Broken Roads

By Crystal James

Three months passed Ashleigh suffered a broken heart. Court continues to wait for Ashleigh's to heal, but gets frustrated with her. Ashleigh finds refuge in the arms of Kelso's twin which only leads Court back into an old habit that no one around him likes.
Meanwhile, Heidi and J.T. struggle with wedding planning. Heidi hopes forgiveness for everyone will abound by the time the big day arrives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal James
• Release date: Nov 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301698530

Crystal James

I am a director of an alternative high school in Kansas City, Missouri. In my spare time between teaching, talking to parents, raising my own two kids, and making sure my two dogs stay out of trouble, I write fiction. I have always loved to imagine situations and then create a story out of them. My favorite type of writing is for young adults and realistic fiction. You will not catch my writing vampire stories any time soon. Some of my favorite writers are John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline, Suzanne Collins, and Sophia Kinsella. I would love for everyone to read my books and let me know what you think!

Book preview

Broken Roads

by Crystal James

.

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Crystal James

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Chapter 1

I can’t be here anymore, Ashleigh sighed and ran her fingers through her dark brown hair. Standing in the middle of the apartment that was meant for her and Kelso, she looked at the boxes, the empty walls, and then finally at Court. I tried to fix things so I wouldn’t be reminded of him, but every wall-every chair-everything still reminds me of Kelso.

Does this mean? Court asked holding out hope once again. The same hope he had been clinging to for three months.

Ashleigh held up her hand. No, Court. Not, yet. I’m ready to leave the apartment, but I’m not ready to be in a relationship again.

Court shrugged his shoulders. Can’t hurt a guy for trying, he quipped.

Ashleigh rolled her eyes and shoved a box in his stomach. Just help me pack, lover boy. I promise you’ll get your chance.

Court pasted a smile on his face. The same smile he pasted on his face for the past three months. He was so tired of pretending to be okay with how Ashleigh was feeling right now. He had been waiting for his chance for three months. He had turned down too many girls even to count. He kept telling Ashleigh he was being patient, but the way she kept pushing him away was ridiculous. Kelso was gone and Court thought his chance would be sooner rather than later.

J.T. and Heidi walked through the open door. Great, Court thought. Just what he needed. The happiest couple on earth coming to help.

I gotta go, Ash, Court mumbled. He handed J.T. the box in his hand and wedged himself between the two lovebirds out the door.

Heidi frowned. What was that all about?

Ashleigh stared at the doorway. Why was she pushing Court away? He had been there so many times for her. Through her mom’s death, Kelso’s death, even her Nona’s death. He just wanted a piece of her heart and she wasn’t willing to give up anymore of it. She wouldn’t have much left if she just kept giving her heart away to every guy that walked into her life. She blew at the stray hair in her face. I’m breaking his heart, she told Heidi.

Correction: you’re killing him, Ash, J.T. said. Do you know how long he’s waited for you and watched you get hurt?

Ashleigh’s eyes darted over to J.T. Wait. How long have you known about this?

Uh . . in case you’re just now tuning into our regularly scheduled program, let me remind you I’m his best friend and roommate. Sometimes, I know more than I care to.

Okay, so maybe after I move out of this place and move in with Dashelle, I’ll be ready. I just want the constant reminders gone.

Heidi picked up a playbill of Rent with Kelso’s headshot encircled in a heart. Like this.

Ashleigh grabbed the playbill out of Heidi’s hand. Well, maybe not that. Ashleigh ran her fingers over Kelso’s picture. She could still feel his eyes staring into her soul. She could still feel his kiss taking over her body. Why did he have to die? Why couldn’t they had just a few days longer? A few weeks. She squeezed her eyes shut willing the tears to stay put.

All right, ladies. I didn’t come here to reminisce, I came here to move. So, I’m just going to go track down more man power and we’ll get this show on the road.

J.T. walked down the hall and saw Court sitting against the wall. Get up, he ordered.

I don’t take orders from you, Court snapped.

Hey, the quicker Ashleigh gets out of that apartment, the quicker you’ll have a chance with her, J.T. reminded his friend.

