Trouble

Chapter 3

Ally nervously gnawed on her bottom lip, praying for some form of miracle to avoid answering Austin's blunt question. She had just hung up with Trish, and he was still in the room. She inhaled a deep breath, releasing her lip as she blew the air out of her lungs. Her lips parted as she quickly tried to form a plausible lie, yet her mind felt blank. And her miracle was sent. Her phone rang again, forcing her to glance at the screen of the small device still clenched tightly in her hands. She released an inaudible sigh of relief, before answering the call, holding up her finger to Austin.

" Allyson Dawson," she answered, her soft voice professional as her cinnamon brown eyes darted around the room.

" Ally-Cat. Just the gal I wanted to speak to," the voice of her manager drifted to her ears, the man obviously grinning as Ally rolled her eyes.

" What do you need Dom?" she questioned, knowing the answer. She quickly reached for a sheet of music paper, her eyes darting around for a pen, only for Austin to produce one from his pocket.

" You have a photo shoot tomorrow morning, Miami Mall. The client will be there around nine, is that alright with you?" Dom questioned, pausing as he listened to her scribble the reminder down.

" Yeah, that's fine. On a Sunday?" Dom chuckled, he understood that Sunday's were the only days Ally really ever wanted off, time to spend with her son. However the Client was insistent, and he couldn't refuse. The money Ally was being paid was more than normal.

" Sorry, Ally-Cat, but this Client was insistent. I'll call you later to arrange more shoots," Dom hung up after he heard Ally agree. She slid her phone into her pocket, running her fingers through her hair. She glanced to the side, noticing Austin was still there, arms crossed over his chest as he patiently waited. Well, that was different. The Austin she knew, once upon a time, would have never been this patient with her.

" Who's the dad, Ally?" he repeated his question, his patience running thin. Ally exhaled another sigh, her leg bouncing with her anxiousness.

" He's… Look, what does it matter, Austin?" she argued, changing her tact as she avoided looking at him.

" It matters because I want to know who would abandon you like that?" he spoke, his tone even.

" You mean like you? Don't. Just don't. You may not see it that way Austin, but I do. I know I was the one who told you to chase your dreams. I know I was the one who encouraged you to accept the deal. But you pushed me away as much as I pushed you," Ally spoke, holding her head in her hands as she fought the tears that were pooling behind her eyes. She flinched slightly at the sound of his fist connecting with the wall, praying it wouldn't leave a dent as he left her alone in their old practice room. She shook her head, knowing this was going to be a long day. Hopefully she could leave early. With that thought, she pushed to her feet, deciding to find her dad. Lester was still talking to Dez, however when he noticed her he paused.

" What's wrong, sweetie?" he questioned his only daughter, his brow furrowing in worry. She exhaled a breath, deciding her father didn't need to hear the truth.

" Trish decided to give my baby sugar. Now he's bouncing off the walls and she needs help. Do you mind if I leave early?" she questioned, a hopeful look in her eyes. Lester shook his head, dismissing his daughter for the rest of the day. She released a breath as the bright Miami sun hit her skin. She would pick up her son, and hopefully spend the rest of the day with him. She needed her sun, especially since the rain cloud arrived.

The drive to Trish's was short, which Ally was thankful for. She easily climbed the stairs to the petite Latina's apartment, knocking quickly. Trish opened the door with a grateful look on her face, before her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

" What happened?" she questioned her best friend, noticing the glossy look in Ally's eyes. She sighed, shaking her head.

" I'll tell you later Trish. Right now, I just want my son," Ally whispered, exhausted. Trish nodded her head in understanding. Before she could leave, Ally stopped her.

" Do you think I made a mistake? By not telling him about Devon?" her voice was barely above a whisper that Trish had to strain her ears just to catch the words. Her coffee colored eyes hardened as she vigorously shook her head.

" I think you made the best choice. You didn't want to hold him back, Ally. He would have denied the record Label just so he could help you. You were selfless, you put him before you and your son. I sometimes think Devon is missing out on not knowing his father, but I don't, not for a second, think you made a wrong choice," Trish spoke, placing her hands on her taller friends small shoulders.

Ally smiled weakly at her best friend, slumping against the door frame as Trish went to find her god-son. Ally let her smile drop, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched her feet, her toes peeking out from under her pant legs. Her toenails were painted a pale yellow, a habit she had picked up after Austin had left for his first tour.

