Stuck in the Middle

Ashley’s POV

“Oh my God that was so amazing!” Ronnie panted as he ran off stage and into the dressing room pulling Emily and myself into a sweaty embrace.

I cringed as he squeezed my face into his sweat drenched chest. “Eww Ronnie let me go you’re nasty, sweaty, and you smell.” I whined from beneath his grasp causing him to chuckle and squeeze me closer to him.

“I don’t hear Emily complaining.” Ronnie retorted with a smug smile on his face as he looked down at the two of us.

“Maybe it’s because she can’t breathe.” I grumbled as I tried to wiggle out of his grasp.

“Sorry I got distracted by his chest. It’s just so … wow…” Emily replied, feverishly blushing when she realized she had said this out loud.

“No, Emily don’t inflate his ego! It’s big enough already there is barely enough room for it on our tour bus.” I groaned successfully prying myself out of his grasp and tumbling to the floor with a loud thud. I sighed loudly and just laid there against the floor.

“What are you doing down there?” Ron asked with a laugh as he handed his fender bass off to his tech.

“Ronnie attacked me with his sweaty stench. I think I’m dying.” I replied overdramatically as I clutched my chest, closed my eyes, stuck out my tongue, and pretended to die.

It was eerily quiet I cracked an eye open and looked around the room. Ronnie was using the fake sign language he had learned during his stint during jail and had an evil smile on his face. “Ronnie don’t look at me like that! Why are you looking at me lik…”

But I was cut off by Ronnie yelling “Dog pile!” and before I got a chance to get up all five of the guys in the band where throwing themselves on top of me.

I felt like all my bones were about to break. My lugs felt like they were going to explode from the force pushing down on them, and I could feel my face turning red from lack of oxygen. “Emily help!” I cried out from beneath the dog pile, as I relentlessly kicked my legs about, and tried to push the guys off of me.

“Oh here let me get your camera. I know you wouldn’t want that to break.” Emily replied with a shit eating grin on her face as she grabbed the camera off of the ground next to me and gently removed the strap from around my neck.

“You bitch!” I cried out as I felt someone’s knee dig into my side. “I meant get me out from under here!” I yelled as I struggled beneath the pile.

“You know there is no way in hell that I would be able to get the guys off of you.” She said with a smile as she held up my camera. “How do you turn this thing on?” She mused to herself as she fumbled around with my camera.

“Here let me show you.” An oh too familiar voice responded.
I craned my neck to see Max standing behind Emily. Emily looked at him cautiously unsure whether or not to hand him the camera. “I don’t know.” She murmured slightly biting her lip.

“Just give it to me. I know how to work the damn thing.” Max replied as he gently plucked the camera out of her hands and removed the lens cap.

“Please don’t break it Ash told me it was her favorite.” Emily warned as she nervously rocked back and forward on her feet.

“Emmy I know how to work it.” Max groaned out of annoyance as he pressed the power button and began messing with the focus. A blinding flash went off on the camera before he turned it off and handed it back to Emily.

Upon handing the camera back to Emily he saw the bottom of the camera and what had been written on it with paint pen. You always see the beauty in life even at ones darkest times. I thought you might want to capture that beauty forever. Happy Birthday Love Max A smile crept onto Max’s face when he read the inscription. “You kept this?” He asked looking at me.

I groaned out of frustration. “Max this isn’t the time to be sentimental or nostalgic. Get me out from under here!” I screamed violently thrashing about trying to pinch, knee, or punch the guys on top of me.

Upon hearing this Ronnie jumped up from on top of me causing everybody else to tumble off. “I’d prefer if he doesn’t go anywhere near you.” Ronnie growled taking a menacing step towards Max who instantly held his hands up in a surrendering gesture.

“Hey man I wasn’t trying to start any shit.” Max replied as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Then why are you here?” Ronnie asked, crossing his muscular arms over his well-toned chest.

“Maybe because we’re going on next.” Monte piped up surprising everybody since we didn’t know he was there. He was leaning against the wall absentmindedly strumming his guitar.

“Monte!” I yelled jumping up from the ground and running over to him, pulling him into a hug. “I haven’t seen you in forever!” I squealed as he hugged me back.

“I saw you last night sweetie.” He replied with a chuckle.

