Music of the Heart (8 page)

              “Oh, sorry.  Y’all just look pretty cozy together.  I was just going to warn you how big of a dick he was.”

              “Excuse me?  I don’t know what problem you have with Keith but he is one of the nicest guys I have met since living in Atlanta which is more than I can say for you.  Look, maybe you need to go and find your little arm candy from earlier tonight.  I’ve got to get back to my friends.”

Before he can try to say anything else, I walk away leaving him alone on the dance floor. 

              The night continues on with an amazing dessert buffet that Ava created and a silent auction.  So many people were generous to donate items from gift baskets to elaborate trips and so much more.  I bid on a few things and decide to stuff my face with as many sweets as I can.  As I’m sitting at the table with my girls, I notice Cross talking to the guys. 

              “So, you like what you see over there Ashleigh?”

              “Merritt, shut up.  There could never be anything between us.  We just met and we already butt heads.  Besides, I don’t have time for that.”

              “So why can’t he take his eyes off of you? 

              I roll my eyes at her and decide I need to call it a night.  I’m tired and I just want to go home and rest my voice. 

              “Hey look, I think I’m going to head home.  Will you be mad if I go ahead and leave? Any chance someone else can announce the winners tonight? I’m just going to grab a taxi out front.”

              “Of course someone else can announce them but why are you leaving?  Are you feeling okay?  Wait!  Your voice – you messed it up more when you sang, didn’t you?  How bad is it hurting right now?  And tell the truth.”

              By this time, Merritt has gotten a little loud and all of our friends can hear her at the table.  The girls already know but the guys are clueless or at least they used to be.

              Dixon is the first to say something.  “What is Merritt talking about Ashleigh?  What’s wrong with your voice?”

              “Guys, it’s nothing.  I promise.  I’m just tired and I want to go home and get some rest.”

              Ellis looks dumbfounded, “Ashleigh, how can you say it’s nothing.  You could ruin your voice and…”

              “What they hell are they talking about Ashleigh?  Should you even have been singing tonight?”  Cross catches me off guard when he yells out at me.  I mean, he doesn’t even fucking know me.  Now, Reed is hounding me.

              “Seriously, Ashleigh.  We all know it’s bothered you before but they warned you to take it easy.  What’s going on now?”

              What the hell?!  All of a sudden everyone is ganging up on me thanks to Merritt’s loud mouth.  And Cross?  I mean, of anyone sitting here, he has no right at all to question my singing.

“First of all guys, lay off of me for tonight please.  We can all talk about it later or I’m sure when I leave, you can feel free to talk about me behind my back.  I’ve been to the damn doctor like I was told to and I am trying to take care of myself.  Unfortunately, my job requires me to use my voice.  And as for you Cross Hamilton, you can shut the hell up and leave me the fuck alone.  You have been nothing but a pain in my ass tonight and my little situation does not involve you at all.  You don’t even know me and have no right to speak to me the way you just did or to get into my business.  This does not concern you at all.”

              With that, I storm away.  Thankfully, no one follows me.  I think they are all stunned I just lashed out at them because that was unlike me.  I find Elizabeth and Victoria and thank them for a lovely evening and let them know I need to get home to rest. 

              I make it to the front and ask the valet to get me a cab.  As he is calling, a black Escalade pulls up and an older man steps out. 

              “Ms. Kennedy, my name is Thomas and I was asked to get you home safely.  You can go ahead and get in the car and I’ll drive you home.”

              “Excuse me?  I don’t even know you.  Who asked you to drive me home?  Wait, let me guess Cross Hamilton?  Right?”

              “Um, yes, Cross asked me to take you home.  I work for him and he called me.  If you’ll just get…”

              “I’m sorry, Thomas.  There is no way in hell I am getting in that car with you.  Not only do I not know you but I would rather walk home than take any help from Cross Hamilton.”

              Thankfully, the cab pulls up and I hurry to get in the back.  I lay my head back as the driver takes me home.  I just need to forget the end of this night ever happened.

CROSS

              It’s been three days since the benefit and I have thrown myself into my work.  I actually managed to stay home for a few weeks so I could be in town for the girls’ big Halloween party and my birthday.  I am leaving again on November 3
rd
for another huge business trip to Canada.  There is a huge property that is being sold and my company is looking into buying it. 

              What I have tried not to do is to think about Ashleigh.  That’s not working so well for me though.  I have asked Dixon about her once and he actually told me she left town and no one actually knows where she went.  I won’t lie.  That worried me.  But he assured me that the girls had talked to her but she wouldn’t tell them where she was – just that she needed some time away.

              I am so consumed into my business plan for the trip, I don’t even notice how late it’s gotten.  I hear my door open and get ready to yell that I asked not to be interrupted but then realize it’s Reed and Dixon with lunch.

              “Hey man, you up for a lunch break.  Barbara told us you’ve been here working since 7:30 a.m. and haven’t taken a break.  It’s 1:00 man, relax and come over here and eat with us.”

              “Thanks Reed.  I honestly didn’t realize it was already 1:00.  I’ve been really busy working.”

