Listen To Your Heart

"Sounds good to me. Gives me enough time to get myself settled." Leighton nodded, following Mandy out to the living room and sitting next to her. "So, you and Zack. I want more details."

---

Zack shook his head "Yes dear of course that's what I meant." He chuckled, watching as Mandy walked out the room, followed closely by Leighton and Cassadee. "So, tell me, howre you doing? Leighton seems like a good girl." He turned his attention to Alex

"There really isn't a lot to us. We met when I was sixteen cause I was friends with Alex's ex and her sister, and I started hanging out with the guys more. Zack asked me out at my nineteenth birthday party and we've been together ever since." Mandy spoke, blushing in spite of her words. "What else would you like to know?" She asked curiously.

--

"I'm doing good." Alex spoke, watching as the girls left the room. "She definitely is. She's able to put up with all of you losers and she's offering to help us out of a tough spot. And, Jack hasn't scared her off yet." He sipped the remaining sweet tea that was in his cup. "I was going to ask her out between now and the party, so we can go out by ourselves."

"Well, have you ever talked about getting married? I know you said earlier you didn't know why you werent but have you guys ever talked about it?" Leighton questioned. She had been engaged once before, she knew what it felt like. Then again she'd never wish anyone had to go through what she went through.

---

"Sound s like a good idea." Zack nodded, glancing at Jack who had his hands up in his own defense. "Didn't she just move here though? I'm just wondering what brought her to Maryland... and... why she's so okay leaving." He mused, moving his eyes to the girls chatting in the other room.

"We've never actually talked about it right up front. I mean, I've always sort of assumed that we'd get married, but we've never brought it up." Mandy spoke, finishing up her tea. "Zack's super shy. I know he doesn't look like it, but honestly it's hard getting him to open up about certain things. Even with me."

--

Alex looked into the living room where Mandy, Cass, and Leighton appeared to be deep in conversation. "I know part of the reason why-- her boyfriend back in Alabama cheated on her and she moved up here after. But you guys didn't hear it from me-- it's not my place to say anything." He whispered.

"Are you serious? Why would anyone... she's such a sweet girl." Zack sighed, shaking his head at the decency of some people. "I can't imagine my life without Mandy... I will never understand why people cheat. That is a pretty big move though... must've been a bad break up."

---

"Really? He seems so open and happy... Maybe cause he's with you." Leighton smiled, glancing into the kitchen then back at the girls. "To be fair though if it weren't for the fact that you guys were so warm and inviting.... I'm the same way. I usually only open up when I get to know people but... I dunno, I just feel like I can trust you guys."

"Because if you cheated on Mandy, she would beat the shit out of you. I'd place my bets on her any day of the week when you piss her off." Alex laughed gently, pushing his hair out of his face. "I'm assuming so. We didn't really get in depth about it-- but I get it. I was ready to move when that whole thing happened with Lisa." Alex sighed.

--

Mandy blushed again before looking back at Leighton. "Seriously, we appreciate that. I know Jack might come on a little.... strong.... but honestly this is the sweetest, tightest knit group of people I've ever seen. If we got a bad vibe about you you would know already." She spoke, glancing into the kitchen.

"Well hey now! I could totally take her on!" Zack defended, though he knew Alex was right, she'd always win their fights because he always conceded first, hated fighting with her. At the mention of Lisa, Zack frowned, placing his have on Alex's shoulder. "I'm glad you didn't man, we need you too much around here. "

---

"Im glad cause it's true. " Leighton smiled, glancing down at her phone as it went off. A text from an unknown number: you can't hide forever Lei. She quickly locked her phone and looked up with a smile. "Think they're talking about us in there?"

"If you took her by surprise, maybe. But any other time it's all Mandy. Sorry, bud. I don't make the rules." Alex laughed, a grateful smile on his face. "I'm glad I didn't either. It would have been a temporary solution to my issues... and I would miss you nerds too much."

--

"Oh there's no doubt that they are. They're bigger gossips than me and Cass, and that's saying something." Mandy laughed, noticing the slight change on Leighton's demeanor. She shook it off though. "Are you doing anything next friday? I'm getting my nails done before the party, and I was wondering if you wanted to go with."

Shaking off the text, Leighton smiled widely. "Really? I'd love to, If you dint mind of course - I would wanna impose." She smiled again, unlocking her phone to add both girls numbers to her contacts.

---

Zack rolled his eyes, noticing the girls exchanging numbers "uh-oh. Looks like they're hanging up on us Lex." Zack stated, nodding out to the girls passing phones around to each other.

"If I minded, I wouldn't have invited you! I'm gonna need some company that day while I get everything together-- the guys aren't any help in the kitchen." Mandy spoke, putting her number in Leighton's phone before handing over her phone.

