Music of the Heart (33 page)

              He laughs at me and leans my chair back so he can take a look at my throat.  After he looks, he orders a few tests which has me worried.  I hear Merritt’s phone start chiming.  She apologizes and steps out of the room to take care of all the texts she has been getting.

              After my tests are done, we wait back in Dr. Whitley’s office for privacy.  He comes in with my scans and I can’t read his expression. 

              “Well, Ashleigh.  I’m happy to say your throat looks perfect.  Kudos to you for finally following doctor’s orders and resting your voice.  You are ready to sing again but I do have one piece of advice – don’t overdo it.  There is no reason to go on tour constantly and not give your self a break.  Your voice will be better for you if you take small breaks throughout your tours.”

              “Oh my goodness Dr. Whitley.  This is amazing news!  Thank you so much and I promise to cut back on my touring.”

              Merritt and I leave Dr. Whitley’s office and run right into Cross’s dad, Preston.  He gives us both a big hug.

              “Dr. Hamilton, how are you?”

              “Ashleigh, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Preston.  I think we are a bit past the formalities now, don’t you?  I was actually headed to see you at Dr. Whitley’s office.  Are you all done?”

              “I am all done.  And I got the all clear.  I can sing again but I will have to alter my tour schedule from now on.”

              “How wonderful sweetheart.  Now, if we can just get Cross to alter his travel schedule and actually be home more than he is gone, we’ll be in business here.”

              I give him a small laugh and smile.  I couldn’t agree more with him.  If Cross was home more, maybe we would have a chance together.

              We say our goodbyes and Merritt and I head to lunch together at the Sweet Peach.  I was pleasantly surprised to see her mom and Elizabeth waiting for us.

              “Hello girls!  We’re glad you could meet us.  Go order and come sit down.  We have a lot to talk about.”

              Merritt and I order our usual and go sit with the moms.  They want to hear all about my doctors appointment and are very excited for my good news. 

              “Well, I am so excited for you Ashleigh.  Now, you can agree to sing again at the Breast Cancer Benefit this year.  That’s what I wanted to meet with y’all about today.  Merritt, I want you to plan the event again this year for me and Ashleigh, I would be honored if you would sing again.”

              “Wow, it’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year since I met you.  So much has happened in a year.  And I would love to sing again for you Elizabeth.”

              “Wonderful, we can plan a big meeting with all the girls to discuss the food, flowers and decorations.”

              We finish up our lunch and Merritt and I decide to go shopping for a while.  I think I deserve a little shopping spree.  As I’m in the dressing room trying on a few things, my phone dings.

Jamie: Ashleigh, heard the great news.  You’re all clear to sing again.  I’ve already talked to

            Mark and if you’re up for it, we want to send you out for the next month.

Ashleigh: Hey Jamie.  Yes, I am all good.  I would love to hit the road but Dr. Whitley did warn              me about not doing too much too soon.

Jamie: Yes, he called us.  That’s why we thought start with a month and take a month off

            maybe and we can see how that goes.  Check your schedule and let me know when you

            can get to Nashville so we can all meet and plan your come back tour.

Ashleigh: Sound perfect Jamie.  Thank you.

              I finish trying on clothes and walk out to meet Merritt at the register.

              “Hey, I heard your phone going off a lot.  Anything important?  Or anyone?”

              I know she’s discreetly asking if it was Cross.  I know he went out of town again on business and we didn’t leave things so great last week.

              “It was Jamie.  He heard the news from Dr. Whitley and is wanting me to come up to Nashville to plan the next tour.  They want me on the road for the next month and then take a month off.”

              “I was about to lecture you about touring already but taking it a month at a time actually isn’t a bad idea.  Let’s finish up and get out of here.”

              We finish up and head back to my house.  After Merritt drops me off, I go in and call Mark and Jamie to plan to meet in Nashville on Thursday which means I’ll be flying out tomorrow.  I call Allie next to fill her in and have her come over to help me pack.  I grab my phone again to go and call Cross and then remember, we aren’t on the best of terms.  My eyes tear because I want to share this good news with him.  I decide I’m going to suck it up and text him.

Ashleigh: Hey Cross.  Just wanted to let you know I had my check-up with Dr. Whitley

                   today.  Everything went great and I was cleared to sing and go on tour again.

              After ten minutes and no response, I feel kind of hurt.  Maybe he’s over me.  Allie arrives and helps me pack what I need to hit the road again.  From the way Jamie and Mark talked, I will go straight on the road from Nashville.  An hour later, I’ve got my suitcases packed and Allie is getting ready to go home and pack her bags as well.  Before she leaves, my phone dings.  I look down and see Cross’s name.

