Disclaimer: I don't own Austin and Ally or anything else mentioned in this chapter.
Key West Chapter 2:
. . .
Ally drove home in a mess of tears and anger. She closed herself off for the few days she still would have been on vacation and didn't answer her phone or texts. When she emerged the next Monday she was strong and determined and threw herself into work. She finalized arrangements with her dad to use the practice room to teach private voice, music and composition classes beginning September fifteenth. Then she began advertising, getting a few referrals from Ronnie Ramone and Jimmy Starr of individuals trying to make it big who showed promise but needed work. On the side she planned to continue writing songs that she would submit to Ramone Records for their artists. She told Jimmy she would not be writing for Austin Moon again.
True to her word she did talk to Trish several times over the weeks after the vacation ended and even took a call from Dez after he returned to Hollywood at the end of September. She refused to talk to either of them about Austin or what happened on Sunset Island. But she did assure each of them that she was fine and busy with her new project. She asked how they were and kept directing the conversation back to their lives. That first month she ignored a dozen texts, emails and voicemails from Austin, deleting them the moment she saw them. He stopped trying to contact her after three weeks.
At the end of September she got together with Trish and Connor for a birthday dinner and they helped her celebrate turning 23. Trish tried to pass on that Austin asked her to wish Ally a happy birthday as well but Ally didn't want to hear it.
To begin combating her lack of self confidence with guys Ally took any and all offers from parents and friends to set her up with people and she also created an online dating profile. She spent the fall going on several first dates but very few turned into second dates.
Then in January she met Matt online. They had some fun dates and things seemed to be going well until he introduced Ally to his little sister so she could have vocal lessons. As soon as Ally agreed to the lessons Matt was gone. She tried to get past the sting of that quickly by referring the girl to another vocal coach she knew and then going on several more first dates with other guys. She took down her online dating profile when most of the guys turned out to only be interested in meeting "Ally Dawson the singer" and using her to get famous by association.
In April she met Luke, a grad student working on his MBA and planning on going into business law. He had very little interest in music. He was fairly busy with school and looking for work after graduation, but they made time for each other and Ally liked him. They had great conversations about books and school. She was supportive of his ambitions and he treated her well. For the first time in a while she felt beautiful and appreciated.
. . .
Connor spent one week every month out of town for work so Trish and Ally got together for a girl's night out (or two) when he was gone. Near the end of May after one of these nights Trish handed Ally an envelope as she was leaving her house. Trish hadn't said a word, simply handed over the thick envelope after hugging Ally goodbye for the night.
Ally opened it when she got inside her car. It contained a letter along with a VIP ticket and backstage pass to the first concert of Austin's new tour which was set to start in Miami on June 1st. He still kicked off each tour in his hometown just like he did the first time when he was 16. She had been careful to avoid any contact with Austin since last August and had succeeded until now. She slipped the ticket and pass back into the envelope and steeled herself to read the letter.
.
Dear Ally,
You said to give you space and it's killing me but I've tried. It's been nine months since I saw you, which I hope is long enough.
You know I secretly like romantic movies and I was watching Pride and Prejudice the other day and it gave me an idea. You know when Elizabeth and Darcy fight and then he writes a letter to explain his side of what happened? Well, I thought I would give that a try.
I know I hurt you and I'm sorry. That's the last thing on earth I wanted to do. I don't know if you will ever forgive me, but I would like to explain myself and clear a few things up.
I didn't sleep with Tasha that night on Sunset Key, but I can see how you got that idea. She and I talked until pretty late that night and she had no where to stay and no money so I brought her back to the cottage and gave her my bed then slept on the floor in the room while Dez took the couch. She didn't know any of you and was insecure so I agreed to stay close but that's the only reason I was in the room with her. After you left she woke up, had breakfast and went home by herself.
I'm not proud of how I handled everything with her. The truth is we dated for three months and I broke up with her two weeks before the trip. I had my tour to finish and I didn't take time to have a very good talk with her, but I wanted to be single and free to spend time with you in the Keys. We always seem to click really well there and I was hoping to leave with a new girlfriend - you. I'm not saying I did any of that right, but that's what I was thinking at the time.
I'll stop there for now. It will be a miracle if you even read this.
I miss you,
Austin
.
