Hi! So here is a new one shot that I promised at the end of my story "Wrapped Up Tight"! If you haven't read that, check it out ;) Only if you wanna!

This thought just popped into my head!

I hope you all enjoy it, and I hope to get the first chapter of my new story out soon!

Disclaimer: Not Edited!

Bars weren't my scene.

Everyone knew that, hell, anyone who didn't know me could tell by one glance that bars weren't anywhere on my agenda of 'fun'. So how my own mother convinced me to follow my brother and his idiotic friends to the busiest bar in town on a Friday night, I have no clue.

One minute we were talking, and the next I was getting dressed into the only 'little black dress' I owned. It hit mid-thigh, and one little uncalculated movement would have it snuggling underneath my cheeks. The fact that my mother allowed me out of the house dressed like this baffled me, what shocked me silent was the fact that she pulled it down…to show more cleavage.

I sighed at the thought. I knew my mother meant well, she truly did, but I could think of quite a few things to get my daughter out of the house than sending her to a bar, dressed like a slut – with my brother and his horny ass friends.

Although they eyed me unapologetically, each time earning a slap on the back of the head by my older brother, Adam, I knew they were harmless. They said stupid things at times, but they would never actually touch me – not that I, or their girlfriends, would let them.

"Where is Austin?" I heard Adam's friend, Kolton, ask from behind me as we walked through the entrance.

"He is pulling in," Adam informed.

Austin Moon, Adam's best friend since diapers, and my biggest pain in the ass. I knew Kolton, Weston, and Paxton were going to be here with Adam tonight, but I could have sworn Adam told me that Austin was off working.

Ear splitting music vibrated the walls, and I instantly felt dizzy from the flashing lights. Groaning, I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. And I couldn't tell if it was because of the numerous bodies grinding on one another, the music, lights, or the fact that Austin would be accompanying us at any moment.

It wasn't that I didn't like Austin, he was a great guy, always the life of the party. He never met a stranger, could make anyone laugh in an instant, and was hot as sin. But unlike Adam's other friends, who would ogle me secretly from the corner and pretended I didn't exist, Austin liked to annoy the ever-living shit out of me. Most of the time, I didn't mind always returning the favor, but tonight, I just wasn't in the mood for his shenanigans.

Kolton, Paxton, and Weston brushed passed me, making their way to the bar while Adam placed a hand on the top of my shoulder. I turned towards him. "I know you don't want to be here, that's why Aus brought his own vehicle. Just hang out for a little bit to make mom happy, and then he offered to take you home at any time."

My heart swelled at the thought, but I felt instant guilt. "Adam, I'm not going to ruin his fun. I'll just call an uber to head back home whenever I'm over it."

Adam raised his brows. "Ally do not call an uber, you don't need to be out in the city, dressed like this, by yourself. Plus, Austin swore he didn't mind. He just got home from work around noon and didn't want to stay out long anyway. He is only here because I begged."

I chuckled, knowing that Austin Moon was the only person Adam would beg.

"Okay. Sounds good," I agreed, frowning as the strong scent of alcohol hit my nostrils. Adam sighed, shooting me an apologetic look.

"I know this suck for you but try to enjoy it. Grab a drink, let lose a little, maybe get your mind off the jerk. Not too loose though, I don't need to be arrested for breaking some guys nose, again."

I would have laughed, but my heart ached at his reference of Blake. Sighing, I dropped my head, locking my eyes on the strappy black heels wrapped around my ankles. Hearing Adam sigh, he pulled me into his side gently, shaking my shoulder.

"He's a jerk, Al. Forget about him, he isn't worth it. There are plenty of guys, that would fall to your feet for the slightest bit of your attention. Unfortunately, I see it every time you walk in the room. So, don't let some boy that doesn't know what he wants mess with your head."

Glancing up at my brother, I forced a smile at his unusual complimentary words. With one last comforting pat on my arm, Adam stalked towards the bar to join the rest of his friends.

I let my eyes wander, taking a moment to myself before heading up to join them, my mind replaying my brother's words in my head.

Don't let some boy that doesn't know what he wants mess with your head.

That boy that Adam had been referring to was Blake Knight. The first guy to capture my attention since my first heartbreak a year and a half ago right out of high school. Upon meeting Blake, I thought I had hit the jackpot; a twenty-two-year-old that worked a 'big boy' job that had his own apartment in the middle of the city. With a charm and an acute plan for his future, he checked off each and every box on my mental list of the perfect guy.