              “I can tell by your face, it’s Cross so I’m going to leave you on that note.  I’ll have the car pick you up at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.”

              I look at my phone and open up my texts.

Cross: Ashleigh, I’m so sorry.  I was finishing up a meeting and was just able to text you

              back.  I’m so happy for you baby.  How long until you go on the road again?  I know

             
you’re anxious to sing again.

Ashleigh: Actually, I leave for Nashville tomorrow and then back on the road Thursday.

Cross: Oh.  Well, I guess I won’t get to see you before you leave.  Be careful and take it easy

              on your voice.

              I don’t even reply back because the whole exchange felt awkward to me.  I let Merritt and the girls know my plans and promise I will be back for the benefit and that they can Facetime me for every meeting to plan it.  

              I take a quick shower and go to bed with a smile on my face because finally, I get to do what I love to do.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

ONE MONTH LATER

ASHLEIGH

              I’m putting the finishing touches on my dress for the breast cancer benefit and I feel beautiful.  I think I have topped last year’s dress and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks.

              Just like last year, the ladies are going in one limo and meeting all the men on the pink carpet.  I got Tommy Langner to make me a custom two-piece dress for tonight.  My top is carnation pink sleeveless scoop neck and the neckline is trimmed in pink beads.  The back of the top is connected with three skinny straps that reach across each side.  Now, my skirt is beautiful.  He found this beautiful floral fabric in all different shades of pink.  It is a ball gown style skirt and I feel magnificent in it.

              We’re all getting ready at Cross’s parents house just like last year.  I put the finishing touches on my make-up, grab my purse and head downstairs to meet up with the other ladies.

              “Oh my goodness.  Ashleigh, you look stunning.”

              “Thank you Elizabeth.  You look beautiful as well.  Is everyone ready to go?”

              We all pile into the limo and have a glass of wine on the ride over.  I say it all the time but no matter how many times I do this, red or should I say pink carpets terrify me. 

              The ladies step out one at a time as they are introduced and meet up with their men.  I’m last.  They always make me go last.  When I’m told it’s my turn, I step out and the flashes almost blind me. 

I walk a few steps and stop to pose as I am told when I feel the exact same sensation of being watched as I did last year.  The hairs on my neck stand on end but this time I know the reason why.  I glance towards to my left expecting to see Cross but see no one.

I walk into the venue and head straight for the bar where all of our friends have gathered.  I go to grab a glass of wine and when I turn back around, Elizabeth is right beside me. 

“Ashleigh, I have someone I want to introduce you to.  Ashleigh, this is my son, Cross Hamilton.  Cross, this is Ashleigh Kennedy.”

I have no idea what is going on right now.  Obviously, I already know Cross so I’m not sure what Elizabeth is up to but I decide to play along with whatever it is.

“Um, hi.  It’s nice to meet you… again.”

Dear Lord, he looks better than the last time I saw him.  I remember meeting him in this same place last year.  His face and eyes took my breath away, literally.  He looks so handsome tonight too.  He holds his hand out to shake mine and of course, electricity sizzles between our connection. 

“You look absolutely beautiful tonight.  I should say breathtaking.  That dress is pretty kick ass.”

He makes me laugh and I so want things to go back to normal between us.  I turn to talk to our other friends and smile when I see my parents, sister and brother-in-law were able to make it this year.  Everyone is talking and while the guys stay at the bar, the girls head into the silent auction area to check everything out.  I end up signing my name to a few items that look interesting and notice Cross has already done the same.

As always, I feel him behind me before I ever see him and turn to look at him.

“Are you ready to go eat?  My mom asked if I would round everyone up and head to our tables.”

“Sure.  I’ll grab the girls and we’ll be there shortly.”

We get to the table and I notice Cross is placed across from me like last year.  It always make me feel a little awkward because I feel like he stares at me all the time.  I instantly feel two arms go around me and pick me up in a hug.  Turning, I see Keith Rivers, our friend who plays for the Falcons.  Dear Lord, this feels like déjà vu’.  Everything that happened last year seems to be happening again tonight.

“Keith!  How are you?”

“I should be asking you that Ashleigh.  How is everything with your voice?  Oh, dumb question.  I did see that you went back on the road last month so I’m assuming everything is okay now.”

I fill him in on everything and when we finish up talking, Keith leans down to whisper in my ear.

“Just so you know, Cross has stared a hole through both of us.  Cut him some slack and just forgive him.”