Beautiful Mistake (Chapter 69)

Hey guys! Thanks for getting me the comments I asked for! Make sure you've read 68! *NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. ALL CREDIT FOR THE PICTURES, VIDEOS, AND SONGS GOES TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS* -- "So do you wanna be my girlfriend?" he sounded a little timid in asking. "Of course." He smiled and kissed the side of my head. "My dad says I'm too young to date though," I added sadly. "Oh yeah, I forgot." He sounded sad too. I couldn't believe I was about to say this, but I really wanted to be Dylan's girlfriend. "Maybe he just doesn't have to know." "I don't want to get you in trouble." "I know, but it might be the only way." "I'll do whatever you're comfortable with." "Then I guess we're just gonna have to hide it." {Joe's P.O.V.} We were still in the studio one Friday afternoon. Dani called me when she picked up the kids to see where she should bring Ashley. I still didn't want Ashley being alone yet because she was still getting used to her diabetes. Ashley said she had a better chance focusing on her homework if she could put on her headphones at the studio than if she had to deal with her little cousins wanting her attention. So Dani said she'd drop Ashley off. Kevin wanted to say hi to his wife and kids so he said he'd go bring Ashley in. Apparently, Kevin's kids were quite upset that Ashley got to come hang out at the studio and they didn't. Kevin and Dani I think told them it was just because Ashley was older. I don't know what they planned to do once their kids were 13 and realized it wasn't just age. Anyway, once Ashley was there, I gave her a snack and she sat at one end of the table, working on homework, while my brothers and I worked on a song at the other end. About 20 minutes later, Ashley had finished her snack and was taking her levels. She then pulled off her headphones and said, "Hey Uncle Nick, sorry to bother you but what the hell does this mean?" She held up her meter. "Language!" both Nick and I were quick to snap. It probably didn't help that Kevin, our producer, and our cowriter all laughed a little at our synchronization. "What? Hell's not even really a curse word anyway," Ashley protested. "Well, it is to me, and I don't want you saying it," I said sternly. "All right sorry," she said. It was clear she wasn't really sorry, but I decided to let it go. Nick walked to her and looked at the meter. "Oh that just means it had an internal error reading the blood. " [A/N: I have no idea if that really happens with meters, but play along] "I didn't do anything wrong," she defended herself quickly. I think part of it was she was trying to prove to us, especially me, that she knew how to take care of this herself and could be trusted with more independence and responsibility. "I know. It just happens sometimes." "Does that mean I have to do it again?" she whined. "Afraid so, sweetie." "That's stupid," she grumbled, "And annoying." Nick laughed as Ashley started to test her blood again. Her phone, which was on the table while she did that, buzzed. "You want me to get your phone?" Nick asked, reaching for it. "No," Ashley quickly protested, putting her meter down and grabbing the phone out from under his hand. "Okay, calm down. I was just trying to help." "I know," she said as she rested the phone in her lap and finished testing. "I just, I need some privacy. My phone is private." "Okay," Nick said, putting up his hands in surrender. "Did the meter work?" She nodded. "Yeah, thanks." "Good." Nick then walked back over to our side of the table. I was a little suspicious. I tried to think if she had been that protective of her phone in the past. But I wasn't suspicious enough to do anything because it was within the realm of understandable in a way. She was a 13 year old girl after all, of course she didn't want us to see what she talked about with her friends. But I did watch her out of the corner of my eye as she read the text message and smiled really big before quickly typing a response. "What are you so smiley about down there?" I finally asked. "Hmm me?" she asked surprised, looking up from a new message she had just gotten. When I nodded, she just replied, "Oh my friend's just being really funny." "Okay," I said, not completely buying into that explanation. "Actually, Dad, I know you're busy, but it's Friday, can I go out to dinner with some friends tonight?" "Which friends?" "Uh Chloe, Juliana, Carrie, and Angela I think." "Okay, I guess that would be okay." "Great, thank you." She seemed really happy for some reason. -- What's Ashley up to? Sorry it's not a better cliff. PLEASE COMMENT! Do you think Ashley and Dylan will be able to hide their relationship? Let's try going up to 4 comments! If we get 4, I'll do everything I can to post. FUN FACT: I watched the Camp Rock/High School Musical marathon and the puppy bowl instead of the Super Bowl today haha.