Andy; one month later

I’m sitting in the studio while Ashley lays down bass tracks. He really hasn’t talked to me much since catching Annabel and I kissing in his kitchen. I’m not sure how pissed off he is or not. For once, it’s hard to read him.

“Are you going to talk to me anytime soon or what?” I ask when he was done doing whatever he was doing.

“I’m not happy about you jumping to my cousin as soon as you broke up with Juliet.” He admits. “I love you like a brother but she’s actually family and I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

“I’m not dating her.” I told him. “We’re not officially together. We’re working on rebuilding our friendship before we even think about getting involved again.” Just as I say that Annabel and Lizzy walk into the studio. “If you don’t believe me ask your cousin.”

“Ask me what?” Annabel questions with a confused look on her face.

“Are you and Andy dating?” Ashley bluntly asks.

“Not that I’m aware of.” She chuckles. “We’re just hanging out and catching up on the three years we spent apart. There is no way in hell I’d jump into a relationship with a guy that just recently broke up with his girlfriend. I made that mistake once before.”

“Hey!” I exclaim, knowing she was talking about me and my break-up with Scout. She just smiles before leaning down and kissing my cheek. “Kissing isn’t going to make the dig any better.”

“Oh you’ll live Biersack.” She chuckles before sitting down next to me and Lizzy sitting on her lap.

“Not that I don’t love seeing your beautiful faces but what are you doing here?” Ashley asks.

“Wasting time before our tattoo appointment.” Lizzy replies.

“We were out and didn’t want to go back to our apartment and thought we’d bother you two for a bit.” Annabel adds.

“So what are you guys getting?” Ashley asks as he goes back to fiddling with his bass.

“I’m getting Andy’s name tattooed on my left ass cheek.” Annabel says with a serious tone. Ashley’s head snaps up and his eyes go wide, only causing her to chuckle. “Kidding! Do you really think I’d do that?”

“No way to know with you.” He smirks.

“To calm your worries, I’m not getting his name tattooed anywhere on my body.” She states. “We’re getting matching tattoos if you must know.”

“And that’s going to be a complete secret.” Lizzy adds.

“Plus I’ve already got something Andy related tattooed on my body.” Annabel points out. Ashley looks at her before looking at me then back at her. “I got a song I wrote about him tattooed on my ribs, remember?”

“The bird one?” He questions. Both of us nod our heads.

“I got it done the same time he got his ‘The Mortician’s Daughter’ tattoo.” She explains. Ashley’s eyes widen. I never told him the song was for Annabel. Everyone just assumed it was for Scout. Instead of freaking out, Ashley just shakes his head. “You know you love us.”

“I’m forced to love you.” He points out with a smirk. She just sticks out her tongue, causing everyone to laugh. God I missed hanging out like this; she has always been able to light up a room. It makes me really regret letting her walk out of my life like she did…

Notes