Since there was no answer at home, she’d driven past Erica’s office first and saw no sign of the silver SUV. Erica still wasn’t home when Ashleigh pulled into the driveway. A tap on the glass startled her as she stared at the empty house. “I was hoping she was with you,” Kaitlyn said, looking worried.
“She’s not at the office, either,” Ashleigh said as she rolled down the window.
Kaitlyn looked at the house and shook her head. “I haven’t seen her since the banquet Friday night.”
“She wasn’t home last night, either?” Ashleigh picked up her cell phone, hoping that she would see a text message.
Kaitlyn shook her head. “Want to go inside and talk? I’d invite you to our house, but Drew is still sick.”
“Want me to call one of the doctors at the clinic and see if he can call something in for her?”
“Her doctor has already called in something for nausea. There’s a stomach virus going around. He’ll see her on Monday if she’s not better.”
“I’m gonna take a rain check on that chat if you don’t mind.” Ashleigh looked back at the house as a frown creased her face. “Will you let me know when you hear from her? I just want to know that she’s okay.”
Kaitlyn smiled sadly. “You know she is. She’s just been spending a lot of time alone lately.”
Ashleigh nodded. “Bye, sweetie.”
She pulled back onto the road and made her way slowly through town. Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she wondered if Erica was seeking consolation in the arms of another.
Erica dropped her keys on the kitchen counter as she walked into the house. Bitter tears streamed down her face. She reached for the phone and dialed, debating on whether to hang up between each ring. “I need you,” she rasped when she heard the voice on the other end.
It seemed like only seconds passed when she heard the kitchen door open. Erica turned to face Kaitlyn as she strode up to the sofa and sat next to her. Erica sank into her arms and let go of the emotion that lay coiled up in her chest. She sobbed as Kaitlyn held her, stroking her back and whispering words of understanding into her hair.
When Erica was spent, she pulled back and looked at Kaitlyn feeling slightly embarrassed.
Kaitlyn dabbed at her own tears. Where’ve you been? I’ve been worried about you.”
Erica grabbed a box of tissues and offered Kaitlyn one before blowing her nose. “I went to the club last night to watch her, then I stayed at a hotel because I drank too much.”
“And you said something to her you now regret?”
Erica averted her eyes. “She didn’t know I was there. I sneaked in and watched the show and I left.”
Kaitlyn took Erica’s hand in hers. “If you wanted to see her, why didn’t you just go visit so you could talk?”
“I don’t know how to deal with the new Ashleigh. I tried to be understanding in the beginning, but…I’m having problems with…Oh, hell, I don’t know what I’m having problems with anymore.”
“I understand.” Kaitlyn squeezed Erica’s hand. “I do. It would be a lot to cope with if I suddenly discovered that Drew had a hidden past. But I can also understand Ashleigh’s desire to confront her past.”
“I’ve blown this all out of proportion,” Erica said as fresh tears filled her eyes. “I’ve been an ass to her and you, as well. I’m so sorry, Kaitlyn.”
“It’s okay. I know what you’ve been going through. It’d take a lot more to run me off,” Kaitlyn said with a smile.
Erica grabbed another tissue and wiped her eyes and nose. “Thank you.” Erica laughed mirthlessly. “I’ve been a real tool. I just feel like I’ve lost control.”
“We’re never really in control of anything, and you’re just learning to accept that.”
“Is that your way of saying I’ve tried to control Ashleigh?”
“I wouldn’t put it that way,” Kaitlyn said with a smile. “You may have some…flexibility issues. But seriously, you do have some genuine arguments. Ashleigh needs to understand that you need time to adjust to all the change. And you need to give her some room to deal with what she’s going through.”
Erica sighed in resignation. “So how do I fix this?”
Kaitlyn was thoughtful for a minute. “Date her.”
Erica laughed. “Date?”
“Okay, I’m going to tell you this, but if you rib me, I’m going to make your life miserable…well, worse than it is now,” Kaitlyn said with a grin. “When things get kind of stale between me and Drew, we play ‘start over.’ We go on a date and pretend it’s our first. We ask all of the questions you would on a first date, even though we both think we know the answers, and sometimes we’re surprised by the responses.”