--

Alex looked over in the same direction that Zack was, shaking his head. "Oh, god. Well, it could be worse. They could hate each other-- like Mandy and Holly did." He spoke with a laugh, knowing how vocal Mandy was with her opinions.

"Yea that's true..." Zack trailed off as he remember the almost bloody catfight that went down between the two girls. Threat was the last time he saw Holly. "Boy do I not miss her. Come on, before they start plotting how to poison us."

---

Leighton chuckled, taking the pine to input her number "Yea thats rue. I'd be happy to help. Anything to keep me busy, I'll take. " She added her number and handed the phone back, grabbing her own from Cassadee as she finished filling in her own number. "Look who decided to join us."

Mandy waggled her fingers at the guys as she stuffed her phone in her pocket. "Well, tired of your own gossip session and decided to crash ours?" She joked, scooting over so there was room on the couch.

--

Alex took a seat next to Leighton. "If they were gonna poison any of us it would be Jack." He teased, giving his best friend the bird before turning his attention to Leighton. "Wasn't I right? They're a good bunch."

"Yeah, they are pretty cool." Leighton smiled at Alex, turning her attention towards him. "I gotta say, I'm glad you interupted my writing session. This was much more fun."

---

"Men do not gossip !" Zack gasped, faking appall that she would insinuate such a thing. He plopped down next to Mandy, throwing his arm around her shoulders "So, what are you ladies talking about."

Mandy rolled her eyes, she and Cass sharing a knowing look. "A girl never tells her secrets, Zachary." She teased, setting her cup down on the coffee table. "We were making plans to get our nails done before the party next week. I need someone to keep me company who won't complain the whole time." The purple haired female gave her boyfriend a gentle nudge with her elbow.

--

Alex gave his signature grin. "I'm glad I did, too. You'll have a lot more fun once we're actually out on the road. But I was thinking... what are you doing on Tuesday? There's this little Italian place that's not too far from here that I think you would really like."

Leighton looked up at Alex quickly, her eyes widening suddenly. "T-tuesday?" Was this him asking her on a date? Or was he just being friendly. Most dates don't happen on Tuesdays but then again it's not like there was much time between now and the tour. "No, I don't think I'm doing anything..." she trailed off, waiting for him to expand on his question, hoping he'd be a bit clearer if it were a date.

---

"I don't complain the WHOLE time." Zack exclaimed, knowing full well that wasn't the truth. He hates sitting in there while she got her nails done, it smelled horrible and was beyond boring. "I am glad you found someone to go with you though."

Mandy rolled her eyes, it was practically like dragging teeth to get Zack to come with her to get her nails done. She could count on one hand the number of times that Zack had gone with her to get a fill in since they started dating. I have to trick you to get you in the car, but whatever floats your boat, babe." She patted his knee, a light yawn leaving her lips. Mandy would never admit it, but she was starting to grow tired.

--

"Awesome! That way we can go out by ourselves before the shows. You know... like a date." Alex spoke hopefully, biting his bottom lip for a second. This was probably the boldest thing he's done in recent memory, but Leighton just had that effect on him.

Leighton blushed, and not wanting her voice to crack and make a complete fool out of herself, nodded in agreement. It took a few moments for her to regain her voice but once she did she was sure to let him know "Yea... that sounds great actually..." She trailed off, looking up to meet his eyes.

---

Zack shook his head once again, rolling his eyes in protest. Looking at the clock after Mandy yawned he figured it was time to get her home. "Hate to break up the party guys, but I woke this pretty lady up at 5 and I think she's pretty worn out. I should get her home before she passes out on the couch and Jack uses her as a sheet of paper again." He chuckled, knowing she would deny being tired and asking to go herself.

"Yes, my loving boyfriend thought it would be a good idea to wake me up at five am. I'm not tired, though-- being around Jack for too long just drains me." Mandy teased, standing up and grabbing her purse from the coffee table. "Text me, Leighton! I'll add you to me and Cass' group chat." She said goodbye to her friends before leading the way out to her car.

---

Alex grinned. "Good," He spoke, relieved that she said yes. He said goodbye to Zack and Mandy, watching them leave before turning his attention back to Leighton. "Seriously, thanks for your help with merch and for helping us plan this proposal."

--just bumping this to the top of my list! <3

"Sounds good, I'll text you later." Leighton smiled, waving goodbye to the couple as they walked out the door before turning her attention back to the man in front of her. "Of course! And I hate to do this but I really should be getting out of here too..." she forced a smile

---

Zack waved to his friends and lead Mandy out of the house. Walking to the car he opened the door for her then got into the drivers side. It didnt take long before the two were back on the road, on the way back to the comforts of their on home.