Guarded Heart (The GH Series)

Chapter Nine

Although I had a shower at Ashley’s last night, it always feels good to have your own shower, shampoo and soap, doesn’t it? 

I showered a lot faster that I did in Ashley’s and picked out my outfit for the day.  Choosing my ripped jeans, a black vest top, black heels and my black bag, I was set for my day.

I got into my car and drove to Ashley’s.  I feel cheated by this as it only took me two minutes to drive.  Seems lazy but I did promise her a drive.  

I got out the car and knocked on Ashley’s door and could hear her yell and then she opened the door and smiled at me.

“You look more like, you.  Do you feel any better?” She asked sweetly.

“I do feel much better, thank you.  Are you ready?”

“Yes.  I am. I hope you do not mind, but I threw a picnic basket together.”

I quirked my eyebrow and smiled at her thoughtfulness.  “That was sweet of you. I would not have thought of that, so thank you.”

“Come on in.  I just need to grab the basket.”

I followed Ashley in, and she looked hot as hell.  God damn it Callie, behave yourself woman!  

“We may need to stop at the shop first. I have no bottled water left for us to take with us.”

“We won’t need to stop.  I have plenty of bottled water in the car.”  Ashley came through with the picnic basket, holding it with both hands.  It looked rather heavy with the way she was holding the basket. 

“Jeez…what have you got in here?  The kitchen sink!?”

“Not at all.  I just threw in a little bit of everything.  I don’t know your likes or dislikes.”

“Okay.  Right, I am going to take it to the car, and you can go ahead and lock up.” 

“Okay, be there shortly.  I need to tinkle first.” 

I smiled, rolled my eyes and headed to the car.  I put the picnic basket behind my seat so if Ashley wanted anything out, she would be able to reach for what she needed.

I then went to the rear of the car and pulled out some bottles of water and put them in the cup holder and set up my phone to the car to play music and then I was waiting on the toilet hogger, Ashley.

“Sorry to keep you waiting Callie.”

“No worries.  Right, before we set up, this is what I call last chance saloon.  Do you have everything before we set off?”  Ashley nodded her head and smiled.  “Then let’s go.”

The drive was full of light chatter and we had decided to go to the beach as I seemed to be driving in that direction.  It turns out that Ashley is a music love just as much as I am, with somewhat familiar taste.  As we were getting near the beach, a song that came on my playlist, one that brings up memories that make my life seem unimportant.  I was about to change the song when Ashley stopped me from doing so.

“Don’t…Just tell me afterwards why you want to change this song.  You clearly need to go through this song.” 

I looked at her and pretty much focused on the road and tried my best to zone out the song.  “So why did you want to skip that song?”

“It reminds me of a bad time in my life and if I could trade places, I would.”  I said solemnly.

“I listened to the words and I couldn’t help but remember that you have some of them tattooed on you.”

“So, you noticed that, huh?”

“Yes, I did.  You have Don’t try to fix me; I’m not broken tattooed on your upper arm.
For what is worth Callie, I do not think you are broken, perhaps just a little lost.  Please.  Talk to me?”