“Y’all are so weird.”
“Hush, jackass. It works. Sometimes we make a weekend of it, then when we come back to reality, things are better. Don’t bring Ashleigh home and try to pretend everything is the same. Get to know who she is now and let her get to know you again.”
“Well, you have been together for ten years, so you must be doing something right,” Erica admitted reluctantly.
“And we’re happy. Not every long-term couple can say that.” Kaitlyn gave Erica a playful nudge. “Show her how much fun you can still be.”
Erica looked stunned. “Am I boring?”
“No…just…predictable.” Kaitlyn looked away and gave Erica a sideways glance. “You work a lot.”
“We both do,” Erica said, feeling her defenses rise.
“True, but Drew and I do things together. You know, like when we hike the Tunicas. It’s refreshing to get away and do something simple together.”
“Hiking isn’t really my thing, and I can tell you that it’s not high on Ashleigh’s list, either.”
“Okay, what is your thing then?” Kaitlyn asked pointedly.
Erica found herself tearing at the tissue she held in her hand. Nothing came to mind. “Oh, my God, Katie, I really am boring.”
“Focus, Erica.”
Erica watched as the remaining pieces of tissue floated down into the pile she’d made. “There is one thing I’ve been mulling over for a while.” Suddenly, she was on her feet. “Take a ride with me.”
Kaitlyn scrubbed her hands together and jumped up. “What’s on your mind?”
“I need to do a little shopping.”
Kaitlyn’s face fell. “Not for clothes, please tell me it’s not for clothes.”
“Red, is definitely your color,” Kaitlyn said as she circled Erica. “I like this much better than the green.”
Erica sat astride the Honda Recon ATV with an ear-to-ear grin. “Do you remember how much fun we used to have on that old three-wheeler?”
“We rode the wheels off that thing, didn’t we?” Kaitlyn grinned.
“This is a far cry from the old three-wheelers we rode behind the house as kids.” The salesman walked over with a key dangling from his hand. “I’ll make you a good deal, Barrett.”
Erica’s eyes sparkled as she looked over at Kaitlyn. It’d been years since she’d seen that youthful look, especially as of late. “I think you should do it.” Kaitlyn watched as the childlike excitement on Erica’s face changed into something mischievous.
“Clarke, what kind of deal would you give me if we bought two and a trailer?”
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Kaitlyn wagged a finger at Erica. “Drew would kill me.”
Erica climbed off the machine and patted the seat. “Come sit. See how it feels.”
“I’ll sit on it, but I’m not buying one.” Kaitlyn climbed on the ATV and crossed her arms as Erica took her turn circling.
“How many fountains does Drew have?” Erica asked in a devilish sounding tone. “How many hat-wearing frogs are in your flowerbeds?” She came to stand directly in front of the ATV with her hands on her hips, one eyebrow arched.
Kaitlyn felt her own grin spreading across her face. “Clarke, if you throw in a pair of riding boots, I’m in.”
“Yes!” Erica
pumped her fist in victory and did a little dance.
Kaitlyn grabbed her as she spun around. “Show Ashleigh this Erica,” she whispered with a grin. “This is the woman she fell in love with.”
Erica sobered for a second. “I’m not sure what Ashleigh is going to think about this.”
“Ash will probably think it’s cool. Drew, on the other hand, will kill us both, especially since I’ve taken advantage of her drug-induced state.”
Erica raised a brow and waited for Kaitlyn to explain herself.
“Drew’s got a stomach virus, and the nausea meds knock her on her ass. She’s gonna be pissed that I left her alone to shop for expensive toys.” Kaitlyn took Erica by the arm. “So you’re coming home with me to explain that it was all your fault while I hide.”
Chapter Thirty
“You ran out early this morning.” Vicki looked over the top of a book. Chantal lay on the other sofa covered in newspaper like a homeless person on a park bench.