“Well if you haven’t been told … I don’t remember that.” I replied whispering the last half of the sentence into his ear causing him to flat out laugh.

“Ash I don’t want you to take this wrong, but you smell like hot sweaty ass.” Monte said as he gently held me at an arm’s length away and scrunched his nose up in distaste.

I frowned at him and crossed my arms over my chest. “I hate you.” I pouted as I turned my back to him.

“I said I didn’t want you to take it the wrong way.” He responded as he wrapped his arms around me and sat his chin on my shoulder. “You can’t be mad at me.” He added with one of his dimpled grins.

“Yea at least he didn’t say you smell like a week old jock strap that a bum used to wipe his ass.” Derek chimed in placing his hand on my shoulder as he gave me one of his dorky smiles. His face and comment making the guys burst out laughing.

I turned my head and looked at Derek like he had lost his mind. “You know I sometimes worry about you. How on earth do you come up with half the things you say? Have you smelt a week old jock strap that a bum has used to wipe his ass?” I asked as I shrugged out of Derek’s and Monte’s grasp. “I swear I’m stuck on this tour with a bunch of lunatics.” I muttered to myself as I walked across the room and retrieved my camera out of Emily’s hands.

“Are you mad at me?” She asked following behind me as I made my way to my camera bag.

“No I’m not mad at you.” I muttered as I gently sat my camera inside its case and began digging inside it contents.

“Well you sound mad.” She replied with a remorseful look on her face.

“I promise I’m not mad at you. I guess I’m just grumpy from lack of sleep. I apparently drank my weight in alcohol last night and was up pretty much all night doing God knows what.” I responded with a sigh. I quickly diverted my attention from the contents of my camera bag to Max when I heard him choke back a laugh and then to Ronnie when he growled in response.

“Ronnie don’t you have some place to be?” I asked giving him a stern look. I was hoping for once in his life he’s take the hint and just leave, but that would never happen, not in a million years.

“Nope!” He replied popping the p and giving me a smirk. “I’ve got nothing better to do then annoy my precious little sister and her friends.” He replied as he reached his hand out and ruffled the hair on the top of my head.

“I think you do.” I growled just about ready to snap. I have a weird pet peeve about people touching my hair I just can’t stand it. “We’re just about out of food on the bus and you need to buy the stuff for those s’more brownies you asked me to make tonight.”

“I asked you to make me s’more brownies?” Ronnie asked giving me a puzzled look. I swear sometimes I think he’s a natural blond, maybe all the drugs he used to do are slowly starting to effect his brain, either that or his doing it on purpose. Ronnie sometimes likes to push me and see how long it takes before I blow. He thinks it’s hilarious when my short little 5 foot 4 self gets into peoples face and starts yelling and screaming. When I was younger he used to make fun of how pink I would turn when I was about to blow. Ashley are you mad? Oh yes you are, you’re turning pink. Turn pink Ash turn pink. Oh my God she’s turning pink! I think she’s about to blow!

“Bloody hell man, just come with me and I’ll explain.” Jacky said as he snaked his arm around Ronnie’s shoulders. “Sometimes I worry about you.” Jacky mumbled shaking his head at Ronnie’s denseness. I rolled my eyes and thanked God that there was someone intelligent in the band.

“And that’s my cue.” Ryan said as he pointed towards Jacky and Ronnie who were walking towards the busses. “What’s exactly going on?” Ryan whispered into my ear as he hugged me goodbye.

“There is a party tonight at the AA bus and I promised to pick a few things up, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do.” I replied as I motioned to my camera bag. “I left a list of things I need on the counter. Will you make sure that the boys don’t leave without it?” I added giving Ryan a smile. He nodded his head yes before running off to catch up with Ronnie and Jacky. Derek and Ron over excitedly waved goodbye before dashing off after him.

“There is a party tonight?” Craig asked as him and Robert walked into the dressing room.

“Yup and all of you are invited. It’s going to be at the AA bus after the show.” I replied as I went back to searching through my bag.

“Five minutes guys!” One of the stage hands called out.

“Well I guess I should get back to the …” Emily began as she began backing away from the guys in her brother’s band.

I cut her off before she could get away. “Hey Emmy, will you come here for a second? I need some help with something.” I called out over my shoulder as I quickly made sure the cuff on my left arm was locked.

“What’s up buttercup?” She asked squatting down next to me.

