Fiction: Ashlee's Blog Part Nine
Ashlee’s Blog
Part Nine
Writer: Jailynn
Disclaimer: Not mine. I’m completely convinced that us Coop and Ashlee fans could write the show better than those people ever could. *sigh*
Feedback: Like Ashlee I, too, hope someone comments. *pout* Please
Writer’s Note: Forget what’s going to happen on the show. *laughing* This story is not going to follow that. *shakes head* Please forgive all mistakes. Thank you.
Summary: Ashlee’s starting a blog
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2715
Timeline: Present day
Type: Um… I have no idea… is Blogging a type? Hints of romance.
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Part Nine
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Coop frantically tried to think of what could have happened to make Ashlee believe that she was too late. His day was so mundane, nothing that warranted the nervous feeling he had in his stomach since he woke up that morning. He recounted his day’s activities in order. He went to class, taught, had lunch, met Tim, went back to class and sat on Main Street until he took Blake home. He hit the reply button and sent off his own short email.
“Catherine:
I don’t understand what happened. Please explain. Maybe we can figure it out together.
Ian”
He only hoped that she was still on or that she would come on soon. He needed to know what happened to scare her off and hope that he could fix it. Coop had to fix it.
-*-*
Ashlee moved through the apartment on a mission. Anything that had Coop’s memory attached to it was going in a huge black bag. She hadn’t decided yet if she was going to burn it or merely throw it off the balcony and let it fall where it may. She took pictures that she hid all over the apartment out of their hiding places and without looking at them shoved them in the bag.
The front door opened and she looked up. Spencer smiled at her and then his eyebrows slammed together in confusion. “You are not a cleaner.” Ashlee rolled her eyes. Her reputation for being a bit of a slob has followed her. “So what is wrong?”
“What makes you think anything is wrong?” She blew some of her bangs out of her eyes and tried to look innocent. “Maybe I just decided to do a little spring cleaning… or summer cleaning.”
He took a seat on the couch and crossed one leg on the other. “Right and I am Cher’s stylist.” She struggled not to grin at that. “So why don’t you tell me the truth?” She sighed and twisted the black plastic around her hand over and over again, cutting off the blood flow. “I’m not going anywhere and Tim isn’t here so you aren’t getting out of answering my question. You might as well just tell me.”
Ashlee dropped the bag in the middle of the room and sighed again. She took a seat next to him on the couch and pushed her bangs out of her face. “I think I like it better when my friends don’t actually care about anyone but themselves.”
“Well I’m not like that and neither is Tim,” he rubbed her back. “It can help to talk. Everything is better when you share the burden. Trust me I know.” She nodded. She knew he didn’t have it easy when he finally came out to his friends and family. Most turned their backs on him and the ones that didn’t haven’t been shy about telling him that his lifestyle was something to be ashamed of. “I don’t know what I would have done without Tim to help me.”
“I auditioned today,” she started. Spencer nodded. “I guess Tim already called you, huh?” He grinned and nodded again. “Well after the audition I was walking down Main Street and I saw Coop.” She swallowed and stood up, unable to sit as she told this story. “He was with her. Out of all the people for me to catch him with it had to be her.”
“What were they doing?” Spencer leaned forward watching her pace the length of the room. “Were they kissing or something?”
“Oh God no,” she exclaimed, horrified by the very thought. “But thank you for putting that image in my head. No they were just talking, but she had her head on his shoulder and her hand in his.” She rubbed her head. “They looked so at ease together and all I could think of was that, she finally got what she wanted. She finally got him.”
“But did you actually see anything?” Spencer stood and blocked her path. “Or are you taking this moment and using it as an excuse to run away from him again?”
“Look Spencer, I know you are trying to help,” Ashlee stopped and licked her lips, trying to think of a tactful way to say this. “But you don’t know this woman. She set her sights on Coop while we were still together. She had no problem hopping into his bed and trying to take him away from me. Now I’m not in the picture and she has a clear path. I’m not crazy. And I’m not making up what I saw. He didn’t exactly push her away.”
“Did you stay long enough to see if he did?” Spencer asked softly and Ashlee’s mind stalled. He nodded. “Right you ran as soon as you saw them, so who’s to say that he didn’t push her away? Who’s to say that he didn’t tell her off? You don’t know what happened Ashlee and until you talk with Coop you never will.” He hugged her and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Our imagination is always worse than what actually took place, remember that.”
