I felt her grow stiff in my arms. I held her tighter, so she wouldn’t feel as bad.

Ash: “I drank a lot. Kyla always took it from me, but I’d get more. I always did. It wasn’t the smartest way to deal, but it was all I knew. My tour started and I wasn’t into it at all. It was nice to make my own music and play it for people, but it would have been better if you were there. I changed a lot in that year. I went back to the grumpy, mean Ashley that you first met. I don’t like being her. People didn’t care to be around me. I didn’t even make friends with my band or anyone. I was a real bitch to my manager, but I blame him for losing you, so I don’t regret any harsh word I ever spoke to him Every night after my shows I would either pass out in my room, cry to Kyla on the phone, or get so wasted on drugs and alcohol that I would eventually pass out.”

I felt her shiver, so I rubbed my hands up and down her back and arms.”

Ash: “Spence, I’m not saying this to upset you. I wanted to be honest with you.”
Spe: “I’m glad you are being honest, but it hurts to hear these things. I never wanted to hurt you like that. Just the thought of you on drugs scares me. You could have been killed.”
Ash: “I didn’t care what happened to myself. I guess you could say I am terribly lost without you.”
Spe: “No kidding. Is… Is there more to your story?”

She bit her bottom lip while looking at me with those big blue eyes. I rested my forehead to hers and continued to talk.

Ash: “There isn’t much more. I did plan on never coming back here again.”
Spe: “Why would you plan that?”
Ash: “There were too many memories of you everywhere in L.A. There was no way I was going to be able to live in the same place that I was supposed to be sharing with you.”
Spe: “Where were you going to go?”
Ash: “I was going to get in my car and drive until I found a place that caught my attention.”
Spe: “You weren’t going to pack any bags or anything.”
Ash: “No. Like I said. Too many memories. I was going to start over brand new.”
Spe: “Ash, I am so sorry I did that to you. I don’t think I can forgive myself for that for as long as I live.”
Ash: “Don’t say that. You don’t need to be sorry. You were upset. I should have read the contract better. It was ignorant of me to do that.”
Spe: “You didn’t deserve that pain though. Oh, where were you yesterday when I woke up. It was the first time we have been apart in a very long time.”
Ash: “I had to meet Jasper. My manager. He is wanting me to do something with my time other than just sitting around at home with you, but I told him I wasn’t ready to sign another life altering contract just yet.”