Ashley's P.O.V.

After the third stop on the tour the venue owner told us that there would be an after party that the bands were invited to, which of course my band agreed to as always and at the moment I was having a hard time putting on the finishing touches. Like a last bit of mascara and my left spiked heel, since I was sharing the bathroom with three other girls. I was softly singing the chorus to ATL's 'A Love Like War' when I heard the bus door open and a few voices before I could make out what someone was saying.

"The girls are still in the back getting ready." Devin tells whoever came on the bus.

I head back for my bunk to get the other shoe, softly singing, "We go together or we don't go down at all."

"Wow Ash, you really need to perform that song with Alex sometime at a show." Rian remarks from behind me with a smile in his voice.

I slip my other red heel and nod, "Sure I'll do it if Alex is cool with it."

"Oh I'm fine with it." Alex's voice replies, catching me off guard. Why were they both on my bus?

"Bro you better start kissing my feet! I did you a favor! You now have someone to sing that song with, so you don't look so damn awkward on stage anymore!"

All Alex did was glare at Rian and in a sarcastic tone he said, "Yea Rian, you're a life saver."

I laughed before turning to face the two of them with a grin, "Alright boys if that's all you need I suggest you leave so the other ladies can finish up."

Rian nodded and Alex seemed to be reluctant to follow him, but I figured out why. He was full on staring at me, I tried to keep from sighing, and I just knew that I looked absolutely ridiculous. Alex quickly snapped out of it and went out after Rian.

A while later the party is bouncing around me as I dance around with Shaylynn, us both giggling at our silly dance moves.

"So Alex wouldn't shut up about your outfit when I got back on the bus!" Shay shouts over the blaring music with a laugh and a grin. I stared down at my dress for a moment, examining the tight dark red material and the leather like black that ran up my sides; god why do I own such a ridiculous piece of clothing?

"Is it really that bad?" I asked with a pout.

She shook her head hastily, "No hun, its freaking gorgeous! Alex didn't seem to have anything negative to say about it either."

I raised an eyebrow, "What did he say?"

Before Shaylynn could answer me Liam strolls up to us and I couldn't help noticing that he looked nervous. He finally musters up the nerve to speak to Shay, "Hey would you mind keeping me company for a while?"

Shay seemed to be thinking of protesting because I would be alone, but I gave her a look that basically said that it was fine and she should go with him. So she smiled sweetly saying, "Why not?"

I smirked as they walked away, yeah something is going to happen there soon, and I just know it. Since I was standing still now I kept getting bumped in to by the other people still dancing, so I decided to move off of the dance floor and go look for someone to talk to. Along the way I spot Bree talking with Matt and Devin, finally I see Zack leaning against the wall by himself.

I walk over to him, hitting his arm with my elbow and joked, "Are you too cool to join the party Zack?"

He smiled laughing, "No I've just been waiting for someone to come bug me first."

"Well lucky for you sir, that's exactly what I came to do." I reply with a chuckle.

Zack laughed as well, "Well you aren't annoying, so you suck at your job."

"Whoa thanks for that, most find me highly irritating until they get to know me."

Zack shrugged and then tensed up. I gave him a confused look before asking, "What's your deal?"

"Fan girls." He murmured gesturing to the right side of the room where three young looking girls stood, staring over at us. He leaned down closer to my level to say, "I suggest you run before they come over here, you don't want to experience their type of jealousy."

I nod and quickly move away from Zack as the chicks zeroed in on him. Back to roaming around I see Jack and Nicole getting pretty friendly on the dance floor, nothing that she would notice of course, but oh was it there. I think that was exactly what made me the most livid, wanting to rip my hair out at the thought she didn't fucking know. I think this would all be so much fairer on my part if she knew how badly he wants her. Then maybe I wouldn't feel like such a bitch for trying to get him for myself.

I decided that I had enough for the evening and choose that now was a good time to call it a night. On my walk past the bar I come into contact with yet another familiar face, Alex.

When he sees me he gives me a goofy smile, "H-Hey Ashley."

I couldn't help but chuckle a little, "Hi Alex, how many have you had to drink?"

"One."

"More like four shots of Jack Daniels." The bar tender corrected with a roll of his eyes.

"Oh shit." I mutter to myself as I watch Alex's brown eyes drift around the room, unable to focus on much of anything.

Part of me just wanted to leave the situation alone, he's been drunk before right? At the same time, I was worried about him, that he might manage to hurt himself or someone might take advantage of his wasted state.

