We Are Unbreakable

CCs POV

I had taken up management duty at Youth & Whiskey for the last two weeks while Riley was away because Kimber had been way too tired. She was in her last trimester of her pregnancy and it was starting to take a toll. Coming to the bar was the last thing she wanted to do. All I really had to do was make sure everything was running smoothly.
It was early Thursday morning and I was stopping into the bar to make sure everything was sorted for the weekend. Kimber gave me specific instructions to check messages, emails and the Facebook page for any alerts or important notes that would impact the weekend.
As I was checking emails, I heard the back door open.
"Hello?" I called.
I heard footsteps come towards the office and Riley appeared in the doorway.
"Oh, hey CC, what are you doing here?" Riley asked casually.
"RILEY! You're back! When did you get back?! Holy fuck your tattoos look amazing!" I said, jumping out of the chair and hugging her.
"I got back last night..."
"Oh... Is everything okay with you and Ash?" I asked carefully.
"Umm, they're okay. He is really apologetic and everything, but... I don't know... I feel like I need more time. Last night I went home and we talked and I tried to be there and understand, but I wanted to sleep in another room when Ashley started pressuring me. A few hours after I left he came to my door and just talked. I can't say I don't miss him cause I do... Like crazy. I ended up just sleeping in bed with him, but I came here before he woke up..." She said, struggling with each word.
"Well it's progress. He really is sorry. He has been a whiny little bitch. Did you know he stayed with me for the first two weeks that you were gone?"
"What? No" she said surprised.
"He was bugging the shit out of us. Even Seth was sick of hearing about his drama."
"What?! Seth knows!" She shrieked.
"Well... He doesn't know exactly. He just knows you guys are fighting, but otherwise, all the guys know. Kimber doesn't know and none of the other girls. We figured you wanted to keep it quiet since you hadn't told anyone."
"Yeah, I was hoping to keep it quiet. Let me and Ashley sort it out without the judgement of the world."
"How was the convention by the way? I heard you caused a stir in Chicago" I said lightly punching her arm.
"Oh God, you saw the videos didn't you?!" She gasped, covering her face with her hands.
"Of course. Went up on Bryan Stars' YouTube channel. You are actually really fucking good. And then with Pierre's voice, just wow. How did that happen?"
"Umm, his tattoo artist was on the convention as well and he happened to be there. I went up to the stall and saw Pierre. We ended up talking and walking around and yeah. It is an average story" she shrugged.
I shook my head and smiled. "Still, that never just happens. You must have been freaking out!"
"Try, a lot. I'm kinda glad it got to Bryan. It's just weird, I mean, when I got into LAX some girls recognised me... Like, they were... fans. I don't do anything. I wear tattoos and own a bar."
"Yeah, but it's not about that. It's about what you represent. People know your Ashley's wife and they'll connect to you that way. They see your talented, but as I saw in the video, you didn't mention your last name, so they must really like you."
A smile appeared on Riley's face as I said the last words. She was never going to realise how much people actually look up to her.
"So hows everything been here? I have missed my bar" she said sitting in her office chair.
"Mehh, usual. Nothing special. People would ask where you were. We just said you were away" I said shrugging.
"Good call. Hows Kimber and Seth? I miss them. I miss all you guys. I have to have you all over!"
"Are you sure? Shouldn't you work thing out with Ashley first?" I asked skeptically.
"I will. It's just really hard. I've been in this place before and I got hurt anyways. I just don't want it to happen with Ashley" she said, worrying showing on her face.
"It'll be fine. I just think you need time. You've really already forgiven Ashley, you're just kinda making him suffer."
"Am I being cruel then?"
"No! If anything not cruel enough!"
"Hmm, I heard you gave him a hard time."
"Because I knew how much it would hurt you. I knew it would bite him in the ass, I told him to tell you, but he didn't listen. And look what happened. You guys are fighting. Again!"
"I know, I know, we're driving everyone crazy. But I yelled at him too and he is making me incredibly sad. All his moping is hard to watch."
"Yeah, he takes things like this hard. He hates himself."
"Now you making me feel bad CC" Riley whined.
"Don't feel bad! He cheated on you, remember?" I said a little harshly. "I'm sorry. I know you guys are trying to work things out."
"It's okay, I need to hear it. Sometimes I choose to forget and pretend everything is normal" she paused and we were silent for a moment.
"Look, umm, there's really nothing for me to do here, so why don't I come over and say hi to everyone? Will they be awake?" Riley said breaking the silence.
"Umm, yeah, sure. They should all be awake by now. I'm sure Kimber misses you. I think she's getting sick of all the guys around her" I said chuckling.
Riley giggled, "I hope for her sake that you guys have a baby girl."
"I kinda hope so too. Come on, I'll race you to mine."
"You're on" Riley said smirking.

Rileys POV

I stayed at Kimber and CC's house till I had to go to work. I was trying to fill in the gaps so I wouldn't have to spend all day with Ashley. I just wanted to avoid fighting for a day. Every fight was killing me, when all I wanted to do was cuddle him and say everything was going to be okay.
I closed the bar up around 2:30 am and headed home, hoping Ashley would be asleep, but I walked into a different scene.
Ashley was in the kitchen taking choc chip cookies out of the oven and pouring us both a glass of milk.
"What are you doing?" I asked when I watched him for a minute.
"Just making us a snack" he said innocently.
I raised an eyebrow at him, knowing that wasn't the reason.
"Okay... Can we just talk? Like we use to? Would you tell me about the convention? I wanna know what you thought about touring."
I laughed. "You know it's nothing compared to the way you guys tour."
"I don't care. Just talk. Can we do that?"

It was almost daylight and me and Ashley were on the couch in the living room, just talking about everything. Among all the fighting, we forgot to actually be ourselves.
I rested my head in his lap, as he stroked my hair. Oh how I could never admit how much I missed this.
I looked up at him and he was watching me. His chocolate brown eyes, melting as he gazed at me.
I felt my cheeks flush and I buried my in my hair.
"Don't do that. Now I can't see your face" he said pulling my hair back.
"Then you're not allowed to look at me like that!" I said playfully.
Ashley smiled. "This was all I wanted. Our connection. I feel like we lost it for a while."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologising?! This is all my fault!" Ashley said outraged.
"Yeah, but I know I can be frustrating sometimes..."
"This isn't your fault. You're perfect. I couldn't ask for anyone better."

Notes

Hello.
Comments? Or just talk to me :)
-Tina xx