Before The Angels Fell

Rileys POV

I couldn't help but stress over Andy's Christmas plans to take me to Ohio.
I had never been so in over my head. I was not the 'ideal' girlfriend to bring home, but Andy's parents seem loving and caring. I'm probably stressing about nothing...
I made my way to The Roof to open up and prepare for the night ahead. As I pulled into the car park, I saw a car I would always recognise. Ashley's white Lamborghini.
As I got out my car, Ashley did the same.
"Hey Riles. What's been happening?" He said.
"Umm, not much. I have to open up. What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Just came over to say hey."
"Oh, okay, umm, come in?" I said unsure.
"Love to. This place is one of my favourites."
"Really? I haven't seen you here since January."
"What?"
... Ashley didn't know me back then... "Umm, nothing... Umm, do you want a drink?" I asked as I opened up.
"I'll never say no to that" he chuckled.
"I still don't know why you're here... You... You're awkward around me" I stuttered.
"No, I'm not."
"Ashley, you bash on Andy for every little thing about me. You find him boring and me intolerable" I said a little annoyed.
"I so don't! Yes, he's boring, but in a good way! You..."
"Me, what?" I questioned as I put my stuff down and grabbed Ashley's drink.
"I like you."
I was stunned. I was not expecting him to say that. I wasn't sure if he lying...
"Ummm..."
"Look, not in the way you think. I just say those things to get under peoples skin. It's how I get to know people."
"I'm sure there's method to your madness, but I don't play that way. I'm safe."
"I gave up being safe a long time ago. You get nowhere that way. But you know, I saw that day of the show. You did stand out. I liked that."
I felt my cheeks flush. "Well thanks. It was Kimber's fault."
Ashley just raised an eyebrow as he took a sip of his whiskey.
"Anyways ummm, Andy invited me to his parents house for Christmas and I'm so nervous about it... Do I go?" I asked a little desperately.
Ashley almost choked on his drink. "What?!"
"My reaction exactly!"
"Are you going to go?"
"I don't know... I feel like I have no choice..."
"You could always just stay here with me."
"Ha ha, that would be a lot less stressful" I said pouring a drink for myself.
"Well, you must mean a lot to Andy to take someone home. The last girl he took home was Scout."
"Scout?"
"He hasn't told you about scout?"
I just shook my head.
"Oh... They were on again off again for like five years. Andy's long time girlfriend that originally came out here with him when he left Ohio, but almost two years ago they officially broke up and she went back to Ohio. Who did you think 'The Morticians Daughter' was about?"
"Ohh... Why'd they break up?"
"No idea. He kept his personal life to himself."
"Did his parents like her?"
"Loved her."
"So I have competition?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Now I'm really nervous about going..." I stressed and drank the rest of my whiskey.
"Hey, don't worry about it. They'd be crazy not to like you. You're beautiful and bright. No one can ignore that smile" Ashley swooned and leaned on the bar, beaming his eyes into mine.
"Are you hitting on me...?" I said slowly.
Ashley quickly shook his head. "What?! No!"
"Good, cause you know Andy will kill you. He would hate it if he knew you were here."
"Mehh, I don't really care. Besides, I use to hang out at this bar all the time. What happened to the old owners... Noah and Eli! Great guys... I'm pretty sure they were gay...?"
"Umm... Well do you want the truth?" I said quietly.
"Of course."
"Noah... Passed away..."
Ashley's face dropped and the light left his eyes. "Oh."
"I'm so sorry Ash. Noah did mention you guys were regulars."
Ashley went quiet and just looked down at the floor.
"I wish you lied" Ashley said leaning on the bar for support.
I felt hot tears spring to my eyes as the words left Ashley's mouth. It was almost the saddest thing I'd ever heard.
I rounded the bar and put myself between his arms.
"It's okay Ash" I murmured as I hugged him.
His arms left the ledge and circled around my small frame. I felt the muscles of his abs and arms crush me slightly, but it felt good.
Ashley sniffled, but soon let go. He grabbed his drink and drained its contents.
"Thanks" he said bluntly and left without another word.
Sometimes I worried about Ashley. His fun loving, drunken exterior was like a hard shell covering the hurt, broken interior.
Ashley obviously got upset about things, but certain things pushed him over the line. Did I find a line? Maybe.
I thought about Ashley's reaction for the rest of the night. The way he hugged me and wanted that comfort. Maybe he was just lonely, but it felt like more.
Part of me wanted to get to know him more, but Andy would be furious. Ashley always seemed to be on with him and it was honestly annoying. Andy treated me like I couldn't fend for myself. Or the fact that he doesn't trust Ashley makes me question his trust for me.
Maybe Kimber was right. Andy was controlling.

In the late hours of the early morning, everyone had finally left and I could close up. It had been a fucking hectic night, but I wasn't tired. All I could think about were the two weird conversations I had today. Andy's Christmas plans and Ashley's reaction. They were still playing on my mind.
When I was in college and stuff like this was troubling me, I would go to work and happily dance on a pole as men masturbated, cause it helped me clear my head.
I sat in my office for a moment longer staring at the clock. It was nearly 4 am.
There are a strip club not far from here that normally stayed open till 5. Maybe I could see if they had practice poles I could use for a bit.
I soon found myself in my car driving to that strip club, knowing how bad this idea was, but I didn't care.
I strolled in through the back entrance with barely a glance. They were either on break or there was no one in here. Good.
I was about to enter what was probably the main stage area when I heard someone call my way.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" A high pitch, white girl voice shrilled.
I turned around and a tall, fake breasted slut was giving me a death stare.
"I was trying to find a manager. I figured he would be behind the bar or something" I said carelessly.
"Well she, is standing right in front of you" she smirked.
My mouth physically dropped. "Ohh."
"Tiffany" she said extending her hand.
"Jamie" I said, using the annoying nickname Andy used.
"So, Jamie, are you looking for a job?" She said almost sarcastically.
"Ahhh, no. Just a favour..."
Tiffany raised an eyebrow, as if to say, 'is this bitch for real?'
"Umm, I used to be a stripper, so I used that to get a lot of my stress out. I was just wondering if you had a practice area that I could use until you close...?" I asked, trying not to sound desperate.
"Well we don't have those kinds of facilities, but there isn't anyone out there, just use the stage."
"Uhh, sure. Thanks."
"Oh, but you can't wear that. Are wearing nice lingerie at the moment?"
I simply nodded, knowing I was wearing one of my Playboy sets.
I undressed and left my stuff side stage.
The music was crappy late night DJ mixes, but it didn't really matter. Once my fingers touched the pole it was like I was 18 again and back in Las Vegas.
I let all my stresses go and focused on the my gripping the hard pole. I was still the entertainer I was.
I huffed a sigh as I slid down the pole by my legs and letting my back hit the ground. I felt so much better.
Then I heard clapping. A slow, sarcastic clap.
"Encore!" The voice I knew too well said.
I quickly scrambled to my feet to face the wrath of explanation.
"Ashley... W-what are you doing here?!"

Notes

Something to spice up this chapter.
Ashley was going to find out eventually, just didn't know when. This just creates my subplot. Hope you enjoy. Ohhhhhh these next few chapters are gonna be fuuuuuunnnnnnnnnn.
Heads up: this is going to be my longest story yet. So I hope you are okay with that cause I've got a lot to cover for this to tie in.
*sighs* Let's start ruining their lives. You'll know when it starts falling apart.

Please comment guys. All feedback is appreciated!
-Tina xx