" Mama!" Devon's voice reached her ears, forcing a wide smile to her lips as she crouched down so he could run into her arms. His small arms wrapped around her neck, hugging her tightly as Ally's own arms wrapped around his slight body. She straightened her body, causing her son to wrap his legs around her waist.

" I'll get you back for feeding him all that sugar Trish. But right now I need to spend time with him, since I don't know when I'll be off of work tomorrow," she commented, watching as Trish frowned.

" You have a shoot tomorrow? What time am I getting the little minion?" she questioned, nervous of just how her friend would repay her.

" Now, that's a secret Trish. Come on Baby, let's go to the beach," Ally turned on her heel. Leaving her friend in her doorway as she carried her son down the hall.

She buckled Devon into his booster seat, oblivious of the eyes that were watching her. Someone cleared their throat as she shut the passenger door, causing every muscle in her body to tense as she turned her body to see exactly who was there. Her eyes narrowed to slits as she saw Dallas, a smirk dancing on his perfectly tanned skin.

" What do you want Dallas?" she growled the words, watching as he lazily shrugged his shoulders, leaning against her car.

" I wanted to say how fine your ass looks in those jeans. You were rash when you ended things with me Ally, give me another chance," he commented. She rolled her eyes, pushing away from her car until she was inches from his chest. " You're a disgusting pig who chases skirts all day long, Dallas. You strayed in our relationship, how do I know the same thing won't happen again? I need some one I can rely on, Dallas. I need someone who can actually help me raise my son. You aren't him," she finished, watching as the smirk fell from his lips.

" Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to spend time with my son," she added, moving around to her side of the car and wrenching the driver's door open and sliding into her seat. She turned the key in the ignition and listened as her engine purred to life.

" Mama, why does Mister Dallas keep bothering you?" Devon finally broke the silence, his head cocked to the side in confusion. Ally shrugged her shoulders before deciding to answer her son verbally.

" I don't know Baby," she flicked the blinker, turning onto the main street that would take them to the beach. Ally drummed her fingers in tune with the music drifting from the speakers as Devon watched the clouds pass by.

" If I can get off early enough, do you want to go cloud watching?" she questioned, watching his reaction from the rearview mirror. A large smile stretched across his lips as he jerked his head to face his mother.

" Promise?" she nodded her head, a soft smile playing on her lips as she pulled into the beach parking lot. Devon was bouncing in his booster seat, his excitement rolling off of him in waves.

" Ally? What are you doing here?" Dez's voice drifted to her ears. Her muscles tensed as she pulled Devon out of the car, setting him on the ground beside her.

" Spending the day with my son. I have to work tomorrow, and unfortunately he can't come with me," she answered, watching as Dez nodded, before he cocked his head to the side, remembering something from seven years ago.

" But you hate the beach," he stated, watching as the petite girl shrugged her shoulders in answer.

" He likes it. I'm not going to deprive my son from something he enjoys, even if I don't particularly like it. I can tolerate the beach for a few hours if it makes my son happy," she explained, watching as Dez's gaze darted to the little boy standing beside her. Devon was glancing between the funny man he met earlier and his Mama, confused by what they were talking about. Ally glanced down when she felt her son tugging on her hand.

" Yes Baby?" she spoke softly, knowing he was impatient to play in the sand. He reminded her of Austin in that aspect, when he was younger and eager and impatient for everything.

" Can we go now? I don't want anyone else to steal my spot," Devon spoke, trying to tug his mother away. Ally laughed, shaking her head.

" If you want to see an amazing spot, you should follow me. Austin and I found this great spot when we were kids, a little older than you," Dez spoke up, smiling brightly. Ally tensed at the mention of being dragged anywhere nearing Austin. Devon looked skeptical, thinking over his options.

" How about you show me your spot, than I show you mine and we can decide which spot is better," Devon spoke, grinning. Ally shook her head, watching as Dez pretended to think about the deal before sticking out his hand. " Deal. Let's go," Dez grabbed Ally's arm, dragging both her and Devon in the direction of his and Austin's secret spot. Ally released a groan as pulled her arm back, stopping Dez. He looked over his shoulder, curious as to why she would stop. She dropped into a crouch, pulling her son towards her. He wrapped his arms around her neck as she stood up. Dez watched as the little boy hung on to his mother, a slight smile stretching his lips as the sight reminded him of something, as if he had seen it once before. He shook off the feeling of déjà vu before leading the way at a slower pace, so Ally wouldn't fall with her son.

