Disclaimer: I don't own Austin and Ally or anything mentioned in this chapter.
Key West Chapter 1:
Ally was on her way to meet Austin, Trish and Dez for their yearly summer retreat in Key West at the end of August. They first came here five years ago after they graduated from high school and ever since then they have met for one or two weeks to relax and catch up. It was understood that all other plans were made around this vacation time and they all came from whatever and wherever they were no matter what. The only exception and change they had made to their format since the first year was allowing Trish's husband Connor to join them last summer, just a few months after they got married. Otherwise it was the four of them, Team Austin, just having fun like old times.
Ally parked her car at the main building of the resort on the west end of the main island to check into their private Sunset Island cottage shortly after 3pm. She was the first of the group to arrive which didn't surprise her at all. She then took her two bags out onto the dock to await the next ferry.
After the three and half hour drive she was anxious to get to the little piece of paradise. She pulled out her phone to read through some emails and a short fifteen minutes later she walked through the doors of the clean, white beach cottage. She quickly stowed her two bags in the room at the end of the hall, claiming it as hers, before slipping off her sandals and walking out her bedroom doors onto the veranda and then the soft white sand. She tipped her face up to the sky, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This really was one of her favorite places on earth.
She took a short walk on the beach and then went back into her room and opened her bags. She put her clothes into the closet and drawers, settling herself in for a nice, relaxing, and much needed vacation. She stowed her suitcase in the closet and took a deep breath, smiling at the room in front of her. She walked through the kitchen and sitting room out onto the large covered porch and sat in one of the reclining beach chairs facing the water. She closed her eyes and just listened to the water and sea birds as she let her mind drift.
They had gotten lucky when they found this place all those years ago. It was a whim that the four of them drove to Key West at all, just wanting to get out of Miami and see something new for a few days. Austin and Ally had just gotten home from separate summer tours, Dez and Trish were high off summer and dreading starting their college classes two weeks later and they all just wanted one last crazy week as teenagers before they had to grow up.
So they drove until they ran out of land in Key West and spent the afternoon on Smather's Beach until they were starving and went to one of the many restaurants on Duval Street. That is where they got lucky. Their server recognized the two stars and gave them great service. At the end of their meal they asked if she could recommend a place for them to stay the night and she called her Aunt who worked at a nearby hotel. She put Trish on the phone who then went into manager mode and set everything up. They thanked her, drove to the hotel and met the Aunt who helped check them in.
All any of them had with them was little more than an overnight bag meant for a night or two away but none of that mattered when they ended up spending a week in the deluxe cottage on the small private island just off of Key West. Some wealthy man had cancelled his year-in-advance two week reservation a few days before and Team Austin was the lucky beneficiary of that. The hotel was more than glad to be able to rent out the cottage last second to some young pop stars with plenty of cash. At the end of the week they reserved the same cottage for the following year and so began their tradition.
The only downside was that the largest cottage only had three bedrooms, each with a king sized bed and a private bath. The four of them solved the room shortage problem by flipping a coin to see if the girls or guys had to share a room. The girls lost so Trish and Ally were together while Dez and Austin each got a room to themselves. The following year the guys had to share and they had traded like that until last year when Trish and Connor took one room, Ally another and Dez and Austin shared the third. It was going to be the same set up this year.
Ally pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to her three friends to see how close they were. Dez was still driving, Trish and Connor were checking in, and several minutes later Austin responded that he would arrive late that night and not to wait up.
Two hours later Ally, Trish, and Connor caught the ferry to meet Dez in the lobby and went to dinner at a favorite restaurant of theirs walking distance from the dock. Later, when Ally was in bed and just about to fall asleep her phone buzzed and she glanced at a text through bleary eyes. Austin was delayed and would see them tomorrow. She rolled her eyes and turned over to sleep. Her best friend was running late as usual.
. . .