Not going to happen, Court snapped again. She’s too busy playing damsel in distress. He shook his head. I shouldn’t have told her.

J.T. rolled his eyes. You sound like such a girl, he joked.

Hey. Court stood up so he was taller than J.T. Nobody calls me a girl.

J.T. shrugged his shoulders and grinned. Had to get you up, somehow.

Why should I take advice from you, anyway? You’re a Julliard drop out.

J.T. winced. He knew this was going to happen. All of his friends tried to convince him to stay at Julliard, but he needed time to think and adjust. He needed time to make sure he had enough money to spend on their wedding. He crossed his arms in front of him like a bouncer at one of the night clubs the gang always ended up. I didn’t drop out. I’m just taking a leave of absence for a semester.

To do what?

In case you forgot, I have a fiance who wants to get married during spring break and I need to find an acting gig to support her.

Court mumbled.

But, enough about me. Let’s get Ashleigh moved.

Court walked back down the hall to Ashleigh’s apartment with J.T. The girls were stacking boxes onto the dolly.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, ladies. You might sprain something and ruin your dance career. We’ll stack-you pack. Court took a heavy box from Ashleigh. He looked down at her left hand inadvertenly and saw her wedding ring as she gave up the box. Heavy pain like and anvil weighed in his chest. I can’t do this. I’m sorry, Ash. Find someone else. Court backed out of the room and ran out of the apartment building.

Chapter 2

Heidi flipped through a bridal magazine while sitting in her dorm room with Ashleigh. Are you sure you are okay with this, Ashleigh?

Ashleigh looked around the dorm room and didn’t focus on anything. She was supposed to be helping Heidi and being a great maid of honor. She was failing miserably today. Yeah, I’m fine.

No, you’re not. If you were okay, you would look at me when I talk to you.

Ashleigh bit her lip. Heidi was excited about planning her wedding. She had piles of magazines in her room, a to-do list posted on her bulletin board, and samples of various wedding items all over in her room. She even had a countdown on her wall next to a picture of J.T. and her at opening night. Everything in the room reminded her of what love could be. What love she could have had if only she could store Kelso in the past and bring Court into the present. He said find someone else, Ashleigh remarked.

Heidi looked up from flipping a page. And we did. Brady and the rest of the guys came over. She held up the magazine beside her face and showed Ashleigh the picture she was looking at. Do you think I should wear my hair up or down for the wedding?

Ashleigh shook her head. I don’t think that’s what he meant. She looked from the picture to Heidi. You should definitely wear it down. J.T. loves your curls.

So, what do you think he meant. Heidi blushed and patted her blond curls self conciously. Really, J.T. told you that?

I think the next time I see Court, he’s going to be macking on anything in a skirt. Ashleigh groaned. He’s tired of waiting on me and I can’t do anything to stop him otherwise. She looked at Heidi again who was still red faced twirling her curls dreamily. She could see the twinkle of love playing in her eyes. She missed that look on her own face. Yes, Heidi. That was the first thing he noticed when he met you.

Heidi snapped back into reality. Well, are you tired of grieving? Heidi dog eared a picture of a hairstyle she liked.

Ashleigh swallowed hard. She didn’t want to get into this with Heidi. Heidi analyzed too much and tried to solve problems. It was her who led the campaign for the later curfew when school had started. If Ashleigh answered that question, Heidi would have a bar graph, charts, and counselors on the phone all trying to help her solve the enigma that was Ashleigh Dawn Downing. But, she couldn’t leave one of her best friends without an answer. I’m tired of explaining everything. There’s too many questions and not the answers anyone wants to hear. I really just want to forget Kelso, but everywhere I go something reminds me of him.

Heidi’s eyes went straight to Ashleigh’s left ring finger. That gigantic diamond on your hand probably doesn’t help.

Ashleigh rolled the ring around on her finger with her thumb. Heidi, what am I supposed to do with it? Give it to you? Bury it in a jewelry box? She held out her hand in front of her and looked at her wedding ring. I can’t.

Yes, you can. Heidi put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. Let go of the past.