I sighed deeply, finally making my decision and I placed a hand on Alex's shoulder saying, "Hey why don't we get you back to the bus?"

He smirked at the idea and quickly stumbled out of his seat where I had to catch him right as he was about to fall over. I almost fell over myself, Alex wasn't very heavy, but at the same time he wasn't a little boy. I wrapped my arm under his to help him keep his balance as we made our way to the exit. We finally staggered onto the bus, where a peaceful silence met us and I preferred it to the loud cluby music at that party. I pulled Alex along to the back of the bus, where the bunks were located, intending to make him lay down for a bit, but my plan gets stopped short when Alex leans into me and causes my back to hit the side of the table. I realize exactly what's happening when he gets so close that his bangs brush my forehead and his alcohol laced breath whispers over my lips. I moved back as far as I could, basically almost lying on the tabletop.

"Alex come on, you're not thinking straight. Let's just get you in your bed and..."

He cuts me off short, his dark brown eyes seemed more focused than they had earlier as he breathed, "Only if you come with me."

I tried to suppress the feeling his words caused, it was a mix of confusion and oddly want. Wait a minute...I wanted Alex? I had to admit to myself that, yes, back in high school that I had a short lived crush on the rock star, but when I actually met someone the feeling died. I think. None the less I nodded at Alex to make him happy for a second and he moved away from me where I could stand up straight. I followed him back to his bunk and watched as he pulled back his curtain climbing inside the little hole. He surprised me when he held out a hand to me and all I could do was give him a confused look.

"Get in here." He whines giving me puppy dog eyes and pouting.

I mentally began arguing with myself on whether or not this was a bad idea, but I decided to give in muttering, "Scoot over then."

Alex did as I had asked and I kicked off my shoes before lying down in his bunk, once again Alex shocked me when he wrapped his arms around my waist as he pressed my back against his chest. He put his head on my shoulder murmuring, "Thanks Ash."

"You're welcome." I replied softly and it wasn't more than five minutes later when I heard his breathing change, telling me that he had fallen asleep. I stayed there for a bit, just to make sure that he was fully asleep before I even thought about moving or at least that's what I kept telling myself. As much as I honestly wanted to curl up into Alex's warmth and fall asleep right here till morning, this thought wouldn't leave my mind, 'Remember the last time someone made you feel this safe and wanted? He destroyed you.'

With that I gently untangled Alex's arms from me, tucked a pillow under his back just in case he got sick, I didn't want him dying, and left the bus without as much as a glance back.

Alex's P.O.V.

I woke up with a splitting head ache and I immediately knew that I had a hangover. I glanced around my bunk, the curtain was still pushed back so the sun light was killing my eyes. A gold sparkle caught my attention, Ashley's heels sat in a pile right outside of my tiny bed and I quickly began to worry about what had happened last night. It came back in little pieces, Ashley's tight red dress, her dancing with Shay making my thoughts drift to the worst, the shots of Jack Daniels, and finally her crawling in my bunk with me.

"Shit!" I cursed slamming my fist into the wall of my bunk.

A few minutes later Zack is kneeling outside of my bunk asking, "Everything alright bro?"

"Did I sleep with her?" I questioned in a rushed voice.

"What are you talking about?"

"Did I have a hit and quit with Ashley?"

Rian is the one to answer my frantic question, "Do you really think she'd let you? No, but she did tell me you tried to kiss her."

I calmed down a bit at that, "I did?"

"Yep and you made her lay in your bunk until you fell asleep, then she left." Rian explained before handing me a cup of coffee.

I sighed in relief, taking a sip and muttered, "She probably thinks I'm an idiot."

Zack shrugged, "She thought enough of you to make sure you were okay."

"So that doesn't mean she won't think I'm a fucking creep for trying to kiss her."

"Well when we stop at breakfast, take the seat next her and try talking to her. If she ignores you, she's crept out. Mystery solved, I'm a genius." Jack explained with an all too pleased with himself smirk.

I rolled my eyes and got up out of my bunk to get ready, my mind now trying to conjure up memories of last night. After I had finished getting ready the bus stopped and there was knock on the door.

"Alex I'm sure you're pretty enough, now hurry the hell up!" Matt called from the other side of the door. I ignored him for a second longer, just to give myself a once over. I slipped on a pair of blue skinny jeans, a faded red t-shirt, and I fixed my hair in its usual fashion. I slid on some gray converse before finally getting out of the bathroom, finding that everyone, other than Matt and Jack, had gotten off the bus.

"Oh Alex is looking especially cute today, I wonder if it's for me." Jack falsely flirted with a wink.