Ally woke up early as was her habit and she went for an hour long run around Key West. She made sure to pass many of her favorite buildings along the way including the lighthouse, the historic 'old town', and the homes of writers Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway. She bought breakfast to go at a cafe which she took back to the cottage and ate at the table on the porch. No one else was up and moving yet which didn't surprise her. She quietly went to her room to shower. Then she pulled out her laptop and went through some emails, sent a few replies, and watched some videos until she heard movement in other parts of the cottage. She put on her swimming suit along with a skirt -like wrap around her waist, grabbed her sunglasses and a hat and walked out into the main room.
Dez waved to Ally as he ran off the porch toward the water. Connor blew past her as well, apparently chasing Dez for some reason. Trish was getting settled in her beach chair underneath an umbrella on the sand and had a magazine under one arm. Ally set her towel next to Trish and they sat and talked for a while, watching the guys goof off in the water. The girls eventually joined the guys in the water and when they went back to the towels a while later Trish checked her phone.
"Lunch will be here soon." Trish told everyone.
"How? You can't order delivery to the beach, can you?" Ally marveled at her friend who seemed to make anything possible when she wanted something.
"You can when you are making Austin bring subs to make up for getting here so late." Trish said with a smirk.
"I hope he counted right this time. I am not sharing my food with Connor, no offense." Dez said.
"None taken. If I'm sharing with anyone, it's Trish." Connor replied with an easy smile. Luckily for the four members of team Austin, Connor had fit himself into their group dynamic effortlessly once he and Trish got serious. He knew they were like another family to each other and had accepted each of them and their quirks, as they did with him.
Ally just hoped any other future spouses would do as well. She lay on her stomach on her towel on the warm sand to dry off and closed her eyes as she listened to the sound of the ocean and her friends talking. Soon she was lost in thought and half asleep as she relaxed on the beach.
Hushed laughter pulled her from her meditative thoughts one second before something cold and wet touched the exposed small of her back. She rolled onto her side with a yelp of surprise only to see Austin crouching over her towel holding an ice cube between two fingers and laughing. He sat down on the sand and popped the ice cube in his mouth as he grinned at her.
"Hi Ally."
"Hi." she said as she rolled back onto her stomach. Austin's warm hand rubbed the small of her back where the ice had touched, soothing the bare skin and making Ally blush. She hid her face on her forearms, hoping he didn't see.
The rest of the group laughed and talked as they plundered the bag of food Austin brought with him, doling out subs, soda and chips all around. A sandwich appeared in front of her face and Ally sat up to face Austin as she took it from his hand.
"So, did you miss me?" he asked teasingly as he tore open his own sandwich wrapper.
"As if you need to ask, Mr. heart throb." Ally teased him.
"Hey, I always miss you." he said.
"Do you now?" she asked dryly.
"Of course. The only thing that sucks about tour is I've never been able to take you with me." Austin said.
"Well, you sure don't look lonely out there with all your adoring fans." Ally said, then her stomach twisted but she made herself ask the last part. "And what about your latest girlfriend?"
"I don't have a girlfriend right now." he answered. "And you know you mean more to me than anyone else."
Ally's heart leapt and she didn't know what to say. She took a bite of sandwich to cover her lack of words. This was exactly what she wanted from Austin, confirmation that he cared for her too. Maybe it was finally time for them. Maybe he was as ready for a relationship as she was.
When they finished eating Austin and Ally walked along the beach. He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers, and held on the whole time they walked and chatted. They talked about her new record and mini tour she had in the spring and early summer, his latest European tour he just got home from and plans for a new record to be released next year. They updated each other on their parents and their respective stores.
Austin had just asked about her plans for the fall when Dez ran over to them. He, Connor and Trish had already decided on that night's activity and he couldn't wait to tell them.
. . .
The next morning Ally walked into the kitchen after her run and started eating an apple. She had just opened the fridge to get milk for her cereal when Austin spoke up from the couch behind her.
"Did you have a good run?"
Ally spun around, slamming the fridge door, almost throwing the jug of milk in her surprise. Austin laughed at her reaction.
