Chapter 88: Rock Stars (and Front Men) Piss Off Dads

This chapter is from Trace's point of view, but I think we see alot of Leed's motivations coming through here, too. Basically, Trace and Leed are both trying to get Ash and Kat  to claim their independence and happiness. I think this song is a perfect fit for this scene...both of these rock stars are feeling this way about these two sisters...

Trace

Well, I knew it wouldn't last.

My summer of being the Golden Boy in the eyes of Michael Ballard?

Oooooover.

All it took was for Ellen to burst into tears at the explanation of Kat's injuries, and Michael is looking at me like I'm the demon sent to burn down his family.

"Goddammit, Trace! You never change, do you? Brawling and hurting my daughters in the process," he growls, jerking his tie loose as Ellen wanders up the stairs, muttering polite apologies and saying she'll be back down when she 'collects herself.'

"Sit!" Michael commands to Ashlynn as she moves to follow her mother upstairs.

Now the dutiful daughter again, she sits, immediately. I don't know why, but it fucking pisses me off. She's lost so much of her life to pain and drugs. She's finally getting it back, she shouldn't have to live it under her father's thumb. She's twenty-four years old and has been through more than people twice her age...probably more shit than Michael Ballard could imagine in three of his perfect whitebread suburbian lifetimes.

Fuck Michael Ballard. These daughters he thinks are his to command like they are still children? They actually mine to protect, and I would never order them around and expect them to obey blindly.

I stop Ash by the elbow and murmur, "If you want to check on your mother, go ahead, I'll deal with this." I turn to her dad. " You're right, Mike, I'll never change. I'll never stop loving Kat or looking out for Ash. And they know it, because when the shit hits the fan, they come to me, don't they?"

"Trace," Ashlynn admonishes me. Ashlynn looks from me, to her dad, and then as if can't help herself, she shoots an embarrassed glance toward Leed. That's fucking great. The Lion lays his charm and his paws on her for even a few minutes and now she's looking to him, maybe for help, or maybe just worried for him to see our dysfunctional family dynamic.

Another dysfunctional family. Cause, yeah, these Ballards are my family now. Between the connection I have with Ash, and the love I have for Kat and the marriage I plan to make with her one day, there's no point in standing on ceremony. Mike Ballard is basically my father-in-law, past and future, if not quite present. Just another Dad I have an uncomfortable situation with—but one I'm determined to see through to a better place.

He knows it, too. He doesn't order me out of the house, like he would have done three years ago if I had talked to him like that. He just sighs and repeats "Goddammit, Trace. I thought you had made a lot of progress. Now we are back to square one," he gestures at Kat's hand. "How can I trust you with Kat, when you bring her home hurt, at your hands?"

"Because I am bringing her home. I didn't have to. She didn't want to come. I had to convince her taking a few days to rest up was better than going right back to the LA, to her job and her social commitments. I could have been selfish with this week that my tour is busted because my face is busted. I could have taken her somewhere...anywhere...and been selfish with her. But I brought her here. Home, to you and Ellen. She needs to take a beat. She needs a little normal. I'm trying to do the right thing."

"Now, maybe," Michael say heavily. "But what about when you were causing that? You weren't doing right then. You were out of control." He points with an open hand to Kat's bandaged hand.

"Daddy, the fight was my fault," Kat says quietly. "I did something...stupid and reckless with Trace's brother...back in LA that caused a problem between Trace and Street. And Street started the fight. He threw the first punch. Trace was just defending himself, and...and me." She looks up at me. "I know that, Trace. I know you were just trying to protect me by confronting Street with words, and then Street fought back with fists."

I nod slowly, a little of my anger fading. Kat and I haven't really talked about the fight. I realize now, I assumed she blamed me—or at least thought of me as the aggressor against my younger, milder, brother. I reach for her shoulder and she steps fully into my embrace, and says to her dad, "You can't blame Trace for what happened. Blame me and Street, but you can't blame Trace or Leed. Both of them were only trying to protect me."

"So what you are saying is that these del Marco's—the people that Trace assured me would look out for you in LA—they are not looking after you at all, but leading you into reckless behavior? And that Trace's brother is a bigger hothead than these two?" Michael slings a disgusted hand at me and Leed.

"Yeah, that surprised the hell out of me, too!" Leed croaks jovially, raking down his throat. "He seems like a chill surfer dude, but that kid is a brawler. He is Matt's kid, though— and Matt is legendary for bar fights in his day...I think Matt's dad was an amateur street boxer, you know. That punch must be in the genes."