" You'll think our spot is so much better," Devon spoke, already convinced. Ally could only chuckle, as she continued to walk, following behind Dez as he led them to the edge of the beach, turning until he reached a little cove. A cliff hung over the edge, hiding the cove from view. Ally's eyes widened in amazement as she set Devon down to walk. His mouth dropped open at the sight of the clear water and white sand. The cliff and large palm trees created protection from the sun.

" Wow, this place is awesome," Devon spoke looking around as he tried to take it all in.

" See, I told you," Dez stuck out his tongue childishly which caused Devon to giggle. Austin made his way to the shore line as he saw Dez's red hair.

" What took you so long?" Austin called, shaking water from his hair. He didn't notice Ally or Devon who were walking behind him. Dez smacked his forehead, releasing a sigh.

" Dang it, I forgot the ice cream. Hey Devon, do you want to come with me to get us all ice cream?" Dez asked the little boy who looked at his mother.

" Can I Mama?" he questioned, listening as his mother released a breath.

" I'm trusting you with my son, Dez. You better come back with him in perfect condition, or not come back at all," she answered, knowing she couldn't avoid Austin forever. However, she refused to tell him who the father of her child was. Devon smiled brightly jumping out of his mother's arms and clinging tightly to Dez's hand.

" Let's go!" he called happily, eagerly pulling Dez back in the direction they had come. Ally slid her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, chewing on her bottom lip as she glanced at the ocean, watching as the waves kissed the shore.

" What are you doing here?" Austin spoke, tired of the silence. Ally didn't' turn to look at him, didn't jump in fright at the sudden sound of his voice. She changed. And he was missing all the quirks that he had loved about her.

" Dez ran into Devon and I in the parking lot, and boys being boys, made a deal and a competition over who had the better spot," Ally answered with a shrug of her shoulders. She heard more than saw Austin shake his head.

" That's not what I meant. You hate the beach. Why would you willingly come here," Austin spoke, his chocolate covered eyes narrowing as he watched her.

" I promised to spend the rest of the day with Devon. Being a mom means making compromises and sacrifices. I learned that five years ago. He loves the beach, he enjoys playing in the sun, running in the waves and letting sand cling to his body. He reminds me of his father because of how much he enjoys it," Ally spoke, finally turning her attention to Austin. " Who's his dad, Ally?" Austin questioned, his fist clenching at his side. Ally remained silent, moving sluggishly through the sand until she was standing under the shade of the cliff face, turning over words in her mind. Finally she shook her head, glancing up to meet Austin's eyes. She hadn't heard him move, didn't notice how close he was until she was forced to look up into his eyes. " What does it matter to you, Austin? He's my son, mine. That is all that matters," Ally spoke, her voice low. He shook his head, placing his hands on either side of her head, and lowering his until he was eye level with her.

" It matters to me. Did he knock you up after I left? Or were you seeing him before?" He growled, watching as Ally's usually warm cinnamon eyes hardened, cold to glance at.

" You left Austin. It doesn't matter to you. It didn't than, it shouldn't now. When will you understand? It doesn't concern you. He's my son," she was beginning to sound like a broken record. Her muscles tensed as his cologne drifted to her nostrils, bringing back memories she would rather lock away. He moved his head closer, his lips level with her ear.

" It matters to me Ally. I want to know so I can find him and beat some sense into his head. Devon is obviously a great kid, and to abandon you like that? I won't let some bastard get away with that," he growled the words, his chocolate brown eyes darting to the expose expanse of her swan like neck. He fought the urge to taste the skin that was once so familiar to him. He pushed himself away from the temptation, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. Ally released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding, looking away from him. She couldn't let him know. She refused to ruin his career. She refused to set her little boy up only to be knocked down and have his heart shattered.

" Look, Austin. I want you to listen to me. Devon is the only piece of his father I have. And as idiotic as it is, I love the man. Without him I wouldn't have my baby. I don't regret it, any of it. So please, stop," she whispered, well aware that he could hear her. He turned sharply to look at her from over his shoulder, confusion clear in his eyes.

" How can you love him for leaving you?" she only shrugged her shoulders, not sure how to word herself. They remained in silence until Dez and Devon returned with four ice cream cones. Austin couldn't keep his eyes off the girl who once held his heart, the girl who still holds his heart.