              Dixon looks at me. “I know you’ve got a huge deal to work on but I also know that’s not all consuming your thoughts.  You’ve been thinking about Ashleigh, haven’t you?”

              “Not today man, not today.  I don’t want to hear about her or talk about her.  Let’s talk about anything other than girls or work.”

              Reed changes the subject for us.

              “Okay, let’s talk about the Halloween party.  What’s everyone dressing up like?  Laken wants me to dress up like some stupid prince shit to match her princess costume.  What about you Dixon?  Ava making you do the couple thing too?”

              “Unfortunately.  But thank God I don’t have to dress like a prince.  Ava mentioned football player and cheerleader.  She told me she would take care of the costumes.  And what about you Cross?”

              “Do I seriously have to dress up?  I don’t really want to.  Can’t I just come as a business man?”

              “You want to face the wrath of Merritt if you ruin her costume party by not wearing one?  Come on, we can think of something for you.”

              We sound like a bunch of girls tossing around ideas for costumes.  After a few minutes, we decide I’ll just go as a doctor and borrow some of my brother’s scrubs.  Easy and comfortable.  Just what I need. 

              “What are we going to do for your birthday?  Merritt mentioned wanting everyone to go to dinner on Sunday night.  Maybe we could hit Fins for dinner.  I think everyone loves that place.”

              “That sounds good to me Dixon.  I know my mom is cooking a family dinner on Monday so Sunday should be fine.  I’m back on the road on Tuesday.”

              “K, man.  I’ll go ahead and call and make a reservation for our group.  I’ll try to get one of the large private rooms if it’s available.”

              We finish up lunch and I throw myself back into work after they leave.  Barbara comes in around 5:00 to tell me she is leaving and tries to get me to go home as well.  That won’t happen.  It’s not until I look at my watch again that I realize it is 9:00 and I am starving.  I pack my stuff up and call ahead to my favorite Chinese place so I can grab some dinner on the way home.

              As I sit at home alone eating take out Chinese food, I realize it would be nice to have someone sitting here to share this with and to talk about my day with. The thought crosses my mind to find a girl to have some fun with tonight but that idea quickly fades.  All I can think about is Ashleigh and it has nothing to do with banging her but more to do with getting to know her better.

Chapter Nine

ASHLEIGH

              It’s been five days since the benefit and since I escaped home to Alabama to see my family and get away from everything that happened Saturday night.    I did talk to the girls before I left and we smoothed everything over like we always do.  They understand I’m not purposely trying to ruin my voice and promised to lay off some if I promise not to push my limits too much.

              My parents don’t question me about why I came home.  Luckily, I own a small house in Birmingham so when I go home to visit, I don’t have to stay at my parents house.  No offense to them but I just like having my own place to stay in when I visit.

              Thursday rolls around and the girls are officially harassing me to come home so we can finalize our Halloween costumes.  Most of them have theirs and they are dying that I have not gotten one yet.  I promise to be home later today and they can have me all to themselves all weekend and make me shop all weekend too.

              After I eat lunch with my mom and sister, I pack everything up and head back to Atlanta.  I know I will see them the next weekend as they are coming into town to celebrate my birthday.

              I call the girls when I am about thirty minutes from my house to tell them I am almost home.  I know they will be waiting at my house as soon as I get home.  And wouldn’t you know it, when I pull up to the house, I see Merritt’s car and all the lights in my house on.  Either they are waiting inside for me or there is a burglar in my house.  Let’s hope it is the first one.

              As I open the door, “What up bitch?  It’s about time you grace us again with your presence.”

              “Ava, seriously.  That’s how you greet her?  Just pour the damn wine and bring it into the den.”

              I walk into the den and see Ava, Ellis and Laken waiting on Merritt to bring in all the food.  I give hugs all around and grab a glass of wine.

If you’ve never eaten take-out with the five of us, you are in for a treat.  We can’t ever decide on one thing we all want so we get everyone’s favorites and we end up having leftovers for days.  On tonight’s menu is… Beef and Broccoli, General Tso’s Chicken, chow mein and egg rolls for me from the Chinese place, Fajitas, refried beans and chips with salsa for Ava from the Mexican place, Hawaiian Pizza and garlic cheese bread for Laken from the pizza place, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Bruschetta and a Caesar Salad for Merritt from the Italian place and then BBQ Nachos with Ribs and slaw for Ellis from the Barbecue place.  I kid you not, we always order that much food.  And regardless of the fact that I wanted the Chinese, I end up eating some of everything.

              “God, I am starving.  I could just sit here and eat all night.  Please tell me you have dessert too?”

“Ashleigh, have we ever let you down and not brought dessert?  Ava made your favorite caramel cake petit fours.  We have sopaipillas and tres leches cake too.”

              If my giddy little smile isn’t enough to show my happiness, I stand up and do a little jig.

              “Okay, we really need to make sure everyone has their costumes set.  Mason and I are going as a Cowboy and an Indian.  Ava, Dixon mentioned y’all were going as a football player and cheerleader.”