Chapter 11

Kelcie walked around the house trying to think of reasons why Ashley wouldn't be replying.

“Did I make her mad?” Kelcie asked Tommy.

Tommy shrugged, not very effected by Kelcie's worry, “I didn't read the message so...”

Kelcie chucked him her phone. She watched him as he read the messages. He cocked an eyebrow and looked back up at her.

“She probably isn't mad, but she might be scared. Thank you for sharing about my personal grooming habits...”

Kelcie shook her head and took the phone from him. “No, she sent me that picture. That can't be it. Well we will see if they show up for dinner. Speaking of which, let's go get our food.”

Tommy nodded and grabbed his keys off the coffee table. Kelcie followed him out to the car.

~

Ashley stood in front of the mirror. She fixed her hair and attempted to clean up the make up that Kelcie had done for her earlier. Tomas came back into the room wearing a pair of silver basketball shorts and a grey nike tshirt. He stood behind her and hugged her.

She laughed, “You look exactly how I would expect a professional athlete to look on his day off.”

Tomas chuckled. Ashley turned around in his arms and kissed him lightly. He released her from his tight hug and smiled.

“I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but it's a little past 3.”

Ashley's eyes widened. She turned around quickly and grabbed her purse off of the counter.

“Well what are you doing standing around, boy! We've got a very important date!” She laughed and grabbed his hand, dragging him down the stairs and out to his car.

~

Kelcie laid out a plaid blanket on the hill. She smiled when Tommy sat down and let her lay her head in his lap.

“So, do you remember what we did two years ago on this day?” Kelcie quizzed Tommy.

He smiled wide and ran his fingers through her hair, “Yes. It was the day we ate dinner with your parents, and it was the first time I met all your relatives.”

Kelcie nodded. “Good, good.”

Kelcie closed her eyes and relaxed in the sun.

“What did we do last year?” Tommy asked her.

Kelcie pretended to think hard, “We went to your parents house. Because we alternate years, but my family went on vacation this year so now we have the day to ourselves.”

Tommy leaned down and kissed Kelcie. “Good memory.”

Just as he finished Tomas pulled up next to their car. Ashley and him both got out with their sub way bags in hand.

“Hi, sorry! Time got away from me!” Ashley laughed and sat down across from Kelcie on the blanket.

Tomas sat down beside her.

Kelcie sat up and crossed her arms, “You, Missy, made me so worried. Honestly. Where the heck did you go?”

Ashley saw Tomas, out of the corner of her eye, take a panicked glance at her.

She kept her face calm, “We were just having a very good conversation. I set my phone down and just kind of forgot about it.”

Kelcie gave Ashley a guilty smirk, “Mhmm... Yeah... Okay. We'll go with that. Anyways! How about we eat and celebrate this lovely Christmas eve!”

Ashley laughed, “Yes, lets!”

Tomas handed her the sandwich. She unwrapped the outside and ate at it.

“So, as far as the wedding goes. Do you know who you want to be in the wedding?” Ashley asked Kelcie.

Kelcie nodded, “Yep! I'm just now needing to work on the invites. We have a pretty good start on the wedding.”

Ashley nodded and continued eating. They finished up their sandwiches while laughing and talking.

“Well. Not to cut everything short, but Logan just text me that he's home now... He needs me to come take my medicine.”

Tomas rolled his eyes.

Kelcie frowned and looked between the two, “Uh... okay... Well I guess I'll talk to you soon...”

Ashley shook her head, “We'll keep in touch of course. I might call you tonight. Logan just says he talked to my mom and he needs to talk to me.”

Ashley stood up and a second after Tomas did as well.

“Thank you so much guys.” Ashley smiled.

Tommy and Kelcie both stood up and hugged them goodbye.

For a while they drove quietly.

Ashley looked at Tomas curiously, “Are you okay?”

Tomas shrugged and didn't verbally answer.

Ashley pulled her eyebrows together, “What's wrong?”

He shook his head, “Nothing. I just don't understand what you and I are.”

Ashley leaned back into her seat. “Oh...”

Tomas nodded, “Yeah... If you and I are officially something then I want to not worry that you are going to be naked with Logan behind my back.”

Ashley blushed, “What? No... no... I wouldn't be doing that.”

Tomas's jaw tightened, “Ashley, just yesterday you were.”

She shook her head, “I wasn't...”

Tomas cut her off, “And sleeping in the same bed.”

Ashley crossed her arms. “Alright fine. Don't listen to me.”

They sat quietly for a few more seconds.

Tomas finally spoke nicer, “Okay... I'm sorry. I just don't want to have him in the middle of us.”

Ashley nodded.

Tomas continued when he saw her response. “So we are clear.. Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

Ashley smiled lightly. “Yes.”

