One Simple Step (Journey #3)

“Come here.” He tugged at my waist, pulling me onto his lap as the table started up their conversations again, a little awkwardly at first. “I’m sorry,” he whispered against my neck before pulling away and answering a question Danny had asked.

I tried to pay attention to them, but I did end up hearing parts of the song that was apparently for me. It talked about making a mistake, and asking for forgiveness, not giving up till the day he died. Yeah, it was pretty incredible that Teddy had written those lyrics for me, but it didn’t matter.

After the song finished, the restaurant exploded into another round of applause. “Thanks guys, that’s all for tonight, we appreciate it.” Teddy hopped off the stage, and I could tell he was heading in our direction. He really had some balls, I would give him that.

I felt Nick stiffen behind me as Teddy approached our table, so I pushed my body back into his, trying to reassure him.

“Hey, Ally-Cat.”

I heard Danny mutter something about me apparently being a stray cat or something, and I stifled a laugh with my hand before pressing my lips into a straight line, tipping my chin towards him, and crossing my arms over my chest. “Teddy, how nice of you to show up,” I replied in a sarcastic tone.

I saw him falter for just a second, his nerves coming through as his brown eyes darted between Nick and me. “I figured you would like it. Think we could have some time alone for a minute?”

“Nope, I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”

“C’mon, Al. Please?”

“Pretty sure she said no, dude,” Nick warned from behind me. I could tell from his tone how tense he was, and it pissed me off that Teddy just had to come over when Nick had finally seemed to cool off. I really didn’t want there to be a fight. This wasn’t high school, we were grown adults. If there was one though, Nick would definitely win. Teddy was no fighter.

“Pretty sure I didn’t ask—”

“Stop!” I held up a hand, and Teddy pursed his lips at me. “Teddy, this isn’t a good time. There will never be a good time, I thought you understood that.”

He shrugged his shoulders, his lips twisting into a smirk as he slowly backed up. “Alright, Al. I’ll leave you alone…for now. But I’m not leaving, and I’m not giving up. See ya soon, you know where I’m staying.”

I let out a deep breath I hadn’t realized I had been holding when he finally disappeared into the crowd that eagerly awaited him. Remy gripped my hand, pulling on it slightly, and I turned to see her eyes darting back and forth to Mark, who looked like he was trying to gather the nerve to come over. “We really need to get out of here, Ally.”

“Um...” I turned back to Nick, who still looked like he wanted to beat Teddy’s ass.

“Why in the hell do you know where he’s staying?” he asked lowly, and I could feel all of the tension that had just left his body, return.

“I don’t,” I responded, fiddling with my napkin that was already ripped to shreds. “He’s just been sending me things, I guess he figured I looked at where they were coming from.”

Nick grunted in response, but a little bit of anger seemed to leave when I reached out a hand to run it through his hair. “Remy wants to leave, do you mind?”

“Nah, go ahead. Me and the guys are gonna have a few more drinks.” I gave him a questioning look, worried that he was going to try and start something with Teddy. He leaned forward to brush his lips against mine. “Don’t worry, I’ll behave myself. Get Remy home, she looks like she’s about ready to have a breakdown.” He patted me on the ass as I stood up, and that little gesture seemed to ease my nerves just a little. At least, he wasn’t too mad. Hopefully, this would all just blow over, and Teddy would leave me alone to live my life. “Be careful driving back. I love you, Al.”

“I love you, too,” I replied, shaking my head as I looped my arm through Remy’s and weaved a path towards the doors.

Nick and I would get through this. I knew we would. It might not be easy, but we would make it work. I should’ve been honest with him from the beginning, but the fact was that I couldn’t go back and change how I handled things, so we would just move forward.

Now, I just needed to figure out what to do about Teddy. What else could I do to really get it through his head that there was no more us, and there never would be? Whatever it was, I needed to figure it out fast and be done with him. Nick was my future, and I didn’t want anything, or anyone, to come between us.





Chapter 23


Nick



What in the world was that insanely loud noise? I groaned, slapping at the side of my bed, but the noise didn’t stop. I still hadn’t opened my eyes, and I really wasn’t sure that it was even possible. It felt like there were hundred pound weights sitting on top of them, and my head—I couldn’t even describe that feeling. I don’t think I had ever drunk as much as I did last night. In. My. Life.

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