“Oh nothing much, just a little payback.” I replied as I quickly tightened the cuff around her right arm.

“Why did you just handcuff us together?” She asked looking at me like I was crazy as she tried to unlock the cuffs.

“These aren’t dollar store cuffs you actually need a key to get out of these ones, or you could always try to dislocate your thumb and squeeze them off.” I replied giving her a wink knowing there was no way in hell she would go with the second option.

“How on earth do you even know about the second option?” She asked eyeing me suspiciously as she gave up on trying to get the hand cuffs off.

“That’s a story for another time.” I replied with a smile as I stood up pulling Emily up with me. “Hey Craig, Emily is staying for the show after all.” I called out as I dragged her over in his direction.

“Oh that’s great!” He turned around to face us with a beaming smile on his face. He rolled his eyes and began laughing when he saw why she was staying. “Ash, you sly cat. Why hadn’t I thought of that?” He managed to get out between laughs.

“You like being stuck to people don’t you? First you were glued to Max and now you’re cuffed to Emmy.” Robert asked with a laugh.

“Nope I just like to have my way.” I responded with a sly smile. “I was threatening to glue Max’s mouth shut if he didn’t stop talking shit. I did not intend to be glued to him for most of the morning.

“How did you get glued to him? I never found out.” Robert prodded.

“I uhh…” I began afraid of admitting the truth. The truth being I let my emotions take over and Max kissed me.

“She had superglue in her hands and I pinned her to the bed and kissed her.” Max answered with a sly smile on his lips.

“Don’t make me hit you!” I warned glaring in Max’s direction. I turned around to face Emily with a fake smile on my face. “Aren’t you glad I’m forcing you to come to this show? I mean how often to you get to see Max and me fight?” I added with a roll of my eyes.

“I hate you!” Emily growled at me with a glare, as she tried to pull me out of the dressing room presumably back to the booth. “I can’t believe you think you are on tour with a bunch of crazy people. You do realize if there was a crazy scale you would be at the top of it. I mean who on earth handcuffs themselves to someone else just to get their way.”

I huffed and yanked her back in my direction. “Don’t hate the player hate the game.” I replied with a cheesy smile as she struggled to get loose.

“I’d just give up you’re just going to hurt yourself.” Max replied with a smirk. “My wrist still hurts from the other day when she was dragging me to her bus and we were only glued together. You on the other hand are stuck to her by metal.” Max said as he gave her a sympathetic smile and patted her on the shoulder. “Metal breaks bones.” He added with a serious face causing me to bust out laughing.

“Thank you, Dr. Green for your words or wisdom.” I managed to choke out in between laughter.

“One minute!” The same stage hand called out causing Max to grab his bass and hurriedly make sure it was in tune. Monte smiled smugly at Max when he hit a sour not signaling it hadn’t been tuned right. Robert laughed as he began drumming on the wall waiting for his cue to run on stage and behind his drum set.

Craig started bouncing on his heels as he looked between Emily and myself. “Wish us good luck.” Craig said as he pulled us into a hug and kissing both of us on the head.

“Good luck…” Emily grumbled as she pulled herself out of her brother’s embrace.

“You’re not supposed to wish them good luck. You’re supposed to tell them to break a leg.” I replied poking Emily’s side. “You gave them bad luck by doing that.” I added with a serious face. “Watch Craig is going to break his foot again tonight.”

“Ashley that only counts for the theater.” Emily replied crossing her arms over her chest yanking me closer to her during the process.

“It’s kind of like theater.” I pouted as I gently rubbed my arm where the cuff had dug into my skin. “I mean there is music, storytelling, and a little dancing; usually some painfully horrible attempted jokes by Craig, stage diving, and crowd surfing. If you ask me I think it’s very theatrical. I mean they aren’t just standing there without any emotion on their face as they play. “ I remarked yanking my arm back towards me causing Emily to stumble.

“So do you think Max really likes it when Craig humps his mic?” Emily asked causing Max and Craig’s heads to pop up at the mention of their names.

“The world will never know.” Max replied with a smirk and winking in Craig’s direction, causing Craig to crack a smile.

