✰ Ashland's POV: ✰
April 11th already? I could've swore that Jon's birthday was yesterday, but it's been technically three whole days. I've been trying to cling onto him as much as possible while we're on tour. No, I'm not rubbing it in Michael's face that me and Jon are together, but because I know that Mike won't go and attack J if I'm around. Or at least, I don't think he would, anyway.
Speaking and thinking of Michael, it had me going back in my mind and playing some of the bad memories the two of us have shared over the last year or however long we were together for. My brain has been going crazy the last few months. Touring is fun, that it is, but for some reason, this tour feels fun, but also tiring? Which is kind of weird and different for me. Every other tour I've been on, I had been tired mentally and physically here and there, but this is a whole different experience. Oh well, we only have six more shows to do with this tour, so hopefully those pass by quickly.
The quicker the tour wraps up, the quicker I can get back home, gather up more of my thoughts, and hopefully start the moving in process with Jon. Of course, as long as he's okay with it. Now I know we have talked about it here and there, but not enough for me to make the big move. Moving to me, is scary. I don't know why, just the thought of having to packing up all that stuff at my house then unloading it at J's house just sounds like a lot of hard work. But maybe if I work my magic, Jon will help me out when that time comes.
Though, makeup was across the vanity table, I had already finished it up for the look I was planning on doing with tonight's show. Playing in Boston, I have a feeling that it's going to be a memorable and fun experience!
Eyeshadow was in the shade of 'Dubai' from the Kylie Cosmetics Kyshadow Burgundy Palette. It was a stunning, glittery burgundy color. The color was a bit out of my comfort zone, I'll even admit that, but nonetheless, it compliments my eye color and skin tone. To be honest, I always have big problems with finding colors that compliment my eyes, skin tone, and everything else.
But hey, you really can't go wrong with Kylie Jenner, right? And of course, the shade I used in lipstick, was also from Kylie's line. The name of it was, 'Ginger'. Ugh, it literally went so well with the other makeup colors. It didn't overlap any other color, which is so great! Another problem I have is all my makeup colors clashing.
While walking so I could exit out of the dressing room, the door swung right open and there stood Michael Hardy. But oddly enough, he didn't look pissed off like he normally does. I'm low-key scared... What does he need? Is Jon okay? Wait, I do hope he's okay. I haven't heard from him all morning. I sure am praying that everything is okay.
With defeat, of course, I had no choice than to let Michael into my dressing room, the door being cracked and not fully closed. Just in case something was to happen.
Michael cleared his throat and tugged at the collar of his shirt. My own hands? They were placed innocent-like in my lap. This was the most awkward thing I've ever been through. What did he need? Does he know something about Jon that I don't know? Panic meter is definitely rising at this point in time.
"Ash, hey.." There was a slight concern sound in his accent. Tears were starting to form in my eyes.
Now I don't normally like being attached to anyone by the hip, but dammit, I'd kill to be attached right onto J's hip right about now. He makes me feel the safest. Forever and always.
"Mike, what's wrong? You sound sad- or something like that... Please, tell me what's wrong.."
"Jon's gonna have to miss this show tonight," Michael simply said. The concern sound was long gone from his tone.
"Huh? What? Why? Did he tell you why..? He hasn't messaged me or called me back.. I'm scared, is he okay?" I started to cry. Well, so much for having good looking makeup for tonight.
"Umm, Ash, his daddy ain't doin' well, at all. Lang ain't told anyone yet because he doesn't know what's wrong with his dad or anything like that. You're staying in Boston to do this show with me. I can't lose another opener," Michael rudely informed me.
My heart was crushed. Absolutely broken, Jon's dad is one of the most sweetest and most southern, chill, laid-back guy ever, especially for someone his age. He reminds me a lot of my own dad. Is it bad to say that I low-key think of Jon's dad as a second father to me? Mister and Miss Langston have always been there for me just like my own parents. I couldn't imagine life without J's parents or mine either.
"Mike, you can't tell me what I can or cannot do. Jon, his mom, and siblings need support now more than ever. I mean, if Daddy Langston isn't doin' well, then neither are the others..." I sadly but softly spoke, not even knowing if he could hear anything I had said.
