Love's Someday (18 page)

“I won’t make you worry again,” Ashleigh said with resignation in her voice. “I’m…going to take a quick shower before bed. Are you coming up?”

“Yeah, I’ll be up in a few.” Erica watched her go. She was still angry and pretty certain that Ashleigh was too. They wouldn’t speak of it again. After a night’s sleep, they’d go on like there had never been a disagreement, and in a day or two, all would be forgotten. But until then, Erica knew that another sleepless night was in her future.

Ashleigh heard the phone ringing as she slipped her key into the lock the next evening. Vicki’s voice greeted her when she answered. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”

Ashleigh grinned. “I suppose you’re going to tell me.”

“We’re getting together around six to play. You must join us.”

“I must? And if I don’t?” Ashleigh asked as she perused the contents of the fridge for something to whip into dinner.

“If you don’t, I’ll be forced to show Erica some of the video that Chantal keeps locked up.”

“Six it is then,” Ashleigh said with a laugh. “Do I need to bring anything?”

“Nope, I’m going to cook something light, so don’t stop for junk food on the way down. Oh, does Erica have any seafood allergies that I need to know about?”

“She doesn’t, and she won’t be joining us. Things at work are hectic and she’s going to be getting home late this week.”

“I like her. You made a good choice, Ash.”

“I’m a lucky girl,” Ashleigh said, regretting instantly how sarcastic that statement sounded. “I’m just a little frustrated right now and getting tired of eating dinner alone.”

“Come see us tomorrow and vent your frustration on the mic.”

“I’ll be there.” Ashleigh pulled out the rest of the salad she’d made the night before. With a glass of iced tea, she sank down onto the couch and reached for the remote.

“Please tell me you’ve made something fattening for dinner,” Drew said as she pushed through the back door.

“Salad,” Ashleigh called over her shoulder.

“Shit! Got any cookies?”

“Look in the pantry.” Ashleigh speared a cherry tomato.

Drew came into the room with a bag of Oreos and a tall glass of milk a few minutes later. “I’ve got the worst case of PMS ever,” she said as she plopped on the couch next to Ashleigh. “I murdered a garden trowel today.”

“What did it do to incur your wrath?” Ashleigh asked absentmindedly as she flicked through the channels.

“It was handy. Good thing Kaitlyn’s working late or I’d have to have a chunk of her ass too. She left clothes all over the bathroom. The hamper is two feet away, and she couldn’t make the effort. Her dirty socks are stuffed in her pillowcase. I think that’ll make an impression when she lays down tonight.”

“I’ll have to remember that one,” Ashleigh said with a grin. “I’m going to Vicki’s tomorrow night, wanna come?”

“Can’t,” Drew said around another cookie. “I promised Mom that I’d have dinner with her. I wish I could come see y’all play, though.”

“There’ll be more times, and you can come with me.”

“You’re really jumping back into this with both feet, aren’t you?”

“I am.” Ashleigh tossed the remote on the couch and poked at her dinner. “I feel challenged, and I haven’t felt that for a while. I’ve got the fever.”

“How does Erica feel about all the time you’re spending away from home?”

Ashleigh shrugged. “She works late every night, she’s here less than I am.”

“I don’t know if I remember y’all ever spending this much time apart. You’re going on two weeks of barely seeing each other. What’s up?”

Ashleigh dropped her fork into her half-eaten salad. “You tell me. If she’s talking at all, it’s to Kaitlyn because it’s sure not to me.”

“You need to get her to open up.”

“I’ve tried,” Ashleigh said angrily. “I’m getting to the point that I don’t care what her deal is.”

Drew pulled the cookie she was about to devour away from her opened mouth. “You don’t mean that, Ash.”

Ashleigh didn’t say anything to assuage the shocked expression from Drew’s face. She wanted to be angry, to feel something besides the dull ache that had been growing stronger as of late. Especially at night when she knew that Erica was still awake as she lay beside her. In the past, she could have reached for her and Erica would have slid easily into her arms and succumbed to her caresses. She’d been rebuffed so many times lately that she didn’t dare try anymore. Sure she could force Erica to talk to her. To tell her what was going on inside her head, but she wasn’t sure she truly wanted to know. She was better off wondering than having it confirmed that she was no longer what Erica wanted.