The beginning of Choose your fate started playing and we all quickly made our way out of the dressing room and to the side stage. Robert ran onto the stage like his pants were on fire, soon followed by Monte, Max, and then Craig who walked on stage with a beaming smile. “Hey guys, where Escape the Fate from Las Vegas, Nevada. This first song goes out to the girl with the big tits.” Craig said into the microphone and as he pointed towards the crowd.

“Look Emily…” I began with a sigh causing her to look in my direction. “I’m sorry about dragging you to the show, but I just … I just … fuck I just didn’t want to be alone around Max. I know you’re mad at Craig, and you have every right to be, but I just needed a friend. I’m sorry I’m so selfish.” I apologized placing my head in my hands.

“Ash, you know he wouldn’t do anything to you…” Emily began causing me to frown.

“I know he wouldn’t do anything to me. I know the guy like the back of my hand, or well at least I did. I just I’m embarrassed and I don’t want to talk about it. I like to take time to digest and think of everything and I know he likes to get things off of his chest and talk about it. He remembers last night I don’t …” I replied awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck dropping the conversation.

“You know you two are eventually going to half to talk about this. If you keep acting like nothing happened it’s just going to cause more problems in the long run.” Emily added before returning her attention back to the stage.

They were about halfway through the set and were playing The Aftermath and I couldn’t help but smile at the guys I had known for years as they played their hearts out for their fans. Max stood with one foot on the raiser in front of him as he plucked the strings on his bass. He was on the left side of the stage, the closest to Emily and myself. Craig walked over to Max as the song started to calm down for a second he smiled at him before singing. Max didn’t notice this and started walking closer to Emily and I. “I will stand right by your side, I am humping on your mic.” Craig sang as he did indeed hump Max’s mic stand. Upon hearing the word humping Max turned around and snapped his head up looking at Craig in time to see him humping the mic. I couldn’t help but clutch my stomach from laughing so hard. Max just smiled at Craig and held his hands in the air as if saying what the fuck

“Oh my God that was so awesome!” I managed to get out through the laughing attack I was having. I bent over and placed my hands on my knees trying to regain composure. The next thing I knew my hand slipped off of my knee causing me to lose my balance, tumbling face first onto the floor, and bringing Emily down on top of me.

“What the fuck?!” Emily groaned out of annoyance as she rolled off from on top and me and sat up rubbing her cuffed hand. “That’s going to leave a bruise.” She whined. “Are you okay?” Emily asked looking over to me as I slowly sat up.

“I don’t know…” I responded as I reached my uncuffed hand up and scratched my head. “All of a sudden my hands got really clammy and I lost my balance.” I replied as I messed with the rip in my jeans.

“Are you okay?” Monte asked appearing at the side of the stage. He had apparently seen what had happened. I smiled at him as tried my best to stand back up, but quickly sat back down as my vision started to blur.

“Yea I’m fine.” I lied as I wiped sweat from my face.

“You don’t look okay.” He responded crouching down to my level, his guitar poking me in the chest. “You look like you’re going to pass out.” He replied touching my head with his hand to check for a fever.

“Yea I think the heat is just getting to me. I haven’t eaten or drank much of anything today.” I explained as him and Emily helped me on to my feet. “I’m probably dehydrated.” I replied with a shrug of my shoulders.

“Hey Monte, what’s taking so long?” Max asked as he appeared at the side stage with his bass strapped securely around him and a bottle of water in his hand. “Craig can only make so many unfunny jokes before he pisses off someone in the crowd.” He added before taking the cap off the water and taking a sip.

“Ash collapsed.” Monte responded looking wearily between Max and myself.

“Monte I’m fine.” I replied shoving my hands into my jean pockets. “I just got a little dizzy that’s all.”

Emily looked at me and raised a brow. “Ashley babe, you basically fainted on us you’re not fine.” She argued with me giving me a look to show she wasn’t going to give in on the subject.

“Here drink this.” Max said shoving the bottle of water in my direction. I looked at him for a second unsure if I should take it or not. “Ash don’t look at me like that. I swear I don’t have cooties, I’m up to date on all my shots.” He joked with a smile as he placed the bottle of water in my hands.

“If that bottle of water isn’t empty by the time we finish our set you’re grounded tonight.” Monte joked with me before turning and walking back on the stage with Max.

“You’re not my real Daddy! You can’t ground me!” I yelled back at his retreating figure causing him to look back at me and laugh before squinting his eyes and pointing a threatening finger in my direction.

