“He’s right,” Ashley said in a timid tone. “Of course, he’s right. I took you all for granted.” She looked to her siblings. “I should have been a better sister. More available and less jealous. More understanding and less judgmental.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry I let you down.” Seeing Alex’s slight appreciative smile and the tears of joy in Kelsey’s eyes, Ashley knew that despite her selfishness, they accepted her apology and wouldn’t hold a grudge.
Ashley shifted her gaze to her parents. “You two…” Overcome with an emotion that clutched her throat, squeezing the words out but refusing to let others follow, she felt moisture flood into her eyes. She fought back the urge to let tears fall, but the more she tried, the more likely that outcome seemed predetermined. Ashley got up from the table and addressed her parents: “You two deserved a better daughter.”
Seeing tears develop in her mother’s eyes, Ashley felt so disgraced that she turned around, prepared to rush away… as she’d always done in the past. But this time, recalling how running away had only put distance between herself and those she most wanted to love, sending her to a self-imposed exile, Ashley stopped and looked up to find her mother standing before her, head cocked to the side in sympathy, arms extended.
And rather than head in the other direction, Ashley entered her mother’s embrace. This time, she felt no restraint or uncertainty in the way her mom held her. It felt the way Ashley had always suspected a real, affectionate hug should feel between mother and daughter: understanding, compassionate, and loving. Or maybe, she’d concentrated so much on what it should feel like that she had never lived in the moment and truly allowed felt like at that time.
Tears slipped from her eyes, allowing her to see her father’s smile, the same one he always flashed upon Alex and Kelsey, the same one that she’d never seen directed at her, the same one she’d always hoped to see during the first seventeen years of her life. That little gesture meant so much to her that another round of tears slipped from her eyes.
For the first time in her life, Ashley witnessed the love her parents assured her had always dwelled in their hearts. The difference between then and now was that she finally felt it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The next day, Ashley returned to LA. The broadcast networks wasted no time rejecting her project due to the large budget each episode would require (the show took place primarily at night and had numerous fight and chase/suspense scenes). Her agent had called almost a week later to say that Showtime, FX, AMC, and Starz had also passed on her show.
So in the morning on New Year’s Eve, when she got a call from a number she didn’t recognize, Ashley prepared herself for her final rejection. “Hello.”
“Hi Ashley, it’s David Jensen from HBO. “How are you?”
She just wished he’d lower the boom and not waste time with pleasantries. “I’m good. How are you?”
“Doing great. Listen, I was blown away by your vision for Echoes of Eternity, and I’ve convinced my colleagues to greenlight your series, assuming we can come to a contractual agreement. So how would you like to come to work at HBO?”
Her heartbeat jumped. “Are you serious?”
“Definitely. We want you as show-runner. How does that grab you?”
“Where’s the contract?” she asked, regarding financial compensation as the least important factor in working for a well-regarded company. “Let’s get it signed.”
He laughed. “I’m right there with you. I think your series can really break out, and I can’t wait to have this project come together. It’ll be our next True Blood. Are you ready for month after month of sleepless nights and stress overload?”
“I’m still waiting on that contract, David.”
He chuckled again. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
When he announced the astronomical salary they offered her, Ashley was too stunned to speak.
“I’ll have my people fax over the contract to your agent. I look forward to working with you. We’re going to make some great television together.” He hung up.
Ashley felt such elation that she wanted to scream with happiness. But when looking around her townhouse, she realized that she had no one to share her news with. And more than anything, Ashley wanted to talk with her sister. After all, she’d indoctrinated Kelsey with her love of everything horror/paranormal, as evidenced by her themed restaurant, The Witching Hour. And she suspected that her sister would throw a party there upon hearing the news.
She immediately drove over to her agent’s office and signed the contract. And rather than texting, emailing, or phoning her sister, Ashley wanted to break the news to her in person. So she booked a flight that morning, and by that afternoon, she’d arrived in the Chicagoland area before renting a car and making her way over to The Witching Hour a few minutes before 8:00 p.m.
“Ashley,” said her sister, shocked. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve got great news I wanted to share with you.”
“You’re back together with Scott?” Kelsey opened her arms wide, ready to take her in for a hug.
“No,” Ashley said, a little let down that she’d disappointed her sister. “Actually, I just sold a paranormal project to HBO. The series is called Echoes of Eternity, and I’m the showrunner.”
“Holy crap,” said Kelsey, eyes wide with excitement as she lowered her arms. “I can’t believe it. You’ll make the next Buffy!”
“Well, no show will ever be that good. But I’ll certainly give it my all.”
“Will you get props and stuff? Because I could showcase them here. Do you know how much it cost me to get Ian Somerhalder’s fangs from The Vampire Diaries?” Seeing that Ashley planned to ask, she said, “I’m embarrassed to tell you. But this is amazing. I can’t wait to see your show. Do you have any casting ideas? Is there a forbidden love affair? What about—”
“I guess you’ll have to wait and see,” Ashley said. “When you come out to see us filming.”
