One True Love

Chapter 8

Stirring around a few hours later, I realized that both Scotty and I had fallen asleep on the couch. Seeing that the T.V. was on and turned down low, almost jumping out of my skin when I saw Ashley sitting in the chair across from the couch. When did she get here? Were we both sleeping that hard that we didn't hear her come in?

Sitting up, I whispered, "When did you get here?"

Turning her attention from the book in her lap, she looked at me..."About an hour ago, y'all looked so comfortable I didn't bother waking you up. Besides, I'm trying to finish this lesson plan on helping verbs," she said as she looked back towards her book.

Looking at Scotty, I saw him laying there, still sound asleep and I smiled as I looked back at Ashley...."Ash, what's wrong? Ever since we got back from Wilmington, I haven't seen you much and when I do see you, you're short with me."

Shutting her binder in a rapid movement, she looked at me, and stood up from the chair, "Nothing is wrong. I'm fine. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to finish this lesson plan." With that, she started making her way towards her bedroom.

Yelling after her and not realizing Scotty was still asleep, I said, "You know, whatever it is, you can't hide it forever. It helps to talk about it and not keep it bottled inside."

Slamming the door shut, she was out of sight and I turned my attention back towards Scotty who was now stirring around, obviously awake from all the commotion.

In that sleepy deep voice of his, he opened his eyes and looked around, "What's going on baby?"

Staring at the door to Ashley's room, I muttered, "It's just Ashley. I don't know what's going on with her, but it seems like she has became a different person lately."

Pulling me closer to him, he whispered, "It will be okay, I'll talk to Austin about it tomorrow."

Taking a deep sigh, I found myself running my hand inside his shirt where the three buttons were unbuttoned...."It's just," I paused, "it's just I wanted her to be my maid of honor, but if she won't even talk to me I'm not sure that she will be." Feeling tears well up in my eyes, I swiped one away as I felt it escape.

Holding me close, he brushed the hair from my eyes and kissed my forehead...."We have time, everything will work out."

"Baby," I whispered

"Yes?," he replied

"Stay with me tonight?," I asked

He laughed, " You know that's another line in my song don't you?," he paused and started singing again, "Just as you walk away, you hear that sweet voice say....Stay"

I smiled, "Please baby, I didn't get any sleep last night. I really missed you."

He sighed, "Gabi, you know we can't do this."

Looking hurt, I said, "It's only one night."

Laying my head on his shoulder, he whispered, "Go to sleep baby. I'll be right here when you wake up."

***

Waking up hours later, I realized that I was now in my bed. Not knowing how I got there, I looked around and saw Scotty laying beside me, sound asleep. Nudging him awake, I whispered, "How did we get in here?"

He smiled, "Well the couch wasn't all that comfortable so I carried you in here a few hours ago. Knowing that I told you I would be here when you woke up, I decided to crawl in beside you."

I smiled, "What time is it?"

Reaching over his shoulder, he grabbed his phone...."Looks like it's almost midnight," he said, before rolling back over.

Laying down on my pillow, I looked at him...."Do you need to be going?"

He smiled, "Do you want me to?"

Laughing, I asked, "Is that even a question?"

Smiling again, he got up from the bed, still fully dressed, and faced towards me.

"What are you doing?," I asked.

Still with a smile on his face, he said, "Well I thought I would get comfortable if that's okay with you."

Nodding my head yes, I watched as he unbuttoned the remaining buttons on his black shirt leaving it on once it was fully unbuttoned, exposing his bare chest. Next, he reached and undid his belt, slipping it through the loops and dropping it on the floor before unbuttoning his pants and doing the same. Mesmerized by this, all I could do was stare as I watched him crawl back in the bed with me.

I laughed, "I thought I was going to get some sleep tonight."

He winked and turned towards me, "Sleep is for the weak."

***

Shining bright in my eyes, the sun beckoned me awake at 6:30 a.m. Throwing the pillow over my face, I knew that I had to get up. Today was Tuesday and Scotty and I both had classes. Nudging him, he began to stir around.

"Babe, it's after 6:30. We have an eight o'clock class this morning. You need to be getting up."

Smiling, he turned over on his back, "How about some breakfast?"

Snuggling close to him and pulling the covers over me, I said, "That sounds great."

Kissing the top of my forehead, he jumped out of bed and slipped on his jeans, leaving his chest bare...."I'll be right back, don't move."

Watching him walk out of the room, I still couldn't believe that he was mine. Yes, all mine. How did I ever get so blessed?

***

Walking into the kitchen, I opened the fridge and found a carton of eggs, ham, and cheese. Sitting them on the counter, I looked in the cabinet for a skillet. Once I found it, I sat it on top of the stove and began cracking eggs in a nearby bowl. Hearing a door open, I wondered if Gabi had not listened to me, but soon saw Ashley walking into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Ash!," I said, as I cracked the last egg and began stirring it with a fork, adding salt and pepper.

Looking dumbfounded, she simply asked, "You stayed the night last night?"

I smiled and turned towards her, "Yes, is that a problem?," I asked, pouring the eggs into the skillet.

Sitting down in one of the chairs, she said, "No, I just didn't know we were playing house."

Adding the cheese and ham in with the egg, I asked, "Do you want an egg Ash?"

Looking out the window, she replied, "No thank you."

I laughed, "Suit yourself, but I must admit I'm a good cook."

Muttering under her breath, she said, "I bet that's not the only thing you're good at."

Acting as if I didn't hear her, I scooped up the eggs and divided them on two plates...."What was that?," I asked

She smiled, "Nothing Scotty, have a good day." With that, she disappeared back into her room.

Shrugging my shoulders, I picked up the plates and made my way back towards Gabi's room. Sitting up in the bed, she smiled as I walked in, and I hoped that this would be a small thing I would always be able to do for her. Handing her a plate, I sat back on the bed.

"What were you and Ashley talking about in there?," she asked as she took a bite of her egg.

"Nothing really, she didn't have much to say," I replied

She laughed, "Figures"

Smiling, I said, "I think I've figured out her problem."

Moving her egg around the plate with her fork, she said, "Oh really? What is it?"

Laughing I said, "Well, let's just say I can fix it but I gotta talk to my boy Austin," winking at her.

She smiled and sat her plate on the counter, making her way to the shower. As I watched her walk away, one thing that Ashley had said kept ringing in my head. Yes, we were engaged and planned to get married in a year. Knowing we couldn't live here once we were married, I decided there was something I needed to do and there wasn't a minute to waste.