✰ Jon's POV: ✰
Welp, it's back to the old grind again. It's the nineteenth of March. We're performing the Signed Sober You Tour in Silver Spring, Maryland. I personally haven't been to or performed in this city. I've been to Washington, D.C. It was super fun, but this is a new town, and new places I've never been before. That's one of my favorite things about being a musician. I get to travel around the country, and sometimes even the world. It's so fun, I never thought I'd get out of the state of Georgia. The only problem I have about that is, I'm hoping that I'm making everyone in my hometown proud of me.
I want some kid from my little town to see me, my hardships, troubles, and everything else, knowing that it's okay to chase after their dreams. No matter how big or how small. No matter where you're from. You don't ever let anyone or anything hold you back. That's just some advice I've been given in my life. Ahh, my dad is a man of many words, now that I'll say.
I was sitting on the tour bus while one of my band members were getting dressed for the show. Shit, he's the last one to get changed. Well, not counting me. I always get dressed in the dressing room that the venue has for the singing acts. Because there's a lot more room in a dressing room than a bus bathroom. Let me be real, the bathroom that's on the bus is tiny as hell! It gets tiring very quickly when you're moving around a bunch while putting on clothes. That's why I wait it out until we get to the concert venue so I can use their "heavenly" dressing room.
"Heyo, J man!" JD called out. I jerked my head up and nodded my head slightly so he'd know that I acknowledged him.
"We're here at the venue. You want to go on ahead and find your dressing room and get prepared for the show tonight?" He asked, peeping his head from the front seat. I nodded my head at him rapidly.
At the moment, he's my bus driver and tour manager. I don't know how he juggles it all, but kudos to him. He's doing a splendid job at everything he's doing. I'll definitely have to look into getting an actual bus driver, I don't want to milk JD's energy dry from driving, managing all my shows, plus everything else he does at Seagayle. He handles himself and his jobs very well. I'm proud of that man, and I'm so lucky I can call him a best bud.
Speaking of being so lucky, I had been on and off of my phone with texting Ashland. It's been the best nine days of my life. I still can't believe we finally made it official between the two of us. There were too many romantic feelings to not do anything! I'm glad we said and did everything that we did. That girl is already the most amazing girlfriend I've ever had. Not like I've had too many girlfriends since moving to Nashville, but that's besides the point, and that obviously doesn't matter anymore. I have who I want and need, and I hope it stays that way forever.
My phone buzzed and I instantly knew who it was. It was Ash. I just knew she texted me something good. But then again, everything she says or does is absolutely magic, good, and so much more. I tapped the notification that was on my lock screen and there opened up the iMessage app. I didn't only get sent a text, but also a selfie. Holy hell, she looked amazing.. Just like always!
Ashland🤪🥰:
*attachment: one image
I can't wait to have a kick ass
time with you, bubs! 🥰
I hope you're ready for
tonight, I know you're going
to kill it, per usual! 😘
That selfie was for good luck!
Jon🤠🌟:
Hot dayum! 😍🥵 What a babe!
I'm the luckiest man in
the universe! And that's a fact.
That selfie just took the
breath out of my lungs, no lie.
You're going to do so amazing
like you always do. I can't wait
to be standing side stage while
I watch you kill it like always.
Good luck tonight, baby girl. ❤️
But to be honest, you don't
even need any kind of luck
because I know you'll do
amazing, no matter what.
I love you, Ashy cash!🥰
Ashland didn't text back immediately, but that's totally understandable. She probably had to prepare for soundcheck as she does perform her set first. I'm excited to watch her set tonight. It's the same songs every night, but it doesn't matter to me. Hell, she could sing the phone book and I'd stream, buy, and listen to it over and over again. Not like I don't do that on a daily basis with her songs. I can't wait until she releases a full-length album. Hell, what am I talking about? I need to be releasing a full-length album too, I haven't done so, and I've been in the music business for almost a decade. Shit, I just called my own self out, whoops. I can't even hate myself for that though.
**
I headed into the dressing room that had my name on a sign beside the door. Fancy, I like this venue despite never seeing anymore of it. But I have a feeling the stage setup, plus everything else is going to be pretty good, considering the places I've been to at the venue seems nice here so far. Can't even complain at the slightest at all.
As I was gliding the plain black t-shirt over my head, I had gotten a knock at my dressing room door. Interesting, it isn't time for me to do soundcheck, so maybe it was an accidental knock. Maybe they meant to knock on someone else's door and didn't see my name. That's just my assumption, anyway.
Sliding in my left arm into the hole of the shirt, I hurriedly grabbed the bottle of cologne, spritzing it on me. Soon after, I answered the door and that five foot two inched beauty that I now call my girlfriend was standing there in all her glory. What the hell.. She looked good as fuck. It's like she had gotten prettier since the last time I saw her. So much for being able to hide the fact that me and her are officially going out.
