Music of the Heart, page 14
“I’m pretty sure you know the answer to that. Now, the sleep I did get was great.”
He walks around the counter and makes us both a cup a coffee. He knows the way to my heart.
We eat breakfast together and then he tells me he needs to run home and get some work done before dinner tonight. He wants to pick me up but I think it would be best if we went separately. He’s not overly thrilled with that idea.
“Why can’t we go together? Are you seriously going to tell me there’s nothing between us after yesterday and last night?”
“Cross, I just think it would be best to go by ourselves and meet up there. No one knows anything is going on between us and I don’t want tonight to be about us. I’m pretty sure your brother and sister-in-law may have some news to share and I would hate to take the spotlight away from them.”
“What are talking about Ashleigh? What news?”
“Just trust me. Let them have their night.”
He reluctantly agrees and leans in to kiss me goodbye.
“I don’t like it but I’ll go along with it because you asked me to. I’ll see you at my brother’s house tonight.”
He gives me one last kiss and heads out the front door leaving me wanting him again.
I head into the kitchen and get everything cleaned up while I make another cup of coffee. I know I need a long, hot shower after our night so I finish up in the kitchen and take my coffee with me to my room.
I spend the rest of the day cleaning my house until it’s time to get ready for dinner. Merritt called me earlier and said they would swing by and pick me up.
We arrive and Cross is already there with the rest of the guys. We all say our hellos and thankfully, he honors my wish and just greets me with a kiss o the cheek just like he did to the other girls.
Dinner is great and I was right… Gaines and Katie had a huge announcement. They are expecting their first child together and are due in August. Cross kept his distance to some extent. He found ways to rub my back, to bump into me or to steal a kiss when no one was looking.
“Ashleigh, let me take you home?” It sounds like more of a question than a statement.
“Don’t be mad but I don’t think it’s a good idea tonight Cross. I start back in the studio tomorrow and practicing for the next part of my tour. I’ve got to get some sleep. And no offense, but if you come home with me, I’m pretty sure I won’t get much sleep.
Even though he’s not happy, I see the hint of a smile on his face.
“Okay. I’ll let you have some uninterrupted sleep tonight but I want you in my arms again before you leave.”
“I promise. Other than girl’s night, I’m free the other nights.”
I lean up to kiss him quickly but he pulls me into the hallway away from everyone and steals a very long and sensual kiss. We break apart a little breathless and I tell him I have to leave.
I’m exhausted when I finally get home. Merritt picked my brain in the car about Cross but I assured her that everything was good and we were friends again. Thankfully, no one noticed our kisses that were stolen all night long. I get in bed as soon as I walk through the door.
********
Music takes back over today to get ready for my next tour. I leave on Saturday so I have to work every single day this week.
I arrive at Music Atlanta, which is where I not only record my music when in Atlanta but where I practice for all my tours. I am actually lucky with this tour because it is one of my favorite types. We call it the intimate tour because I do them in small venues where people can actually sit down, including me and only about 100 to 200 people can fit in the venue. Sometimes even less. I actually get the chance to talk and mingle with my fans instead of all the normal craziness.
On Wednesday, the studio manager, Taye, comes in and tells all the employees that there is a new owner but not to worry, nothing is changing around the studio or the concert venue. I just happen to be in the office part of the studio when he announces this.
“Okay everyone, the new owner will be stopping by shortly to meet everyone and see some of our artists in action. Everybody, be on your best behavior. This guy is big time.”
Before I can ask who bought it, Allie walks over and tells me we need to get in the studio and work on the new song that I’m debuting this tour.
After about an hour of non-stop singing, I know my throat is bugging me but I’m not about to tell anyone. Allie knows. I can tell by the worried look on her face. Before she can say anything to me, I start back up on the new song. While I’m singing, I notice some commotion and see Taye walk in the practice room with none other than Cross. What the hell? Why is he here?
As I finish up my song, Taye walks in the studio with Cross.
“Ashleigh, I would like for you to meet Cross Hamilton. Cross, this is Ashleigh Kennedy, our biggest star at Music Atlanta.”
“Um, we know each other Taye. Cross, what are you doing here?”
Before Cross can say anything, Taye starts talking again, “Oh, did I forget to mention that Cross is the new owner of Music Atlanta.”
I’m pretty sure the look on my face says what I’m thinking but I’ll say it any way. What the fuck?! Oh, I’m glad I didn’t say that out loud.
“Wow, Cross. You own the studio I use. You never mentioned anything about this being one of your many investments.”
Finally, Cross speaks up.
“The deal just went through yesterday. I would have told you but you’ve been busy working and practicing. Plus, it wasn’t final so I didn’t want to say anything yet.”