“Best drink up.” Emily said with a smile. “I’m not opposed to telling Ronnie that you nearly passed out.” She added with a smirk when I didn’t move to drink the water. I’m seriously starting to think that my bitchy, threatening attitude is starting to rub off on her.

“You know if you do that Ronnie will refuse to leave my side for days. Your date would never happen, and you’d be stuck with Craig 24/7.” I replied with a smirk on my face.

“Just drink the fucking water.” Emily growled startling me. I looked at her confused for a second before slowly taking to cap off the drink and raising the bottle to my lips. It wasn’t until the water touched my tongue that I realized how incredibly thirsty I was. In a matter of seconds the bottle was empty and Emily stood there with a smug smile on her face.

“Don’t look at me like that.” I grumbled as I threw the empty bottle on stage hitting Max in the head with it. He turned around and glared at the two of us, but started laughing at the fact that both Emily and I were pointing at each other signaling that the other one did it.

“Thanks for coming out to see us tonight. You guys have been awesome.” Craig voice filtered through the speakers.

I leaned over and slowly started packing everything back into my camera bag. I kind of got caught up in the guy’s set and didn’t take many pictures. I sighed to myself. I was starting to think this tour was a bad idea. I had spent most of my time bullshitting with the guys, opposed to taking pictures of them. I knew too many people on this tour that wanted to capitalize my time; too many people that wanted to catch up and just hang out. I needed to focus on my job and do what I was hired to do. I honestly hadn’t even met the opening bands for the tour yet. I had spent too much time on this tour hiding and fighting with people. I sighed once again and tried to shake the thoughts from my head.

“When did this happen?” Robert’s voice boomed from behind me causing me to jump out of shock.

“When did what happen?” I asked as I looked around the side stage to make sure I had all of my equipment.

I squealed when Robert poked me in the ass with one of his drum sticks. “This thing …” He began as he poked my ass again gaining a glare from me. “You’ve got an ass!” He exclaimed with a smile on his face.

“I don’t know it’s been two almost three years since I’ve seen you … I guess my body has matured.” I replied with a shrug as I bent back over to pick up my camera bag. “I had to buy new pants … I couldn’t get them over my hips.” I frowned, causing him and Monte to laugh.

“Having an ass isn’t a bad thing.” Monte replied with a smile. “I bet Ronnie has to fight off guys with a baseball bat.” He quipped.

I frowned when Monte mentioned that. It wasn’t the fact that I was afraid Ronnie would try to scare away any guy I ever brought home, and I know he would try. Montes mentioning Ronnie and baseball bats made my mind drift back to that fateful night in the desert. “I’d prefer if he stays away from baseball bats.” I murmured. “I’ve been too busy with work to even think about the opposite sex. I haven’t been on a date in years.” I added as an afterthought.

“She doesn’t just have a nice ass her tits have gotten bigger too!” Max added with a proud smile on his face.

My face paled as he said this. I honestly couldn’t believe he would say such a thing. I stood there in shock for a minute before reality set in. “I’m going to fucking kill you!” I growled launching myself at him, but being pulled back by Emily and the cuffs. “You don’t see me talking about how small your dick is!” I growled as I rubbed my cuffed arm.

“You wouldn’t know how big it is because you apparently don’t remember last night, unless it was all a lie. Plus we all know it isn’t. There are thousands of girls that would kill to be in the position you were in last night.” Max replied with an even larger smile on his face.

“You’re a fucking egotistical pig!” I seethed. “Do you ever think before you speak?!” I fumed. “You know what? I’m fucking done Max. I’m tired of fighting and arguing with you. I’m tired of all drama. I’m fucking done! I’m sorry I slept with you last night, and I’m sorry I don’t remember it. Maybe if I did things would be different, but I highly doubt that. I have no idea what you did or said to me to get me in bed, but I’m pretty sure whatever you told me was a lie. You are clearly incapable of having any emotions. You’re a fucking prick and you don’t know when to keep your mouth shut. I swear you haven’t matured any. Just do me a favor whenever I come to one of your sets, or we have a photo shoot please just go back to ignoring me. I can’t deal with the constant change in your emotions. One moment you’re nice to me, the next you’re making snide comments about me, and then the next you’re back to hating me. I’m not trying to be rude or anything, but I think you need to either A. get your meds adjusted or B. get on some. All this constant bickering between me and you, Craig and Emily, and Ronnie is really starting to get to me. I’m done! I’m done with all of this!” I growled as I stormed out of the venue pulling Emily with me to the busses.

