There was a bit of hesitation but she continued and told me her story from beginning to end.  From watching her girlfriend die in her arms at Prom and feeling like she had failed her. The first year that followed was full of drugs and alcohol use, random girls and never ending depression.  How her mom never cared enough to help her and that because her dad was on tour had no idea until Aiden tracked him down.  Her dad, grandma and Aiden had put her in rehab and stood by with unwavering support and love to get her where she is today.

I listened to her every word.  I couldn’t believe how some of our experiences in life had been so similar. 

I picked up her hand. “Ashley thank you for sharing that with me I know it wasn’t easy and I understand some of what you went through.”

She pulled back her hand and gave me a cold look. “No, Spencer I don’t think you do.”

“Wait Ashley before you get angry let me explain.” I said quickly.  “I know I can’t say I understand what you were feeling because nobody can know that.  The reason I say I understand what you went through is because I lost my older brother Clay when I was 13.”

She turned her head back to me quickly.  I told her of how I felt I had failed Clay because I knew he was in danger and I couldn’t stop him.  How, like her, I had watched someone I love die.  How to this day I still have dreams that remind me of my lost chance to save him.  How the pain of it had kept me from ever wanting to love someone for fear of having to go through those feelings again.

“I am sorry I doubted you.  I just have heard so many people say ‘I understand’ when they really have no clue” Ashley said.

“I know, me too” I said “I know we didn’t want to share ‘sad stories’ too soon, but I think it makes sense for us.  We know exactly where we are coming from now and because we understand our insecurities there is a good chance we can get one another through any bumps in the road per say.”

Ashley smiled “I like the way you think”

“Oh yeah…anything else you like about me?” I said with a grin as I pulled her legs out the length of the couch and then straddled her with mine.

She laughed.  “Well, I guess you are pretty cute and you can kiss ok.” She said with a teasing voice.

“RUDE!  I know I may only be ok in the looks department, but I can kiss the hell out of you!” I exclaimed.

Ashley reached up and pulled me down to her by the front of my shirt.  My face was centimeters from hers.

“Yes, can I help you?” I asked softly.

“First off let me clarify that you are stunning in the looks department and secondly would you please ‘kiss the hell out of me’” she whispered in my ear.

“I thought you would never ask” I replied huskily as I lowered my lips to hers.  The fire was back between us.  Even more so than before.  Like we had just opened the doors to really sharing ourselves with each other.