Michael's eyes automatically go to my fists, which I didn't realize were clenched. "Not helping, Leed," I growl, releasing them.

Ash makes a squeaking sound and says "I'm just going to check on Mom, see if she needs something...I mean, anything..." she finishes lamely, like she's too ashamed even to offer her own mother a Tylenol, for fear that her father will think she's still a junkie.

"Ashlynn, please. Your mother said she wants a moment of privacy, so you will give her a moment of privacy," Mike says sternly, putting a hand to brow, like he's trying to rub the worry lines from it.

"What's wrong with her?" Kat says bluntly.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Something's not right, here.

Ellen has always been genteel, but she's never been the kind to dissolve into tears. She's a lively, competent woman that juggled two kids and a career, working side by side with Mike helping him build his consulting firm.

Mike blinks, and his brows smooth as the confident, in-charge, CEO demeanor descends. "She's fine, Sweetheart. She's just struggling with a lot of things going on her life right now...and she's..." he sighs, and leans on the kitchen island with his fingertips. "She's just...vulnerable."

"Oooooooohhhhhh," Leed says, hopping up on the counter beside Mike and leaning in confidentially. "It's okay, man. You don't have to go vague on mine or Trace's account. We get it." He shoots me a look.

I don't get it. What the fuck is Leed on about? I shrug at him.

Leed rolls his eye at me. "Jesus, Trace, don't you have a mother? Well I guess Gina is a little bit younger than my mom, or Ash and Kat's mom, isn't she? Ellen's probably going through the change," he wags his eyebrows at me and then leans into toward Michael again. "Is that what you are saying?"

Oooooooohhhhh. I exchange a look with Kat, who has the light-bulb expression. Ashlynn's sporting the same, with a little mix of relief in there, too. Okay. Makes sense. Leave it to the fucking Lion to think of this stuff.

Mike stares at Leed like he's actually a lion...a zoo animal, a curiosity. "What? No...that's not what I'm...I mean, yes, I guess, but...what the hell are you doing here anyway, Lawson?"

Leed smiles. "Kismet calls, and a man must answer."

"What?" Mike repeats.

Ashlynn snorts. "Ignore him, Daddy. He speaks mostly in lyrics. Or BS."

Leed chuckles. "BS? Awwww, Sunny, it's so fluking cute, the shrap you say."

"She's right, you're full of shit. Fucking stop," I growl at him.

"What the hell are you all talking about?" Michael growls back at us. He's not used to discussions spiraling out from under his command.

Leed does that thing he does so well—he one-eighties from his jovial goofball demeanor to the Primal King. "Trace is right, let's drop the bullshit. Why have you asked Ashlynn to extend her rehab? I thought Trace made it plain to you before...Ash gets to make her own decisions. Especially since she is one hundred percent in control of her health and her sobriety. Rehab was where she needed to be to get even, but she's ready. Look at her," he hops off the island and crosses the room, pulling Ash to her feet. "She's radiant." She cuts her eyes at him and shakes her head in embarrassment, her long blonde waves falling in her face. He pushes them back and dips to catch her gaze. "You're ready to take your life back, yeah?"

Her smile twitches at him. "No. My old lives—both of them—are gone. But I am ready to start building a new one."

Leed laughs, and it sounds way too sexy in his raspy voice. "You right. It's a brand new day for you, Sunshine."

Oh Christ, I think they are going to hug again. I shoot Kitty a look of disgust, but she's smiling at them. I roll my eyes at her, and she pouts at me as she tucks her arm in mine. To my amusement, Michael has turned his scowl onto Leed.

"Wait a minute, Lawson. All this interest you've shown in Ashlynn's recovery...are you two involved?"

Still staring at each other, Ashlynn says "No" at the same moment Leed says "Soon."

Even I laugh at that one. Leed is one arrogant son of a bitch. You gotta give him props for balls like that.

Ashlynn's smile has faded to a smirk. She takes a deep breath like she is steeling herself. "Leed, you think you are cute, but I think—"

"That I'm cute and sexy." He gives her the chin tip and tries to gather her to him by the waist.

She laughs at him, but she puts both her hands on his chest and firmly forces him back. "I think you should save your cute and sexy for your fangirls, because I can't afford a ticket on the Leed Lawson Love Train."