Ashlee nodded and pulled away. A soft smile settled on her full lips. “Thanks for being a nosy friend. I think I can get used to this. To having people actually care about what is happening in my life.” She took in a deep breath and smiled bigger at him. “Now what was your day like?”
-*-*
Coop checked his email every two minutes hoping that Ashlee would come on and explain. It wasn’t until nine o’clock that she finally did. He eagerly clicked on her name as soon as she logged on.
BHCRock787: What happened between you and this guy, Catherine?
Lost_World89: I caught him with another woman.
Lost_World89: And not just any woman. I caught him with the black widow.
Coop felt sick. She saw him with Blake. It must have been when Blake was holding on to him. Ashlee misunderstood the moment and that stopped her from contacting him. His mind worked in overdrive trying to think of a way to let her know that nothing happened and yet still keep who he really is a secret.
BHCRock787: What did you see?
There was a long minute between when he hit send and her response. Some many thoughts entered his mind. He knew it must have killed her to see him with Blake. Especially since the last time they were all together Blake was wearing nothing but a slip and was snuggled in his bed waiting for him. He was still sickened by that. How could anyone do that and think it’s alright?
Lost_World89: I didn’t really see anything I guess. It was more the feeling.
Lost_World89: She was holding his hand and had her head on his shoulder. It felt like a sledgehammer hit me in the gut.
Lost_World89: I know I ended things and I can’t expect him to stay single forever, it’s just her. I can’t handle seeing him with her.
BHCRock787: I still think you should talk with him.
Coop prayed that she would take this advice. It hurt him to think of her being hurt like that. Blake has caused some serious damage, but she could never make him want her, the way Ashlee could with only a look. He swallowed and continued to state “Ian” case for telling her to talk with him.
BHCRock787: It might not have been as bad as you think. Talking to him is still what I think would be the best course of action. At least so you can have some closure.
Coop got sick even typing that sentence. He didn’t want her to have closure. Not where he was concerned. He wanted her to turn to him.
Lost_World89: That’s what my friend, Spencer told me to do too.
Lost_World89: He thinks I may have jumped to conclusions.
Coop decided that he loved both Tim and Spencer. He rolled his tongue against his lip and smiled. It was nice to have people in his corner.
Lost_World89: You don’t know me well yet, but I do have a tendency of making a hill into a mountain.
He laughed. If only she knew how well he did know her. He knew that when she gets scared she runs. He knew that her favorite color wasn’t blue, which is what she tells everyone, but green. He knew that she cries at the end of My Girl, even though she’s seen it a hundred times. And he knows that she always tries to make things right when she does go off the deep end.
BHCRock787: It sounds like you have some great friends. I’m sure that is helping you a lot.
Lost_World89: It is, but I still miss my best friend.
He missed her too. More with each passing day they were apart.
Lost_World89: Oh I auditioned for that benefit concert.
BHCRock787: Did you make the cut?
Lost_World89: *laughing* Heaven help us all, I did. I’ll be singing in front of a camera and a crowded night club.
Lost_World89: I hope I don’t pass out.
BHCRock787: *laughing* I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Lost_World89: thank you. How are you doing? I’ve been talking nonstop about myself. Is everything okay with you?
BHCRock787: They’re getting there. I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll be back with the woman I love soon.
Lost_World89: I hope so. You deserve to be happy.
Lost_World89: *sigh* I have to get off. Work starts early for me tomorrow. Talk to you tomorrow?
BHCRock787: Yeah, I’ll be here.
Lost_World89: Good night Ian. Have sweet dreams.
BHCRock787: Good night to you too Catherine. I hope you have sweet dreams as well.
Lost_World89 has logged off. Coop gnawed at his bottom lip. Her words from earlier in the conversation started running through his head. “I just can’t handle seeing him with her.” What would she do if Ashlee knew that Blake kissed him while they were still together? As much as if hurt to know that Grady made her feel beautiful, he had secrets of his own, secrets that he hoped would never get out. The kiss meant nothing to him and he never even entertained the idea of wanting to be with Blake, but to Ashlee it would be devastating.
