always been my best friend."
"Oh stop before I get tears in my latte."
They both broke into giggles when Ellie's phone went off. She pulled it from her purse. As she looked at the number a huge grin spread over her face.
"It's Sean isn't?"
"Yes but I can call him later. It's girl time."
"As your best friend I'm ordering you to answer your phone."
"Ash..."
"If you don't answer it I will."
Ellie smiled and flipped open the phone.
"Hey Sean. Just give me a sec."
Ellie mouthed a be right back to Ashley and headed out the back entrance. Ashley always believed deep down Sean and Ellie were meant to be. They were kindred spirits that always brought out the best in each other. She was thrilled for them both and really hoped they could make it work but her happiness for Ellie did nothing for the hole in her heart. She still felt empty. She still missed him. She closed her eyes as her chest started tightening and her breathe caught in her throat.
"Is this seat taken?"
Ashley felt every once of panic release from her body at the sound of his voice. She opened her eyes and Jay was standing in front of the chair Ellie was sitting in. Ashley hated that she couldn't stop looking at him but she missed the sight of him. He looked tired like he hadn't slept in awhile making him seem stressed. Ashley wanted to punch herself for the concern she felt for him. Jay drank in the sight of her. Her long hair fell in loose curls around her face. She was wearing dark denim skinny jeans, a low cut black t shirt and a pair of hot red heels. She looked amazing just like every time before.
"So is this seat taken?"
Ashley finally found her voice.
"Yeah it's taken and even if it wasn't I wouldn't want you sitting there."
"Fair enough but I think we should talk."
"I don't."
"So I don't get to tell my side of the story? That's not very fair blue eyes."
"Please don't call me that." Ashley said with pain in her voice.
"Let me just say what I have to say. If you don't want anything to do with me after I talk I will leave you alone for good."
"Fine." Ashley whispered.
Jay sat down and pulled off his cap. Ashley couldn't help but notice how he managed to look innocent and insanely gorgeous at the same time as he ran his hands through his dark hair. He put his cap back on, took a deep breathe and looked her in the eye.
"You look beautiful today." He smiled.
"Thank you. You look tired."
"I haven't been getting much sleep."
"Been busy?" Ashley asked bitterly thinking Jay was "busy" with other girls.
"If being busy means missing the hell outta of you blue eyes then yeah I have been pretty fucking busy."
"Please don't call me blue eyes."
"Why? Because you might actually like the sound of me saying it?"
"Why are you doing this to me? I'm nothing but a good looking fuck remember?"
"I'm sorry you heard that I really am. I'm sorry you didn't hear me say I'm falling for you Ashley. I can't imagine being with someone who isn't you and that all I want is to be with you and make you happy because that is what you make me."
"I want to believe you Jay I really do."
"Why can't you? Did Craig and Jimmy fuck you over so bad that you can't trust a guy anymore?" Jay regretted his word as anger and hurt flooded Ashley's eyes.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that."
"Well you seem to have a habit of saying things you shouldn't and as for Craig and Jimmy that is none of you business."
"I wasn't planning on this to go so badly."
"How did you think it would go?"
Jay laid his hand on the table leaving it available for Ashley to take if you decided to give him a chance.
"Ash please give me a chance. I swear I won't hurt you like Jimmy or Craig did. I can't even imagine wanting to be with someone who isn't you. I know I'm a mess but being with you makes me feel like I could actually clean myself up a bit and get a real life. Please don't throw us away when you know deep down we should be together."
Ashley was fighting the tears that were trying to cascade down her face. She had been hurt so many times before. What if he did do they same things that Craig and Jimmy did? What if he didn't? Maybe he was the one guy who genuinely wanted to be only with her. She stared at his hand then back at him.
"Ash are you okay?"
Ellie was standing at the table with her arms crossed over her chest. Ashley looked at Jay.
"I'm fine. Jay was just leaving."
Jay's face crumbled and Ashley felt horrible for causing that look on his face. He pulled his hand away and got up from the chair. Ashley felt her airwaves begin to close up again.
"I guess I'll be going then. I promise to leave you Ash. I'm really sorry about everything."
He walked around the table standing in front of Ashley. He brought his knuckles to her cheek.
"I'll miss you blue eyes."
Ashley held her breath and closed her eyes as his knuckles stroked her cheek. She felt peace within this simple touch. Just the gentle grazing of his knuckles across her cheek gave her the most peaceful happiness she had ever known. He dropped his hand and walked out the front entrance.
"Ash?"
Ashley finally opened her eyes. She felt numb and skin Jay had just touched went from feeling alive to cold and dead. Ellie sat down.
"Are you okay? You look pretty shaken up."
Ashley wasn't listening. She was staring at the front doors feeling like she was drowning. Her heart was screaming "Why did you let him go!" Ashley felt a painful squeeze in her chest. She wanted Jay back touching her cheek releasing all her panic and stress. She needed him and she just blew him off.
"Ashley would you look at me and tell me you're okay."
Ellie shook Ashley's arm snapping her attention back to Ellie.
"I gotta go." Ashley sat up.
"Ash wait. Are you sure you want to go after him?"
"Yes Ellie I'm pretty damn sure."
Ashley hugged Ellie and kissed her cheek.
"Wish me luck Ell."
She ran out the doors and bolted for the parking lot. She almost fell on her ass as she made a sharp turn turning the corner of the building but that wouldn't stop her. She reached the parking lot and saw Jay about to get in his car.
"Jay!" Ashley yelled.
Jay's head quickly turned in Ashley's direction. Ashley suddenly felt like her legs were glued to the ground.
"I'm sorry." She yelled.
Jay rolled his eyes and walked over to her. He stopped a few inches away from her.
"Sorry for what?"
"I'm not sure. I just thought sorry was the right thing to say."
"You have nothing to be sorry for I'm the one that screwed up."
"Maybe I screwed up by not believing you. I assumed the worst because that's all I'm used to. Between Craig and Jimmy I gave up on trusting guys. Just like your scared to admit your feelings I'm scared to actually have them because that would mean you could hurt me."
"I won't Ash. If you gave me the chance I could show you how much I want to be with you. I wouldn't hurt you like they did."
"I don't want to lose you." Ashley said as a single tear trailed down her cheek.
Jay let out a huge sigh of relief.
"I don't want to lose you either. Will you give me a chance?"
"Hell yes!"
Ashley jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. He hugged her tightly inhaling her rose and lavender scent.
"I've missed you like crazy."
"I missed you too blue eyes."
Jay placed her down and kissed her. The kiss was passionate and Jay branded his lips against Ashley's. They both wondered deep down if what they were feeling at that moment was love. They wouldn't say it out loud but they knew it was love they were feeling. Ashley finally found the guy who truly wanted to be with just her and Jay finally found the girl that made him want to be a better man. Ashley broke the kiss and laid her head against Jay's neck.
"How about you get outta here. We have some lost time to make up for."
Jay kissed her forehead and grabbed her hand lacing his with hers.
"Whatever you want blue eyes."
THE END