"Girl, you don't need to buy a ticket. Ain't that kind of train. You get a free pass any time you want. Hop on, hop off, no need to commit to the whole route. But I promise you, it's a helluva ride," he wheedles.

"You're serious, aren't you?" Ash whispers to him.

"Hardly ever," he smiles. "But I'm not joking, if that's what you mean."

Michael slaps a hand down on the island. "Are you fucking kidding me, Lawson? Are you actually propositioning my daughter right in front of me in my own goddamn kitchen?"

Leed rakes his hair to the side as he considers. "No, not really. I was just flirting with her. I know she's got to finish her program. But surely you understand how this stuff works. It's not all that different than your business deals, I imagine. I've been eyeing the prospect for five years, and she's been doing the same, and now the timing is finally becoming favorable. This is a preliminary conversation about a mutually beneficial arrangement. She and I will get down to the deal, when she decides she wants to explore the offer. Right, baby?" he looks at Ash seriously, like he expects her to agree.

"You're crazy," Ashlynn whispers to him, her eyes wide but firing. Not sure if the sparks are attraction to this fluking asshat or anger at his presumption. I'm really hoping for the latter.

"Crazy?" He considers like it's a real possibility. "Naw. I don't think so. I'm just over holding back for the wrong reasons. Over not admitting that I'm into you. Into your light," he says mildly, shuffling beside her, leaning an arm behind her on the table,almost. She covers her face with both her hands and laughs in disbelief, moving away from him and sitting back down in the chair. He grins at her shyness. "It's really better not to keep secrets, don't you think?" Leed looks around the room, blinking like a baby owl.

Kat "awwwws." I huff. Michael mutters, "Jesus, I need a drink."

He doesn't do anything to actually acquire one. I look around the kitchen and into the dining room and realize all the wine and liquor that usually graces the wine bar and the bar cart have been removed. Probably due to Ashlynn's visit. That's hardly necessary. Ashlynn hasn't touched a drop of alcohol since her accident, except an occasional sip of celebratory champagne. Alcohol prompts her headaches. Abusing alcohol is not one of her problems.

Don't they know that? Maybe not. They haven't lived with her, during her full blown addiction, like I have.

Leed clears his throat. "Well?"

"Well what?" Kat asks.

"Well why does your dad want Ashlynn to extend her rehab?"

Michael Ballard points an aggressive finger at Leed. "I don't have to explain myself to you, Lawson. In fact, why don't you get the hell out of my house? At least Gallant has enough respect not to solicit sex from my daughter in my house, like she's some kind of groupie and this is some kind of goddamn backstage..."

"Green room," I supply helpfully, suddenly pleased at the the turn of Michael's anger.

Michael slings up a hand to acknowledge my help. "Right. What the hell is wrong with your front man, Trace? This is the kind of friends you keep? Goddamn degenerates?"

Shit, that backfired. Now I'm to blame for Leed. Well, fuck it. I'm not throwing him under the bus, if Michael's gonna hate us both anyway.

"Degenerate? Naw. He's alright," I concede begrudgingly. "Loyal. Wouldn't hurt a fly. Not on purpose, anyway. He's just...weird. Grew up with hippies and a string of artistic, crazy stepmothers. Doesn't understand normal social interactions. Or relationships." I shoot Ashlynn my eyebrows-engaged-I'm-fucking-serious-about-what-I'm-saying look. She crosses her arms and give me the oh-so-familar-I'm-going-ignore-everything-you-say look.

Leed snorts. "You mean normal like you, Trace? Cause you married the sister of the girl you love, just to get her clean."

"Well it worked, didn't it? Eventually..." I snapped. "If I hadn't married her, we would never have ended up in the exact circumstances we are all in. She wouldn't have run from me for a year, eventually wrecking and finally getting scared for her life. You would never have gotten to know her like you do, never gotten involved in suggesting her rehab program."

"Yeah, that's true," Leed says reasonably, throwing an arm around Ash. "I guess we do have Trace to thank for so much. For you getting clean, and for the super fun times we are going to have."

She throws her arm off him, finally starting to look irritated. "You're pushing it, Leed. My dad's right. You're being...disrespectful. We are not having any 'fun times.' Not like you mean."