That was until I found myself in the front seat of his Camaro during a rainstorm as he admitted to me that he had no plans of getting into a serious relationship. Except yesterday, I saw a post of a beautiful blonde in the same spot I was dumped less than a week ago – I don't even know if you could call it being dumped when there was never a label in the first place. We had only been seeing each other, went on about six dates, and I had met his family the weekend before.

"You are perfect, fantastic. You check off every box and you are everything I want. I just don't think I am ready to be committed to someone fully again. I'm sorry." He had said.

"Freaking jerk," I grumbled as I began making my way towards the bar to join my brother and the rest of his friends. I rolled my eyes at the sight of Kallie, the brunette cheerleader from our local college, leaned against my brother. They were on again apparently.

"Bout time you joined," Paxton asked, raising his beer in my direction. I chuckled, shaking my head as I placed an order for a diet coke.

"I was thinking long and hard about leaving you idiots," I joked, a smirk that wasn't real in the slightest forming on my lips. Each of them chuckled and turned their heads back towards the football games airing on the televisions behind the bar.

I smiled in thanks as the bartender handed me my requested beverage, and I swirled it carefully, staring at it intently before bringing it to my lips. But the drink immediately went down the wrong pipe as I felt a pair of large hands cup my shoulders causing me to nearly jump off of the barstool.

"The life of the party has arrived!"

My brother and each of his friends turned, hooting and hollering over the noise that seemed to become increasingly louder. They each took their turn, high fiving or fist bumping Austin all the while he stayed behind me, one hand never leaving my shoulder.

Turning to look up at him, I glowered as I cleared my throat on the last cough. "Was that really necessary," I deadpanned, my eyes connecting with green irises that danced with amusement. He just sent me a bright smile, showing off his perfect teeth as he took the barstool beside me, ordering a vodka sour.

"It's nice to see you, too, Als," he greeted, but his smile dropped as his eyes ran over my body.

I shifted uncomfortably, uncrossing my legs to switch them, and I could've sworn I saw Austin's eyes narrow as the fabric rose an inch.

"What the hell are you wearing?" His cheerful tone had been replaced with a stern question. I raised a brow. "A dress?" I asked as if he had lost his mind. While I admit that it wasn't my style, or anything I ever wanted to wear again, it was nothing that no other girl wasn't wearing in this building. In fact, I actually looked like I belonged in church compared to some of the outfits I had seen.

Austin scoffed, bringing his eyes back up to mine. "I'm surprised your brother let you out of the house dressed like this, and then brought you here of all places."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well, he didn't have much of a choice considering this was my mother's doing," I apprised, and his eyes widened comically. I chuckled. "Yep, she basically pulled my dress down so far my boobs were on full display. I think she wanted me to leave here pregnant."

It was a joke, the first one that had fallen from my lips all day, but Austin didn't laugh. "That isn't funny," he grumbled, taking a sip of his drink. I eyed him but turned my attention back to my favorite football team playing against their rival.

"I thought you were off working," I asked, turning my head back to him. "I didn't expect you to be home for the next week."

Austin worked off on power lines for his father's company. He left for lineman school immediately after high school and had been in the business ever since. It wasn't something he always wanted to do, but considering his father ran the biggest electrical company south of the mason dixon line, it wasn't really an option – ironically, I was the only one who knew how much he hated it.

But it was either work his ass off while constantly being away from home or take over the company. And according to Austin, he'd rather get electrocoated than work side by side with his father every day.

"We were able to finish all the circuits in a week, my dad sent up another crew to help us out. We couldn't waste time since we have another hitch coming up on Monday," he explained, running a hand through his lengthy locks. It hadn't been this long in a while, but it was my favorite length on him, especially when he ruffed it up with some hair gel like he was currently styling.

"Where y'all headed this time?"

"Texas," he groaned, "that's gonna be one hell of a drive, and it is going to be a three-week hitch."

I let out a low whistle. "That sucks, you've barely had any time at home in a year."

He scoffed, but I knew it wasn't directed towards me. "Tell me about it. I'm so sick of not being here, missing out on everything. I'm only 21 for God's sake, I shouldn't be working my life away while all my friends are enjoying their lives."

I frowned, reaching my hand out to cover his. "Have you tried talking to your dad," I questioned softly, although I knew the boys were too busy with their heads in the games to be listening to Austin and I's conversation.

"No, you know how it is. Same shit every time I bring it up. And those idiots are no help, all they do is jump down my throat at how good I have it every time I complain."

I smiled sadly. "I would say I'm sorry, but you know I'm not. You need to talk to your dad."

Austin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Easier said than done, princess."

I chuckled softly at the nickname that he had deemed me with nearly a year and a half ago. His reasoning; "you get everything you want from your dad, your brother, hell, even me whenever you bat those damn eyes."