{{Ashland's outfit! ^}}
"Mmm," I mumbled lowly to myself. "Come in, baby girl. You look fine as fuck. Did you get even more hotter than the last time I saw you?" I asked, messing around with Ash.
She blushed and beamed at me, her eyes gazing into my own as she spoke, "Aww, thank you, handsome. You're too kind. I just wanted to come in here after finishing up with soundcheck," Ashland stated as she got a whiff of the cologne I had sprayed on me right before I answered the door. "Damn, it smells sexy as hell. Is that you?"
I smirked and nodded my head slightly. I knew the cologne I had put on was Ashland's favorite. She has told me on multiple occasions that it's her favorite one I wear. I just knew that it drives her crazy. I think that's just something that women do; obsess over a men's scent. Hey, I'm not t-totally complaining by any means.
"It's my favorite cologne of yours. You're a tease, you know exactly what you're doin' to me, Langston. I can see it in your eyes, you know just exactly what you're doin' to me. I'm enjoying every bit of it," She whispered in my ear, standing on her tippy toes to reach. Haha, she's my little shorty, she's cute and bad, *wink wink*.
"Yep, I definitely know that. Maybe that's why I'm wearing it right now. I knew you'd be coming along sometime or another. We both can't go too long without seeing each other. This tour has been so fun because it's had you along for the ride. The next show dates are goin' to be so fun, Ashy cash," I smiled a genuine and real smile for the first time in ages, it seemed like. "Anyway, how did soundchecking go for you, gorgeous?"
I led her into my dressing room, shutting the door after she had walked in and made herself at home, taking a seat on the spacious couch that sat on the left side of the room. I noticed that the flannel jacket I had laid out was on the couch. How messy of me, I didn't think anything of it, whoops.
I took the flannel off of the couch and then took a seat to where the jacket once was, and I laid it in my lap for the time being. I wanted to soak up as much one-on-one and alone time with Ashland before the two of us had to part ways, sing on stage, then have to do an encore and sing with Hardy. Here's to hoping tonight isn't awkward between all three of us, but chances are, it's going to be mighty awkward the first little while, but I think we'll be able to manage and pull through. We've got to, it's for our own good.
{{Jon's outfit on the left! ^}}
This tour is what's making our biggest money at the time being. Obviously, not all of us musicians do work for the money, at least I don't, but that income I make from touring and stuff pays my bills, couldn't and most certainly wouldn't be here if it weren't for those fans who show up every night. It means the world. It truly does.
"I'm excited to see how and where this tour takes us. No pun intended," Ashland giggled at herself, I laughed as well. "But anyway, soundcheck went pretty good for me. I'm actually sneaking in a new song in my set tonight. None of you guys have heard this one yet, so it's going to be a surprise for everyone!"
That girl and her surprises. I wonder what the song sounds like, what it's called, who she wrote it with, the inspiration behind it. Gah, I'm getting too ahead of myself here, maybe I should perform a surprise song on one of these tour dates. I mean, I won't lie, the idea has crossed my mind a couple of times, but I never acted on it because I like my setlist just the way it is for this tour. Maybe I might change it up a bit when we do the other leg of it. Or whatever you want to call it.
I gasped in shock and surprise, "Ashland? Performing a new and never before heard song? Wow! Who is this new and improved lady? Because she's a better woman now that she left old what's-his-face!" I exclaimed quite loudly.
✰ Hardy's POV: ✰
Tonight's the night, we're finally kicking off the next show of the Signed Sober You Tour. It feels like it's been an eternity since we've last done a show. I mean, in all technicality, it hasn't been but only a month and a day, but even then that's a long ass time to go without touring. But fret not, we're all back and better than ever for these next round of shows!
As I was strolling around the venue after I was done in the dressing room they had assigned to me, I made the terrible mistake by walking past Jon's dressing room. The door's aren't soundproof, little does he know, so I heard what he said. It didn't upset me or phase me. It pissed me the fuck off. But I have to remember and keep telling myself that I can't lose my job or do something stupid to fuck up this tour. I have to keep going for my sake.
I know I shouldn't have done so, but I ended up sitting right at the edge of the door and began to eavesdrop on their conversation. I know when J said something about leaving 'old what's-his-face', he was referring to me. I just knew he was. I know Ash is in his room with him. I'm not upset that the two of us called things off, it was going to happen at some point. But seeing her hang out with someone I consider a good buddy hurts like hell. I miss my bud, I want to drink beer, fish, hunt, and do manly things with him like old times. I sure hope he doesn't miss out on this year's fishing and hunting stuff, he can't and won't miss it. He hasn't done so yet, I'm not letting a girl get to him this way!
