“Yeah … I have a really … um … big exam coming up and … I won’t be able to go … I’m sorry,” she added.

“Oh,” Ashley mumbled. She had a feeling the blonde was hiding something.

“I … I wish I could come but … this is a very big exam,” Spencer explained.

“Yeah,” the rocker muttered. “Um … I have to go,” she whispered before she hung up not bothering to wait for her fiancée’s reply. She stared at her hotel wall contemplatively. She shook her head in disbelief. Just when she thought she was making progress she gets shot down.

***

Sure enough, Ashley went back into her shell and became once again the poster child for depression. There was no longer a hop in her step and she hardly spoke to anybody. Even as they flew into New York the rocker had yet to break from her depression.

“Yo, birthday girl,” Eric said as he walked into the rocker’s dressing room and over to the vanity where she sat looking into her mirror. “You ready to rock this concert?”

“Sure,” Ashley replied distractedly.

“What’s up,” the driver asked setting his hand on her shoulder.

Ashley turned to look him blankly and replied softly, “I think Spencer’s cheating on me.”

Eric’s jaw dropped, “What,” he spluttered.

“I think Spencer’s cheating on me,” the rocker repeated.

“What?” The driver repeated.

She stood from her seat and began to pace. “She’s been acting really strange for the past couple days on the phone. For one, she forgot my birthday and then when I hint towards my birthday she gives me these bullshit clipped answers.”

Eric, after recovering from his shock, took Ashley by the arms halting her pacing. “Listen to me Ashley; Spencer is not cheating on you.”

“How do you know,” she asked with a frustrated sigh. “How could any of us know? What if she’s doing this to get back at me! What if she’s with somebody right now! What if-”

“You’re being crazy,” Eric replied. “I think you’re lack of sleeping is getting to your head.”

“I’m not crazy,” Ashley yelled looking every bit crazy. “Spencer’s the one acting different!”

“Listen you’ve got a concert to do,” the driver hushed as he ushered her out the door. “Let’s not talk about Spencer, who is not cheating on you, right now okay?”

“Maybe I am being a little rash,” Ashley whispered bringing her hand up to her forehead as they stepped backstage.

“Yeah,” Eric agreed as he slipped her guitar over her head. “Now, knock them dead.” He said before shoving her out on stage. He wiped his sweaty brow and sighed, “That was close.”

***

Halfway through the concert Ashley was finally able to focus her full attention on her performance and tried to push any thoughts of Spencer in the back of her mind.

“How you guys feeling,” she yelled into her microphone. The crowd roared in response. She flashed the audience her million dollar smile. “Alright, my next song is-”

“Hold the phone,” someone yelled from across the stage. Ashley turned to see Eric and the rest of the Trouble Makers coming on from back stage.

“What are you guys doing,” Ashley asked confused.

Eric ignored the question and turned to address the audience. “As you all might know, today’s Ashley birthday!” He yelled. The crowd went wild with applause.

The rocker actually blushed with the attention. She mumbled tiny thanks in reply.

“Lower the lights,” Eric commanded. The auditorium went dark. The whole place was pitch black save for the flashes of cameras from the audience. “Bring out the cake,” his voice boomed on. “Everybody sing Happy Birthday!”

Ashley turned around just as a cake was being wheeled out by Brian and Tom in front of her. The chocolate fudge cake was four tiers high and was lit with twenty four candles on each level.

Ashley smiled and blew out the candles as the audience finished singing. The lights came back on and she waved gratefully.

“Thanks guys,” she spoke into the microphone. Suddenly, the crowd erupted with even more applause and cheers. She frowned confused at the sudden uproar. She jumped slightly when someone from behind tapped her shoulder.

The rocker turned around her jaw dropped.

“Spencer,” she whispered.

The blonde smiled and wrapped her arms around the shell shocked brunette’s neck. “You really think I’d forget your birthday?”

Ashley couldn’t find the words to speak. “How, when, what?”

“Happy birthday,” the blonde said softly before pressing her lips onto the rocker’s.