One Simple Step (Journey #3)

I shook my head, and took a deep, calming breath to clear the negative energy that was surrounding me, and just didn’t want to go away. “I’m good, really. I just thought that maybe…he would pick me. But, I know it’s not a competition or anything. At least I hope it’s not. He really is a good guy.”


I changed the subject quickly, not wanting to dwell, and Remy, Leah, and I fell into an easy conversation like we had never been apart. Leah and Remy were comparing their jobs as nurses, filling me in on some crazy patient stories. I had no idea how they handled the day to day demands of being nurses. I never would have made it through the schooling.

“And this night is just getting better and better,” Leah whispered in a sarcastic tone, her back going rigid as she leaned into me. “I tried everything to stop this, but he was persistent. I’m sorry.”

I had no idea what she was talking about until I felt a hand on my back, and I slowly turned around. I was hoping that it was Nick, but what Leah said made no sense whatsoever.

I sucked in a deep breath when I met a pair of warm brown eyes that were all too familiar, and I thought I had seen for the last time.

Teddy.

I should have known when the restaurant had seemed to turn down a couple of notches. That tended to happen whenever Teddy was around. Probably at least half of the people here recognized him even without the rest of the band.

Everything about him screamed rock star: from his brown shaggy hair that I used to drag my fingers constantly through, to the tattoos running down each arm. I knew every one by heart, including that “A” that was straight over his heart. I had thought that once meant something.

He gave me that wicked, panty-dropping smile as if nothing had ever happened between us, and all was right in the world. I knew that he was anxious, though. I was probably the only one that could actually tell. Standing in front of me, his lip ring disappeared into his mouth as he chewed on the soft flesh surrounding it, a dead giveaway that he was actually nervous about something.

He crouched down in front of me, his hands landing on the bare skin above my knees. “Hey, Ally-Cat, miss me?”





Chapter 15


Ally



“What in the hell is going on, Leah?”

The second Teddy dropped down in front of my chair, I rushed past him, knocking warm hands that brought back way too many memories off my legs, and made a beeline straight towards the bathroom. Leah and Remy showed up seconds later.

I splashed some cold water on my face, thinking that it would possibly wake me up from this bad dream I was stuck in, because that’s all tonight had been so far.

“That was all Chase, Al. I’m sorry, we’ve been having this fight ever since we planned on coming here. You know how Chase is; he’s such a true romantic at heart. And he and Teddy have been best friends forever. They’re basically family. Chase was pissed about everything that went down, but he thinks that Teddy deserves a second chance.”

I looked at Leah in disbelief. I hated the fact that things going on in my life were affecting her marriage, they had seemed fine this whole trip. Chase always did have a soft spot wherever Teddy was concerned though, so I actually shouldn’t have been too surprised.

“So, when we planned our trip, Chase called Teddy to see if he wanted to meet up with us. I think he figured we could be a buffer between the two of you, so you could maybe patch things up. I told Chase he was an ass, and that there was no way in hell you two would work things out. I promised him I wouldn’t say anything, though. Do you hate me?”

I turned to see actual tears running down Leah’s face, and I grabbed a tissue to wipe them away. Leah hardly ever cried, and I hated that she was doing it because of me. “Of course I don’t hate you, sweetie. And don’t be mad at your husband, he’s just trying to help, even if it’s a totally lost cause. But what am I supposed to do?”

“I could find a back exit,” Remy suggested, “and I’ve barely had anything to drink, so I can be the getaway driver.”

“Yeah, Remy has the perfect idea, let’s get out of here. The boys can handle themselves.”

“No.” I shook my head, and closed my eyes briefly, trying to stop the slight spinning that I felt. “I need to put my big girl panties on and deal with this. Teddy and I have been together for a while, and I would think we can at least be civil, but we’re done. He’s not getting any more chances from this girl.”

Teddy smiled at me when we rejoined the table, and it really felt like old times having everyone there. The only one missing was Mark, and I would take Ben over him any day. Being with Teddy like this was a reminder of the guy I had fallen in love with.

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