“I think it’s time,” Vicki said with a broad grin. Jaclyn nodded emphatically while Alex cocked her head and narrowed her eyes at them.

“Time for what?” Ashleigh asked as they all stood staring at her.

“They think you should perform at the club.” Alex wiped the neck of her guitar with a towel, then at the sweat on her face. She shot Vicki a stern look before turning her attention back to Ashleigh. “Don’t let anyone pressure you into it if you’re not ready.”

“I haven’t considered…I mean, I’m okay with playing here…” Ashleigh’s voice trailed off. Wasn’t this really what she was working toward? The final test? Could she walk out on that stage and…

“Four songs,” Jaclyn blurted out. “Just four, that’s just enough to get her feet wet.”

“Chantal,” Alex said with a warning tone.

Everyone had a say, but the buck stopped with the leader of the band. Chantal tapped a drumstick against her thigh as she regarded the group. “She’s ready, Alex, but you’re right. It’s her decision.”

“Now you can buy those leather pants we looked at the other day,” Vicki said with a contagious excitement that spread quickly to Jaclyn. The two of them began chattering about boots and outfits while Ashleigh stared off into space.

Alex shook her head at Chantal and rolled her eyes. “Like I said, Ash, don’t let anyone push you. Take your time and think about it.”

“What are you so worried about?” Jaclyn draped an arm around Ashleigh’s shoulders and looked at Alex.

Alex set her jaw and looked at Vicki as though she were waiting for her to say something. Then she turned and met Ashleigh’s eyes. “It’s been a long time and…” Alex exhaled loudly and unstrapped her guitar. “It’s your decision.” She turned on one heel and called a “good night” over her shoulder.

Jaclyn put a hand on her hip and huffed. “She’s so moody lately.”

“I’m hungry,” Chantal said as she rubbed her stomach. “Do we have brownie mix?”

Vicki looked down at her watch and frowned. “Not at nine o’clock at night.”

Chantal sauntered to the door and turned to look at Vicki. “I didn’t ask you what time it was. I asked if we had brownie mix.”

“In the pantry,” Vicki said with resignation.

“You have milk?” Jaclyn asked as she followed Chantal out the door. “If not, I’ll make a run.”

“We have milk, but I don’t want to hear any whining out of the two of you when you wake tomorrow with the brownies on your thighs.” Vicki shook her head ruefully when Jaclyn laughed and closed the door behind her. “They’ll make those damn brownies and eat half the pan. Of course, I won’t be able to resist either, and I’ll eat the rest, so come help me.”

Ashleigh grabbed Vicki’s arm as she took a step toward the door. “Why doesn’t Alex want me to sing at the club with y’all?”

Something akin to guilt flashed across Vicki’s face. “It’s not that she doesn’t want you to.” Vicki’s gaze darted around, looking everywhere but at Ashleigh. “She’s afraid that I’m pushing you too hard and you’ll…leave again.”

“She thinks I’ll crack under the pressure?” Ashleigh said as anger swept over her. “I did not crack the last time. I was disillusioned and disgusted, but I never cracked.”

“I never said cracked, and neither did Alex,” Vicki said. “Alex just doesn’t want me to run you off with my pushiness.” Vicki winced. “Am I being too pushy?”

“I need you to push me,” Ashleigh said as she took a seat. “I want to do this. If I can make myself get back on that stage, I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished something.”

“I can do that, but you’re gonna have to tell me when I’m pushing too hard.” Vicki grinned. “Though Alex will probably beat you to it.”

Ashleigh took a deep breath and let it out in a burst. “Jaclyn is right. Four songs is doable.”

“Yes!” Vicki pumped her fist and pulled Ashleigh into a hug. “We won’t even announce it ahead of time, so there’ll be no expectation. If you chicken out, no one will know but us, and we’ll never let you live it down.”