That wasn't the truth, and he knew it. After my high school sweetheart had broken my heart and left me in pieces, my father, brother, and even him hadn't known how to deal with me. My mother held me while I cried, and all Adam, Austin, and dad done was give me anything to keep me from crying. It wasn't my fault they had a soft spot for me – something I secretly loved.

Suddenly the music got louder, and I heard excited outbursts as a popular song sounded through the speakers. The lights got crazier by the second, and I shook my head in annoyance. How did anyone like this?

Austin chuckled at my reaction. "We can go whenever you are ready."

I was just about to utter the words 'let's go' when a familiar silhouette caught the corner of my eye. Turning my head towards the round booths, I sucked in a breath at the sight of Blake surrounded by his best friends, laughing as they began entering the booth. My hands tightened around my glass as I turned to face the bar completely in one swift motion.

I could see Austin studying me from my peripheral.

"You good," he asked cautiously, but I shook my head quickly.

"No."

"Wanna tell me why," Austin drug out, pushing his glass forward as he gave me his complete and undivided attention.

Sighing, I kept my head forward as I twiddled my thumbs, too afraid to face Austin because I was scared Blake would recognize my side profile.

"So recently, I was seeing someone," I began, and I saw Austin nod.

"Adam told me you were beginning to see someone a couple of months back," he cracked his knuckles. "I'm assuming that's no longer going on considering you said 'was'."

I shook my head, swallowing, trying to ease my racing heart. "No. He ended it last week, two days after I had met his family, his excuse being that he couldn't commit to a relationship, or he didn't want to commit to a relationship."

"You are kidding." Austin's voice was flat, but I didn't turn to read his facial expression. "Why in the hell would he bring you to meet his family if he wasn't ready to commit, you guys had been seeing each other for nearly two months."

I ducked my head, hiding my cheeks from him as I debated my next words, a thought racing to the forefront of my brain at his question.

"Al?"

"Two days before he ended things, we were at his apartment, and I'll spare you the details," I let out a breath. "He made a move, and I told him to stop." I tapped my manicured nail against the countertop, swallowing the fire in my throat. I let out a weak scoff. "He ended things with me because I didn't sleep with him."

When I saw Austin whip his head towards the front of the bar, I turned my head to eye him. His jaw clenched and unclenched, and his eyes were darker than I had ever seen them. With his hands balled into fist, he knocked them against the countertop in a quick motion.

"Did he," Austin began, "did he push you?"

I instantly shook my head. "No, no. I just told him no, and that was that. He started acting funny the next day, but I just thought that maybe it was because he didn't feel good due to his sinuses."

Austin unclenched his jaw, taking a deep breath through his nose before shaking his head.

"Anyway," I breathed, "I seen where he posted a girl on his social media yesterday."

Austin jaw went rigid once again.

"And he just walked in with some buddies."

Austin whirled to face me again before turning his head towards the crowd, and I would've laughed at the fact that he had no idea who Blake was, or where he was if I wasn't so on edge.

"He is in the third booth from the wall with the group of guys," I said, my back still turned towards the crowd.

"Which one is he?"

"Brunette, short hair on the top that goes into a fade," I described.

"His ears kinda poke out?"

I couldn't contain the laugh that escaped, loud and boisterous.

"I'll take that as a yes," Austin replied smugly, turning back towards me. "He looks like a prick anyway. Looks too pretty to get his hands dirty."

I tilted my head on an agreeable shrug. Blake liked to play big and bad considering he worked out and kept in shape, but I knew the moment it came to handle anything, Blake would have someone else do it in order to keep his hands clean.

"You dodged a bullet, he looks like the type to be a stay at home dad that folds laundry while making money, and you actually go do more labor than he does," Austin bit, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

It was unusual in the South for a man to not work in anything that preformed hard labor. The southern states were notorious for raising blue collared men that would come home filthy to their wives all in a means to provide for their family. It was nothing towards any man that sat at a desk from nine to five, but in the South, it stuck out like a sore thumb.

And that's exactly what Blake was, a white collared man that made entirely too much money sitting on his ass. Normally that wouldn't be a bad thing, but Blake's attitude reflected it and in the way he carried himself. Something that Austin noticed within a first glance.

"I think he notices you," Austin mentioned, and I became stock still.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he is looking at your back," Austin mumbled against the rim of his glass before placing it down with a thud. And I did a causal scan of the building, noticing without a doubt that he had realized I was here, but somehow pretending to overlook his presences.

Austin watched me over the rim of his glass, and I locked eyes with him. My chest ached as I thought of the blonde girl sitting in the front seat, and Blake's words rang in my head.

I'm just not ready to commit.

