triumphant when he saw the answer in Kaylee's eyes. It was the final push he needed to admit everything.
"I know I've hurt you in the past, but something's changed between us. How many times do I have to tell you that I like you and that I want to be with you before it sinks in? Can't you just give me, give us, a chance to see where this leads?"
Kaylee looked into his eyes. Where she expected to see teasing, she only saw care. But she had to know... "How do I know I'm not some conquest? 'Let's see who can take her virginity?'"
Ashton sighed again. "Come on, do you really think that?" He was starting to get angry and let his frustrations show. "Have I ever once tried to go further than you're ready for?"
"No," she said, ashamed that she had even made that suggestion. She knew that wasn't all Ashton wanted from her, but her mind wouldn't let her give in that easily to him. "I don't want to sit here, constantly wondering when you're going to get bored with me and what I'm giving you."
"Well, when are you going to get bored with what I have to offer?" Ashton countered. "Nothing in this world is certain, Kaylee. Sometimes you just have to let go and see where the wind takes you."
They looked at each other for a long moment. "When did you get so smart?" she asked, with a smile across her face for the first time since their discussion began.
"I listen to a lot of song lyrics," Ashton said proudly. They both laughed, sucking all the tension out of the air. "So, we're cool?"
"Yeah, we're cool," Kaylee said, without hesitation.
"Good, now can I go make my girlfriend breakfast?" he asked. Kaylee nodded, thankful that Ashton, unlike her, enjoyed cooking.
Noah was already in the kitchen when they got there, showered and ready to go. "Morning, you two," he said. He handed them each a plate of French toast and bacon.
"Well, aren't you up early," Kaylee said, surprised that breakfast was ready and so was her brother.
"That's because he's taking me shopping," Brittany told her as she breezed into the kitchen. "He promised to buy me whatever I wanted."
Kaylee thought her jaw was going to hit the floor. Not only did Brittany spend the night in their house, but now Noah was taking her shopping? No way! She remembered that Brittany had done her best to come on to Ashton and had to bite back the terrible things she wanted to say to her.
But still, some snarky bit escaped. "What happened Brittany, lose your job and go broke?"
Brittany didn't even blink. "Nope, I'm still working, and I have plenty of money saved up, thank you. But hey, he was dumb enough to offer, so why should I say no?"
Kaylee saw red, and Ashton knew it. He wasn't happy about the situation either. He put his hand on Kaylee's arm, hoping to calm her down a little so that she didn't cross right over the breakfast bar and go after Brittany.
Noah's eyes flashed a momentary pain, but he snapped out of it quick when he saw how mad his sister was. He shook his head at her, telling her it would be alright and not to worry.
"Come on then, let's get this over with," Noah pulled on Brittany's arm.
"See you at the studio later, man," Ashton called to Noah as he was walking out the door.
Brittany turned around to answer him. "Oh, right. I don't think he'll be there today. We hardly ever get to see each other, so while I'm here, Noah can't come out to play." She gave a self-satisfied smirk, then disappeared through the door.
"Did that just happen?" Kaylee burst out when the door closed behind them.
"Looks like we have another Yoko on our hands," Jenny said, walking into the kitchen from the living room.
"You heard?" Kaylee asked her. She hadn't known that Jenny was in the next room.
"I heard it all. You know, I try not to interfere in your love lives too much, but that girl has to go," Jenny told her, shaking her head.
"I agree," Ashton said, not sure what to do about their recording session. "Looks like I better call the guys and tell them what's going on. Noah can't be missing things like this, especially when we have to pay to use the studio. It's not like we have a whole lot of time to get out next record out."
Kaylee watched