How could she say something like that? You can’t just let go of the past. She was married. You can’t just forget that you were married for a few days and had the most exciting romancing in two weeks of your life. People said the meanest things sometimes. She didn’t know Heidi had that kind of streak in her sometimes. Sure, Heidi sometimes said things and got embarrased about them as soon as they left her mouth, but you don’t just tell someone who’s husband died to let go of the past. She wanted to scream and maybe strangle Heidi. She stood up from where she was sitting. I’m going to leave now, Heidi. I don’t want to say something I’ll regret.

Ash, Heidi pleaded.

Find someone else, Heidi. I can’t be your maid of honor. Ashleigh walked out of Heidi’s room. She took a cab to her new apartment, walked in, threw her keys on the coffee table and sunk down into the recliner.

What’s the matter? Bridezilla get to you, too? Dashelle asked. She was sitting on the floor in a front split stretching.

She’s nowhere near a Bridezilla, Dash. She didn’t even want to talk about her. She was too focused on my problem.

Your problem?

Court, Kelso, et cetera.

Dashelle shook her head. She leaned over her right leg and changed the channel on the T.V. I don’t get it. You’ve got the sweetest, nicest, yet, somewhat oneriest guy we know after your own heart and you won’t even give him a chance.

Why is everyone convinced this is all up to me? Do you know who were are talking about, Dash? This is the same Kelso that flirted with the nurses to get Kelso out of the hospital. The same Kelso that came on to the cab driver that we all hated. The same Kelso we caught kissing a senior during one of our shows in high school because he lied and said he was a senior. We were sophomores. He’ll say anything to get what he wants!

He wants you, Ash. He’s always wanted you, Dashelle reminded her friend. She stretched out all the way in front of her until she was flat against the floor.

I need time. He said he would wait, Ashleigh remarked.

Dashelle sat up and brought her knees to her chest. When have you ever known Court to be patient? she asked.

Ashleigh shook her head. Nevermind. She get up and walked into her room. She looked in the mirror and noticed tears streaking down her face. This was common most days. She wouldn’t even know she had started crying until she looked in a mirror or someone offered her a tissue. She had been through this type of emotion before. Not long ago, her mom had died and she had been an emotional wreck. Court was there everyday offering her a tissue or telling her a bad joke. Why couldn’t she just let go and tell Court yes? When was she going to be able to let Court have her heart she was guarding so carefully now. When I can stop doing this, then I’ll be ready, Ashleigh told her reflection in the mirror.

Chapter 3

Beverly, what do you have for me? J.T. sat across from his agent waiting for good news. He hadn’t heard from her in a week because she said she was busy trying to get leads for him. Now, he was sitting in her cramped office with Pepto Bismol pink walls and staring at the thousands of post-it notes she had on her purple laminate desk. When he had enough money, he was going to get his agent an interior decorator. Or Ty Pennington to do an extreme office makeover. Whatever would get the job done fastest so he wouldn’t want to throw up everytime he sat in this office.

Beverly looked over her half moon glasses and grabbed a post-it. How ‘bout nudity?

J.T. shook his head no. She tossed the post-it in the trashcan.

Late night infomercials. Another post-it met its fate.

Cross-dressing? There went another post-it.

J.T. took off his glasses and rubbed his nose. This was not looking good at all. He needed a job and he needed it fast. The white haired, heavily eyeshadowed, too much lipstick wearing beauty better get her act together quickly. This isn’t funny, Beverly. I need a real gig. I need a real audition that pays real money. If you can’t find that for me, I’ll have to find a new agent. He stood up and turned toward the door.

So serious these days, Beverly mumbled. There’s no need to leave, J.T. Here. Beverly shoved a piece of paper over on the desk that was an actual piece of paper and not a post-it. This place is doing a revival of Grease. Lose the glasses, grease the hair, and you’re in.

J.T. smiled. He knew how to work his agent. It was all a game. A game he had to play everytime he wanted an audition. Thanks, Bev. I knew you’d come through with a little pressure. He grabbed the piece of paper off her desk and walked toward the door. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Just tell me I’m the best agent ever and we’ll be even. Beverly winked and watched her favorite client walk out the door.

* *

J.T.’s phone chirped the first few lines from Seasons of Love and he answered. He didn’t hear any voices, just sniffling. Sniffling that he had heard so many times before.