"Wanna help me fuck with him?"

Austin's brows met his hair line, no doubt at the curse word that flew from my lips. Sometimes I swore, but the 'f' bomb had been a new one for me. Placing his now empty glass on the counter, Austin tilted his head in question.

"Help me make it look like I'm not here by myself," I asked shyly, not understanding where the idea came from. Sighing, I ran my finger along the rim of my glass. "I'm sick of being the poor pitiful girl that gets dumped because no one wants a relationship with her but pretends to use the 'I'm not looking for anything' card."

Austin's eyes hardened, and I watched as he looked behind me towards the guys. Turning, I only took note of Kolton and Paxton before I faced him again. "What," I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. "If you don't want to, that's fin – ."

Austin guffawed, "it's not that, princess."

I shivered, the nickname that suddenly held a new meaning as he leaned closure towards me. Our faces so close I could smell the vodka on his breath, but surprisingly, I didn't find it revolting.

"I had to make sure your brother wasn't in eyesight," he smirked, standing abruptly, reaching to clutch my wrist to pull me from my own stool. I let out a surprised squeal, placing my hands on his chest to steady myself.

"What are we doing," I asked on a laugh, allowing Austin to drag me down the one – tier step from the bar. Before I knew it, we were on the dance floor and I didn't have to look to know how close we were to the booth containing Blake. We were directly in his eyesight.

Austin leaned down; his lips dangerously close to my ear. "You are going to have to loosen your hips," he stated, whirling me around for my back to press against his front. His hands found my hips, grasping them firmly, and my eyes fluttered.

"Austin, you know I don't know how to dance," I said, turning my head so that my ear was against his chest, keeping my eyes casted downward, locking them on my strappy black heels. I could hear his heartbeat despite the commotion around us – it beat in time with mine; fast and steady.

Even though Austin and Adam had been friends since the moment they were born – thanks to our mothers being best friends since high school, I have never been this close to him. He had always kept a safe distance from me, only grazing my hand or shoulder in passing or sitting beside me for holiday dinners. But never this.

"This isn't dancing," he chuckled, this time his lips grazing my ear lobe. "Just relax your hips, let my hands guide you."

I took in a shaky breath, forcing myself to relax as Austin began a push and pull effect with my hips in time with the music. I had no idea what to do with my hands, so I settled with placing them over his, and he intertwined them.

My stomach flipped.

Austin pressed closer to me, his pelvis flush against my ass. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath through my nose. I had never danced this way, and while Austin said it wasn't dancing, it was. Just a different form, more intimate. There was no part of our bodies that weren't touching.

And as the song changed, something slightly slow with longer beats, so did the movement of my hips. However, this time, it wasn't Austin's hands guiding me. I removed my hands from his, running them up his arms. My heart rate picked up when his hands slide downward, the tip of his fingers at the hem of my dress, tickling my exposed skin.

I was so aware of him, every move, every touch. And it occurred to me then that I hadn't been paying to slightest bit of attention towards Blake's table.

Austin's hands caressed up my sides, traveling behind my breasts to raise my arms above my head. Then his large, calloused hands were exploring the length of my scrawny arms, and I allowed my hands to curl around his neck.

"Ally," he rasped against my neck, his voice gruff, and full of warning. A warning I wasn't sure I wanted to avoid. Before I knew it, he whirled me around, pressing my chest to his as he stared down at me.

His chest heaved, and his hands reached to cup the underside of my jaw. Tingles broke out underneath his touch, traveling down my neck and to the tips of my toes. Energy surged through me as my heart sped up, desperate to keep up.

Austin's eyes burned with hunger as they glanced down at my lips. His free hand gripped my hip, and in the same motion he pulled me forward, his lips claimed mine.

His lips enclosed around my bottom one, tentatively tasting me for the first time, analyzing my reaction. But as soon as I titled my head up higher, allowing him better access, Austin titled his head, gliding his tongue across my bottom lip.

The hand cupping my jaw slid up and to the nape of my neck, gripping a handful of my locks to hold my position. Never had a kiss been as possessive as it was tender, passionate yet peaceful. Austin cradled me at the same time he demanded more of my body, tugging me closer although it wasn't possible.

He kissed me as if I were his grounding; like life was passing him by at an ungodly speed, and he had finally found that with my lips attached to his, everything was sound.

And when he pulled away, everything seemed louder, brighter. My senses worked on overdrive as I forced them to take in every detail about this moment and store them safely in my memories – his breath dancing across my lips as his chest heaved against mine, his fingers delicately sweeping across where my neck met my collarbone, his cologne quickly overpowering the scent of alcohol and sweat.

