Before The Angels Fell

Andys POV

"Come on Juliet, this is our last chance to get this right before we leave!" I said, sitting at the desk in front of the recording booth. My frustrations were starting to get the better of me. "We can do this. We leave tomorrow!"
"I know, I know. Run it again" she said untying and retying her hair.
I played it again and hoped she would do it better this time.
We were rehearsing for the tour. We had agreed she would be a special guest at our shows. If Riley found out any of this was going on, I was done. I met Juliet almost a month ago and I've just lied to Riley.
Riley has no idea what I was doing all these late nights. I just put in the excuse of rehearsing or recording or hanging out with the guys. She was too content in the relationship to even notice. The only one who knew about all this was Ashley. I had him covering for me. I didn't feel great about it, but I had to do it. Juliet would never get anything done if I had Riley bugging me every second when I was with her.
I had told Juliet about Riley. She seemed cool about it. I think she could see that I was interested in her, but she never made a move on me, which I was grateful for. I was kinda trying to work through my feelings. Juliet brought out this whole other side in me and I just felt lighter, nothing like what I felt when I was with Riley.
But for now, all my feelings were bottled, or piled up, ready for sorting.
"Was that better Andy?" Juliet called from the booth.
"Much better Ju. I think we'll call it a night" I said checking my watch and seeing it was almost 1 am.
Juliet came out of the booth and plopped down on the chair next too mine.
"So, I have to ask, have you told Riley about all this?" She asked, gesturing to the studio.
"Nope" I said flatly, as I texted Riley saying I would be home soon.
"Don't you think she'd find out?"
"Not really. She doesn't pay that close attention to us when we're on tour. She does have a life."
"Hey, I just wanna say thanks again for letting me come with you guys. It means a lot to me" she said placing her hand on my knee.
I looked up and her eyes gazing into mine.
"Jules... what are you doing? You know you shouldn't do that. I have a bad track record and I can't let it get worse" I said shaking my head.
"Andy, you like me, right?" She asked.
"...Yeah, I do, but I have a girlfriend. I can't hurt her."
"But holding on to her is hurting you."
"You don't get it. I still love her."
"I don't think you do. Whether I was in the picture or not, I don't think there's anything there."
I ignore her words and replied with. "I hope you're ready for tomorrow. Be at LAX by noon."

Rileys POV

"Oh my God Ashley! This scotch is amazing!" I moaned as I sipped from the glass.
"I know! I've had this for a while and I thought it was time try it and who better to taste test with me" he grinned.
"Well thank you for sharing this with me. I needed this" I said giving him a half smile.
"Why? Whats up?" He said with concern.
"Nothing... just you guys are leaving soon, Andy has been spending so much time in the studio. I'm alone most of the time. I don't know if I'll miss you guys cause I already barely see you" I complained.
"You know that you're not alone" Ashley said, making his eyes soft as he looked at me.
"I know, and I get you guys are busy. I can't wait for you guys to get back from tour. Then at least you'll be home for a while."
"Yeah, we should be. But, hey don't think about us being gone. You'll keep busy and won't even notice. What time is Andy coming home by the way?" He asked.
"I honestly have no idea. Could be anywhere between 11 and 2. And it's sad to say, but I've stopped caring. I can't be the girlfriend who waits up for her man. I have a full time job and sometimes that has to take priority" I sighed. "What time do you guys leave tomorrow?" I asked, almost desperately.
"Have to be at the airport by noon. And, look, Riley, I can see that you're stressed, but don't need to worry, okay?" He said with caution.
"I'm not worried. I just wish we were able to spend some quality time together before he left, but it doesn't always happen. I just miss him. It's like we sleep in the same bed, but we don't share a life. He's slipping away from me" I said as I gulped down the scotch in my glass.
"Hey, easy on that. It's strong stuff."
"Please pour me another."
Ashley raised his eyebrows at me. "Are you sure? I don't think you should be drinking in this mood."
"Pour me another glass" I demanded.
He reluctantly poured another glassful and I sculled the glass again.
"Feel better now?" Ashley asked.
"Yes. Lets watch a movie" I said as I stumbled out of the kitchen.
"You wouldn't be a good stripper if you were drunk" Ashley laughed.
"Do you wanna bet?" I snapped.
"If you want it to be" he shrugged.
"Go pour me another glass."
"Are you serious?!"
"Yes!"
Ashley went and fetched me another glass of scotch. I drank half of it and set it down.
"Okay, well, so I don't have a pole, so I'll skip the pole stuff, but this is how I would dance without the pole" I said putting my back to the nearest wall and started reminiscing my Vegas stripper days. At one point I started grinding on Ashley.
"So, is this how you would seduce a client?" He questioned.
"With less clothes on" I winked.
"Such a fucking stripper" he said picking me up and throwing me on the couch.
I landed on my back and Ashley collapsed on top of me and started tickling me.
"Hey! Stop!" I whined between my laughter.
I was laughing so loud we didn't hear the front door open and close.
"Hey guys..." Andy said.
"Oh, hey man" Ashley said.
"Hey baby!" I said jumping off the couch to hug him. "I missed you so much!"
"Are you drunk?" Andy said grabbing my arm to steady me.
"Maybe a little..."
I saw Andy frown down at me then at Ashley.
Ashley was frowning back.
I felt like I was in the middle of some awkward situation, but it was only happening via facial expression.
They both knew something I didn't.

Notes

I'm almost there!
Please comment and vote guys! Pretty please? ily forever <3
-Tina xx