"Austin! Don't scare me like that!" she scolded and then laughed along with him.
"But it's so much fun to watch you jump." he smiled at her.
"Yeah, sure. I'm all hot and sweaty, not exactly someone you want to look at." she self consciously plucked at her messy hair, which was frizzing slightly and coming out of her ponytail.
"You look good to me." he said and stood up to move closer to her, slowly closing the distance between them as she leaned her back against the counter. "Why do you go running all the time anyway? You are already cute and little: it's a total disadvantage for all other girls." he said.
"Well, if you like me cute and little then you should encourage the running: that's how I stay this way." she retorted, hoping the red on her cheeks from running would hide the slight blush she felt creeping up as he got closer, trapping her against the counter.
"I do like you cute and little." Austin said when he stopped only inches away from her, so close that if she leaned in their whole bodies would be flush together. They stared at each other for a moment before he stepped back and pointed down the hall to her room. "I have a surprise for everyone. Run along and shower so we can go."
"I will, geez." she said and started to walk away to her room.
Austin playfully smacked her bottom to send her on her way. She gasped at the smack to her backside and tried to scowl at him but failed. They both laughed as she hurried down the hall and into her room. She locked the doors and took a deep breath before cleaning up. He was just as flirty as ever. She only hoped it meant something to him, because it sure meant something to her.
. . .
Austin wasn't kidding about the surprise either. He got everyone up earlier than usual, pressing them to get ready and herding them all off to the ferry. When they were getting in his car he finally told them he had arranged for them to go on a seaplane adventure at 11am and he didn't want to be late.
The planes were small and they were separated into two groups. Trish and Connor got one plane while the three singles crammed into the other. Ally was feeling really squished against the side of the plane when Austin and Dez slid in after her. Austin put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her body against his chest so she could lean back and see out the windows. His face was next to hers and she could feel his breath on her ear and shoulder as they took in the view together, occasionally resting his head against hers. If Dez noticed their cuddly positioning he didn't say a word.
The five of them had a late lunch on Key West afterward and then returned to the private island. Dez retreated to his room for a conference call he couldn't get out of. Trish pulled out the playing cards and challenged Connor, Austin and Ally to play poker. They made their bets with the contents of a big bag of skittles they bought along with their groceries the day before. Austin sat close to Ally and she accused him of trying to cheat more than once. He ended up losing and since he was out of the game first he had to cook dinner.
. .
The next day they spent time relaxing on the beach. Ally was laying on her stomach reading a book when Austin came out of the cottage in his swim shorts. He put his towel next to her and laid down close so their sides were touching. She smiled indulgently at his behavior.
"What are you reading?" he asked.
"Unbroken. It's pretty incredible, based on a true story of a world war two survivor." Ally answered.
Austin leaned his face in close to hers as if to look at the book but then turned his face, nuzzling her cheek with his nose. "Sounds interesting." he said quietly, his breath running over her ear and making her shiver.
"Somehow I don't think you are interested in my book." Ally pointed out.
Austin shrugged. "You can keep reading. I'll find something to do." he said as he ran his hand up and down her back, his warm skin meeting hers. She was very aware of her lack of clothing in her swimming suit and her face heated in a blush. "What?" Austin asked, clearly amused by her reaction.
"Don't tease." Ally pouted, closing her book and meeting his eyes with a challenge.
"I'm not teasing." he said. He lifted his hand into her loose hair draped over her shoulders. His fingers ran through the fine strands and he smiled in satisfaction. Ally looked at him over her shoulder and their eyes met.
"Come on." he urged and then got up. He offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. Still holding her hand he led her to the water and they walked in, hissing slightly as the cool water met their sun warmed skin.
"You never finished telling me what you plan to do with your fancy college degree." Austin prompted her as they waded through the water.