"I," he began, but was cut off abruptly by being pulled away from me.

I took a step back, stunned as a black tee covering a back suddenly filled my gaze. It took me only a second to realize it was the back of Adam.

"What the fuck, Moon," Adam growled, gripping a handful of Austin's shirt collar, bringing them nose to nose. I instantly tensed, rounding in front of Adam and squeezing between the two – thankful for my small stature for the first time in my life.

"Adam," I spat, placing my palms on his chest before pushing him backwards. He stumbled, releasing Austin's shirt as he did. As I looked into eyes that were identical to mine, I noticed just how glossy and unfocused they were as he glared behind me. "You are drunk," I hissed.

Adam glanced down at me and scoffed. "So? That gives you the right to make out with my best friend," he growled, stepping closer as he glowered down at me. Thankfully, my heels helped slightly with the height difference, not by much though.

"Adam, dude." Austin stepped in front of me, placing a hand on Adam's shoulder only for Adam to shove it off. "I love you, man. But you need to calm down and sober up before we have this conversation. It was an accident."

I staggered back, a burning sensation crawling up my throat. An accident? That's all it was to him? All the air left my lungs and goosebumps covered my body as the hurt sat it. Turning, I shoved through the crowd of people grinding on one another, eventually making it to the bathroom before the first tear fell.

Throwing myself into a stall, I locked it forcefully before leaning my back against it, placing a palm to my aching chest. Tear after tear fell as my lips formed a circle in an attempt to control my breathing. And as I cried silently, a panic began surging through my chest – that had been the best kiss of my entire life. The moment Austin Moon's lips touched mine, I had been ruined for every other man after him.

And that thought terrified me to my core.

"Excuse me!"

I jumped when someone knocked harshly on the stall door.

"I can see you standing, unless you are puking, get out!"

"Oh, fuck off!" I kicked at the door with my heel as the explicit left my mouth for the second time tonight. I heard grumbling, something along the lines of 'bitch', and the clacking of heels walking away.

I don't know how long I stayed in the stall, letting tears fall down my cheeks as I stared numbly at the wall. But when the second person knocked, gently while asking if I was alright, I sighed. Wiping my face, I turned to open the door, coming face to face with a short, curly haired Latina.

When she spotted me, her smile turned into a frown. "Oh darling, there is no way you are going back out there with mascara streaming down your face," were the first words she said to me before pulling me out of the stall and to the mirror.

I didn't bother to fight her as I let her dab the black smudges underneath my eyes. After that, she pulled a tiny makeup bag out of her purse, sifting through it before grasping pressed powder. "It might be a little light for you, but I can always darken it with bronzer."

A small smile played at my lips. With a few pats of powder, a little bit of bronzer, and some more mascara, waterproof this time, she turned me towards the mirror. I gasped slightly, it looked as if nothing ever happened.

"The beauty of a little makeup," she smiled, gripping my shoulders from behind me. "Whatever jerk caused your tears won't get the satisfaction of seeing them."

At her words, I frowned, but eventually pulled myself together. She was right. I whirled around to face her. "Thank you so much," I beamed, "you are truly a life saver."

The Latina grinned up at me as she only came up to my shoulders. "You are welcome. I'm Trish, by the way." I laughed, reaching to hug her, which she returned straight away. "I'm Ally, it's nice to meet you."

For the next few minutes, we chatted, exchanging numbers before she turned me loose, encouraging me to go face my problems head on instead of crying about it in the bathroom. After a pep talk and a pat on my ass, she sent me on my way.

With a couple of deep breaths, I opened the door of the bathroom and made my way down the hall. As I rounded the corner, spotting the main area of the club, I immediately spotted Austin, Adam, and the rest of their friends looking around frantically, and it didn't take a genius to realize they were looking for me.

Adam had my phone, and none of them had seen where I went. I had stopped just behind the wall, allowing myself to see them but not being seen in the return. And I stood there for a second, letting them worry, maybe I shouldn't have, but I did.

"Seems like you are having an eventful night."

I spun around, coming face to face with blazing green eyes that only brightened as they traveled down my body. I furrowed my eyebrows before raising one, clearing my throat. His eyes snapped back up to mine, red blooming across his sharp cheek bones.

"Sorry," he said sheepishly, offering me the drink that adorned his left hand. "I brought you a drink, figured you could use it after the shit show I just witnessed."

My face hardened, but I took the drink, nonetheless.

"Looks like it didn't take long for you to replace me."

I knew it was meant to be taken as a joke, the light tone gave that away, but I couldn't stop my brows from meeting my hairline in surprise. "Considering you had a girl in your front seat yesterday, and it hasn't even been a week, you have no room to judge me."