Heidi?

Can you come over? Sniffle sniffle.

J.T. stopped and leaned against a lamp post on the sidewalk. What’s wrong, beautiful?

I need you to come over, Heidi managed between sniffles and blowing her nose.

Okay, I’ll be right there. J.T. hailed a cab and got in. He looked in the front seat and saw one of his favorite cab drivers. Hey, Phil.

Oh, hey, J.T. How’s life?

Life would be great if I get a job. He paused and looked out the window. And my fiance would just relax.

Phil nodded. I know the drill. You’ll be at Heidi’s in no time.

Thanks, man.

Phil sped through traffic and let J.T. out in front of the dorms at Julliard. J.T. gave him a generous tip. He walked up to the dorms and stood in the doorway of Heidi’s room. She had her head hung over a magazine and a pile of tissues by her elbow.

Heidi, J.T. whispered. Are you okay?

She shook her head. J.T. walked over to Heidi and lifted her chin so she was looking at him. Her pale skin was splotched with red from rubbing the tears from her cheeks. Mascara had run a streak down both sides of her face. Her eyes overflowed with tears. J.T. furrowed his brows. He wasn’t sure what to say that would make her happy. He didn’t have to think of anything because Heidi snapped her answer of why she was not okay. Ashleigh quit.

Quit what?

Being my maid of honor.

Well, it’s not like you don’t have enough of those.

Jayson, this is serious. I don’t even know what I said to make her quit.

He knelt down in a catcher’s squat in front of her. Well, just go over to her place and ask. She probably didn’t mean it. He pulled a tissue from the box and dabbed at her eyes.

These wedding plans are stressing me out. Just when I think everything is in order, something happens.

You can fix this, Heidi. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat. Let’s just go talk a walk over to the apartment and you and Ashleigh can talk.

Ashleigh and I.

Whatever. Let’s go.

* *

Heidi walked into the apartment. Freedom and Dashelle were posed in the downward facing dog position.

Oh, flashbacks of Mario. Please stop, J.T. pleaded.

We didn’t know you’d be barging in on us, Dashelle peered between the window her legs had made.

Just pretend he’s not here, girls. Where’s Ashleigh? Heidi asked.

Freedom pointed to the her room. Heidi walked towards the door and J.T. sat on the couch. He grabbed the remote sitting on the arm.

Why didn’t you go with her? Freedom asked. They had changed into a warrior pose.

I don’t really like going in other girl’s rooms . . .and I couldn’t tell you that you’re doing that pose all wrong.

And how would you know? Dashelle asked.

Let me say again. Mario. He stood up next to the girls. Fix your posture like this and keep your back leg straight. J.T. showed the girls how to do the pose.

Now, that I have you attention and you can’t stop staring at me, ladies, here’s the deal. Heidi is a bundle of nerves. I have an audition. Whatever went wrong with Ashleigh and Heidi needs to be taken care of. Please fix it. My future depends on it.

Dashelle got on the floor and went into the sun salutation pose. We got it, J.T.

Thank you! J.T. left for the audition. Heidi came out of Ashleigh’s room just in time to see the door close and J.T. walk out.

Where’d he go? she asked.

He had an audition, Freedom answered.

He didn’t tell me anything about an audition, Heidi mumbled.

Are you forgetting that J.T. always puts you first? Ashleigh came up behind her.

Yeah, he’s probably late thanks to you, Dashelle added.

Thanks, girls. Thanks for making me feel this small. Heidi showed a tiny gap between her thumb and her index finger.

I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that if you aren’t happy, he puts whatever he needs to do on hold until you are.

Not helping, Heidi sang.

Heidi, it’s a compliment. I’d die to have someone like J.T, Ashleigh remarked. She sat on the arm of the couch.

But, you do, Ash, Heidi informed her friend.

Ashleigh put her hand up to stop Heidi from saying anything else. We are not going down that road again. I agreed to be a bridesmaid as long as you didn’t meddle.

Heidi’s right, Ashleigh. Give Court a chance, Dashelle said.