I chuckled and shook my head murmuring, "Come on jackass."

Jack laughed as well and we made our way into the little waffle house. All the tables were full besides two seats, both conveniently by Ashley and Nicole. Before we got to the table Jack nudged me with his elbow, gesturing for me to sit first. I nonchalantly sat down next to Ash and she turned to smile at me.

"Feeling better this morning?" She asked sweetly.

I nodded then said, "Thanks for helping me out, I'm sorry if I did anything weird last night."

I could have sworn I saw her blush as she turned back the flat menu mumbling, "Not a problem and you aren't the worst I've dealt with honestly."

Right as I was about say something Jack finally sat down next to Nicole and Ashley's head lifted slightly, seeming to clench her jaw at the sight in front of her.

'This is it Alex, it's your time to steal her away.' I think to myself, so I leaned into her slightly and in a quiet voice I asked, "Oh yeah, like what?"

"I'm pretty sure you know how some guys in bands are when they're drunk, a little to touchy and way to cocky." She laughed with a shrug. "Compared to them, you were a gentlemen."

I grinned and put my arm around her to give her a quick hug, but stayed put after that and she didn't seem to mind, "Well aren't you sweet."

She chuckled reaching over to squeeze my hand softly, "Same to you."

Right then Nicole stopped talking to Jack and Bree to give a look at Ashley. Her brown eyes narrowed and I glanced over to Ash to see her smile slowly, her blue eyes twinkling with something almost wicked.

"So how was your night Ash?" Nicole questioned with an edge to her voice.

"Probably not as good as yours." She replied with a sickly sweet smile, it definitely didn't touch her eyes.

When Nick was about to respond a waitress came to our table so we could order. What ever conversation they had been having was dropped after that. What really floored me was the fact Ashley seemed to only focus on me, not that I was complaining. After sometime I noticed that she was leaning into me too, I had to wonder what made her have such a quick change of heart towards me. Of course she has always been nice to me so far, but the bigger part of her attention had first centered on Jack. Now that it was different I didn't really know how to act other than to just go along with it.

By the end of breakfast anyone that didn't know us would have thought we were either best friends or a couple. All I could do was hope she wanted the latter.

Jack's P.O.V.

When I arrived at the after party I headed straight to the bar. Not a big shocker. Once I got my drink I turned around to examine the crowd to see who was going to be the first girl that catches my eye. As I began to look I didn't see any girls that seemed like a fun time. They all seemed kind of trashy. After a while I stopped looking, and turned back around and faced the bar.

"Hey there, stranger," a giggling voice said. 'Oh look, another fan girl,' I turned to see if my assumption was correct, but it was Nick. Her hair was as curly and beautiful as ever, she had a tight solid black dress which fitted her in all the right places and black stilettos making her about as tall as me.

"Um, Jack? I don't know if you know this, but my face is up here," She laughed trying to get my attention.

"I'm completely aware of where your face is," I said with a smirk. She rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the dance floor. "What are we doing?"

"You're going to dance with me," She smiled as she started moving her hips to the beat.

My grin grew larger as I started to dance with her. 'Hm, so you want to dance? Alright then,' I put my hands on her hips, pulling her closer.

I saw her blush a little once our bodies touched which made me feel even more mischievous. I turned her around to where her back was facing me, and pulled her back to where I was practically grinding on her. She must have gotten a few ideas as well because a few moments later she started rolling her hips backwards, rubbing me in a so wrong but so right way.

"You know, you're pretty fun, Nicky," I yelled over the music as she turned back around to face me.

"I know," She laughed. I rolled my eyes. She is so conceited, but a part of me likes it.

"You're adorable," I chuckled. Her whole expression changed from cocky to devious.

"Just adorable, huh? If I'm adorable then I obviously wore the wrong outfit." She laughed.

"No, believe me. This outfit is just right," I reassured her.

"You know, you're kind of cute when you're jittery," She laughed before she started to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going, Sweetheart?" I asked pulling her back by her hips. She turned with an evil grin.

"Oh ya know, to dance with guys that think I'm sexy rather than just adorable," She winked. I smiled when I figured out what she was trying to do.

"So you mean you're going to stay with me then?" I asked pulling her closer to me where our lips were inches away.

Quickly pulling away she seemed a little nervous and just grinned. "As much as I'd like to dance with you, I have to head back to the bus and hit the hay, we have a big day tomorrow."

My heart sunk to my stomach as I nodded and watched her walk off the dance floor. I was so close! So fucking close! Moments later I heard a crowd of screaming fan girls behind me, and with out even looking behind me to confirm my assumption I starts sprinting toward the exit.