Ashleigh stood alone in the shadows regretting that she’d ever agreed to take the stage. She
paced
in a circle, focusing on the lineup of songs in an attempt to keep from hyperventilating.
Concentrate on your breathing.
Vicki’s mantra floated through her brain. She stopped and inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “I can do this,” she said aloud. “I’ve done it hundreds of times before, tonight is no different.” But it was. If she went onto that stage and her voice failed, she would never live down the humiliation. Erica and two of her closest friends were in the audience. Failure wasn’t an option.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a surprise for you this evening.” Ashleigh felt chills race up her spine as Vicki began the intro. “For the first time in twenty years, all the original members of Versal are here tonight. Please join me in welcoming Ashleigh Prather!”

On cue, Ashleigh walked onto the stage and approached the mic. The lights were blinding and obscured much of the audience from her sight, but the applause was thunderous. She could barely hear herself through the earpiece as she belted out the first verse of “Love’s Someday,” feeling as though her heart was in her throat. Then she closed her eyes and felt herself slipping into the persona that allowed her to do what she needed to.

Erica watched in fascination as the metamorphosis occurred. She’d never been successful in getting Ashleigh to dance with her the few times they’d ventured into a nightclub, but now Ashleigh moved with the music in a way that was surprising and provocative. The woman before her was in command of the stage, and the audience was completely under her control. Once again, Erica was reminded that there were sides to Ashleigh that she’d never been allowed to see.

“Hey,” Kaitlyn said as she waved her hand in front of Erica’s face. “She’s great, isn’t she?”

Kaitlyn was drowned out by the crowd. Erica nodded and looked back at the stage. Ashleigh’s hips gyrated with the music. Her voice was smooth and strong against the heavily synthesized music accentuated by Alex’s guitar. Alex—she watched her with equal interest. She and Ashleigh appeared to be in sync with their every move. There was an undeniable chemistry between the two of them, and it gnawed at her already churning stomach.

After the encore, the band stood center stage. Hand in hand, they bowed before their cheering audience. Erica noted with chagrin that Alex held Ashleigh’s hand when the rest of the band broke apart and exited the stage. Overhead lights came on and flooded the bar with light, and the crowd reluctantly filtered out. Bouncers ushered the remaining fans out the door, then released the chain blocking the stairwell and gestured for Erica, Drew, and Kaitlyn to go up. As they entered the room where the band had taken refuge, Erica felt herself being pulled into a smaller dressing room. Ashleigh was all over her in an instant. Her kisses were savage and bruising as her hands worked their way into Erica’s clothes.

“Wait, stop.” Erica pushed Ashleigh away and held her at arm’s length. Ashleigh’s pupils were dilated as her hands still grasped at her. “What are you doing, Ash?”

“By now, it should be obvious,” Ashleigh said with an expression that Erica had never seen before. She brushed Erica’s hands from her shoulders and pinned them to the wall above her head and leaned in again for another kiss.

“I don’t want to do this,” Erica said angrily as she turned her face away. “I’m not some…groupie that you can bed backstage.”

Ashleigh released her and stepped back. Her expression went from stunned to hurt to anger in a matter of seconds. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“Waiting at home in our bed,” Erica said angrily as she adjusted her clothes.

“We’ll both be too tired then.” Ashleigh moved to the door and grabbed the handle angrily.

“Hey,” Erica said softly. “I’m sorry…you just took me by surprise.”

“That was the intent.” Ashleigh opened the door and walked into a room where the after-party was getting into full swing.

Erica took a second to regroup and slipped into the room that was now filled with wall-to-wall bodies. Ashleigh had disappeared into the crowd, and Erica roamed, looking for a familiar face. How unfortunate it was that the only person she recognized was Alex, who stood leaning against the wall with a drink in her hand. Two women appeared to be talking to her, but Alex’s gaze was fixed on something across the room. Erica knew if she followed her line of vision, she would find Ashleigh.

“Where’ve you been?” Kaitlyn said into her ear over the din of the crowd.

Erica turned and tried to smile. “Looking for you. You getting tired?” she asked, hoping that Kaitlyn would say yes.