He holds ups his hands, but he's still smiling. "Okay. I hear you." He looks at Michael. "I apologize. I was...inappropriate. You're probably right, not the time." Then he turns to Ashlynn. "I'm sorry. I was just playin', to get you to smile. I didn't mean to make you feel..." he falters, then regroups. "I got much respect for you, Ashlynn. I really do."

There's a moment of silence, while everyone swallows Leed's turn toward the serious.

Finally, I say, "So what's up? Ashlynn, what are your plans?" That's what I really care about, not Michael's opinion.

"Well," she smooths her long fingers down her sundress, "I promised Mac I would come to LA and help with her baby, but now she's not going to be in LA, and I have a feeling she's going to be overwhelmed with help from Adam's family, so...I don't know if she'll need me in Nashville..."

"She won't," Leed says decidedly. "But Christ knows, I'll need you, with the little guy. What the hell do I know about babies?"

She smiles at him. "I still can't believe you are having a kid, you know."

He crosses his eyes and makes a bomb sound as he splays his fingers. "I know, right?"

"You're...what?" Michael asks.

"Oh. I'm having a baby with my friend, Tam. She's our stylist, you've probably heard about her. Baby's due in a couple of months, but she cut out on me and is engaged to Kat's security guy. You've met Ben, right? Good dude. Tam and I weren't together together, so it's all good."

"You've got be fucking kidding me," Michael says, staring blankly at Leed, then at me for explanation. I shrug, because...what can I say?

"Stuff happens, Daddy," Kat says. "Just like Mac and Adam having a baby. They are all making it work."

Michael is suddenly glaring at me ferociously. I put my hands up, "Hey man, don't look at me like that. Kat is eighteen. I know that. She wants to get her degree, and I've got a band to make legendary. Don't worry, we aren't ready for...stuff."

"You better damn remember it," Michael growls. "And you, too, Katheryn."

"God, Daddy, I'm not a child. I think if I can handle myself in LA, I can handle my own birth control," Kat says. I wince, the same as Michael.

"Can we uhhm, get back to Ashlynn's plans?" I ask.

"Well, I just want to take a few months to do the things I said I would...help Tam with her wedding, help out with the little Lawson's," she smiles at Leed, who puts his arm around her again, and she doesn't push it away this time, I notice, "and then," she takes a big breath, "I want to get my yoga instructor's certification. I'm just not sure...where I'm going to do that."

Leed draws her closer. "You want to be a yogi, baby? That's awesome."

"Not just a yogi," she says. "I want to study all holistic therapies, eventually. Acupuncture, massage therapy. I want to work in wellness, maybe even with kids who have challenges that don't respond to conventional medicine. Obviously, I'm never going to be doctor, with my condition and my history, but studying holistic therapies is still a path that's open to me, and I think I could help people, like I've been helped." Ash is looking at her dad, like she's trying to make him understand.

Kat crosses the floor and rips Ashlynn away from Leed. "Ash, that makes perfect sense. Oh, wow, I'm so happy you found that path. I know you'll be so good at that—helping people." She hugs her sister tightly. Ash looks a little overwhelmed at Kat's intensity but she smiles as she hugs Kat back.

I'm not smiling, but I'm nodding. I'm definitely feeling that for Ash, too. It's a very good choice for her, a way to keep herself immersed in the lifestyle that keeps her healthy. "That sounds like a great idea, Ash. So what's the problem?" I shoot a look at Michael. "She's got the resources to do whatever she wants. Why are you wanting her to stay in rehab?"

"I just worry that Ash is being too...ambitious. I don't want her to get overwhelmed and relapse," Michael says.

Ah, I get it. He doesn't think she's competent to do this, because of her injury. I don't think that's true. Ash does have some minor, occasional brain glitches, and her pain will probably always have to be managed, but she's still as smart as she ever was. She spent a year mostly evading me, Riley, and a network of private investigators, all the while managing to keep herself alive while struggling with an addiction and dealing with a bunch seedy assholes. She's more than competent. She's smart, and she's a survivor.

"She's not going to get overwhelmed. She's going to have a support network of people that have her back and aren't trying to send her for shock therapy," Kat snaps at her father. Michael looks away and says nothing.

"You know," Leed says. "Cali is probably the best place to apprentice as a Yogi. There are lots of authentic Yogi's who take serious students for intense programs of study. Hell, my guy is always trying to convince me to give up the band and become his apprentice. You could practice with him for awhile, maybe you guys would vibe each other. If not, I'm sure he could put you in contact with other Yogi's," Leed suggests. "That would be way better than some community college program that just churns out certificates."