"I'm going to give lessons: vocal, instruments, music composition, that kind of thing. Work with kids who are like we were and have a talent for music that they want to hone and perfect." Ally said. She leaned down to pick up a shell she saw in the shallow water and played with it between her fingers.
"That's really great Ally. You'll be a good teacher." Austin said. "Will you still make your own music?"
Ally shrugged. "I don't think I'll ever stop writing music, but I'm happy with what my career has been so far. Maybe I'll do it again someday. Right now I'm ready to take chances and make some big changes. There are other things I want too and I've put them on hold for the last few years pursuing my career."
"What else do you want?" He asked.
Ally gave him a sly smile. "Can't you guess?"
He looked confused for a moment until she slid her hand into his, intertwining their fingers. Then his face broke into a heart melting smile.
. . .
They spent another calm morning on the beach the next day. They were all on the porch after lunch trying to decide what to do that night.
Ally rolled her shoulders and grimaced slightly.
"What's wrong?" Austin asked, noticing the movement.
"Just sore muscles I guess, I think I slept in an odd position last night and my neck is killing me." she answered.
"I can fix that. Come here." he instructed and sat up a bit on the big lounging chair on the patio he claimed after lunch.
"Okay." Ally agreed, desperate for anything that could help.
"Sit in front of me and I'll give you a massage." He said. She did as instructed and sighed happily as his large hands began working on her shoulders.
"They have spa services through the hotel. You can have someone come out here and give you a massage." Trish pointed out.
"She doesn't need to call anyone: I'm here." Austin responded. "Your own personal massage therapist." he said quieter into Ally's ear as he leaned close while rubbing the base of her neck.
"I have some shopping to do, so I'm going to go change." Trish announced, taking Connor with her. Dez took one look at the couple on the lounge chair and turned back into the cottage.
"I have to. . . do something else." he said.
Austin rolled his eyes and continued rubbing Ally's shoulders, working at the tense muscles. Ally groaned when he hit a particularly tender spot.
"Sorry." he muttered.
"It's okay. Don't stop." she said.
A half hour later when Ally was more relaxed and the kink in her shoulders was worked out, Austin sat back in the chair. He pulled Ally with him and she leaned back against his chest, her head resting against his shoulder and his arms around her waist. She rested her hands over his on her stomach and they sat together, looking out at the beach before them and the water sparkling in the afternoon sun.
Ally was getting drowsy and considering taking a nap right there when Austin spoke up.
"You are changing a lot of things in your life right now. What's behind it? Aren't you happy?"
"I've had a great time the last few years but there are other things I want to have and do and I feel like it's time to go after them."
"Tell me what you want." he urged, echoing his question from the day before.
"I want to have a stable relationship and settle down like Trish and Connor. My new career of teaching will be fairly flexible and I can do that anywhere. I'm ready to move onto the next part of my life, you know?"
"Does that life still have room for old friends like me?" Austin asked.
"I like to think so. It's not going to affect things with me and Trish or Dez. You and I can be friends like that, . . . or something else." Ally hinted and sat up.
"Something more?" Austin asked, sitting up as well while she turned herself to face him better.
She smiled. "I've been thinking recently that the reasons we let come between us over the years just don't hold up anymore. I'm not as concerned or afraid of the things I was when I was 16 years old. I feel like it's time to make some changes and take some risks." Ally said.
"I could go for some risk taking right about now." Austin said as he leaned in. Before they could kiss Dez ran screaming out the doors and onto the beach with Trish not far behind yelling at him for putting a turtle in the kitchen sink. Austin dropped his head onto Ally's shoulder as she giggled.
"Some things never change." he muttered.
. . .
That night after Dez made dinner for them all Austin found Ally standing alone on the beach in the moonlight. The moon was almost full and lit the surface of the water with a shimmering white glow.
"I was thinking, maybe you and I could go wander Key West tomorrow, just the two of us." Austin said.
"I'd like that." Ally agreed.
"Great. You know, I like the changes you are making in your life and I think I want to take some of those risks with you." Austin said.