Ally was both relieved and bothered by the letter. She was glad Austin hadn't hooked up with that girl the same day he'd spent acting like a boyfriend to her. She was also relieved that he didn't ask to see her or talk to her. She realized she jumped to some conclusions regarding him, but still felt justified and hurt by his general behavior when it came to his feelings for her. If he really did like her, then going out with other girls made no sense. She still didn't want to talk to him and she wouldn't be going to his concert, but a weight was lifted by clearing some of the air between them.
She believed in honesty, so Ally told Luke that she got a letter from an old guy friend. She assured him there was nothing going on with the friend since she hadn't seen him for the better part of a year. Luke shrugged it off and they never spoke of it again. They continued going out and Luke took his finals and got his degree.
A week after graduation at the beginning of June, Ally met Luke at their favorite Thai restaurant for dinner. He was already there and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek as she joined him at a table. They ordered their food and he kept her talking about her students during most of the meal. When they finished he reached for her hand and she smiled warmly.
"This was a really nice night and I'm glad we could do this. I wanted one more good date with you." Luke said.
"What do you mean?" Ally frowned.
"I was offered a job this morning. It's with a firm in Seattle and they want me there in three days." Luke said.
"Seattle, Washington? Seattle, across the entire country and thousands of miles away, Seattle?" Ally asked.
"That's the one. I'm going to be busy packing and tying up loose ends here for the move so I don't think I will have time another day for this. I just wanted to do this in person." Luke explained.
Ally sat back in her seat, pulling her hand away from Luke's. Austin's letter jumped unbidden to her mind. He said that he quickly broke up with a girl so he could be single for their trip last year. She realized she was in the same position as that girl, only this time Austin wasn't the one breaking her heart. True, no declarations had been made between Ally and Luke and she realized in that moment that she didn't love him. She hadn't had enough time to fall and her heart wasn't shattered. But the loss of a promising relationship did hurt and the fact was that she was being rejected. Again.
"Well, thanks for taking time to actually talk to me. Goodbye Luke." Ally said mechanically as she stood up from the table with her purse in hand.
"That's it? You're just going to walk away?" Luke stood up as well, incredulous.
"Yes."
"Ally wait." Luke said.
"Why? You said you are leaving, we are clearly over, and there's nothing else to say." Ally told him.
"But aren't you upset or anything? I mean, I thought things were going well between us and if I weren't moving I definitely wouldn't be breaking up with you." Luke said.
Ally faced him and her eyes softened. "Thank you for saying that. I like you Luke, but I'm not going to make this harder on either of us by prolonging things. I had a good time with you the last few months and I wish you luck in Seattle." She held her head high as she walked away from another failed relationship.
"Bye Ally." Luke said sadly as he watched her walk away.
. . .
That week Ally took on three new students. One of them was a young man named Danny who was trying to break into the country music scene. He reminded Ally a little of her old boyfriend Gavin. During his first lesson she asked him to sing a few songs he liked so she could get a sense of his style, range and abilities. He had a decent voice but she found herself tuning out a little as he began his second song, lost in ideas for songs and the direction he should take with his career. Then he hit the chorus and Ally was brought back to the present with a painful jolt.
.
"What hurts the most was being so close,
and having so much to say
and watching you walk away.
And never knowing what could have been
and not seeing that loving you
is what I was trying to do."
.
Ally sat frozen as the lyrics brought forth memories of Austin and fresh pain because of his recent letter. Danny kept singing as she sat there, hardly breathing.
.
"It's hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I'm doing it.
It's hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I'm alone
Still harder
Getting up, getting dressed, living with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken.
What hurts the most. . ."
.
"Okay. Let's stop there." Ally interrupted with a clap of her hands and an uncomfortable laugh.
"Is something wrong?" Danny asked.
Ally silently cursed sensitive artistic guys. "No of course not. I just have some ideas and a half written song I think will be perfect for you so let's move onto that." Ally said.
Danny relaxed and smiled. "Okay. Great."
He followed Ally to some chairs that faced each other and they talked and made some plans. She successfully got the Rascal Flatts song off her mind until he walked out the door. Then the words of the chorus mixed in her mind with Austin's letter and she dropped her head into her hands with a groan. How was she going to get over him if everything around her made her think of him?
The only option she could see was staying busy so she wouldn't have time to dwell on it. She put that plan into action but it didn't go unnoticed. Lester got concerned with how busy Ally was and when he voiced it to her she brushed it off. She told him she was happy. She hoped she sounded like she believed it.
. . .