"I done said this once, I'm not sayin' it again. Ashland, you are staying in Boston. I have no one to use has backup openers. I didn't think I'd have to do this! I'm ticked off. Don't you leave!" His voice made me jump, flinch, and cry even more.
Yes, I wanted to perform, but without Jon, the show can't just "go on". It doesn't just work like that. We normally sing together.. It's always a different country music female and male duet, but it's something I look forward to every single show we do.. If Jon can't do the show, then neither can I.
I need to book the quickest flight from here to Nashville. Whether it be the last thing I do. Despite what Michael is mad about, he'll just have to cancel or postpone. I can't let J, his mom, or his two little brothers be alone. This is a hard time, I know it's got to be. Just think, if it were my own parents having issues, I'd be there in a heartbeat. Just like I'm doing right now.
My fingers were typing about a mile a minute for the nearest airport, quickest flight to Nashville, and of course, an Uber driver. The amount of silent prayers I've prayed... Let's just say it's a very large amount of praying that I've done in the last ten minutes. Yeah, I know that Mike is going to be mad, but just imagine if it was him going through it. Wouldn't he want someone to be there for him? The answer would more than likely be a yes, at least, I'd assume so, anyway.
"Ash, where the fuck do you think you're going?!" Michael boomed. I started to hyperventilate, I needed to get out of here, and I needed to leave sooner rather than later, as well.
"P-please.. Don't yell at me.. I'm just goin'... Goin' to the bathroom.." I lied. Figuring Michael didn't buy the lie, I had to rush out of the dressing room and headed out of the venue.
The wait for my Uber wasn't a long one at all. Right as I was about to send my third text to J, the Uber driver honked the horn, indicating he was ready for me to hop in.
I for one am not the biggest fan of Ubers, Lyfts, or taxi cabs because what if the driver is some creepy person? You know what I mean? It's a scary world nowadays.
"Where ya headed, Miss?" The driver turned his head ever so slightly so he could ask the question.
Hesitantly, I answered back, "The airport. I have a flight at 4:45. It's an emergency!" Tears flooded on my cheeks.
The pain is almost unbearable to deal with right now. It may take a while, but I'm making my way to Jon, even if it's the last thing I do.
A man like him only comes once in a lifetime, and through thick and thin, the good and the bad, and everything else in between. My biggest promise I've ever given Jon was that I'd be by his side in a heartbeat, no matter how late in the night it'd be, or how far of a drive it'd be. It never bothered me, and never will. That's what best friends and lovers do for one another. That's exactly what the two of us are; best friends and lovers.
"Okay, Miss. Airport it is. Mind if I ask, just where is a pretty woman like you headed off to? Don't like Boston? Flying back home? Your accent- you don't sound like a native by any means."
Scoffing, the words quickly flew out my mouth, not even realizing how rude they had came out to be, "Well, sir, for your information, I'm definitely not from Boston, nowhere near here. I have to catch the most quickest flight back to my town of Nashville, Tennessee. It's just really urgent.. A, uh.. Family emergency."
Since my tone was so rude, he decided so that it was his time to stop asking questions and keep the whole ride silent. Which was totally and wonderfully alright with me.
**
There goes me being somewhat calm, because now I'm ten times more worried than before after a reply from J finally came in.
Ashland🤪🥰:
bubs, Michael told me what's
going on, and I am so terribly
sorry! He (Mike) keeps telling
me that I have to stay in Boston,
but I don't want to be here.
I can't be by myself and alone
with him. Not that I'm scared of
Michael, but because
I don't ever feel safe unless
I'm with you and by your
side. I'm so sorry that
I didn't ever give you any space
and that I was spamming
your messages.
I love you, always. I'll see you
soon. Please, please, keep me
updated. I'm worried just as much as
and your family are. I love them
as well! Give them a huge
hug for me! ❤️
Jon🤠🌟:
Baby girl, oh my gosh!
God knows I miss you so much.
Yeah, I told Michael because my
heart and I just couldn't take the pain
that would be present on your face
if I was to tell you about what's all
going on with my daddy.
He misses you, Mama misses you.
Hell, even Andrew and Stephen miss
you. Them fuckers never
miss anyone, unless it's you. 🙄😂
I love you so much. Lord, I'm so
fucking scared for my daddy. Ash,
what if he doesn't make it out okay?