"You do?" she turned to him.
"Yeah. Ally, you know I'm not good at talking about feelings and stuff. . ." Austin began. He faced her and their eyes locked. He leaned down and kissed her, trying to convey everything he didn't have words for through that kiss. Their arms wound around each other and they held on tight as they gave into their feelings.
After making out for a while Austin walked Ally to her bedroom door and she gave him a final kiss before going inside to sleep. He walked a few more feet to his own door with a huge goofy smile on his face. He didn't even care that Dez was probably already asleep inside, snoring loudly. Nothing could bother him right now.
. . .
Austin and Ally went to the larger island on their own the next day. They visited the aquarium, the shipwreck museum, the art museum and other familiar sights there as they walked hand in hand. It didn't matter where they were since they were focused on being together. They looked like a couple in love and they couldn't care less who knew it. Eventually they met up with the others for dinner at a restaurant where they made plans to go snorkeling the next day. After dinner they all walked back toward Mallory Square in time for the sunset. Ally watched the color fade from the sky secure in Austin's arms and they kissed as the crowd began to disperse. Then their little group walked the short distance to the hotel.
As they approached the main hotel and it's private dock to catch the ferry back to Sunset Island that night they were stopped by a girl who was pacing in front of the hotel doors.
Austin dropped Ally's hand when the girl spotted them and rushed over.
"Austin! I'm so glad I found you. Can we talk?" she pleaded.
"Tasha? What are you doing here?" Austin asked.
"I want to try again. Please, just talk to me and give me another chance." she pleaded.
"We did talk when we broke up. Nothing has changed." Austin said.
"But we can work it out, I know it." She begged.
Austin shook his head and threw a sad glance toward Ally and Dez. Ally looked disappointed.
"Please. Just talk to me." Tasha said again.
With a sigh he nodded to Tasha. "Fine. Let's go on a walk. Guys, I'll see you at the cottage later." he said the last to the his friends.
"Come on." Trish said, pulling at Ally's arm as they continued into the hotel. She watched Austin until she had to turn so she didn't trip and fall. Austin held her gaze until she turned away.
Austin didn't come back for hours. Ally finally went to bed but couldn't really sleep. At last she heard hushed voices and movement in the room next to hers and she relaxed, knowing he was finally back.
In the morning when Ally went out into the main room before leaving on her run she found Dez curled awkwardly on the couch with his feet propped on the coffee table.
"Dez? What are you doing out here?" she whispered when he stirred at the sound of her footsteps.
"Got kicked out of the room because of Austin's girlfriend." he grumbled groggily and then shut his eyes again.
"His girlfriend? The girl from last night is in his room with him?" Ally asked.
"Yep. Now if you don't mind, I'm exhausted." he turned from her, facing the back of the couch, his long legs bent and his feet resting behind him on the table which extended his uncomfortable couch-bed.
Ally stood in stunned silence for a minute. Robotically she turned back toward her room, the run long forgotten. Before she got there the door to Austin's room opened and he walked out in pajama pants, shirtless, with messy hair, to cross the hall to the extra bathroom.
"Hey Ally." he said sleepily. Behind him she saw someone stir in his bed. She turned on her heel and vanished into her room in seconds, locking the door behind her.
Stupid, stupid, stupid! How could she fall for it again? How could she imagine anything had changed? With tears stinging her eyes she angrily dragged her bags from her closet and began filling them with her belongings. She didn't take time to shower, but dressed in regular clothes and pulled her hair back in a braid. She scanned the room one last time and when she saw it was clear she grabbed her bags and yanked opened her door.
"Hey Ally, we were thinking of. . . what's going on?" Trish asked when she saw Ally from the kitchen area where she was pouring a bowl of cereal.
"I'm leaving. Dez can have my bed." Ally said.
"Why? We still have four days left. What happened?" Trish asked, rounding the counter and going closer to Ally.
"I can't be here right now. I already paid my part, just have fun or something I guess." Ally shook her head and started pulling her bags toward the door again.