Ashlynn's beautiful smile breaks. "To study with a real Yogi? That does sound amazing."

"Ashlynn, you do not belong back in LA," her father admonishes. "See, this is exactly what I'm talking about. You're talking about getting out of rehab, jet-setting between Nashville and LA, no routine, no structure..."

"She can have structure," I object. "A flight from LA to Nashville is four hours out of a day, and if Ash travels like SCIC—VIP-style, I mean—it's non-stress. She can do her Yoga before breakfast, and be in Nashville for a lunch. God knows, spending time at Adam's place is going to be like a spiritual retreat for all of us. That farm life is laid-back. And LA does not have to be a party every day, you know." The words aren't just for Michael.

"You're right," Kat says softly, and she takes a deep breath. "You know what, Ash? These last couple of days, I've been thinking about making some changes myself. WITCH campus is not really working for me. I spend so much time with the Marianne at her office, the other WITCHes kind of resent it, and I'm not making real friends, just...party friends. I guess that's why I've been hanging out so much with Street and Bridge," she shoots me a look, a plea for understanding. "Plus, I'm going to start classes in a few weeks. Now that Trace and I are official, Marcy says I have a slate of endorsements to choose from, and I'll have some money coming in, so I was thinking of maybe getting my own place...closer to Trace's house and my community college. I'll only head into the city on the days I have to work, or maybe for a weekend club appearance. That might change if I get into UCLA next year, but for now...maybe..." Kat bites her lip, and then nods, almost to herself. "Maybe you and I should get an apartment together in Calabasas? I think it would be good for both of us. What do you think?"

Ashlynn looks shocked. "Are you...are you serious?"

Kat makes an adorable but slightly scared grimace. "I...I think so? Yeah. I miss you. Being mad at you has sucked. I want to be like we used to be. I really do. Although, if we move into together and you try to make Trace coffee or pick up his clothes when he stays over, I'm going rip your perfect blonde hair out, but otherwise, yeah...I think...maybe...we should. Live like sisters."

Ashlynn makes a couple of shocked gasps that I know is her way of working up to a cry. But then her emotion drains away. She looks at me. "Kat, maybe you should talk to Trace about that. I don't know..."

I shake my head immediately. I don't think it's going to be as easy as Kat thinks, but if this is what she wants—if her instinct is to dive back in with Ash—there is no way that I'm going to stand in the way of that. Ash and Kat getting their family back is all I ever wanted, when I got married to Ash. "I'm good with it. Completely. But just so you both know...I'm not stayin' over."

Michael snorts like he doesn't believe me, but I mean it. I live alone in a fucking mansion with a rock star bed, and Kitty's name is written all over it. I'm not sleeping in a apartment like some college throw-back, and having to worry about Ashlynn hearing us have sex. Or worse, hearing her and...fuck no, I'm not even going there. Seems like Ash isn't taking Leed too seriously, anyway.

"Ashlynn...please? Can we try?" Kat bounces on her toes, grinning at Ash.

Ashlynn cries pretty, like she always does. The girl could be a movie star. "I would really like that. So much."

"Yay!" Kat squeals and jumps and down, dragging Ash off the chair and making her jump too. Leed laughs and puts his arms around them, picking them up and bouncing them higher.

"Bring it in, bro," he yells at me.

"No fucking way, dude," I tuck my hands under my armpits and try to look annoyed. It's not really hard. I'm down with Kat and Ash reuniting. I'm not down with making this some convenient band foursome.

"Wait, before you two get ahead of yourselves," Michael says, "There's more to this than you are considering." Kat and Leed are ignoring him, Ash is trying to give him her attention, but it's hard being between the Leed-Kat-Celebration. "Girls!" he says sharply. "Listen to me. Your mother—"

"Thinks that's a wonderful idea," Ellen says from the kitchen stairs. She must have been standing there awhile, still dressed in her black dress, but barefoot with her shoulder length hair down, because she seems perfectly informed on the plan. She's smiling as she glides down the stairs and tucks herself under Michael's arm. "They aren't children anymore, and they both have to learn how to manage life...without us. The two of them, supporting each other in LA? I feel so much better about that than anything else I've heard...in a long time." She looks at her daughters. "You two...you need each other. I think it's a perfect plan." She shakes Michael around his waist, as if she's trying to loosen him up. "We've made so many mistakes. Let's not keep doing that, Michael."