I don't want to lose my dad. He's been
my rock. I can't live without him- at
least not yet. I don't know what to do,
Ashland. I'm going in-fucking-sane.
I'm close to just leaving the hospital,
heading home, and have a few drinks
to calm my nerves because I mean,
fuck, man. This so damn hard. Baby
girl, I'm struggling. 😭😭
After re-reading the messages over and over, and crying my eyes out. There was some sort of courage inside of myself to type up a reply. It was short, sweet, and to the point. At least, it sort of was, anyway.
Ashland🤪🥰:
Baby, I know it's hard,
but please don't leave the
hospital. Your mama,
daddy, and two brothers
need you! Like you
wouldn't believe.
They need you
to be there for them.
Whatever you do, be safe.
Call a cab if you need to!
I don't want you to
drive home drunk.
Love you always,
my Jonny boy.❤️
Some time had passed, the drive to the airport was over. Me and the Uber driver said our goodbyes to one another. This was it. The flight back home to Nashville was about to board. I had to hurry and run as fast as possible if I was going to catch this flight. Thank God I had everything I needed packed with me.
"Flight 325 is now boarding!" The lady over the intercom system yelled out.
Fuck! I'm about to miss this flight. I need to hurry up, get through everything I need to get through, and head onto the plane. It's now or never, Ashland!
My legs were running and going as fast as possible. How in the hell did I not run into anything? Only God knows, because I'm sure I would've bumped into all kinds of things. This flight, however, is so important. Hopefully the trip won't last too long. Maybe two or three hours tops. Here's to hoping that Jon doesn't get into any trouble.
✰ Jon's POV: ✰
Tears. Tears, that's all that's been happening so far today. It hasn't been that many hours since me and my family have arrived here at the hospital, but nonetheless, it's been the hardest and longest hours of my whole life. The worst part of it all? I was really fucking looking forward to performing in Boston, as it had been a while since the last time I had been there.
No, there's no kind of resentment towards my dad, in fact, as long as he's okay, I'll be okay. That's all I want and need at this point. Without him, there's no fucking way that I'll be able to go on. He's my rock, my best friend, the one I can go to with all my problems, whether it's something to do with some relationship advice, help with my truck, plus everything else in between those things.
Honestly, that man is one of the strongest people that I could ever know. He's taught me everything about life- well, so has my mom, but still. Either way, I just know that he'll be alright. Obviously, I won't t-totally know until any of us gets an answer from one of these bullshit doctors.
Literally though, these licensed and professional doctors and nurses say they cannot discuss any information telling us what's going on with my dad. Or at least, at the moment. What? Why the fuck not? I'm so close to banging my head so hard on a wall. Just to feel something- or maybe even nothing at all. Maybe blacking out wouldn't be so bad. It'd take away the stress and worry while I'm asleep or passed out.
My mom, her arm around her my shoulder, she just shook her head and wiped the bottom of her eye with a tissue. She's been crying like crazy since I've got here. The call that one of my family members made to me early this morning telling me to hurry to the hospital, was pretty rough. That, and my memory is somewhat foggy at the time being, so I can't even remember if it was Mama, Stephen or Andrew who called me at the ass crack of dawn to share the urgent and heartbreaking news.
The only information I've been hearing so far lately is, that he had woke up my mom quickly, told her the problems he was having, and now here we are. It's only two in the afternoon, I'm so fucked up, I've never been the one to drink away stress and anxiety, but damn if today isn't testing me to my limits. Oh well, there's a first time for everything... That's a good enough excuse, right? Ha, maybe not.
This sounds selfish, and the good Lord knows it, but I really wish Ashland was here with me.. She always, always, always helps me out through all the hard times, and I do the same with her. Times get so hard, that's all I'll ever need and want, is Ash. She makes me who I want to be, the one who has saved me from things that I'd never want out in the light. She makes it so easy to love life.
"Mister Jon, there's a guest here. Can they have come in or no?" The nurse questioned me.
Don't t-totally know why she'd ask me, I really could care less about another guest, if it's family bring them in, who honestly cares at this point? I'll tell ya who don't; this guy.
Not going to lie though, my gut was telling me that I should accept the guest. I'm not sure why or what it was that gave my gut that feeling, but it was strong. Really strong, honestly.
