Novocaine Hearts

Ashley's POV

The next morning I left before anyone had woken up. I had faced enough shame in what happened, now I was the one that had ran away.
Riley had been calling out for me this whole time and I couldn't see it.
I caught a taxi up to the airport and booked the next flight out to LA.
I hadn't even told Riley I was coming home.

As soon as I landed in LA I messaged Jake just to let him know where I was and that I was okay.
I was anxious the whole flight to talk to Riley. We'd been in these situations before, but this was a new level. Andy had to deal with her on these meds and it all went south. She didn't know how to handle herself; I just didn't want that to happen again.
I remember the last time... I called her a drug addicted freak, or something along those lines. And here I am, not even paying attention to what was happening in front of me.
My thoughts swam during the taxi ride to my house.
I handed the driver some money and took my bags out the trunk.
Riley's car was gone. I was starting to hope it was just parked in the garage and she was still in bed sleeping.
I rushed up to the door, jamming the key into the lock.
As the door swung open, all my music gear and suitcases were still in the foyer. Riley hadn't put anything away yet.
"Riley?!" I called into the house.
No answer, no movement, no sounds.
I wanted to call her, but I wanted to surprise her. I couldn't help but feel worried.
What if something had happened?
I tossed my bags with rest and jogged up the staircase to our bedroom.
The bed was unmade and Riley's clothes dotted the floor.
I walked across the room over to our bathroom and the shower had been used recently.
Maybe she was out.
I decided to clean up downstairs and put my shit away. Hopefully it would distract my mind till Riley got home.

Three hours later, I was almost done putting everything away and cleaning up, I heard a car pull up.
I ran up to the nearest window and saw the all to familiar yellow BMW parked in the driveway.
I instantly dropped what I was doing and sprinted downstairs to surprise Riley; at least I was hoping for a positive reaction to my homecoming.
I tried to act casual and sat on the stairs, facing the door.
I watched the lock jiggle and the door slowly open.
Riley huffed a sigh as she walked in. Stress written all over her face.
She stopped and noticed that everything had been packed away, a confused expression coming over her face.
"I put everything away while I was waiting" I said as I made myself more visible.
Riley didn't know whether to smile or punch me out.
"You're home.." she said with relief.
She smiled slightly, dropping her bag to the floor. She ran over and threw her arms around my waist, burying her face in my shirt.
"Yeah, I'm home" I whispered and kissed her forehead. "I missed you. I hated the way we left things."
"I did too."
"How have you been feeling?" I asked, not wanting to elaborate on the question.
"Umm, better... I'm not taking the medication now. There's no need for it at home."
Those words coming out of her mouth made me feel one hundred times better.
"That is so good to hear. I was so worried about you. Why didn't you tell me? And please don't take it the wrong way. It's just us right now, tell me the truth" I said pulling her away from my chest and taking both her hands in mine.
"Ash... I told you... I hate being weak... I hated being like that... I didn't want anyone to know. It's my biggest shame" she said hanging her head.
"Hey, you have nothing to be ashamed of! So many artists suffer from anxiety, you're not the only one" I said placing a hand on her cheek so she would look up at me.
"Ash... It's not that... It's the album. I've had to do all the writing by myself and I get the label calling me up everyday on progress."
"Then stop. No one is forcing you to do this" I said trying to reason with her.
"But, I want to do this. I can't be the wife that mooches off of your fame and fortune. I want to make my own brand!" She squeaked as tears started to form.
"Okay, okay, calm down. Maybe you could delay the label?"
"I can't, I have a deadline."
"That's impossible!"
"Not like that... It's my own deadline. I don't expect you to understand, I just want to get it done..." she said wiping her eyes. "Look, I'm gonna go get changed and just chill. I'm already so drained" she said shaking my hands from her arms.
I sighed and followed her upstairs.
She started to remove her clothes and I did the same.
"What are you doing?" She frowned.
"I was thinking I'd hang out in the spa... You wanna join?"
"That actually sounds like the best idea ever."

"I thought you were going to join me?" I called to Riley. She sat cross legged on the deck chair with a stack of papers and her laptop in front of her.
"In a sec" she said, taking a drag of her smoke.
"You look exactly like Andy right now. That's exactly how he looks when he writes. Hunched over and puffing smoke."
"I know, you hate it, but I promise I will stop."
"When?"
"Ashley..." I saw her roll her eyes and put out the smoke.
"Happy?"
"No. Get in the spa" I smirked.
She smiled and shook her head. She reluctantly shut her laptop and made her way over to me.
I watched her body move as she joined me.
She sat next to me with her eyes shut and I could see her body relax.
"So, how was sin city?" She asked after a moment.
"Wasn't the same. It has this eerie feeling that I can't shake... "
"Hmm I wonder why" she said leaning her head on my shoulder.
"It's funny, even I think I'm sick of you, I'm not. I can't be away from you" I tried to say with all the meaning.
I looked down at her and she was still resting on my shoulder.
"Kiss me" I said trying to get her attention.
"Hmm, what?" She shot, looking up at me.
"Kiss me. You've barely touched me for the last 2 months. If you're stress levels are so high, I can relieve some of them" I said as I started to kiss her neck.
"Babe..."
"I know you miss me" I whispered against her skin. Working my way to her lips.
She finally gave me some attention and kissed me back.
I pulled her body onto my lap.
"Tell me you missed me" I muttered as I kiss her neck.
Riley just returned to kissing my lips, pulling me close to her chest.
I pulled her away slightly. "Not into it? You love it when I'm whiny."
"Ash, I'm just not in the mood... Later?"
I frowned. I could feel a boner growing, it would be a shame to waste it.
"Later."

Notes

-Tina xx