I just smile and excuse myself back to practicing. Taye asks Cross to follow him and they’ll finish the tour but Cross asks him to give us a few minutes. Everyone leaves the room but the two of us.
“Ashleigh, you can’t be mad at me. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I’m not really mad. I’m more surprised. Shocked even. More so that you didn’t even mention it at all to me. I know you knew this was the studio I use. You could have said something. That’s all.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. It was a good deal. I couldn’t resist.”
He leans down to kiss me and I have to push him away before things get out of control. He almost looks hurt when I look up at him.
“What’s going on with you? Why are you pushing me away? You’re not freaking out over what happened this weekend, are you?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. I’ve just got a lot to do before I leave Saturday morning and you’re kind of a distraction. Plus, no one knows about us so I don’t think we should be kissing in front of people, especially in a public place.”
“So, are we just going to keep this a secret forever?”
“You tell me what you think. I don’t want it to seem like I don’t want to show you off but with both of our careers and no offense, your reputation, I think we should hold off on telling the world we’re dating right now. If we announce it to people, I’ll be on every tabloid there is and I’m not ready for that right now.”
“Is that what we’re doing? Dating, Ashleigh?”
“Well, I don’t know. Are we?”
His answer is a growl almost and a deep kiss as he pushes me up against the wall. He breaks away and looks at me with a penetrating stare.
“Does that answer your question?”
With that, he walks away and goes back to Taye to finish the tour. I go back and start practicing again but Allie’s questioning looks don’t go unnoticed.
I’m really getting into a few songs when my throat just starts hurting and starts staying dry. Allie walks over with a bottle of water and starts questioning me with hushed voices.
“Are you okay? I can tell your voice is not right. I know your throat hurts but you’re not going to say anything to anyone.”
“I’m fine Ally. Don’t worry about me right now. We need to focus on the tour, not my throat.”
I look up to an almost angry glare from Cross through the window. He must have been watching me. God, I hope he doesn’t notice my throat hurting. Catching his eye, he smiles a small smile and waves bye just as my phone dings with an incoming text.
Cross: You sound beautiful as always. Make sure you rest your voice. I’ve got to go back to the
office but I’ll talk to you later tonight.
Smiling, I just send a kiss emoji as my response and get back to work. After another two hours, I call it quits for the day and pack up. I’m ready to go home and get some rest. We are taking a day off from practice tomorrow because I have to pack everything.
By the time I get home, I’m done. I grab a glass of wine, take a long bath and relax until my eyes can’t stay open anymore.
CROSS
It’s Friday night and everyone is eating at Merritt’s house tonight. I’ve learned it’s a tradition to have a dinner to send Ashleigh off on any type of tour and tomorrow morning she leaves for New York.
Of course, our own friends don’t even know about us and that is driving me crazy. I’m going to have to confide in someone because what if I need advice?
When I get there, everyone else has already arrived. I walk to the kitchen where everyone has congregated and grab a beer from the fridge. I have to admit, I love our group of friends. Jake and Ellis got married in June of last year and are hopelessly in love. Reed and Laken got married this past September. Dixon and Ava are headed to the altar in May and Mason and Merritt got engaged last Summer and are planning on getting married in the Winter.
My eyes instantly lock on Ashleigh and it takes everything I have not to go over and pull her in for a kiss. As if she senses me, she turns her head my way and smiles. Merritt walks over and gives me a hug.
“Glad you could make it Cross.” Leaning in to my ear, she whispers she wants to talk to me later.
I walk around and say hello to all the girls and give them each a kiss on the cheek. When I get to Ashleigh, I linger a few extra seconds. That earns me a small smile and a blush across her cheeks.
“Cross, when do you leave for China?”
Shit, I haven’t told Ashleigh I was going overseas yet. With her leaving for her tour, I didn’t think about telling her. But I can see I should have by the look on her face.
“Um, I actually leave Thursday morning. I’ve got a lot to do to get ready for this trip. It’s a big one and if we land this deal, it will be huge for CTH Enterprises.”
I glance at Ashleigh and see she looks a little pissed. I’m not sure why since she’ll be out of town during the same time. Before I realize it, she speaks up.
“How long will you be gone for?”
“Actually, this is a long trip for me. We’ll be there for anywhere from two weeks to one month. Just depends on how fast things get settled and decided.”
If anyone notices the look on her face, they don’t make a show of it. I’m honestly not sure what’s going on but she looks really pissed off. I want to pull her aside and talk to her but before I get a chance, Merritt speaks up.
“Hey Ashleigh, will you come help me in the kitchen for a minute?”