“Ashley, slow down.” Emily called out as she yanked her arm towards her causing me to stumble backwards.

“Fucking shit Emmy don’t do that I’m wearing wedges I could snap my ankle.” I replied slowing down my pace allowing Emily to walk beside me instead of dragging her behind me.

“What did you mean by you’re done with all this? Are you leaving the tour?” Emily asked shoving her free hand into her jean shorts.

“I don’t know… I just didn’t think that there would be this much drama on the tour this early in. I’m sorry I blew up like that. I just … Max just drives me crazy. Does he ever think before he opens his mouth?” I grumbled as I looked up at the sky.

“Maybe he drives you crazy because you don’t want to admit you like him. I mean there has to be a reason you hooked up with him.” Emily replied as we approached her bus.

I shuddered at the thought. “Emily if you ever say that again I will be forced to hit you.” I threatened as she entered the bus code onto the keypad laughing me off.

“Fine I won’t mention it again.” Emily replied putting her hands up in the air as a sign of surrendering. “When are you going to take these off?” Emily asked as she lifted the two of our cuffed hands into the air.

My eyes went wide when she said this as I looked around for my camera bag. “I uh … erm …” I began as I awkwardly shuffled from foot to foot. “I uh…”

“Don’t tell me you lost the keys!” Emily groaned giving me a pleading look.

I shook my head no. “I didn’t lose them…” I trailed off.

“That didn’t sound that convincing.” Emily stated her pleading look soon turning to an angry glare.

“I didn’t lose them.” I stated mater of factly.

“Then where are they?” She asked anxiously tapping her foot.

“I…” I began as the door to the bus popped open and Craig, Monte, and Robert piled onto the bus.

I sighed in relief when Craig lifted my camera bag into the air. “Here I come to save the day!” He sang as he held the bag above my head.

“Craig in fact did save the day!” I sang back as I grabbed the bag from his hands and retrieved the key out of it. “It’s right here.” I replied to Emily as I held the key in front of her face, quickly yanking it away when she tried to reach for it.

“Emily we need to talk.” Craig said as he wiped his face with a white plush towel. “I know you pretty much hate me right now but I don’t care.” He added shrugging his shoulders.

“I’m going to go shower!” Robert shouted before sprinting to the bathroom.

“Fuck!” Monte complained as Robert shut and locked the bathroom door. “I um… I’m going to go outside and talk to Max.” Monte said before giving Emily a sympathetic smile and walking off the bus.

“Craig I don’t want to talk to you.” She replied stepping away from him.

“Emily I really think you should hear him out.” I replied giving her a small smile.

“Ash just hurry up and unlock me. I’ve got to go back to the merch booth.” She retorted giving me a pleading look.

I sighed to myself before nodding my head yes. I fumbled around with the key before I got it into the cuff turning it to unlock it. Just as the lock clicked signaling it had unlocked my hand slipped and I dropped the key under the table. I smiled to myself as a brilliant idea popped into my head. I leaned down to pick it up unintentially yanking Emily down with me. “Sorry.” I muttered when she tumbled to the ground. “I forgot if I go down you go down too.” I added as I quietly slipped off my cuff and attached it to the metal pole that was holding up the table. “Oh there it is.” I called out as I found the key under the table and stood up with it proudly in my hand.

“What the fuck Ashley! Why am I chained to the God damn table?” Emily growled trying to kick my legs out from underneath me.

“Cause I know you wouldn’t listen to Craig otherwise. I’m not as stupid as my brother you know.” I replied giving her a smile. “Speaking of which I should go check on him and make sure he hasn’t blown the bus up yet.” I added with a laugh remembering how he and Max nearly caught the bus on fire during their first tour.

“I hate you!” Emily grumbled from her spot on the floor a pout on her face.

“No you don’t you love me and my banana!” I shouted as I skipped towards the door of the bus.

“She loves you and your banana? That’s not some code word for a big floppy dick is it?” Craig asked with a grimace on his face causing both Emily and I to laugh.