Connor's job sent him out of town for a week and a half in the middle of June. Trish and Ally planned to spend several nights together and it turned out to be just what Ally needed when Luke dropped the bomb and broke up with her.
The second night Ally was feeling much better. Being around Trish was always fun for her and they were hanging out like old times, no husbands or boyfriends in the way, just girls. She did notice something odd though. Trish seemed to be really sensitive to smells, more than usual.
"I have some good news. I just hope you can be happy for us." Trish said during dinner the second night.
"What is it? Why wouldn't I be happy?" Ally asked.
"I'm pregnant." Trish said.
Ally stared at her for a moment and then lunged at her friend to hug her.
"That's wonderful Trish! When are you due?" Ally asked.
"In December. We are having a Christmas baby." Trish said.
"That sounds like the best kind of present." Ally said. "And I am happy for you."
"Good. I don't want this to come between us." Trish said.
"It won't. Sure, I wish I was married and starting a family too, but I can't be mad at you for having those things even though I don't yet." Ally said and she meant it. She wasn't exactly jealous, because there was no anger in her, but she looked forward to a time when she and Trish could watch their kids play together. She just had to keep searching for the right guy.
Trish always watched EntertainMe Tonight and Ally watched with her when she was over. That night was no exception and the two of them sat on the couch watching after dinner. Trish turned up the sound when a photo of Austin was put as a teaser before a commercial break.
"Oh no, what did he do now?" Ally wondered.
"He hasn't done much lately, just locked himself in the studio to record a new record and then rehearsals for his concerts." Trish said.
Ally stared at her.
"What? I may not be his manager anymore, but we are still friends." Trish said. The show came back on and they watched, curious what the news was.
.
EntertainMe reporter Shauna Roberts: "Austin Moon is three shows into his latest tour which will take him to cities in the U.S., Canada, and South America this summer. Fans are noticing an interesting trend in his shows which include both new and old songs and is already being called his best to date. But there is a moment in each concert which doesn't fit his usual style and that is a cover by the band Lifehouse which he plays in the middle of his set. Before singing "Whatever it Takes" at each concert, he pauses to address the crowd and mentions a girl he cares about but lost, or accidentally hurt. Then he dedicates the song to 'Key West' and gives an emotional performance before resuming his own music for the remainder of the concert.
Given Austin's recent changes to his fan encounters where he keeps his distance and refuses to get close to or hug fans, along with reports that he has not been seen dating anyone in the last year, this reporter is wondering if Miami's favorite son suffered a heart break. Fans are speculating what he means by dedicating a song to the island of 'Key West' which is not far from his home in Miami. Is this a code name for the girl he loved and lost? That is this reporter's theory, but we'll have to wait and see if Austin reveals more about this particular song choice throughout his tour."
.
Trish muted the tv as the show moved onto another topic. She looked at Ally expectantly.
"So, Key West, huh?" Trish nudged her.
"I don't know what it means anymore than you do." Ally said.
"You don't? Come on, he said he lost someone he cares about and there hasn't been a death in the family, plus he mentioned Key West - he has to mean you!"
"No he doesn't. He could be talking about the girl who crashed our vacation. She was in Key West too." Ally pointed out, not happy about the turn of conversation. She had avoided talking about Austin with Trish for almost a year.
Trish rolled her eyes. "You can't be serious. He's trying to apologize to you."
"Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't matter right now. I'm busy with students and I don't need to drool over some singer with a cryptic message in his show."
"He's not just some singer: he used to be your best friend. You can't tell me you honestly don't care about him at all anymore." Trish argued.
"I still care, but I'm not ready to talk to or be around him yet."
"Ally, it's almost been a year." Trish pointed out.
"I know. Can we just drop this for now?" Ally pleaded.
"Okay." Trish relented. She could see that her friend still wasn't ready to open up yet.
. . .
A few days later on June 25th another hand written letter came through the mail with a VIP ticket and backstage pass enclosed for a concert in Puerto Rico on the 30th. She still didn't want to go.
.
Dear Ally,
Hi. How are you? I think about you all the time and I hope you are happy teaching those kids. They are so lucky to have you. I hope they realize what they've got.
So, here is my second attempt at being like Mr. Darcy. (Yes, I'm bringing this up on purpose because I know you love a good love story.)