Ashleigh sat next to Vicki as they listened to Chantal’s soft snores with matching grins. “I went for a drive. I needed time to clear my head.”
“Feel better?”
“The jury is still out on that one,” Ashleigh said with a wan smile.
“The girls are all coming over tonight for the usual Sunday dinner,” Vicki said around a yawn. “Do you think Drew is feeling better? I’d like to invite them.”
“Drew is still hugging the toilet, according to Kaitlyn this morning. I don’t think she’ll be up to it, but I’ll tell her that you thought of her when I call her later.”
Vicki picked up a pen off the coffee table and tossed it at Chantal, whose body jerked, then the soft snores resumed.
“You’re cruel,” Ashleigh whispered with a chuckle.
Vicki smiled. “I am and she loves it.”
Ashleigh’s cell phone buzzed and she noticed Kaitlyn’s text. She’s fine. Needed time to think.
Ashleigh sighed and read it twice before flipping the phone shut. “Need help with dinner?” she asked Vicki.
Vicki shook her head. “It’s spaghetti and it’s already done. You look tired. Why don’t you go lay down for a while, that’s what Sundays are for.”
Ashleigh went to her room and sprawled out on the bed with her cell phone in hand. She debated calling Erica until her eyes slipped shut.
“My ass is on fire, and I have a nasty taste in my mouth that Listerine can’t touch, but otherwise I’m fine,” Drew said later when Ashleigh called to check on her. “I think the last time I threw up, I saw part of my rib cage.”
Ashleigh screwed up her face in disgust. “Thanks for sharing.”
Drew laughed and groaned. “Tell me about the show. What’d I miss?”
“It went okay. I managed to remember all the lyrics and I stayed on key.”
“Packed house?”
“It was pretty crowded.”
“I’m so pissed that I missed it,” Drew said, then smacked her lips. “I’m never eating sesame chicken again.”
“Oh, Drew, have mercy.”
“Don’t make me laugh, Ash, it hurts too much.”
Ashleigh’s smile faded. “I went to see Erica this morning and she wasn’t home. I saw Kaitlyn, though, and she said she’d been out all night.”
“She loves you, honey, you know in your heart of hearts that she wasn’t…”
“I know,” Ashleigh said, glad that Drew didn’t finish the sentence. “At least I hope I know.”
“How’s Alex?”
Ashleigh blew out a long breath. “She’s fine, Drew. What are you getting at?”
“I know you’ve been lonely, and I know she’s accessible.”
“Is that what you think I should do? Have a fling with her while I try to work things out with Erica?”
“Not at all…I just want to know if it’s crossed your mind.”
Ashleigh chewed at the inside of her cheek as she remembered the way Alex felt in her arms the previous night and the conversation they had on their moonlight stroll.
“Ash?”
“She’s not willing.”
“How do you know that?” Drew asked with the sound of dread in her voice.
“It’s not what you’re thinking. Give me more credit than that.”
“I’d like to, but when you blurt out something like that, it makes a girl wonder.”
“I don’t…want her, but sometimes…” Ashleigh buried her face in her hands, wondering what her point actually was. “I get confused. She’s what I wanted her to be back then. Compassionate, caring, and Erica’s so distant. Sometimes I find myself wondering…”
“Wondering what? If you should try again?”
Ashleigh couldn’t bring herself to acknowledge that statement. If only Erica would reach out, but she hadn’t. Was all of this happening for a reason? Had their relationship run its course?
“Maybe it’s not such a good idea that you spend time with her right now. It clouds your judgment.”
“We talked the other night, and I admitted that I remembered how it used to be with her. And she told me I was in a bad place, and…” Ashleigh felt like her head was going to explode.
“Ah-ha! You have been dwelling on old memories. I told you this would happen, Ash.”
“I know.” Ashleigh sank back onto her bed.
“You know I love Erica, and it will kill me if you two don’t work things out. You’ve got to do what’s best for you, but, honey, I don’t think Alex is the answer. You can’t work things out right now for yourself in the arms of someone else.”
