CHP10

“Ashley?” Spencer asked with a confused and hurt expression on her face. “Why is this guy all over my girlfriend?” Spencer thought.

Ashley realized what a compromising position she was in and pulled herself out of Aiden’s arms immediately.

“Spence” Ashley said moving toward her.

Spencer backed away.

“No, Spence, this isn’t what it looks like. This is Aiden, a trouble-making friend of mine from years ago.” Ashley said trying to explain. She turned around to glare at Aiden.

Aiden stood there with a goofy grin on his face and raised his hand to wave at Spencer.

“Yep, that’s me” he said waving at the blonde beauty.

Spencer looked at the panic in Ashley’s eyes and realized she must be telling the truth, but something about the way Ashley said it bothered her.

“Oh, um, nice to meet you Aiden” Spencer said trying to sound enthusiastic.

Ashley let out a sigh of relief internally. She wasn’t telling Spencer the entire truth, but she’d do it later, she told herself.

Aiden was still standing in the doorway.

“Oh Aiden, come on in, you must be tired.” Ashley said not sure what she should do. She couldn’t exactly turn him away, especially not in the night in a new city; he had traveled all the way across the country to come see her. “Go take a seat in the living room” Ashley said pointing toward it.

Ashley grabbed Spencer’s hand and whispered in her ear.

“I’m so sorry about this baby, I promise I’ll make it up to you later.” Ashley said squeezing her hand.

“Oh, it’s ok, it’s fine, I’ll just finish my bath now.” Spencer said with a tinge of annoyance in her voice.

Ashley picked up on it, but she couldn’t do anything to fix it right then.

“Thank you Spence, you’re wonderful” Ashley said kissing her gently on the cheek.

Spencer turned around and walked back to the bathroom. She shut the door and leaned her head against it sighing. “This guy’s got great timing” she muttered dropping her bathrobe and entering the shower.

Ashley went into the kitchen and washed the syrup off her neck and face and then grabbed a couple of beers. She didn’t usually drink anymore, but she’d pop one open for old times sake.

She entered the living room. “Heads up” Ashley said throwing the can to Aiden.

He caught it and opened it up taking a long swig.

He looked at Ashley with the same goofy grin on his face.

“So you gonna tell me what you’re doing with that babe, she doesn’t exactly seem like your type.” Aiden said teasing her.

“She’s my girlfriend Aiden, and she’s more my type than anyone I’ve ever met before.” Ashley said looking directly at him.

“So you’re done with your bad-girl ways?” Aiden asked.

“I’ve been with her for six months and it’s been the best time of my life” Ashley said “Plus I’ve been clean for about 7 months. Spencer’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me”

“Wow, Ash, I’m proud of you.” he said patting her on the back

“Listen Aiden, I know things between us ended sorta badly, but I was always high or drunk, and I really was just confused about what I wanted.” She said

“You know I loved you Ash and I still do, but I’m really happy for you. We were friends in the beginning and I think it’ll be great for us to be friends again.” He said.

“I love you too Aiden, you’re a good guy.” Ashley said hugging him. “Glad we got that outta the way”

“Now tell me what have you been up to in New York?” Ashley asked him.

“Well, I’ve been working the music circuit out there, playing gigs at some night-clubs, it’s great out there.” He said.

She heard Spencer exit the bathroom.

“Aiden, are you still using heroin?” Ashley asked him in a soft whisper. He was wearing a long sleeved shirt and she couldn’t see for herself. The club scene was probably the worst place to be if you wanted to stay clean.

“No way Ashley, I’m off that stuff now.” He said to her looking hurt. “I can’t believe you would ask me that.”

“I’m sorry Aiden, can we just forget that I did?” she said “I’m really sorry, it’s just I know about the nightclub lifestyle and all that, and I got worried.”

“Ash I’m clean” he said sounding angry “Now can we not talk about this anymore?”

“Um, sure Aid” the girl replied.

“So, about Spencer, have you hit that?” Aiden asked wiggling his eyebrows.

“Oh that’s so none of your business, but since you asked, you totally have the greatest timing buddy, can’t you call or something before you show up outta the blue like that?” Ashley said “No offense Aiden but as much as I like seeing you, I’d much prefer to be doing other things right now.”

“Oh score Ashley!!” Aiden said holding his hand up to high five Ashley.

“Um Aiden, what are you, ten?” Ashley teased looking at his hand and laughing.

“Well if I’m ten, then it’s ok for me to do this.” Aiden said jumping on Ashley and locking her neck with his arm.

“Say uncle” he said as Ashley laughed trying to squirm out of his grasp.

“No way” Ashley said pushing him over. Unfortunately he pulled her down with him and they started laughing even more.

“Ashley, I’m going to head home, it’ll give you guys some time to catch up.” Spencer yelled from outside the room holding her bag.
Spencer walked in the room and saw Aiden on Ashley as they were wrestling. “I don’t like this guy, not one bit” she said to herself as she felt jealousy fill her. Ashley had been wrestling with her just like that only an hour before.

Ashley got off of Aiden. “No Spence, you don’t need to go, come on, stay, you can get to know Aiden.”

“Yeah, don’t leave on my account, I’d like to get to know the girl that’s got Ash’s heart.” Aiden said.
“I don’t want to get to know Aiden, I want to get to know you, Ashley.” Spencer thought. It had only been last night when Ashley had opened up about her past and Spencer knew they had a lot more to talk about, starting with how exactly Ashley knew Aiden.

“Um, I’m really sorry but I’ve got work tomorrow, I really should get home before it’s too late.” Spencer said “Some other time maybe.”

“Are you sure babe?” Ashley asked.

Spencer nodded. She couldn’t stay here and watch them all over each other like that. She knew she was probably over-reacting, and she didn’t want to tell Ashley how she felt, because she was scared that she would push the brunette away by showing her insecurity.

“Do you want me to walk you home?” the brunette asked her noticing the far-away look in her lover’s eyes.

Spencer snapped out of her thoughts and forced a smile. “No, I’ll be ok. See you later Aiden.”

“Nice to meet you, Spencer.” Aiden replied

Ashley walked her to the door and gave her a chaste kiss. Something didn’t feel right to Spencer, but she decided to brush it off for now.

“I promise I’ll call you tomorrow baby” Ashley said

“Okay talk to you then.” Spencer said

Spencer stood for a second waiting for Ashley to tell her she loved her, but Ashley seemed so distracted.

“Spence, are you ok?” Ashley asked wondering why Spencer was just standing there.

“Oh, um, sorry.” Spencer said pretending that she had just been day-dreaming. “Bye Ash”

Spencer walked down the hallway and out of the building, her mind conflicted with emotions.

“Am I doing the right thing by leaving?” she thought to herself

“Come on Spence, you trust Ashley right?” a voice replied

There was no response.
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