Last week I saw a list someone made of the girls I've dated. A song I'm singing on tour has people wondering about the girls I've gone out with and when I saw the list it was pretty long. I've never counted or thought about just how many girls I've gone out with. I know, it's probably stupid of me to bring this up - I think you had a better idea of this than I did based on what you said last August. I never thought about how what I was doing would look to someone on the outside. Or even to my close friends. I was a jerk and I didn't realize it, which I guess is probably worse.
Not that you care, if you are even still reading this, but it looked different in my mind. While I dated each of those girls I tried to find my bad habits that bugged them so I could change. I tried to learn how to put together a great romantic date. I wanted to make myself good enough for you but now I see that I went about it all wrong.
I swear the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you like I did.
I'm sorry.
Austin
.
The day after receiving Austin's second letter Ally called Connor and asked if he still wanted to set her up with his friend. That weekend she went on her first date with Kurt.
. . .
"Let's ask her. I bet she knows." Tyler whispered a little too loudly, catching Ally's attention as she sorted through her stack of music, looking for the group piece she had gotten for them.
"No way." Lydia hissed back.
"Just do it!" Casey insisted.
"Alright, what's going on?" Ally asked, turning to face the four teens with sheet music in her hand. Lydia had been taking private vocal lessons from Ally for six months and recently brought some of her friends along so they could learn a few group pieces for auditions for their high school choir. Now Ally faced Lydia, Ellie, Casey and Tyler with hands on her hips and eyebrows raised. She could be intimidating even though three of the youth were taller than she was.
"I . . . They . . ." Lydia stuttered. She looked up to Ally and the last thing she wanted to do was upset or offend her teacher.
"You used to write songs for Austin Moon, didn't you?" Tyler asked.
"Yes, back when I was your age." Ally answered.
Ellie giggled and her eyes widened in awe. "He's so cute." she murmured.
Ally just rolled her eyes. "Is there anything else you want to know?"
"Do you know who he's singing to when he talks about "Key West"?" Casey asked.
"His love life is none of our business." Ally said through clenched teeth.
"He doesn't have a love life anymore." Tyler said. "Whoever this person is, they messed him up bad. He has a song coming out with a movie and on the red carpet of the premiere the lead actress was totally hitting on him and he brushed her off. I saw it on youtube."
"I saw it too. How could he turn her down?" Casey asked. "She's so hot."
"He's heart broken, he's not going to go out with anyone but the one he loves." Ellie said.
"He's a romantic, don't you know anything?" Lydia scolded the boys.
"Nah, he's a player. Haven't you seen the list of girls he's dumped?" Tyler asked.
"Okay, that's enough!" Ally shouted to get their attention. "Now do you want to learn this song or not? You're wasting my time right now."
"Sorry Miss Dawson." Ellie and Lydia said, both looking contrite. The boys even managed to look slightly apologetic. She kept them on task for the rest of the hour before sending them off on their way, grateful that they didn't try to bring up Austin again.
. . .
On July 8th a letter came with a stamp from Argentina.
.
Dear Ally,
Hello again. My bass player teased me today for writing a letter to someone. He's right that texting and email are faster, calling is even better, but I'm afraid of rejection. It's been a while since I tried, but I'm still worried that you won't take my call and I just can't deal with that right now. My confidence is slipping as it is.
Okay, enough of that. Last August you said that you don't believe in my compliments because I never backed them up with action like asking you out. But how could I do anything but compliment you every chance I got? You are the best person I know and words don't do you justice. Since I've already proven I'm an idiot by losing you I'm going to try and put you into words anyway.
You are beautiful. Inside and out. You steal my breath just by walking into a room with your long, touchable hair and gorgeous eyes that I could stare into all day and those soft lips that I've spent way too much time thinking about over the years. I probably shouldn't write anything about your body or I'll get in trouble . . . On top of that you are kind and generous and so good to everyone around you. And you put up with me for all those years so you should probably be made a saint or something.
You are talented. You don't need me to tell you this. Your tours and record sales and the fans who miss you are enough to tell you that. You've always amazed me with your natural ability with song writing and lyrics. And I never get tired of hearing you sing. The best part of working with you over the years was getting that front row seat to watch your creativity and listen to you sing long before you let anyone else hear you.
You are smart. duh. I don't think I need to explain this - you have the grades and college degree to prove it.
You are an amazing woman and any guy would be lucky to have you. This is a fact: not my opinion or a nice sentiment or something to make you feel good. It is the truth. And I wish I was the lucky guy but I have no right to ask that of you right now.