"Actually, yes. Yes, they can come in here. That'd be amazing, thanks!" I faked a smile and sat back on the chair that's in the hospital room.
The nurse, Kennedi, turned on her heel and opened up the door and walked her away down the hall. As for me, however, all that was going to be happening was sitting my ass down, look through the photos of me and Ashland on my phone, and miss her ten times more.
On another note though, I'm hoping and praying that she and Hardy have a fun and safe time up in Boston. Maybe there will be more than enough photos and videos, therefore it'll feel like in a way, I was half ass there with them. At least, imagine myself there on stage. Shit, if I'm being honest, I'd rather be singing and performing rather than sulking here about my dad and the unknown cause of his pain and suffering.
My mom, her eyes bloodshot red from all the sobbing and crying she's been doing, came and sat right by my side, holding onto me tightly as ever. Now we're all upset about Daddy, don't get me wrong, but it's hitting Mama so hard. They've been together for years and years, they are supposed to grow old with one another, I'm not letting them grow old without one or the other. It just can't happen, it can't...
"Baby, what do we do? I'm praying to God for all the good outcomes, but even I'm starting to lose hope." A sigh coming from my mom. That broke me, and made my tears start streaming down my face again.
Mama is the strongest woman I've come to ever, and I mean ever know. Seeing her in this state has blown my mind, and that isn't a good thing at all. I understand that she's upset and scared. Honestly, hell, so are all of us, but she's the one who always helps us stay strong, oh how things have changed today.
It's only been about ten minutes or so, and it feels like it's been eternity since the nurse asked about that guest or whatever. Watch it be a fluke or some stupid shit like that. Wouldn't that just be the topper of the shitty cake for the day I've been having? I'd think so, anyway.
"Mama, look at me," I lightly placed my finger under her chin and lifted it up. "Now I know we're all scared and paranoid about what's goin' on with Daddy, but please, just listen to me.. You're the strongest woman I know. My favorite title that anyone could ever have for me is in fact, the title of mother. That made no sense, but my brain is fried at this point. Point is, whatever the outcome, it's goin' to be alright. We'll make it through. You, me, Andrew, Stephen, and I'm hoping Daddy, as well."
After everything flew out my mouth, Mama wrapped her loving arms around my neck, hugging my neck also. She spoke softly in my ear, "Thank you for that, baby. I don't know how, but I'll try to be strong. You and your brothers don't deserve to see me upset and sad like this, honestly. Mama is gonna try her hardest."
"Oh, and speaking of your brothers, where in the world did they wander off to? They said that they'd be right back, but it's been about thirty minutes or so." My mom was definitely confused, can't blame her. I'm just as frazzled as she is.
My brothers were supposed to be back by now, Lord please let them be okay. I don't think Mama or me can take any more family in this kind of state like my dad is right now. I'm still kinda pissed off though, because no one is telling me what the fuck is wrong, I'm tough, hell just seeing him in the condition he is hurts worse than if I were to get told what was wrong. But hey, that's just me.
The door had a huge knock come from it. Dammit. Either that's my brothers, or the nurse coming back with the guest she was asking me about earlier. Maybe if we're all lucky, it's all of them at the same time. Now wouldn't that be something?! I mean that in a good way, of course.
The nurse's tennis shoes started tapping on the floor and I heard some other person walk in with her. Sounded more like boots or high heels, if it's a girl, that's with the nurse, rather than tennis shoes. Neither of my brothers were wearing boots, so what the fuck? Who done came? It better fucking not be Anna, how the fuck would she know my parent is doing bad? No, it can't be her. It absolutely cannot be.
~ well, well, well, we meet again, y'all! 😂🤪 this chapter was a bit shorter than the last one, i do apologize, but i wanted to get this chapter out sooner rather than later! i hope it's perfect enough, as i did try my best to my abilities to make this chap as amazing as it can be. also, i'm trying to be a better writer and refrain from typing "I" so much. because it gets annoying seeing a hundred I's in one sentence, i know😂😅 but i'm working on it!!!
~ y'all, this chapter was so action packed, honestly! I decided to add some kind of drama to the story (because who doesn't love a shit ton of drama?😂) and something happened to Jon's father. Maybe though, it'll be revealed on what's wrong with him in the next chapter or chapters to come... 👀 you'll just have to wait and see! ;)
~ 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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