by Lydia Rose
TAKING CHANCES
BY
LYDIA ROSE
Edited By
Holly Schneider
FOR LINDA ALWAYS
CHAPTER 1
Ashley Rowland was sipping her glass of wine when she spotted someone she knew. Her hand came up in a wave and the woman walked toward her. “Hey, Lisa.” Ashley pulled Lisa toward her in a strong hug.
“Ash.” The woman’s smile was wide. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
Ashley shrugged her shoulders. “Me either, but I’m the entertainment tonight.”
“I thought Tommy Wilson was supposed to be the entertainment?” Lisa asked with a frown.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but the idiot fell off his motorcycle and broke his collarbone,” Ashley said with a hearty laugh.
“Oh, I’d much rather see you, but my friend is going to be disappointed. The only reason she agreed to come tonight is because she wanted to see him perform.” Lisa’s hand went to her head.
“Sorry.” Ashley laughed again. “Where is your friend and is this a woman?”
“I left her outside with the photographers and TV reporters.”
“Let me guess. A model,” Ashley said almost smirking.
“Hey, she’s an actor too. She just finished her first film.”
“Oh, how original. A model turned actor.” Ashley rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Do I know this model?”
“She’s been all over the TV for years now. Her name is Jill Thompson.”
Ashley shook her head. “Name isn’t familiar.”
“There she is now.” Lisa held up her hand so Jill would see her.
“Holy smokes,” Ashley said a little too loudly. She watched as the tall blond walked toward them. Jill was wearing a short beaded pink dress that showed off her long legs. Ashley recognized her immediately. She remembered admiring her from her television screen and thought she had never seen anyone as beautiful. To Ashley’s surprise, Jill was even more beautiful in person.
“Put your tongue back in your mouth, Ash. Jill is straight.”
“They are all straight until they aren’t.” Ashley moved toward the woman when she reached them. “Hi, I’m Ashley,” she said holding out her hand.
Jill grinned. “I know who you are. I’m a big fan of yours.”
“Good. Then you won’t be disappointed that Tommy couldn’t make it tonight.”
Lisa couldn’t help noticing the way Ashley was fawning over Jill and tried to get her to leave. “Don’t you have to practice or something?”
Ashley didn’t even glance at Lisa. “Nope. All taken care of already.” She now smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes as beautiful as yours before.”
Jill giggled. “I’m sure you tell all the girls that.” She was well aware that Jill was a famous lesbian and she always had a beautiful woman on her arm whenever she saw a picture of her in the paper or internet.
Ashley giggled back. “Only when their eyes look like yours.”
Lisa let out a loud groan. “Let’s go find out where we are sitting,” she said taking Jill’s elbow.
“It was nice to meet you, Ashley. I look forward to hearing you tonight,” Jill said over her shoulder before Lisa took her out of earshot.
Ashley now went in search of the person responsible for the seating arrangement. Before dinner was served, she popped into the seat next to Jill. “Hi again,” she said as she sat down.
Lisa leaned over Jill. “How did you manage to get seated here?”
Ashley grinned. “I have no idea what you are talking about,” she said touching her chest.
“Mm hmm,” Lisa answered with a smirk. As Ashley was distracted by the man who sat next to her, she leaned into Jill. “Ashley is a big flirt. You don’t need any talk right now that you were flirting back.”
Jill shuddered at the thought. She didn’t need the raven-haired beauty to expose her sexuality to the world. Jill had spent the last six years of her career hiding the fact that she was a lesbian and wasn’t about to blow her cover for Ashley Rowlands. Especially not since she managed to be in next year’s blockbuster. Well, she hoped it would be. Ashley touched her arm to get her attention. “Excuse me,” she said turning.
“I was just saying that I’ve been watching you for years in commercials and magazines and I’m surprised we’ve never met before.”
“I think we run in different circles,” Jill said, trying to keep the smile off her face.
Someone now tapped Ashley on the shoulder. She turned and stood up. “Marion.” Ashley hugged the older woman. “How are you?”
“Good, Ash,” she said smiling. “What are you doing here and sitting next to my client?”
“Jill is your client?” Ashley asked surprised.
“Yes.” Marion looked at Jill. “I used to be her manager too until she fired me.”
“Aw, Marion. You know that’s not true.”
“I know, honey.” Again she looked at Jill. “I told her I couldn’t take her career any further and let her fly away.” Marion now looked at Lisa. “Lisa, would you move down a seat?” She took the seat next to Ashley which separated her from Jill. Marion could almost feel Ashley’s anger at the move.
The dinner conversation became different after the move. Ashley spoke with the rest of the people at the table and had them laughing with stories of the road. She noticed that Jill laughed along with the rest of the table.
“Well, I’ve got to get back stage.” Ashley stood up. “Marion and Lisa, it was good to see you both again.” Her hand went to Jill’s shoulder. “I hope to see you again,” she said with a smile.
“It was good to meet you too, Ashley. I can’t wait to hear you sing.”