You are inspiring. You push me to be more than I am, better than I was, and you've helped me achieve things no one thought I could. I owe you so much Ally and I know I've failed you. If I knew how to make it up to you, I would do anything just to talk to you again. The guys on the tour bus tease me for playing your music so often but I just need to hear your voice.
You are my best friend. Present tense. We may be facing the worst fight we've ever had right now but I'm not letting you go. You may be done with me, but I'm not done with you. I never will be.
I love you.
Austin
. . .
Ally finally got up the courage to ask out the new manager of the Melody Cafe in the mall where her dad's store Sonic Boom was. She was there often because of giving voice lessons in the practice room and he caught her eye when he took over last month. He had slipped her free dessert twice now and she hoped she was reading the signs right. When she finished eating she asked her server if she could speak to the manager. The teenaged girl suddenly looked freaked out, worried that she'd messed up or something but agreed to get him. He came out less than a minute later.
"Hi, I'm Drew. was everything alright with your meal today?" he asked courteously.
"It was great, no complaints here." Ally assured him and he relaxed a bit.
"Then what can I do for you?" he asked with a friendly smile.
"I wanted to ask if you are free this weekend and would be interested in going to see a movie with me?" Ally asked.
Drew's smile broadened and he nodded. "I am most definitely free this weekend."
. . .
Another letter arrived on July 21st with a concert ticket enclosed.
.
Dear Ally,
My tour ends soon. I've always regretted that I couldn't take you on tours with me and we never toured together because of our labels. I would love it if you came to this last show. Honestly, I don't know how many more shows are in my future at this point. Without you, I just don't feel inspired anymore.
You don't have to talk to me or come backstage or anything. I would just like to think that you could be there. I'm playing Madison Square Gardens, another dream of mine, like playing Times Square was. It will be a hollow victory without you there. Please come.
I need you,
Austin
. . .
Ally went to the concert on August 3rd alone. She flew to New York the morning of the concert, checked into her hotel and did a little bit of sightseeing before going to the concert. She went late, not interested in the opening acts, and slipped into the front of the crowd, surrounded by a host of younger screaming girls. For a moment she reconsidered and was about to leave when the lights dimmed and Austin Moon was announced.
And then there he was, center stage with a spotlight, the band playing and dancers all over the stage. He did a few moves and the crowd reacted, then he began to sing and Ally was transported back a few years. She had missed this.
She got into the show, cheering and singing along with the familiar songs until everything quieted down and Austin walked around the stage talking into his mic to the audience.
"So, does anyone out there tonight have a relationship that they regret? Someone they never should have let go?" he waited while some of the fans cheered. "You know that person: the one you need and take for granted until they turn their back, and as she is walking away it hits you that you've just lost the most important person in your life. Well, this next song is what I wish I could say to her. This one is for you Key West, and dreaming of a second chance." Austin finished and right on cue the band started up.
Ally bit her lip as the girls around her sighed, no doubt wondering who he sang to. But Ally knew he had years of chances, and many far beyond a second chance. But she listened to the words she knew he wanted her to hear.
.
A strangled smile fell from your face
It kills me that I hurt you this way
The worst part is that I didn't even know
Now there's a million reasons for you to go
But if you can find a reason to stay
.
I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
Believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes
.
She said "If we're gonna make this work
You gotta let me inside even though it hurts
Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see"
She said "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be
You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me"
.
I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
And give me a break
I'll keep us together, I know you deserve much better
.
But remember the time I told you the way that I felt
That I'd be lost without you and never find myself
Let's hold onto each other above everything else
Start over, start over
.
I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
and believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes
.
Ally felt Austin's sincerity in each word and in the way his voice cracked on the last chorus. He was begging her, and making promises, and she wasn't sure if this was just another gimmick or not. He was a showman, after all, with years of experience playing crowds and her own heart strings. She wasn't sure she could let herself trust him again.
But when the song ended and Austin turned from his cheering, adoring fans to wipe his face with a towel on the amp by his drummer, she wondered if he was wiping his eyes or just the sweat. Stage lights were hot after all: she knew that from experience.
Ally thought of all the backstage passes Austin had sent her but how she didn't have one for this show. She knew that a few words with a security guard would get her back stage but she didn't think she was ready for that. Maybe it was cowardice, but she didn't want to think too much about it. She was doing everything she set out to do when she retired from performing last year. She was building her new life and had tried to not spend much time looking back since that day she walked away from Austin. It would feel too much like a betrayal to herself to run to him now.