Michael is really different, with Ellen. He's a hard-ass with everyone but her. Still, I never seen him look quite so...loving, as he looks down at her. "Sweetheart, I just want all my girls...safe and healthy and happy. I'm not sure this is a step in that direction."

"Michael, can I say something, please," I ask respectfully. Ellen pats his back, and he sighs, but gives me a nod.

"I know you think I'm not a man—like you. I know you think I'm young, and sometimes reckless, and...that I've got some problems I need to work out. And you're right, about all that," I nod in agreement at him. "But I'm not a kid. I am a man, and I do understand what it means to be one—to put the people you care about before all the other bullshit—all the drama, all the ego, all the rock star bullshit. I can't promise you that I will always be with Kat and Ash, because I have a job that won't let me do that. I can promise you, I will always stay on top of shit. I will always know what's going on with them—if they are safe, if they have security, if they are taking care of themselves, if Kat is being moderate, if Ash is staying sober. I'll do that by treating them right and keeping their trust, and by understanding the kind of life they each want to live and helping them move around in it. I'll take care of them, and I'll keep them safe, I promise you that."

Leed claps me on the back. "He will. I swear to fuck he will. He's good like that. I'm not bad at it, either. I gotta sister, that I love...shit that I love probably more than anybody. I've watched out for her my whole life. She's got a husband now, a better dude than both of us," he grins at me, and I give my agreement with a grunt and a nod. "So that means I don't have to worry about Mac so much anymore. I got some free time on my hands in that department. I'll be watching out for Ballad A and Ballard B, too."

Ellen laughs a little at Leed's speech. "You are very funny without even trying, aren't you, dear?"

"Am I?" Leed looks a little confused, and all three Ballard women laugh the exact same life.

"Michael," Ellen says, patting him on the chest. He makes a sound of disgusted defeat and slings a casual hand at Ashlynn and Kat. "Fine. Parental blessing granted, not that you two seem to care."

"We do care, Daddy," Ashlynn says and she moves to hug them both. Kat hangs back. She's still very angry at her parents for keeping my marriage to Ash a secret from her. You'd think Ash would be angrier for them trying to have her committed, but I guess she and her parents have had six months of family therapy as part of her rehab. They've been going down once a week.

Sometimes, therapy works, I muse, looking at Kat.

"Holy shit!" Leed looks a little slack-jawed. "Do you know what this means?"

"What?"

"This means, we just solved a problem without Riley!"

I laugh at him. "You right, man, you right. Hard to fucking believe."

"We are so crushing this adulting shit," Leed holds out his hand, and I dab him up.

Then I wrap my arms around my girl. She looks up at me, her caramel eyes shining with hope and love. "Ash is right. I should have asked you...I...I just...I think it will be better for us, when you get back to LA. Me, away from the WITCHES and...the club scene every night...and..."

"Yeah," I say. I know what she means. WITCH campus is practically in Matt and Marianne's backyard. So being away from WITCH campus means putting distance between her and Street, when he's home from Berkley. I'm sure he'll still be in Cali for awhile, even if his European plans come to fruition.

Still, I'm so happy that Kat realizes she needs to tame her party a little bit, if we are going to learn to be a real couple. I don't want to go down the AraBodie road.

"You are so smart and good to reach out to Ash like that," I tell her. "All this shit between us, we're going to work it out, okay? We have to, because I'm not ever letting my brother or your sister come between the good thing you and I are working on."

"Me either," she promises. "I love you, Trace."

"I love you too, Katheryn." I hardly ever call her that, but it feels...right, in this moment, for some reason. She'll always be my KitKat, but every day, she's becoming more and more her own woman, and fuck me, if I'm not going to learn to love the woman even more than the girl.

Well folks, I think that's where we end Trace, Kat, Leed, and Ash for this tale. They are all working towards some changes in their lives coming up in LA!  We'll see them all in LA again for Tam's wedding in Tantric.

Trace and Kat still have some work to do in their relationship, but it seems like they are both commited to learning how to be a real couple...the true test will be when the tour is over and Trace gets back to LA...how do you think that's going to go?

Thoughts on Ashlynn's plans to work in holistic therapy? Do you think that will be a good career for her?

What about Kat and Ash living together in LA? Sounds like a good plan, but one that could come with unforeseen challenges to me...thoughts?