Jon's been head over heels in love with a girl like this before. But this time it's with Ashland. I'm so hoping that he doesn't think it'll turn into another Anna situation because it won't. If or when Jon and Ash get together, he will know that he has the whole universe in his arms when he's holding her, hugging her, or whatever. As long as the two are happy, that's all I really care about. I do regret calling Ash an 'old fuck girl' back on the opening day of the tour a couple months back. I kick myself pretty damn hard for that. My mama and daddy raised me better than to call a woman that. Well that, and the fact is, Ashland didn't do anything to me, it's me who destroyed her whole world and everything else. I'm the fuck boy in this situation.
I decided I had enough of listening to their somewhat painful conversation until I heard something that drew me into the conversation even more than before.
"I can't wait until I can show you off, but we do need to keep it on the DL for the time being. I don't want it to seem like you hopped quickly into this relationship, because it's far from that. We've been in love with one another for so long, ya know?" I heard Jon say. "Anyway, I think I'm gonna be headed off and get goin' to soundcheck myself. You be careful, baby girl. I'll see you a little later on."
Oh shit, that means I need to hurry away from this area so he doesn't think or suspect that I was eavesdropping- when in fact, I certainly was. I don't need Jon or Ashland to know that I was stalking their conversation. Dammit, I choose to do the stupidest things.
I hopped off the ground and ran straight to my dressing room and right as I was about to open the door and walk inside, I heard Jon clearing his throat. He was looking in my direction. Hmm, I wonder what the hell he wanted?
I rolled my eyes and I motioned my hand so he could come on over and I crossed my arms, "Okay, you're lookin' over here at me. What do you need or want, bud?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I was just smiling at you, aka the nice thing to do. Who or what in the hell got your panties in a bunch?" He remarked rudely. Oh, he wants to play dirty, huh? Two of us can play this game.
"Dumbass, nah. Don't you have some soundchecking to go and do instead of wasting my time?" I scoffed as I gripped on the door knob tighter, the rage starting to fill inside of me even more than to begin with.
"You're right. See ya around, Hardy," Jon and I parted ways, but I still heard what be whispered under his breath. It was loud enough so I could hear it as plain as day. "I hope you take a chill pill one of these days, sheesh."
Thankfully, somehow and someway, I managed to not chase after the dude and whoop his ass. I totally would've, like not even joking. That dude tests me to my limit and he fucking knows it. All I'm going to say is, don't mess with a small town country boy from Mississippi.
**
I was sitting on the side stage watching Ashland sing her song, Kiss Me When You're Sober. I don't know why, but that song has always broke me and my heart. I've got to stay strong though, I have to hold my composure until Caleigh can move down here to Nashville with me. I know, I know, this had absolutely nothing to do with Caleigh, but still.. I'm missing her more than anything. And to be honest, I have been missing Ashland so much.
Now knowing that her and Jon are obviously keeping their relationship on the DL or whatever, it truly hurts me.. I don't know why. Is it because Jon is my best bud? Maybe. Is it because I still love Ash? No, that can't be it. I can't be in love with her anymore. In all honesty and everything else, Caleigh is what I truly want. I guess I hate the fact that Jon and Ash got so close to the point that they're dating now. Of course, I saw it coming, yeah I knew they were close, and they always made goo-goo eyes at one another. You could cut the feelings tension with a knife, that much I know is true. But what I want to truly know is, when did they start dating? Why do they want to keep it on the down low?
Like, do they not want me to know? Are they scared of me? I know I haven't been the best dude in the whole entire world the last little while, but fuck, man.. I feel like ever since that time me and Jon argued and fought at his house, the two have been scared of me, and avoiding me as well. Yeah, that wasn't a good thing to do on my part, but at the same time, it enraged me in so many ways seeing my girlfriend at the time in the same bed as my best friend. It's fucked up...
I continued to watch the performance of Ashland's and the tears pooled in my eyes and down to my cheeks. I took my glasses off and cleaned them off as the wetness from my tears.
~ I wrote some Hardy POV because I'm sure you guys wanted to see more of his feelings, and everything else. He does seem pretty crushed and not okay over the fact that Jon and Ashland are together. This might mean some trouble will be brewing up if the two boys aren't careful at all! 🤪 just thought I'd throw in some drama and curve balls in this series, just like always🤣
~ kiss me when you're sober is such an amazing song like 😍🥲 if you haven't heard it yet or before, you can listen to it at the top of the chapter, actually! And it's on all streaming services (at least, it's on youtube and apple music. i assume it's also on spotify etc.)
~ How are you guys feeling about Jon and Ashland's relationship in the book so far? I think they're cute of course!😊 but i do love hearing your opinions and thoughts on the story. Like i've said on an old author's note on here, this story is yours just as much as it is mine. Your support really is the most best in the world! 💛
~ if you guys enjoyed this chapter, lemme know, vote, comment and add this story to your library. thank you in advance!! 🤍💕
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