She knew how he would react to seeing her again. He would apologize and be sweet and make promises, but in a few weeks or even months at the most he would go back to his old habits and she would be pushed aside yet again. She would not let that happen. She needed to be sure that she could resist him. Going tonight was the first step in testing her strength.
Then, two songs later, when Austin was at the front of the stage singing he looked down into the crowd standing below him and saw Ally. He faltered, missing a few words before continuing and finishing the song. He turned to his band and breathed one word into the mic: "Ally". He repeated her name urgently, getting eye contact from them all before turning back to his audience.
"There is a song on my new record that I haven't played at any shows during this tour. But we're going to play it tonight. This is for you Ally." He said as he looked directly at her again. The crowd erupted in applause and screams. The girls near Ally looked at her and a few whispered when they recognized her.
She was frozen in place, nervous and terrified that he had actually seen her. She also hated to admit that she had not listened to his newest record because traditionally she had been his biggest supporter. The music began and Austin stood at a microphone stand, both hands around the mic, eyes glued to her.
.
Every morning after
I'm the same disaster
Every time it's Groundhog Day
Tell me, have you moved on?
Am I just a sad song
Playing every night and day?
.
Say, can you read between the lines I'm singing?
Threw away the only chance I had with you
Maybe you'll always be the one I'm missing
All I got left are the words that you said
.
Stay with me tonight
I want you to
Stay with me tonight
.
Got me on a bender
I'm the great pretender
Putting on a masquerade
But when the party's over
Alone and getting sober
Yeah, you got me wide awake
.
Say, can you read between the lines I'm singing?
Threw away the only chance I had with you
Maybe you'll always be the one I'm missing
All I got left are the words that you said
.
Stay with me tonight
I want you to
Stay with me tonight
I said don't walk away
Leave what we could have been behind
Don't leave me standing here
Don't say not this time.
.
So Stay with me tonight
Oh, oh
Can we go back, do it over?
Can we go back to the start?
Say, can you read between the lines I'm singing?
.
Stay with me tonight
I want you to
Stay with me tonight
I said don't walk away
Leave what we could have been behind
Don't leave me standing here
Don't say not this time
So stay with, stay with me tonight
.
Every morning after
I'm the same disaster
Every time it's Groundhog Day
.
Ally stared up at Austin who had moved to the edge of the stage during the song, singing directly to her. Tears stung at her eyes and she was having a hard time breathing. Every word of the chorus cut at her. He didn't move as the crowd cheered around them, both of them breathing hard and searching the other's eyes.
The bassist came over and nudged Austin who appeared to wake from a daze. He looked from the rest of the audience back to Ally.
"I'll be there at Sunset. I'll be waiting for you." He said to her through the mic before turning to his band. Walking further away on stage he swallowed down half a water bottle and wiped his face again. He nodded to the band and they continued with the concert. Austin favored the front of the stage, looking down at her often as if to make sure she was real.
Austin sang the last song of the night and thanked his audience to thunderous applause. He caught Ally's eye as she turned to go, weaving through the crowd to get out before most of them thought to leave. She glanced at the stage to see him watching. He nodded once and mouthed the word "sunset" but did nothing to stop her from leaving.
It was a relief to leave the heat of the building and crush of people. Only a few others were streaming out of the building with Ally since most were hoping for an encore, which Austin always gave. She walked two blocks to her hotel with tears streaming down her face, her breath catching on the sobs ripping from her throat. She wanted to be over him, she wanted to not be affected by him anymore but as soon as she got near him all her feelings returned. The pain of being separated from her best friend tore through her and the words of his songs echoed in her head. "Stay with me" and "whatever it takes" repeated one after the other with her heartbeat.
She waved off the concerned concierge of the hotel as she went to the elevator and finally made it to the solitude of her room. She sat on the edge of the bed crying for the next hour. She still wanted him but she fought against the thought that he wanted her. It had never been true before, so why would this time be different? But he said he would be waiting at Sunset Island. In three weeks it was time for their annual trip. She hadn't allowed Trish or Dez to talk to her about the island or their trip so she didn't know if they even reserved it again at the end of their trip last year. Would she go? She had no idea.
. . .
A/N: I can't give you all any candy, so here's my Halloween treat for you all. Let me know if you liked it. What's your favorite part of this chapter or story so far?