The Ladies Man

It was the end of January and the guys were having their last concert here in LA. I was supposed to go to the concert to see them. After what happened a month ago with Ashley I wasn’t to sure I wanted to go anymore.
“Belle, you have to go!” Madison said.
“Why?”
“So that you and Ashley can make up.” She said. “I’ve given you the space and time to think about this and now you have to face it. You two are going to have disagreements and fights. You can’t just back out after the first one.”
“Madison it wasn’t a fight, he kissed another girl.” I said.
“From what you told me a month ago, she threw herself at him and he promptly threw her off. Then he freakin’ calls you in the middle of the night to tell you about it!” She yelled. She felt really strongly about this. There she goes again, meddling in my life.
“Fine, but you’re coming with me.”
“Okay, that’s good. I can make you make up with him.”
I rolled my eyes at her. “We’ll see.”

We just got to the venue and people were still setting up. There was a long line of fans waiting outside. We showed the guard at the door our passes and he let us inside. I saw the stage was all set up and they had merch tables set up at the back.
“Belle, look!” Madison exclaimed. She was pointing at one of the tables.
Lying there next to all of the other shirts, posters and CDs was my t-shirt that I designed. I couldn’t believe it.
“Belle.” I turned around to see Andy standing behind me.
“Hey Andy.” I gave him a quick hug.
He pulled away and kept both hands on my shoulders. “You need to talk to Ashley.” He said.
“Okay, that’s why I came. I wasn’t going to, but Madison convinced me.” I replied.
“Well it’s a good thing you did, cause Ashley needs you.” He said. “He hasn’t been himself. He’s been depressed.” He looked sad.
That was a shock. I didn’t know I had affected Ashley that much. But then, I guess I didn’t care at the time. I was hurting too much on my own to care about him. Then they opened the doors and the fans started flooding in.
“Come on, before they see me.” Andy said. He rushed Madison and me backstage. “He’s in there.” He pointed to a small room at the end of a hall.
I went to the room and quietly entered. I saw Ashley slumped in a chair, staring at the floor. I didn’t move any closer. I wanted my space while we had the conversation. “Ashley.”
He looked up. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept in days. “Belle, I didn’t think you would come.”
“Neither did I. Madison convinced me.” I said.
He nodded. “I’m so sorry Belle, I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I know, but you did.”
“Yeah, officially one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Definitely in the top three at least.” He said with a chuckle. I could tell it was forced.
“I don’t know where we go from here.” I said. I really didn’t. I was still upset over what he did, but I didn’t want to lose him either.
“Neither do I.” He said. Then the call for the guys came. “Well, better get on stage before Andy kicks my ass. He’s been doing that a lot lately.”
“Good luck Ashley.” I said.
He nodded as he walked out of the room.

Ashley’s POV:

“You ready Ashley?” Jinxx asked as I got to the edge of the stage.
“Yeah.” I replied. I put on a smile, but I knew it didn’t reach my eyes.
“Two minutes.” Some guy yelled.
“Ashley.” Andy pulled me away from the guys.
“What?”
“How did it go?” He asked. This was part of what I loved about Andy, as much as he’d been pissed at me for what I did to Belle; he still wanted us to be happy.
“I don’t know. I want us to get back to where we were. I want us to be happy again.” I replied.
“Do you love her?” He asked.
“Yes.” I didn’t even have to think about it. Belle was my everything. I loved everything about her. Her love of old things, the way she was with animals, her amazing artistic abilities, the way she laughed or smiled, her loudness, her stubbornness, everything.
“Sing it for her.” Andy said. “Sing your love for her.”
I smiled. “Thanks Andy.” I turned and the two of us ran out on stage behind the guys.

We were close to the end of the show. It had been exciting and full of energy, as Andy was finishing up Saviour, he looked over to me and winked.
“All right guys! We’ve got a surprise for you! What do you think of that?” He yelled. There was a loud scream from the audience. Andy ran off stage and came back pulling Belle with him. She looked scared out of her mind.

Belle’s POV:

Andy came off stage and started pulling me with him. What did he want me to do, sing? I can’t sing! “Andy!” I tried, but he just kept pulling me until I was standing centre stage with him.
“All right guys! This is Belle, and she is very special to us. I’m gonna take a short break now and let Ashley take over.” There was a scream from the audience.
I looked over at Ashley who had stepped up to stand next to me. He nodded to the guys and they started playing. It only took me a few bars to realize it was Rebel Love Song. Then Ashley started to sing.

I cannot hide what's on my mind
I feel it burning deep inside
A passion crime to take what's mine
Let us start living for today

Never gonna' change my mind
We can leave it all behind
Nothin's gonna' stop us
No not this time

So take your hand in mine
It's ours tonight
This is a rebel love song

Hearts will sacrifice
It's do or die
This is a rebel love song

My outlaw eyes have seen their lies
I choke on all they had to say
When worlds collide what's left inside
I hold on tight and hear you pray

Never gonna' change my mind
We can leave it all behind
Nothin's gonna' stop us
No not this time

So take your hand in mine
It's ours tonight
This is a rebel love song

Hearts will sacrifice
It's do or die
This is a rebel love song

Wild and running for one reason
They can't stop us from our freedom
(Wild and running for one reason
They can't stop us from our freedom)

Never gonna' change my mind
We can leave it all behind
Nothin's gonna' stop us
No not this time

So take your hand in mine
It's ours tonight
This is a rebel love song

Hearts will sacrifice
It's do or die
This is a rebel love song

So take your hand in mine
It's ours tonight
This is a rebel love song

Hearts will sacrifice
It's do or die
This is a rebel love song

By the time the song ended I was in tears. I looked at Ashley and he had a small smile on his face as he looked at me.
“Belle, I love you.” He said.
For a split second my mind stopped. Ashley Purdy just told me he loved me in front of hundreds of people. Oh my God. Then my brain caught up to my mouth and I said. “I love you too Ashley.”
He pulled me to him and kissed me passionately. In the background I could hear the guys cheering and the fans shouting and whistling. I smiled into the kiss.
I stood off to the side while the guys finished up with In The End. Once they were done I hugged Ashley and we went back to his place.

Notes

Chapter title belongs to bob song. Hope you enjoyed. Please comment.