Tomas's body language eased and they kept driving.

Tomas pulled into the parking lot for Logan's apartment. He parked and got out of the car along with Ashley. The two held hands and walked up to Logan's room. Ashley knocked twice before Logan answered.

“Hey.” Logan smiled.

He opened the door wider so the could come in. Tomas guided Ashley into the living room where Nick and Amanda both sat. Ashley froze as soon as she saw Amanda. Logan closed the door and stood in between the two girls; facing Ashley. He saw her panicking, so he set his hands on her shoulders.

“Hey, hey... calm down. You're okay. Amanda is here because... We started dating today.”

Ashley felt like something had hit her in the chest. She looked completely confused.

She dropped Tomas's hand and pushed Logan's hands off her shoulders.

“What?” She said it quietly so only Tomas her and Logan could hear.

Logan nodded and whispered back, “I know...”

Ashley shook her head, “No... this is... We just talked about... I need to talk to you alone.”

Amanda stood up behind Logan and walked to the side of him.

“Ash. I'm really sorry about the other day. You just know how I feel about Logan...”

Ashley shook her head some more, “I...”

She looked around the two of them at Nick sitting on the couch. He looked completely blank. His expression sobered her.

“Alright... I guess I'm happy for you guys... Now all I'm here for is to hear how my mom conversation went.”

Logan nodded and back away from her.

“Well, she didn't want you driving home.”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “I'm fine...”

Logan ignored her, “So, she wants you, me, Amanda, Tomas, and Nick to come for Christmas dinner tomorrow. We can stay for a night or two then Tomas and I have to come back for our game Saturday.”

Ashley looked at Tomas who didn't seem to object. She didn't feel so good about the idea, but she agreed.

“Alright... I guess that'd be fine...”

She looked at Nick again who was looking a little more horrified than he had earlier. She looked away from him and back to Amanda's smirking face.

“Yes, it'll be fun. Nice big road trip like best friends have.”

Ashley felt like gagging. “Yep... Okay... Was that all? So I can get my stuff and leave now?”

Logan frowned, “What do you mean? I thought you were staying here?”

Ashley felt Tomas grip her hand as a reminder of their conversation in the car.

“No. I'll stay the night at Tomas's.”

Logan looked confused and a little hurt. “But...”

Ashley looked between Amanda and Logan. Logan followed her eyes and realized what she was saying.

“Oh...”

Ashley nodded once and backed up.

“Yeah. Okay well were going to go. Nick, do you want to stay with us?” Nick perked up instantly.

“Yes, please.” Logan looked hopelessly at Ashley as she walked towards the door with Nick and Tomas.

“Okay, night, Logie. See you tomorrow...” She said as Tomas opened the door.
He followed after them.

“7 am sharp. We'll pick you up. With your car.”

Ashley tried not to be annoyed with the fact they still had her car.

“Alright, bye.”

Ashley walked down the steps angrily with Tomas in tow. The three got to Tomas's car before she blew up.

“What the hell is wrong with him? He doesn't even like her! He just thinks he can find any girl and make them fall to their knees! He's such an egotistical asshole!”

She slumped in the passenger seat. Nick and Tomas both looked at her with their eyes wide. She noticed and sighed.

“Don't act like you don't see it. He's being a idiot.”

Nick nodded in agreement, but Tomas just turned his attention back to the road.

“Nick, I'm so sorry...”

Nick shook his head and tried to ignore her. “It doesn't matter...”

Ashley shook her head, “No, it does. If it wasn't for me... She never would have met him.”

Nick cut her off, “Ashley, If you never would have met Logan a lot of things would be different. Like you meeting Tomas. Just stop, okay? There's nothing we can do about it. Just let me work through this on my own.”

Ashley crossed her arms and sighed. “Fine.”

The car ride back to Tomas's remained silent. Ashley couldn't stop running the recent conversations in her head.

“I have to tell you... at least once. I love you.”

She tried to not remember how Logan had said it. But she could remember everything right down to his posture when he did.

“How could he go, just a day after, and hook up with Amanda?” Ashley asked herself.

Despite her efforts, negative thoughts began popping up, “It's because he never meant what he said to you anyways. You're his friend. He was just looking to get some and you were there, but then you rejected him so he moved on.”

Ashley looked over at Tomas who seemed to completely at ease. Ashley took a deep breath and made her final decision. She reached over and held Tomas's hand that wasn't on the steering wheel.

“I choose you over Logan.” she thought.

As if he had heard her, Tomas gently squeezed her hand.

Notes

I am currently going back and fixing some formatting so bear (bare?) with me! Some chapters will look a little different from others. Thanks! -Ashley