He wasn’t stupid or naïve, he knew that secrets came out and usually at the worst possible time. He needed to think of a way for this one to never come out. Blake making a play for him today let him know that the thought was still in her twisted red-headed brain. Coop sat at his computer for another hour thinking about the situation he found himself in. At around midnight his body finally made it clear he needed to get some sleep. Ashlee wasn’t the only one that had to get up early the next morning.
-*-*
Ashlee rushed into the studio in a hurry to get to the editing room. She was given an assignment to edit on her own and she was desperate to do a great… or at least a good job on it. She opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief no one else was in there. She walked over to the wall of tapes, searching for the ones she would need to complete the segment.
She found them in the back on the top row. She reached over and pulled the stack down. Her hand nudged the other ones on the shelf and three fell to the floor. Ashlee cursed under her breath and bent down to pick them up. The name on the side of one caught her attention and she inhaled sharply. Henry Cooper Bradshaw: Interview April 28, 2008. Ashlee’s hand shook and she fell into the roller chair behind her.
She remembered the day of this interview. It was a morning show segment done to promote his new book. She remembered how nervous he was and how much he wanted her there. She didn’t go but Blake did. Ashlee wondered if that was when she started to make up her mind that Coop was what and who she wanted. Was that the moment that she opened the door and let that black widow into her relationship?
She pushed her chair across the floor and inserted the tape into the machine. She cued it up and watched Coop nervously fidget in his chair. The interviewer was a young woman that Ashlee has seen around the studio. Her name is Emily and she is very self-involved and stuck up. Ashlee has had the unfortunate task of editing some of her stuff with Mr. Hamilton.
Coop smiled at the camera and the reporter spoke in a polished voice. “I’m sitting here with a real up-and-comer in the literary world, Henry Cooper Bradshaw. His book ‘Secrets and Murder’ has already gotten rave reviews. Henry will be doing a book signing on Main Street this weekend.” She turned to Coop and her fake smile grew.
Ashlee rolled her eyes. Everyone wanted Coop and she didn’t see it. Blake was just the one that actually tried to get him. How could she be so blind? She knew before she had the surgery that women were attracted to Coop. Who wouldn’t be? He is gorgeous and kind and amazingly talented. He’s perfect.
“Welcome to the show, Mr. Bradshaw,” Emily said with a purr in her voice.
“Thank you for having me,” Coop smiled warmly at her completely missing the flirting she put into her tone.
“I guess we should talk about your meteoric rise. This book is everywhere. I bet you are riding high.”
“Um,” he rubbed his eyebrow. “Actually the truth is a lot of the success of this book has to do with my editor. She’s amazing.”
“Your editor is Blake-“
“No, my girlfriend Ashlee Wolfe, she’s the one that edited this book.” Coop looked into the camera. “I couldn’t have done it without her.”
Ashlee hit pause and leaned back in the chair. Coop gave her credit for his book being a success? She never knew that. During that time she was so depressed she didn’t even watch the interview. Ashlee licked her lips. She really wasn’t a great girlfriend toward the end of their relationship and yet he never complained. Coop always put her first and now it was time that she put him first.
Reaching into her purse, she pulled her cell phone out and found his number quickly. She hit the connect button before her old friend fear could come out to play. He didn’t pick up and she blew out a breath. Whether it was in relief or disappointment she couldn’t be sure.
“This is Coop, you know what to do. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Have a great day.”
“Um, Coop, this is Ashlee.” She closed her eyes at how lame that sounded. “But you probably already knew that. Seeing as how my name probably came up on your cell phone screen and you know my voice.” She stopped herself from rambling anymore and sighed. “I, uh, I was wondering if we could meet. I- If you don’t want to I’ll understand, but if you do, could you call me back? Sometime today would be great. Or, or tomorrow if that’s better for you. Whatever time works, I’ll, um, I’ll be waiting.” She bit her lip and sighed again. “Um, okay I, uh, I guess that’s all. I’ll talk with you soon…or not. Have a nice day, Coop.”
She hung up the phone and placed it on the console next to her. She took the first step; she just hoped it was the right one. Ashlee shook her head and ejected the tape from the machine. She put it in her pile. She wanted to make herself a copy of that interview. Ashlee was going to do now what she should have done then, be a good friend and maybe, if the fates allow, be a better girlfriend.
-*-*
Coop got her message two hours later. He left her a message on her phone telling her that he would love to meet. For the rest of the day, he wore the largest grin imaginable. Things were finally going his way.
End Part Nine
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