When I was out I ran to the bus, slamming the door shut and locking it. I walked to my bunk and heard snoring in the bunk across mine. I pulled back the curtain and saw a slobbering Alex.

"Hey Zack, when did Lex get back and how?" I yelled towards the front of the bus.

"Ashley brought him back about 30 minutes ago, he tried to kiss her," Zack chuckled.

"Oh Lexy, my man!" I yelled doing a little fist pump in excitement.

"Shhh, you'll wake him up," Rian said from his bunk.

"What I can't be proud of him?" I pouted.

"Not right now, just go to sleep. We are stopping at Waffle House tomorrow before the show." Zack said as he crawled into his bunk.

"Ooh I like waffles," I cheered, clapping my hands in approval.

"Your such a kid, Jack," Rian chuckled.

"Suck my dick, bro."

"Nah, that's Lexy's job," Rian laughed before pulling his curtain shut. I chuckled to myself before doing the same.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket to check for any messages and there was one from Nicky.

"Hey, so about those windmill lessons, the first one is before the show tomorrow" I grinned to myself. So she is actually going to go through with it.

"Cool, I'll try not to get better than you at it" I pressed send and put my phone next to my pillow. I laid there staring at the ceiling. What if this plan with trying to get Ashley to like Alex doesn't work? I don't want to hurt Ashley if she finds out that I truly like Nicky. I may be a jackass, but I don't like to be a complete asshole all the time. My phone vibrated. I jumped up to retrieve my phone and opened the text.

"There is no way you will be able to do it better than me, sweetheart. Goodnight, sweet dreams (about me) ;) Jk." For a sweet girl like Nick I really didn't think she would act this way. Well I guess I bring out the worst in people.

I chuckled to myself before replying: "Goodnight, cutie. Try not to get too wet dreaming about me, okay Hun?"

"Fuck you, Jack"

Nicole's P.O.V.

When I laid my phone down next to my pillow I couldn't stop blushing. I don't know what it is about Jack, but he just brings out a weird side of me, and a part of me likes it, then again I'm still Nicole, the girl who gets really shy when it even comes to guys, so why is Jack any different?

The next morning we all went to Waffle House and when we all got our seats I saw Jack signal Alex to sit next to Ashley. Wait... Does Alex like Ash? I grinned to myself hoping that was the case. This way Alex can distract Ash from Jack and I can distract Jack from Ash. There was still a side of me that didn't think any of this was right. Ash was into Jack, I could definitely see that. I just felt horrible because every guy that Ashley likes, he ends up liking me. Which I still have yet to understand! She is so much prettier than I am, and I feel like the only reason why Jack even flirts with me is because we share a common interest, our instrument. I frowned a little while looking at my menu.

"Hey is everything okay?" Jack asked as he sat down next to me.

"Oh, uh, yeah I'm fine. I just don't know what I should get." I lied.

"You should get chocolate chip waffles with bacon and orange juice, that's what I'm getting," he suggested.

"I don't want to copy off of you," I said still skimming over my menu. I didn't seem to hear Jack's response when I saw Alex wrap his arm around Ash and her blush a little. My eyebrows curved in wonder.

"So how was your night Ash?" I asked, feeling as if I already knew the answer. I think I figured out why she got back to the bus without her shoes.

"Probably not as good as yours." She said sharply with a fake smile. What was that supposed to mean? Wait, did she see me and Jack dancing? I wanted to say something else that was referring to her and Alex but the waitress came before I could say anything. She took each of our orders, but once she got to Jack, Jack grinned at me and gave her his order.

"I'll have your chocolate chip waffles with a side of bacon and a glass of orange juice. Oh
and she'll have the same thing," he said as he picked up both of our menus and handed it to the waitress. I shot a fake glare at him as he smiled his wide smile before bringing he lips close to my ear.

"Come on now, Nick. You copied me for years just to play the guitar the same way I do. I think you can copy me or more day," he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes before looking over at Ash and Alex. She seemed to be flirting with him... A lot. Was it to make Jack jealous? I glanced at Jack to find him talking to Devin and Liam about old tour stories and they were all laughing. When I looked back at Ash and Alex, he seemed to be enjoying every minute of the attention Ashley was giving him. I wanted to roll my eyes but I resisted. I just hope she doesn't do the same thing to Alex as Chris did to her.

Notes

Okay so hopefully we are going to get this story rolling soon! Summer is on the way and that means more free time!