Blake just sighed, running his fingers through his raven locks. "Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have said that."

Letting out a huff, I looked out at the dance floor. Instantly I found Austin, staring at me from across the building, an intense scowl on his face as he studied Blake and I. Quickly, I turned my attention back to Blake, suddenly not in the mood to deal with either of them.

"Look," Blake breathed, "that girl and I aren't serious. We've only been on about two dates."

I shook my head, an amused smile crossing my lips as a chuckle fell. "You really don't know what you want, do you?" Blake's brows furrowed. "You claim you didn't want a relationship, also claimed you didn't date around, but here you are leading one girl on while talking to your ex fling at a bar."

Blake's mouth popped open, and then he shook his head. "No, no. It isn't like that. Whenever we ended things the other day, I knew I had made a mistake. I tried to fix the void with her, but seeing you here tonight, with him, I knew I had an opportunity. So, I had to take it."

My eyes rolled so far to the back of my head that I was surprised they didn't get stuck.

"You are everything I want; you check off every box and I just got scared because you are everything I want. I told you I dated for marriage, that I took dating seriously, and I do. The connection you and I had, I know we can have an amazing future together," he rambled, stepping forward to grasp my hand. "We can travel the world together, go on extravagant dates. I can take you to the most amazing restaurants for you to try the most incredible things. And maybe one day, I'll ask you to marry me once my business takes off."

As he talked, I just stared at the boy I once seen as a man I could spend the rest of my life with. But now, as he rattled on and on about what life could be for us, I realized that his dreams and ambitions were materialistic. He wanted a trophy wife, someone to keep his bed warm.

There would be nothing real, no connection, no true love.

I had been blinded by my attraction to him to see all of the flaws lying beneath, flaws that I couldn't overlook.

"Blake, I'm not something you can check off your goal list," I muttered, pulling my hand from his, giving him back the glass he had handed me.

"Ally, you know that's just how I see things," he claimed, reaching for me once more, but I stepped back.

"I want something genuine, Blake." I sighed, "I want someone to sell out for me, so I can do the same for them." I blew out a breath. "I want someone to wait for me, in every sense of the word"

Blake titled his head, a dumbfounded expression covering his face. "You know that I was just caught up in the moment, Ally. I didn't dump you because you wouldn't have sex with me."

I scoffed. "Well, that was ironic timing, don't you think?" I looked around, and I saw Austin waiting for me at the edge of the bar, Adam nowhere I sight. Anger burned in my stomach at the sight of him. I faced Blake for the last time. "I wish you the best, I really do. Get yourself figured out."

With that, I left a stunned Blake in my tracks, and from the baffled look on his face, I could tell he had never been rejected before. I chuckled sadly, I had liked him, but once looking pass the fancy lifestyle and corporate job, he had nothing to offer, for me at least.

As I stepped down the single stair, I bypassed an impatience looking Austin. And once I did, I felt him sigh angrily, pushing people a bit harsher than I was in order to keep up with my pace. I could only tell from the "hey!" or "watch where you are going!"

"Ally, would you wait," he snapped loudly, but I had already flung open the bar door, exiting the building and stepping out into the warm, muggy air that was Florida. I welcomed the silence, my ears ringing at the extreme change in volume.

"Ally," Austin growled.

I continued walking towards his truck, the clicking of my heels the only thing that could be heard besides the bass rattling from inside the building.

"I want to go home," I replied, stopping at the passenger side door, tugging on the handle only to find it locked. At that, I shot him a glare, placing a hand on my hip.

"Will you talk to me? Where did you go for half an hour," he asked, stopping in front of me, keeping a safe distance, the aggression on his face falling. "Your brother and I looked everywhere for you."

Well you idiots clearly didn't have anyone check the bathroom

I thought bitterly, ignoring his question as I tugged on the door handle again.

"Don't worry about it, let's go," I heaved with a sigh, staring at him expectantly. But he just shot me the same look, stuffing his keys in his pocket.

"No, not until you talk to me."

"Austin, it's been a long night, I don't want to be here. I want to go home," I demanded, stomping my foot slightly.

But Austin didn't bat an eyelash. "And I want to go to the moon. It ain't happening, princess. Not until you talk to me."

If possible, my lips pursed further as the anger in my stomach rose to my chest, growing stronger with each passing minute. My head pounded, my feet ached, and this dress hugged my figure so tight that I would've mistaken it for a corset. I wanted to go cry in my bed, desperately so.

We stared at one another, and I shifted on my feet, wincing as pain shot from my heel up my calves. Austin faltered partially, pulling his keys from his pocket. "I'll unlock the truck, but we aren't going anywhere until you talk."