“Bye I love you! Remember to take her for a walk when you’re done.” I replied with a laugh throwing the key at him jumping off the bus steps and painfully falling to the ground.

“You should really start watching where you’re going.” Max’s voice called out. I could tell he was trying his best not to laugh.

“Are you okay?” Monte asked through muffled laughter.

“You should learn not to sit on the fuck steps to the bus.” I groaned as I rolled over to face the guys I had tripped over. “Fuck I’m bleeding” I whined as I wiped my bloody palms on my pants.

“Ash did you touch your head or something?” Monte asked as he made his way over to where I laid on the ground.

“No I didn’t why?” I asked hissing in pain as I pushed myself up into a sitting position.

“Sweetie your head is bleeding.” He replied as he crouched down in front of me and touched a cut at the top of my hair line an inch or so above my right eye brow.

“Fucking shit don’t do that!” I yelled swatting his hand away from my face.

“How many fingers am I holding up?” Max asked as he sat down in front of me.

“Two…” I replied rolling my eyes.

“Now follow my finger with your eyes.” He instructed as he slowly moved his finger in front of my face. “I think you’re going to be fine.” He responded a minute later after he had finished his test.

“Do you have any idea how that follow the finger test goes? How do you know I’m really okay?” I asked with a puzzled expression on my face.

“I’ve got no idea, but I think you passed.” Max replied shrugging his shoulders. I grimaced when I felt the blood trickling down my face and slowly dripping onto my chest. “I think we should get you back on the bus and clean cut on your face.” Max added as he softly cupped my cheek in his hand and rubbed his thumb up and down my cheek.

I couldn’t help but close my eyes and lean into his touch. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. “I think I’m just going to go back to my bus and shower.” I placed my palms onto the ground and pushing myself up and into a standing position, cursing under my breath as the asphalt dug into my freshly cut palms.

“Do you want us to walk you over to the bus?” Monte asked placing his hand on my shoulder.

“No I’m fine.” I replied with a polite smile.

“Ash your head is bleeding really bad.” Max said as he grimaced.

I frowned as I looked at the blood that had dripped onto one of my favorite shirts. It was more than likely going to be stained seeing how there are no washing machines on tour busses. With a loud sigh I lifted the shirt over my head and held it to where the cut was. “Max facial wounds bleed a lot.” I replied with a shrug. “I should get back to my bus Ronnie would kill me if he saw me standing outside talking to the two of you in just my bra. He’s not that fond of you.” I said as I looked at Monte. “And he doesn’t need another reason to kill you.” I added as I looked at Max.

I turned around and started walking back towards the bus that would be my home for the next three months. I was about halfway there when I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder. “Hey Ash can we talk?” Max asked as I slowly turned around.

I sighed loudly. “I’d rather not.” I muttered staring at my feet.

“Come on Ash please just hear me out.” Max pleaded grabbing my hand that wasn’t holding my blood soaked shirt to my head. My gaze shifted from my feet to his hand that was now holding my own. “Just give me 30 seconds.” Max begged giving me a hopeful look.

I took a deep breath and nibbled on my bottom lip. “25 seconds.” I wagered looking him in the eyes. He sighed in relief and a smile crept onto his face. “20 seconds” I warned causing his eyes to go wide and him to start talking.

“I … I just … I …” He stammered tripping upon his words.

I rolled my eyes as he nervously played with the rings on his long fingers. “Just spit it out Max.” I huffed quickly growing impatient as the throbbing in my head grew worse.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled looking up from his hands and into my eyes.

I looked at him like he was crazy. I had given up on ever hearing those two words ever come out of his mouth. “Sorry for what?” I prodded wanting to know exactly what he was sorry for.

“Jesus Ashley can’t you just accept my apology?” He groaned running his fingers through his hair.

“Do you have any idea how many things you need to apologize for?” I questioned stepping back from him. “Do you have any idea how bad you’ve hurt me or how disappointed in you I am?” I asked shaking my head no.

“Ashley I’m sorry for everything.” Max said with pleading eyes. “I just want my best friend back.” He added stepping closer to me. I shook my head no as tears welled up in my eyes. “What do you mean no?” He asked bewildered.

“I just … I need some time.” I replied before turning around and running off, leaving him there staring at my retreating figure. I looked back at him one more time “I’m afraid this time I’m sorry isn’t good enough.” I whispered to myself.