Chapter 7

"So, let me get this straight, you could have gotten all horizontal and sweaty again with Hendrix, but you left?" The disbelief in Ashtyn's voice makes me laugh.

I honestly don't know what I was expecting when I told Hendrix I was leaving. Of course he wasn't going to try and talk me into staying, even if I wished he had.

"It was for the best, Ash. I don't think sleeping with him again is the best way for me to start fresh here."

"How is not? The best way to start fresh is with a new man. Have you learned nothing from me?"

"You're absolutely right. I should have stripped him down and had my way with him."

"Yes. Yes, you should have." I can practically hear her nodding her head.

"I think that would have been a bad idea."

"Why? Because you could have had a few more amazing orgasms? They were amazing, right?"

"The best." I close my eyes, remembering the way he moved my body, pushing my limits, bringing me more pleasure than I remember feeling before.

"See, this is why you shouldn't have walked away from him. In fact, I demand that you text him for a booty call."

I laugh at her ridiculousness. "Ash, I'm not about to ask him for a booty call. Besides, they left this morning for a road trip. He'll be gone for four days."

"Okay, we can work with that. You'll send him a few flirty messages while he's gone, and when he gets home, you jump him like a monkey after a banana."

"Don't you have things to do?"

"I have a meeting with this guy today. I met him last week when I was at an open mic night downtown. He had a business card, so I'm really hoping he's legit. Anyway, he wants to talk. He thinks he might have someone I can work with to build my craft before really settling into my career."

"That's great! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Guilt settles into my gut. I've spent so much time talking to Ashtyn about Hendrix and what I've been doing, that I've completely neglected talking to her about what's been going on in her life. When I decided to make the move to live near my dad, she decided to leave Pittsburgh, where we shared an apartment, and move to Nashville to chase her dream.

"Remember that guy I dated last year?"

"The agent?" I ask, remembering the guy who was probably the worst of the bad decisions she's made as long as I've known her.

Her laugh floats through the line, making me smile. "Yeah, the agent."

I giggle, knowing she's rolling her eyes. "Ah, don't sound like that, he was going to help you make a music video."

"Harlow, he was not. He was hoping I would star in a much different kind of video with him."

"Seriously, though, I'm super proud of you, no matter what happens at this meeting."

"If it ends up being another dead end, I may just pack it up and move back home. Mom is dating this guy who seems really great, so maybe they won't mind having me there again."

"You're not leaving Nashville until you do what you went there to do. I refuse to let you give up. I'm here for you. Besides, I need you to make connections. I want to meet some hot musicians."

"I'll get started on finding your future husband, don't worry."

"Alright, babe, I have to go. I'm meeting Zoe for lunch and then we're finishing up at the studio."

"Replacing me already?" Her tone is teasing, but I smile a little, knowing my decision to move was hard on both of us.

"Never. But I told you, come visit me."

Ashtyn scoffs. "Starving artist, remember?"

"Right. I'll come visit you soon."