I raised a brow, not bothering to pull the handle even when I heard it unlock. "I'll just call an uber," I replied smartly, reaching into my clutch from my phone only to groan when realizing that Adam still had it. I could sense Austin's smirk.

"I'll just go find, Adam."

"Ally get your ass in the truck, damn it," Austin snapped loudly causing me to jump. We stared one another down for a moment. "Please."

Taking a breath through my nose, I turned, opening the truck door and sliding into the passenger seat. A second later, Austin entered the driver's side, turning the truck on, and I reveled in the AC hitting my scorching skin.

"Will you talk to me," Austin asked, turning slightly to face me. I done the opposite, however, facing the window.

"There is nothing to talk about."

Austin let out a frustrated groan. "Ally cut the bullshit. This isn't you. Obviously, it's something, that something being the kiss. I'm sorry," he said, desperation dripping from his apology. A silent tear fell down my cheek, and I shook my head, hiding it behind my hair.

"I didn't want to ruin our friendship, I didn't want to ruin Adam and I's friendship, I," he frantically searched from the right words. "I didn't think it through."

My throat burned on a sob at his words.

"Your brother will get over it," Austin said, softer this time, "I'm worried about you."

"Don't worry about me, Austin. It was clearly an accident, a mistake. It's all said and done, we won't talk about it again," I spat, sniffling as I reached from my seatbelt. But as I went to buckle it, Austin's hand stopped me.

I stared at it for a moment, his hand covering mine. Then I glanced up at him, his hazel eyes locking with my brown ones. First, hurt crossed through them, but as they spotted my tear stained cheeks, it quickly turned to curiosity, and then…a hopeful understanding.

"It wasn't a mistake for me," he breathed.

I rolled my eyes, curling my bottom lip as it trembled. "You said it was an accident. I heard you. You didn't mean for it to happen."

Austin's eyes widened slightly, comprehending my words. Then his brows furrowed, and he brought the hand that had been covering mine to wipe away a new fallen tear.

"I didn't mean it like that." His voice barely above a whisper. "Kissing you under those circumstances was an accident, but kissing you," his voice trailed as his eyes fell to my lips. "I've wanted to do that for years."

My eyes widened, and I leaned back only slightly.

"What," I gasped quietly, blinking new tears away.

"I've wanted to do that since your junior year of high school. But at the time, it was illegal, plus I would've screwed it up, I was just a boy back then. Once you turned eighteen and graduated, you were in a relationship that eventually led to you being heartbroken. And for the last year and a half, you've been so emotionally unavailable, and I wanted you to heal. Plus, I didn't know if you even felt the same," he explained, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I wish I could've kissed you under better circumstances, not while in a bar trying to make a guy jealous only for your drunk brother to jump in," he joked lightly, "it was an accident, yes. But it wasn't something I didn't want to do."

"I," I was at a compete loss of words. "But what about Adam?"

Austin shrugged, "he knows I like you. He was pissed for a while at first, but then he made me promise to tell him before I made a move. That's why he was so pissed, plus him being drunk."

Breathing deeply, I glanced down at where Austin's elbow rested on the console, letting this new information process.

Did I like Austin?

Obviously or I wouldn't be as upset as I am over thinking the kiss meant nothing to him. But it was new. If I were to begin seeing Austin, things would change, and I didn't do change very well. Austin Moon had been my brother's best friend since the day I was born, and never in a million year did I think he would see me as anything other than his best friends annoying little sister.

But thinking back, everything made sense now. All his gentle touches or caresses in passing, how he immediately flocked towards me no matter where we were, all the secret conversations between Adam and Austin that ended with Adam shoving him and threatening his life.

I remember the summer of my sophomore year, I had, had the biggest crush on him. Adam and he had just graduated, and I was so desperate for his attention, but luckily, I had been extremely self-aware and made sure to not embarrass myself. No one ever knew about that crush, that summer.

However, once the summer ended, and Austin left to go to lineman school, I moved on with my life. I went into junior year, got a boyfriend, and focused on graduating in the top ten of my class.

After that summer, I had thrown away the petty, little crush I had on Austin Moon and made him unavailable in my mind.

That Christmas had been different, when Austin had arrived home from school, and I brought Erin to meet everyone for the first time, Austin had been different. That night had been the only night he had ever been cold towards me. I just thought Adam and he had gotten into an argument, but clearly, I had been mistaken.

Austin moved his arm that was on the console and grasped my free hand in his. My heart picked up speed as he moved closer, resting his forehead against mine. A funny feeling filled my stomach, something I had never felt before. It wasn't butterflies, it was the exact opposite, and all the nerves I had been experiencing seconds ago dissipated.