Ashley was introduced and she began to play. Her band was unplugged tonight to keep the older people from walking out on her. She couldn’t see Jill with the lights shining in her face, but she turned her head in the vicinity she was sitting. Her first song was about love at first sight and she sang it with all her emotions on her sleeve and hoped the words would register with Jill.
Marion leaned over to Jill and whispered, “I can tell you are attracted to her. I know she’s just your type, but trust me you don’t want to go there.” Marion shook her head as she drummed this into Jill’s head.
“I know, Marion.”
“Your career is just getting off the ground, don’t blow it when you’ve gotten this far.”
“I promise,” Jill said to her manager, hoping she could keep her promise.
When they finished playing, the group left the stage to a standing ovation. Ashley bowed along with the rest of her band and left the stage. By the time she came back out on the floor, people and reporters blocked her way over to Jill’s table. By the time the interviews were done, Jill and her group had left the hall.
CHAPTER 2
The next morning, Ashley crawled out of bed and headed to the master bedroom in her Hollywood Hills home. She was leaving for a six-month tour the next day and needed to pack her things. As she stared at herself in the mirror, her dark blue eyes showed how tired she was. She had only been home for two weeks after spending seven months on the road promoting her latest album and wondered how long she could go on. Ashley grabbed the remote and turned on the television to hear the morning news while she packed her things. Her name coming from the television caught her attention.
“Ashley Rowland performed last night at the benefit for the Children’s Hospital and wowed the crowd. She was seen speaking with Jill Thompson. Jill’s career as a model had led her into the movies and she just finished her first film. Ashley could be seen most of the evening flirting with the tall model.”
“Fl
irting,” Ashley said to the empty room. “You don’t know what flirting is.” Yes, she felt an immediate connection to the model the moment she met her, but Jill had showed her nothing in return. It was time to forget about Jill Thompson and get ready to get back on the road.
*
Ashley’s first stop on the tour was Phoenix and they were playing to a packed crowd. She sat in her dressing room with her iPad in her hand going through pictures of Jill on line. She finally tossed the iPad onto her makeup table and growled. “Forget about her. She doesn’t have any interest in you. There are plenty of women who want to be seen on your arm.”
Someone knocked on her door and said, “Five minutes, Ms. Rowland.”
Ashley got up and walked into the hallway. She could hear her band on stage playing the intro to the first song. The announcer began, “Ladies and gentlemen, Ashley Rowland.”
Ashley came out onto the stage to roaring applause and cheers. “Hey, everyone. I hope you all enjoy the show.”
Two hours later, Ashley walked off the stage. She was sweaty and hot, but pumped. It would be hours before her body would relax and she was able to sleep. She was whisked away in a car to the hotel. This went on for the next six months.
By the time they were headed back to Los Angeles, Ashley was ready for a nice long vacation.
“The tour was a sell out with each venue,” Richard Davies, Ashley’s manager said. “Have you had time to write any new music for the next album?”
“I’ve been playing with some ideas,” Ashley responded, hoping Richard would go back to his own seat on the plane.
“You’ve been asked to be a guest on the new season of The Voice to coach the new talent.”
“Rich, let me think about it. I’m tired and need to get some rest to recharge.” Ashley had been traveling on the road since her career took off ten years ago. She had earned enough money to never work again, but it was no longer about the money. Ashley loved to write music and she didn’t know if she could ever stop touring as long as the music called to her.
“Don’t wait too long, Ash or they’ll hire someone else.” Rich got up from the seat next to her and went to the back of the plane.
She knew she would like to help new talent, but maybe there was another way to do that without having to get in front of the cameras. Ashley would have to discuss this with Rich, but she wasn’t prepared at this time.
CHAPTER 3
Ashley had been home for a week now and she agreed to do The Voice. She also discussed with Rich about finding some new talent that she could develop herself. Rich wasn’t keen on Ashley taking time away from her own music, but agreed to give it a shot. He got her invited to a party in the hills that were showcasing some new talent. The people performing did not have any record contracts and it would give Ashley a chance to see if there was talent to develop.
Her driver dropped her off in front of a large mansion. She walked up to the front door and gave her name. Once inside the house, she could see it was no different than the typical party. Ashley walked through the crowd and followed the music. She was standing there listening when someone tapped her on the shoulder. A smile immediately touched her face when she turned around. “Jill.”
“Hi, Ashley. How are you?”
“Good, good. What about you?”
“I’m great actually. I was just offered a part in the next Channing Tatum movie.”
“That’s great, Jill.” The current band began to play a metal song. “How about we go somewhere we can talk without shouting?”
“Good idea,” Jill said putting her hand over her ear. “I came to hear the music, but this one isn’t my cup of tea.”
Ashley took her by the elbow and led her out to the patio. People called her name and waved at her as she opened the French door. Ashley’s hand came up in a wave and a smile was on her lips. “So you came to hear the music?” Ashley asked.
“Yeah. I heard there is a singer here that I’ve heard before. Her name is April Carey. She reminds me of you when you first began.” Ashley grinned at the comment. “I’m hoping tonight will give her some exposure that will help her career.”