Kelsey’s mouth dropped. “No way! That would be too cool.” She held out her arms again, rushed toward Ashley, and jumped into her embrace. “I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to see it.”
Her response, and all the enthusiasm that came with it, made the exuberant amount of money Ashley had shelled out for the last-minute flight back to Chicago well worth it. She held her sister tightly. “Me, too.” When they separated, Ashley looked around the restaurant. “Did you hire enough staff to open this place back up?”
“Sure did. We’ve done plenty of training in preparation for our grand reopening tonight.” She beamed. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Kelsey pulled her into another hug. “But yeah, we’re ready to go.” She raised an eyebrow. “And remember, Scott’s band is playing tonight. It’s their first gig together in seven years.”
Since Christmas, Ashley had thought a lot about Scott and the statements he’d made. His concise yet passionate remarks rang true: he’d dealt with an abusive parent, while she’d had two parents who, in her mind, should have treated her as one of their own rather than how her birth parents would have preferred. But the only way to move beyond the past was to face the future. And because her parents were willing to forgive her past behavior, Ashley planned to do likewise.
Kelsey placed a finger to her Bluetooth, listening intently. She nodded and said to her older sister, “Scott’s band is ready to go.” She grinned. “My staff will handle everything tonight, so I want you to enjoy yourself, okay?”
Ashley nodded.
“I’m going to open the doors. We had five hundred people last time, and with Scrap Mettle back in the mix, I expect just as many people tonight. Talk to you later.” She headed in the other direction, talking into her earpiece.
A minute later, an employee opened the front door, and a crowd surged inside the restaurant, many whooping and hollering, others simply filtering in, heading toward the stage. All told, within a few minutes, hundreds of people had rushed through the doors.
Seco
nds later, Gayle stepped through the doorway, and her eyes immediately found Ashley’s. A smirk lit her features as she made her way over to her rival, strutting as though she couldn’t wait to comment on Ashley’s departure from Revelations. “What a wonderful surprise.”
“It is,” Ashley said, unable to contain an enthusiastic tone, along with a cheerful smile. “I want to thank you, Gayle.”
“Me?” She pointed to herself, acting as though she hadn’t heard correctly. “For getting you canned from your show?” She shrugged as though it was the least she could do. “My pleasure.”
“And I really appreciate it. But here’s the thing: months ago, I started writing a television series of my own. And if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have had enough urgency to pursue that new direction. So with your help…” She motioned to Gayle, giving her credit for that stroke of bad luck. “…I got fired. But I was fortunate enough to have HBO pick up my series. Not only am I going to be the show runner, but I’ll also be earning five times more than I did before you printed that article.”
Gayle’s smile froze. She stared at Ashley, unblinking. “Why… that’s wonderful.”
“Thank you. It seems you’ve been my family’s good luck charm for the past few months. First you publicize my brother’s library, and he gets a promotion. You publish information about my sister’s businesses, and in no time, she gets a cult band like Scrap Mettle to perform at her restaurant. And now I’ve got my dream job.” Watching Gayle’s smile turn into a frown, Ashley decided to ease the blow of having failed on all three counts to destroy her siblings’ careers. “We all owe you so much, I’ll tell you what: all night tonight, drinks are on me. How does that sound?”
“I… um, wouldn’t want to impose,” said Gayle, clearing her throat. She jerked a thumb over her right shoulder. “I think I left something in the car, so I’m just going to…” She turned around without waiting for a response and tried to make her way through a crowd that surged forward, whooping and hollering, all but pushing her back towards Ashley. So Gayle zigzagged through pockets of space, squealing as one person stepped on her heels and grunting as an elbow caught her in the temple until she finally scurried out of the building.
Feeling as though karma had given Gayle exactly what she deserved, Ashley turned around and caught sight of her father, once more dressed as a cop, moving through the crowd with an intent stare, looking for anyone who might cause a raucous.
Within seconds, Scott’s band hit the stage and blasted into an uplifting-sounding tune from their catalog that was actually quite bittersweet titled “Forget me? Forget You!” Gabe shredded on the electric guitar as the band’s bassist and drummer held up the back end. Soon enough, Scott charged onto the stage with a serious expression and immediately started into a song:
You’ve kicked my heart to the curb
But it’s still shackled and bound to your soul
Tried to move along, but your scent lingers on
Don’t think I’ll make it, man, I just can’t take it
Scott grabbed the microphone, scanning the faces in front of him with a wicked stare, pointing, waving, and motioning for the crowd to match the emotion the band emitted on stage. A smile tripped between his lips, giving away his joy in performing, despite the melancholy nature of the song.
What did I do? What did I say?
That made you walk away?
Just tell me the truth. Give me a sign
So I can apologize and make you mine
Inundated with a crowd who chanted back the words, who jumped up and down, who threw their arms in every direction, Ashley felt out of place. But at the same time, the emotion Scott sang on the stage felt completely natural and familiar. She’d inspired the lyrics: it didn’t take a genius to figure that out. And Scott’s dedication to his past turned what should have been a sad song into an anthem that most people could relate to: a loved one who left without explanation.