“You’re blowing this out of proportion. I’ve had some conflicted feelings lately, but I’m not going to hop into bed with Alex. I’m just admitting that I’m…going through something. Do we have to talk about this?”
It was Drew’s turn to blow out in exasperation. “All right, I’m sorry. But please promise me that you’ll talk to me before you do anything.”
“That’s just the point. I’m not going to do anything. I just need to get my feelings out there, and I need you to listen and not freak out.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll behave, besides my nausea medicine is kicking in and I’m feeling kind of woozy.”
“All right, tell Kaitlyn I said hello.”
“Consider it done, sweetie.”
“I love ya, Drew.”
“Love you too. Don’t visit me for lunch tomorrow. I don’t know how contagious this shit is.”
“I’ll see you soon then, bye.”
“Bye, love.”
Ashleigh flipped the phone shut and closed her eyes. A nap might help, and maybe if she had any luck left, she’d sleep through dinner.
Chapter Thirty-one
“It’s about time you got up,” Chantal said with a grin as Ashleigh walked straight to the stove, lifted the lid on the sauce, and gave it a sniff.
“Don’t let her tease you, Ash.” Vicki lifted an eyebrow at Chantal. “I just hauled her ass off the sofa. She’d still be snoring away if I hadn’t.”
“I did not say that,” Jaclyn said angrily as she came in the back door with Lindsay on her heels. “I said Jolly Ranchers stick to my teeth. How you got that I was saying you’re fat, I don’t know.”
“It was the look.” Lindsay pointed at Jaclyn’s face. “That look.”
“Ladies,” Chantal said, drawing their attention. “There will be no bloodletting or maiming on Sundays and never in the house.”
“Anybody open that bottle of cabernet yet? I need a glass.” Jaclyn pulled a wineglass from the cabinet. “Hey, baby,” she said to Ashleigh and pecked her on the cheek.
“Wine is fattening, by the way,” Lindsay said as she sipped from her bottled water.
“I did not call you fat!” Jaclyn’s voice rose with each word.
“Ah, the tradition of the Sunday night fight is alive and well,” Alex said cheerfully as she walked in the side door. “I was afraid I was going to miss it.”
Lindsay rolled her eyes as Jaclyn shot the f
inger in Alex’s direction.
Ashleigh had seen Alex in everything from spandex to leather, but she’d never seen her in a suit and wearing heels. She found herself unable to look away.
“Where have you been?” Vicki fingered the lapels of Alex’s jacket as they exchanged kisses.
Alex gestured with one hand as she pulled a wineglass from the cabinet. “Momma McKinney had a social…thing. I was required to attend and ‘dress accordingly.’ I stayed long enough to meet a few of what she considered influential people, then I sneaked out through the garden.”
“You’re gonna pay hell for that stunt,” Chantal said, and everyone laughed along with her, including Alex.
“Oh, I’m sure Monday morning is going to be very interesting. I can just hear her now,” Alex said, causing the sides of her mouth to droop in imitation of her mother. “Alexandra, I noticed you left my soirée early, why?”
“That is so Momma McKinney,” Jaclyn said with a laugh.
Vicki gave Alex’s shoulder a squeeze. “I don’t envy you.”
“That’s why I’m contemplating working from home.” Alex grinned before taking a sip of her wine.
“Okay, ladies, the pasta is done. We’re going to do this buffet style, so grab a plate and form a line. Then go to the den because coach Chantal wants us to watch our performance from Saturday.”
Jaclyn rolled her eyes as she filled her salad bowl. “You have it on film?”
“Don’t I always?” Chantal said with a grin. “Remember that next time you decide to have sex in our pool while we’re on vacation.”
Chantal was teasing, but when she noticed the flush that covered Lindsay’s face and neck, she realized who the owner was of the swimsuit top that she found in the strainer.
Once everyone was seated and enjoying dinner, Chantal started the video. Ashleigh blushed at the sight of herself but made a few mental notes for her next performance. Instead of acting like professional musicians, the women jeered and teased one another until Chantal switched DVDs and they began watching a movie.
Love's Someday Page 20