"I can see your gears turning," he smiled, "don't think too hard, okay?" His thumb stroked my cheek. "If you don't want this, then I'll take you home and we will forget about it, go on like normal. But if you want this, too, or even think you want this, then we will take it slow."

Calmness began to settle my racing heart. "Slow?"

He grinned when my voice cracked on the word. "Yes, Als. Slow. I've waited for you for nearly three years, and I'll wait longer, however long you want me too."

The largest smile broke across my face, and before Austin could say another word, I pressed my lips over his again.

*Some months later*

"Ally," Adam whined. "He isn't gonna play with me if you are in here."

My head tilted back on a loud laugh.

"Dude, we've played four rounds," Austin claimed, throwing this controller down and swiveling around to face me. He gave me a bright grin, reaching forward and grasping the back of my thighs to pull me into between his legs.

"We are playing until I win," Adam grumbled, tossing his own controller beside Austin's. "I'm going to grab snacks. Ally, be gone before I get back."

I rolled my eyes, flipping him the bird before facing Austin again. "I'm not here to intrude on guy time, I just came in to say bye, I'm going shopping with Trish."

Since meeting Trish six months ago in the bar bathroom, we had become inseparable. I never imagined meeting my best friend in a bar bathroom, crying over my current boyfriend that wasn't even my boyfriend at the time.

But after that kiss in the bar, and then the second one in the truck, Austin had been glued to my other hip – whenever he wasn't off working or Adam stole him away. At first, I had been nervous things would change drastically. That Austin and Adam's friendship would suffer because of me, along with our families. But it was better.

Our families had been ecstatic, our mother's especially. Austin's mother high-fived mine, claiming they had been manifesting this since my mother finding out my gender during my mother's pregnancy. If anything, Austin and I's relationship created a stronger bond, not only between our families, but between Austin and Adam's friendship as well – they were already close before, but there was something about Austin being my boyfriend that created a new understanding between the two.

Austin was around twenty-four-seven, splitting his time between Adam and I, especially whenever he talked with his father about taking less hitches. Austin stressed the entire day, believing that it would start a massive argument, but to his surprise, Mike Moon had been understanding.

Now, he was home, only gone a week out of the month, and slowly learning how to co-operate the business alongside his father. He had decided to go back to school, but this time, he decided to major in music. I had squealed whenever he told me, throwing my takeout bag off his bed and throwing myself at him.

He had a talent, one that no one other than our families really knew about. But now, he was learning everything there was to know about the craft.

"Okay," he nodded, pulling me down to meet his lips. "Adam and I are going into the city to look for apartments today."

He and Adam had been planning for months to move in together. And while Adam pretended to be annoyed that I would be around a hell of a lot, claiming that Austin had to soundproof his room, I knew that Adam was happy that Austin had finally made a move.

That night Adam had been drunk, and angry that Austin hadn't spoken with him before hand, hating to be blindsided. But once that blew over, Adam had been our biggest supporter. Only threatening Austin's life at least once a week if he hurt me, or that if we ended, I had better get over it because Austin wasn't going anywhere after Adam beat his ass.

I had just chuckled, shaking my head. I knew a piece of Adam had been serious, but another part of him panicked that his longest friendship would be damaged if something happened between Austin and me. But I knew nothing would.

There was no 'foot popping' moment with Austin, nor was there an exact moment I knew I was in love with him – I just knew. With Austin, it was simple, the easiest thing in the world. Before him, there were curveballs and hurtles that broke me to get over, but with Austin, everything felt natural.

"Okay, Ally, out you go," Adam exclaimed, returning with a bowl full of chips and two sodas.

"Adam," Austin warned, but I just laughed, waving it off.

"It's okay," I bent down, planting a soft kiss on Austin's lips, smiling against them as I heard Adam gag. "I'll see y'all later."

He nodded, pecking my lips as once more before turning back to the television.

"Bye, Adam, I love you," I sung, grasping the door handle while looking back at him.

"Bye, Als. Love you," he grumbled, but I watched as he took a seat by Austin, giddily tapping his feet against the floor as they started a new round.

I chuckled to myself, closing the door behind me softly.

Never in a million years did I image myself with my brother's best friend.

But here I was, and life couldn't be more perfect.

Because I knew I would marry that boy, that I would be the tie to connecting our families, and we had a lifetime to live, together. A bright smile crossed my face as I thought about everything that I had yet to receive but could feel at the tip of my fingers.

Everything I thought I wanted, was everything Austin Moon wasn't but he was everything I needed.

So? What do you guys think?

Leave a review and let me know!

Thanks for reading :)

-Meg