Want to see the truth behind your eyes
Hoping you’ll be back is a roll of the dice
To linger in your embrace
And kiss that smile on your face
Ashley watched Scott run around the stage with the agility of an Olympic competitor, flinging the crowd into a frenzy. She glanced on either side of her, watching so many grinning faces that connected with the message Scott sent out. The lyrics and music his band created meant something to those who witnessed this performance. They understood the feelings he expressed. They shared the same experiences.
You’re the one that’ll make me whole
But it’s my love you stole
So why can’t you see
That we’re meant to be
Ashley listened, waiting for the end of the song that packed such a punch. Even now, a decade after he’d recorded the song, it was difficult to hear the devotion Scott felt for a woman who hadn’t come back to him.
Forget me? Forget you
You’re the one I should sue
Forget me? Forget you
For making me love you
The sincerity in Scott’s voice spoke to Ashley in a way that nothing had since the days they met as teenagers, since he’d strummed his guitar and picked lyrics from his heart. And seeing the depth of emotion on his face, having given himself over to the message he sang, Ashley couldn’t help but believe that, despite common sense, he’d indeed asked Nina to visit his room to help her in the music industry.
As Gabe struck the last power chord, Scott smiled out at the crowd. “Hey, Bedford Falls!”
The crowd screamed their devotion, waving their arms and shaking their bodies.
“It’s been a long time since Gabe and I shared the same stage.” Scott looked to his right, catching sight of his brother. “It’s true what they say: he’s a musical genius. But you know what? I’m just glad to call him my brother.” He nodded at Gabe, who did likewise and emitted a huge smile before starting into a blazing guitar intro before the bass and drums kicked into a furious beat as Scott stalked across the stage, looking out at the crowd.
Been broken down and shattered for too long
Drank too damn much and woke up on the lawn
Your voice was a promise in my mind
But leaving me, girl, feels like I’ve gone blind
Ashley read more into the song this time than at any other point in her life, no matter that she’d listened to it dozens (okay, hundreds) of times. In the past, she never wanted to believe the truth behind the lyrics. But this time, based on Scott’s introductory song, she realized that he really loved her more than she’d ever realized.
Miss the softness of your lips
And resting my hands on your hips
In life there is no guarantee
But loving you is killing me
Ashley watched Scott strut across the stage, willing the audience to rise up and scream. She’d never seen anyone deliver a performance that matched the depth of that artist’s music. It showed her how much he truly cared.
Want to forget you, want to move along
Locked behind these bars, but I still hold on
I should charge you a banker’s fee
Because loving you is killing me
Throughout the performance, Scott and his band played flawlessly. And while Ashley didn’t care for the heavy beat and shrill sound of the guitar, she couldn’t overlook the emotion with which Scott sang his lyrics.
Every new day is a chance to start anew
But I’d rather spend each day with you
Can’t turn the page, can’t up and leave
Goddamn, I’m just so stupid and naive
Ashley smiled as the words fell from Scott’s mouth, knowing he meant every word he said. She’d never felt so special, so cherished.
Every ring of the phone, I’m hoping it’s you
I know it’s not, but what can I do?
Every knock on the door, I’m hoping it’s you I see
I know it won’t be, but loving you is killing me
> “Always said he was talented,” said a voice to her right.
Ashley turned to find her father watching Scott Mettle with a curious expression. Without thinking, she drew him into a hug, eliciting an endearing smile from him as he returned the gesture. It was the first time she recalled initiating warmth toward her parents, and it felt more wonderful than she could have imagined.
“Guess what?” she said. “I sold my series to HBO.” At Christmas dinner, sometime after Scott left and the drama died down, Ashley told everyone about her television project.
He turned toward her, eyes bright, smiling wide. “That’s incredible. Not only a great actress but a first class writer, too?”
“Come on, Dad. I’m not that great of an actress. If I was, I would’ve had a job lined up after Revelations. But I seem to be a half-way decent writer, so I guess we’ll see.”
“You’ve become a strong, intelligent woman, Ashley. I’m really proud of you.”
Hearing those words meant so much to her that tears filtered into her eyes.
“What’s going on with…” He motioned at Scott.
“Nothing.”
He scanned the crowd around them. “It’s a fifty-fifty mix here. And look at the way those women gravitate toward him.” Her dad set his gaze on her. “What’re you waiting for?”
“But I thought you hated him. I thought—”
“Everyone makes mistakes, Ashley. Even me.”
The band hit the final note of the song before the lights went out for a few seconds. Moments later, the lights turned back on, and the stage was vacant.
The crowd screamed and pumped their arms in the air for more.
Sensing something amiss, Ashley turned to her dad. “I want to check on something.”
“Good luck,” her father said, knowing exactly what she planned to do.
One More Chance (A Bedford Falls Novel Book 3) Page 25