"What happened?" Trish demanded. She looked like she was ready to break something. Ally knew that look and although part of her was grateful to have a friend who would stick up for her, she couldn't talk about it right now.
"What's wrong?" Connor asked curiously, walking into the main room from his bedroom.
"Ally's leaving and she won't tell me why." Trish said.
"Ally's leaving?" Dez called from the porch and walked into the front room carrying a brightly colored kite.
"Yes! I'm leaving!" Ally yelled. Everyone stopped and stared at her. She tried to hold back the tears stinging her eyes and calmed her voice. "I'll call you later Trish." Then she walked out the door.
"Ally!" Austin called as he rushed out the front door two seconds behind her. He was dressed this time, in shorts and t-shirt, for which Ally was grateful. But she really didn't want to see him at that moment regardless.
"Don't." she said coldly, dragging her bags to the street behind the cottage.
"Don't what? I don't even know what's happening. All of a sudden I heard Dez say you were leaving and then you yelled. That's not like you." Austin said.
"Well maybe it's time I do some things that aren't like me! I can't even. . . I don't want to talk to you. Just leave me alone." Ally said.
"Why are you mad? Can you just wait a second?" Austin caught her arm as she went to walk away. She ripped her arm from his grasp and glared at him with fury.
"No! I won't wait anymore Austin! I can't stand here being a fool for you anymore!"
"What are you talking about?" he asked, bewildered.
"This. Us. I just realized how stupid I am. But that changes right now." she said with determination.
"You aren't stupid." Austin said.
"I'm not? Then why are we still here, going in circles? Because you know how I feel right now? I feel like this is our first kiss and Kira all over again. Like I haven't learned anything in the last 7 years! These few days here have been so great, and I actually believed you might have feelings for me, real feelings that are more than just friendship. But then you turn around and only hours after kissing me you are in bed with someone else! So yes Austin, I am stupid. But you're the jerk." Ally said bitterly, letting years of hurt and disappointment pour out with her words.
"Ally, I didn't. . ."
"No! Just shut up!" Ally covered her ears and shut her eyes tight. "Do you even know what you've done to me? I've never been that great with guys but now I question myself all the time. I don't feel attractive because you flirt with me and you compliment me and then turn around and date every girl in the room but me. You drool over any female who crosses your path, except me. So, there's clearly something wrong here, right? Yet I stick around and keep hoping that somehow, someday you'll want me and you know what? I'm a fool." she concluded quietly, losing her bravado on the last sentence.
"Ally, you've got it wrong. I don't drool over you because you deserve better than that." Austin began to explain, reaching for her hand several times but she pulled away with each attempt.
"Yeah, right. I'm so great but there's no way on earth you'll date me." she scoffed.
"I don't want to keep messing up with you! I was hoping I could figure stuff out, make all my mistakes with other girls so I can do right by you." Austin said.
Ally gaped at him. "That is so stupid! You actually want me to buy that? Those girls were not me, so how could it help us? You've proven to me over and over that I don't matter to you, and I'm finally getting the message."
"But that's not what I meant." Austin said helplessly.
"You could have fooled me." Ally gripped the handles of her luggage and wouldn't meet his eyes. "I'm leaving and I need you to give me some space. Just, please, leave me alone." She turned and walked away with hot tears running down her face, dragging her luggage behind her. In her anger and haste to leave she hadn't thought to call the hotel for a car to pick her up. And there was something oddly, painfully, satisfying in storming away on foot, anger and indignation rolling off her. She didn't look back. She couldn't stomach the idea of looking at Austin or spending any more time with him.
Ally didn't see Austin stand there staring long after she turned the corner and disappeared from view. She didn't see him sit on the curb and drop his head in defeat, or Dez coaxing him back into the cottage an hour later.
. . .
A/N: I know, I know, don't shoot me or Austin. Just trust me and stick with the story. Have I ever failed you before?