Ashleigh follows Merritt into the kitchen and I know then that either Ashleigh has already told Merritt about us or Merritt just figured it out.
I go to the bar and grab another beer. Dixon walks over and grabs one as well.
“Hey man, you want to tell me now what’s going on or do I have to ask Ashleigh myself? I’m not stupid or blind, so you might as well just fill me in.”
“Dude, I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re friends.”
“You’re a fucking liar, Cross Hamilton. Spill it you asshole. What’s going on?”
“Fine, you bastard. She’s all I can think about. Since I met her in October, I have not been able to get her out of my mind. She’s not only gorgeous but she’s pretty fucking amazing. I have never wanted a woman in my life as much as I want her.”
Dixon just looks at me like I’m crazy. I’m pretty sure it’s because I’ve never been like this over a girl before.
“Wait a minute, have y’all had sex? Hold on, I’m not sure I want to hear the answer to this. She’s like a sister.”
“It’s not really any of your business but since you asked, yes. But I’m pretty sure I won’t be discussing my current sex life with you anytime soon.”
“I would appreciate if you didn’t, man. I do have one question though. How do you feel about her?”
I just stare at Dixon for a minute without saying anything. I can’t believe I’m about to admit this.
“I think I’m falling for her. Completely, man. I have never felt like this before. Not even with Lauren.”
Dixon looks at me knowing this must be serious because Lauren was my life for three years in college. I thought she was my forever but I was sadly mistaken when she broke up with me our senior year.
“You better not hurt her. If you do, you will have me to deal with. You may be my best friend but she is like family and I would hate to have to choose between the two of you.”
The girls walk back in the room and let us know that dinner is ready. And by ready, they mean all the take out has arrived. We all walk in to the kitchen and I am shocked by the amount of food on the island.
“Holy shit, that’s a lot of food. Are there more people coming?”
Ellis looks at me like I am crazy. “Um, no, you dumbass. This is all for us. We order everyone’s favorites since we all like different kinds of take out.”
“Okay, I’m curious. Who likes what?”
Again, Ava looks at me and answers. “Well, Merritt loves Italian, Ava likes barbecue, I like Thai food, Laken loves Greek food and Ashleigh can never decide so we get her favorites of Chinese and Mexican.”
When I say there is a lot of food, I’m not kidding. Looking at the spread in front of me, the food ranges from ribs and barbecue sandwiches with slaw to spaghetti and meatballs and manicotti to beef satay and chicken curry. They also have hummus and gyros as well as egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken, chips and salsa along with all kinds of tacos and so much more.
We literally spend the next two hours eating and then they bust out about five different desserts that Ava made and I am done. I’ve never eaten so much in my life.
I still need to steal Ashleigh away for a few minutes but the girls are occupying all her time. When I see her walk away and go down the hall, I take that as my cue and head that way.
Following her to a spare bedroom, I grab her by the arm, pull her in and shut the door. Before she has time to say anything, I pull her towards me and basically assault her mouth. When I finally let up and she comes up for a breath, he smacks me against the chest.
“You ass, someone could catch us.”
“What?! Are you saying you didn’t want that? And who gives a fuck if our friends know about us. They already know something is happening between us. Why not tell them we are a couple? Dixon already knows.”
“What?! Did you tell him?”
“No. He figured it out. He actually just talked to me before we ate and let me know he knew there was something between us. Do you honestly expect me to believe Merritt doesn’t know everything going on? I know girls talk. I’m pretty sure you told her we had sex.”
“If you want me to be honest, no, she doesn’t know everything. Some things I do choose to keep private. Especially something so intimate and special Cross.”
I pull her in for a hug and go for another kiss when there is a knock on the door after Merritt has already walked in the room.
“Well, well, well. Sneaking away for make out sessions? You know if y’all would just tell everyone how serious you two are, you wouldn’t have to hide or sneak around.”
I just look at Ashleigh and then back at Merritt.
“How do you know how serious we are, Merritt?”
“Are you being for real Cross? You’re like a brother to me and you girlie, are my best friend. I know everything that goes on and I could tell the minute you both started changing. And it’s quite obvious when you are around each other. You act different. So, get your perfect asses out to the den and just tell everyone that you are going steady and quit the damn hiding.”
She starts to walk out but stops short of the door.
“Oh, by the way. I know you’ve had sex.” And she just walks out the door.
“You going to make me believe you never said anything to her now?”
She shoots me an eat shit look because she knows I’m messing with her. She starts towards the door but only makes it a few steps before I have her wrapped up in my arms again. I kiss her passionately and can’t get enough of her. My hands are everywhere on her body and they start heading to the front of her jeans. She quickly pulls away and has to catch her breath.