“You think that much of her?” Ashley asked surprised.
Jill grinned. “How about I let you be the judge when you hear her.” They both turned toward the house when they heard the rock band end their set. “Thank god, they are done.”
It was an hour later before April took the stage. Jill and Ashley took their place where they could listen to her. April began with a cover of one of Ashley’s songs. Both Jill and Ashley smiled at one another. April’s next song was an original song. Ashley listened to the lyrics and thought for someone so young, it was good. She reached into her pocket and took out one of her business cards. As April left the stage, Ashley waited in line to speak to the young singer.
“Hi, I’m Ashley Rowland,” she said holding out her hand.
“OMG. I know who you are Ms. Rowland.”
“Ashley. I enjoyed your music.”
“I never would have done one of your songs if I knew you were here.”
“Why? You did a fantastic job on it.” Ashley handed her card to the young woman. “Give me a call if you are interested in working with me.”
“Are you kidding?” April asked.
“I’m very serious.”
“Thank you, Ashley. I’ll call you.”
Ashley left April and searched out Jill again. She found her over by the buffet table. Jill’s plate was empty as she went around the table trying to decide what to have. “Can’t decide?” Ashley asked.
“Not really. I could go for a hamburger and fries instead.”
“Then let’s go.” Ashley looked up at Jill. “We could go to In and Out.”
Jill was hesitant because she knew someone would snap their picture together and then the rumors would begin. She also wasn’t sure that her heart could handle spending time with Ashley while not letting her know that her attraction was growing each time she saw her.
“I’ll send my driver in to get the food so no one will see you with me.”
“I’m sorry, Ashley. It’s not you.” Jill averted her eyes embarrassed.
“I know how this town is. If they see you and me together, they’ll think we are together.” Jill nodded. “I understand if you’d rather not.”
“No, I’d like to go.” I must be out of my mind. You are playing with fire.
“Okay, let’s get out of here.” Ashley took her arm and led her to the door.
At the burger place, Ashley handed Eddie her driver some money. “Get what you want, Eddie.” She now turned to Jill. “So are you working on any new projects?”
“I did a few guest appearances on some TV shows, and I’ll be starting the promotional tour for the movie soon.” Jill now sighed. “I don’t know how many shows Marion has me scheduled to appear on.”
“I know how you feel. Promotion of myself is the hardest part. I’d rather just play, but it’s all part of the game.”
Eddie brought the food back to the car and left the two women alone to eat. The order of fries was placed between them and they each bit into their burger.
“This tastes so good. I haven’t had one of these in months,” Jill said wearing a wide smile.
Ashley watched as Jill ate her burger. She just couldn’t figure this woman out. It was the first time in her life that a woman didn’t give her any encouraging sign that she was interested. This left Ashley completely off balance.
“So what are your plans with April?” Jill asked bringing Ashley out of her contemplation.
“Well, if she calls I want to see if we can write something together.”
“That should be fun.” Jill curled up the empty wrapper and put it in the bag.
“I hope so.”
“Should I call a cab or will your driver give me a ride home?” Jill asked leaning back against the seat.
“We will take you home.” Ashley opened the window and signaled to Eddie. “Give Eddie y
our address.”
The trip to Jill’s apartment didn’t take long and as they pulled up in front, Ashley got out of the car with Jill. “Thanks for spending time with me.”
“Thanks for the burger.” Jill smiled. “Good luck with April. I’m sure the two of you will do great things.” She began to walk up the sidewalk. “Good night, Ashley.”
“’Night, Jill.” Ashley got back into the car.
“I never saw you strike out before, boss,” Eddie said with a chuckle.
“I can’t figure this one out, Eddie. There is just something about her, but I’m getting nothing back.”
“Do you want to stop at a club or something?” Eddie asked, figuring Ashley would not strike out a second time.
“Nah. Just take me home.”
CHAPTER 4
April called Ashley three days later. “It’s good to hear from you, April.”
“What did you have in mind?” April asked apprehensively.
“I thought we could try and write some music together. I have a studio at my house where we can record something.”
April knew of Ashley’s reputation and had already been told she loved women. So her hesitation was even obvious to Ashley.
“This is strictly business, April. You are way too young for me if that’s what you are worried about,” Ashley added to quiet April’s fears.
“Okay. When and where?”
Ashley gave April her address. April arrived at noon and Ashley led her over to her studio. “I like the original song you sang at the party. I thought we could write something like that, but a little more rock to go with my style.”
April opened her backpack and took out some papers. “I’ve been playing with a new song that isn’t quite finished. Maybe we can finish it together?”
Ashley looked at what was written and went over to the piano. She played a few cords and sang the lyrics April had written. Then she began to add to the song with her words and before Ashley was finished, April had added some more words. “That sounded great.”
April smiled. “Yeah, it did.”
The two women spent the rest of the afternoon putting the song together. “Sounds like a good single for us.”
