Trouble
Chapter 9
Ally pushed the button to her radio, allowing the music to fill the dark room where she developed her photography. Her hips swayed lightly in time with the music as she threaded her fingers through her loose curls, holding the thick locks away from her neck. Her eyes were shut as she thought over the negatives she would be developing. The pictures from Austin's photo shoot drifted to her mind as she thought over which ones she would present to Dom. He would than show them to Austin, which she had no problem with. Trish was currently bonding with her god-son as Ally worked in her studio away from home, a place she had to herself. She quickly tied her hair into a messy bun atop her head as she got to work, focusing on the shapes that were quickly forming on the paper.
A voice pulled her from her thoughts, causing her to jump at the sudden intrusion.
" Damn it Trish, what have I told you about barging in here," Ally growled as she pinned the developing photo to the close line, turning her body as she moved across the space of her dark room, wrenching the door open to glare at her petite friend. However her petite friend wasn't standing in front of the door, it was Austin. She groaned, rolling her eyes at the smirk he offered her.
" Austin, what did you want? I'm already running behind on my deadline for these pictures," Ally growled in frustration. Austin held up his hands in mock surrender, taking a step back as he took in her appearance.
" Do you always wear something like that for work?" He questioned, his throat going dry as his eyes slowly roved from the tips of her toes to the top of her head.
Her long curls were piled atop her head, strands escaping her hair tie to frame her face. She was free of any make up, but that wasn't what caught his attention. She was wearing an old faded shirt that hung off her shoulder. The logo for the Beatles was faded across the chest, the hem playing the top of her thigh. He could see frayed denim peeking out, informing him that she was wearing something underneath, however it was a very small something. Ally could only roll her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest.
" When I'm developing film, yes. It's comfortable," was Ally's comment as she shifted under his intense gaze.
" That's my old shirt," he finally spoke, his eyes widening as he glanced to her face. She shrugged her shoulders as if she hadn't realized that.
" How did you find me?" she quickly changed the topic, hoping he wouldn't realize just how long she had actually possessed his favorite shirt.
" I asked Trish where you were. She might not have realized who she was talking to, she was dealing with Devon and Dez at the same time," Austin answered with an easy shrug, his eyes narrowing slightly.
" That's my favorite shirt! I thought I lost it," he spoke, his eyes widening as realization dawned on him. She released a nearly inaudible sigh, knowing it was pointless to deny it.
" I thought I lost it years ago," he continued, watching as her pink tongue darted out from between her lips.
" Do you wear it a lot?" She looked up, surprised by his question before she looked away.
" Only when I…" she trailed off, unsure if she should tell him.
" When you what, Ally?" he pressed, taking a step closer to her, eliminating the space that seemed to separate them. She refused to meet his eyes as she looked away, chewing the inside of her cheek as she attempted to think of a proper lie.
" Don't try to bull shit me either, Ally. Tell me what were you going to say," Austin's voice was firm as he placed his hands on either side of Ally's head, efficiently caging her between himself and the door that led to her dark room.
She glanced at her feet, covered by her back ankle boots, knowing he deserved the truth. She inhaled a deep breath, steeling her nerves as she finally raised her head to meet his eyes.
" I would wear it whenever I missed you. It was… I felt safe whenever I wore it. It was big and comfortable, and for the first week it smelled like you. I just… I couldn't give it back to you when you asked for it," she finished, chewing on her bottom lip. She was shocked when Austin leaned forward, pressing his lips to her own. Her eyes widened in surprise and before she could respond, Austin had pulled back, a grin stretching on his lips.
" I have one more question," he informed, watching as her brows furrowed before nodding her head in consent.
" Did you wear this shirt whenever you were dating Dallas?" she chewed her bottom lip between her teeth once more, a habit she was doing more and more lately whenever he was around.
" Yes," her answer was quiet before she decided to divulge more information for him.
" I used to wear it further into my pregnancy, and Dallas knew the shirt belonged to Devon's father. He said how could I make a life with him when I was still hung up on the past, on a man who ran away and left me and our son," she spoke, watching his eyes harden slightly.
" What the fuck does Dallas know? Ally, if I had known you were pregnant with Devon, I wouldn't have left you. I would have stayed. I can't help but feel like a bastard whenever I see the way you two interact. He's comfortable around you, he's relaxed around you. You saw him crawl, say his first word, take his first step. Me? I missed out on the first five years of my son's life because I was to selfish to take into consideration the feelings of my best friend, of the one person who I actually gave a damn about. I don't regret signing the label. However I do regret not taking you with me. I regret not telling you this sooner. I am madly in love with you Allyson Marie Dawson. The reason I have your name, your name tattooed on my shoulder is to remind every other woman I was with that my heart was already taken. The reason I have trouble tattooed on my forearm is because you were the first one to tell me I was trouble, but I was worth it. You are the only one who matters to me, you and our son," Austin finished, panting for breath as he dropped Ally's surprised gaze.
He ran his hands through his tousled strands, taking a step back and turning away from the silent woman. He stiffened when he felt Ally's slender arms wrapped around his waist, her chest pressed against his back.
" I love you too, Austin. I… The first tattoo I got, the initials are A.M.M," she whispered, praying to God he would piece it together. He did.
" Austin Monica Moon," he commented with a slight chuckle, shaking his head as he turned in her arms.
She looked up into his eyes, and he couldn't resist himself as he pressed his lips to hers again, a gentle pressure which she returned.
" So, does this mean you'll give me a chance?" he whispered as he pulled back fractionally, his large hands gripping her narrow hips as she chewed her bottom lip between her blunt teeth once more.
" One chance, Moon, don't screw it up," Ally agreed, watching as a grin spread across his lips.
" Now if you don't mind, I need to finish developing my films before my boss brings hell on me," she pulled away from him, however his grip only tightened.
" Maybe I can help. I always wanted to learn how develop pictures," Austin commented, looking down into Ally's warm cinnamon brown eyes. She raised a suspicious eyebrow but allowed him to follow her into the private dark room.