You said youself that I need to make my own decisions. Court is going to get his chance. When I decide. She wagged her finger at her friends. Not when you ladies decide for me. I just want to be able to focus on him and not my past. I’ll do it in my time-not everyone else’s. She got up from the couch and slammed her bedroom door behind her.

Freedom looked from the door to Dashelle. How much time does she spend in there? she asked.

Dashelle shook her head. I don’t even pay attention anymore, she sighed.

Chapter 4

J.T. sat in the theater awaiting his audition. He looked around and smiled. He loved the theater. The seats so close to the stage, the sound of the technical crew making sure everything was working right. The sound of his voice booming over the speakers and into the minds of the audience. He was meant to be a performer. He would give up Julliard in a second if he could just find show after show to perform.

Jayson Sumtrane, the casting director called for him.

J.T. is fine. He ran up on the stage and waited for his cue.

The young casting director took off her thick glasses and peered at him. You look familiar, she observed.

J.T. grinned. You may have seen me in the role of Mark in Rent.

The casting director smiled and wagged her finger at him. Ah, yes, you were incredible in that role. That is a tough character to follow. What role are you audition for today, J.T.?

Danny.

Great. She walked up to the stage and handed him the script. You’ll be reading the drive-in scene and singing Sandy.

J.T. took the script and flipped through the pages. He knew this role by heart. Grease was the very first production he remembered every being in. It was the first time Heidi and him performed together. Back then, they were still just friends, but he knew one day that they might be more. They would spend hours rehearsing together until they both thought the scenes were perfect. Heidi always strived for perfection on anything she did and J.T. let her. He had the part of Danny ingrained in his brain thanks to her. Nothing could make him forget those lines. He handed the casting director the script. Got it, but I don’t really need this.

You’re awfully sure of yourself, Mr. Sumtrane.

Let’s just say I’ve had a lot of practice with this character.

The tall brunette ran her fingers through her hair. She obviously had heard that line before. She mumbled something about actors and then looked up at J.T. Okay, you’ll be reading with Angela Marques.

A leggy blond walked up on stage. Her hair was cut to her shoulders and her skin was flawless. If he wasn’t careful, he might call his audition partner Heidi. She extended her toned arm and J.T. shook it. She smiled to show off her perfect teeth.

I’m usually Rizzo in these things, Angela remarked.

I was just thinking you look nothing like Sandra Dee, J.T. quipped. He could feel the heat on his face.

You don’t look like Danny. More of a Doody or a Putzie.

I’m definitely a Danny. Don’t worry.

Angela, lines, please. You can small talk and get his number later, the casting director huffed.

Angela rolled her eyes. Fine, Kelly. We’ll do the scene.

J.T. scooted two chairs to center stage to pretend they were sitting in the front seat of the car. J.T. found a bottle cap ring in his pocket to use as a prop. Angela grinned at his resourcefulness. When she ran away as directed in the script and he started singing Sandy, she stopped and turned. His voice was perfect.

I want him, she mouthed to Kelly. Kelly nodded and scribbled something by his name. When J.T. was finished singing, Kelly had the potential actors sit on the stage and asked a few questions before she gave the obligatory we’ll let you know speech that J.T. had heard dozens of times before. He hopped off the stage, grabbed his jacket off a chair and took a few steps down the aisle before the next potential actor took the stage. He wondered who he would be up against.

Courtn-

Court, just Court. No need to finish the rest.

Kelly scribbled on her notes and mumbled more about actors just using the names they wanted in the playbill and not their full names.

J.T. pivoted around to see his best friend walking up the stairs to the stage. He grinned and slipped into a chair in the back of the theater. This could be fun if he got the part. J.T. could play Danny and Court could play Kenickie. It would be just like old times. They had a lot of fun, then. J.T. rubbed his hands together and leaned forward to watch his friend in action.

And you are auditioning for the part of? Kelly asked.

Court looked into the back of the room and noticed a familiar shadow. He knew who it was and he would take some heat for the next word that came out of his mouth.

Danny.

J.T. leaned back in his chair and his jaw dropped. He had never battled for a part with Court. They had an unspoken understanding that they wouldn’t compete against each other. They were two different people with different strengths and some parts were meant for J.T. while others were meant for