I don’t know what I expected or even wanted him to do, but the fact that he didn’t do anything kind of crushed me. I felt this connection with him from the second we started talking. It certainly didn’t help that he was sexy as hell, though not my typical type. That was probably a good thing since we had seen where my taste had gotten me so far.
I tugged on the hem of the black pencil skirt that I paired with a simple white, collared dress shirt, adjusting it one last time. It definitely wasn’t my typical style, but really, I didn’t have anything appropriate to wear to interviews, so I had to raid Remy’s closet.
My style was…I wasn’t really even sure anymore. Leah always used me as her personal stylist, so I guess you could say I have good taste. But she also told me I was a little bit schizophrenic when it came to my wardrobe, and looking back, I had to agree.
When I was dating Skylar, I went through a bit of a hippie phase since that was sort of his thing. Moving on to Teddy, I went through more of a rocker chick look. I even remember dating a guy in high school who had been really involved in the drama club, that was a really interesting time in my life, and I’m sure my mom was pretty happy when things quickly ended.
Now, I really just needed to figure out who I was.
I checked my makeup one last time in the hallway mirror before I shut the door behind myself, fluffing my loosely curled hair. I felt professional and confident, for what was pretty much my first real job interview ever. Luckily, Remy left me her car since I had returned my rental after a few days of having it.
“Ally?” I heard that all too familiar voice as I rounded the corner to the parking lot, and I instantly stiffened, wanting to do nothing more than to turn right around and lock myself in the apartment. But I couldn’t get there fast enough.
I felt his hand land on my shoulder just as I tried to twist away. I reluctantly turned around, meeting those brown eyes that I thought I knew so well. Now all he looked like was a stranger.
“What are you doing here, Teddy?” I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, trying to look anywhere but straight at him.
“We’re just a couple of towns over, Al, you know that. It took me a while, but I tracked you down when you returned the rental. Why haven’t you answered any of my calls? I was worried as hell about you.” He reached out to brush his thumb across my cheek, but I quickly knocked his hand away.
Why had I used his dumb credit card for that rental car? I didn’t realize he was going to pull out some detective moves to track me down.
“Really? You were worried about me? That sounds awfully strange coming from someone who wasn’t so concerned about me when they were in bed with another girl.”
He let out a loud groan and moved a step closer, sucking in his lip ring as he did. “Al, you’re still my wife, and I’m always going to worry about you. That meant nothing; it was a lapse in judgment, nothing else. I swear.”
“Teddy, I don’t want to hear it.” I shoved past him, but I could feel that he was still following closely behind me. “I have somewhere to be, and I can’t be late. Just go back to your tour, and forget about me, because we’re done. There is no us, and there’s no going back.”
“Ally, you don’t mean that.” He grabbed onto the car door before I could slam it in his face and crouched down so we were face to face. His hand reached up to grip my chin and this time I didn’t twist away fast enough.
It was taking everything inside of me not to just give in. To forget everything that had happened, and start fresh. But I knew that there was no way in hell I could do that, because I would just be setting myself up to get hurt all over again.
“Please, Al, just one more chance. I swear I won’t mess this up.”
I swallowed over the thick lump in my throat, looking him straight in the eyes, to say that one word I still hadn’t been able to utter. “No, Teddy. It’s not going to happen. I want a divorce, and I want you to leave me alone. Is that really so much to ask after… after everything?”
By this time, tears were streaming down my cheeks. I could see the pain in his face as he stared back at me and slowly stood up, his hand sliding away from my cheek to hang loosely at his side. “Okay, Al,” he whispered, dropping his head down to kiss my wet cheek, his tears mixing with mine. “I’m sorry. You really were the best thing that ever happened to me, it was inevitable that I had to go and fuck it up.”
He backed away, looking defeated, before pushing my door shut. I couldn’t sit there any longer, the pain was overpowering. So I started up the car and pulled out of the parking lot, leaving him standing there alone and feeling like a piece of me was getting left behind, too.
By the time I pulled into my interview, I was ten minutes late, but had calmed down a teensy bit. I allowed myself to peek in the mirror one time, and wasn’t too shocked at what I saw. My eyes were bloodshot, mascara was streaked down my face, and I just looked…devastated.
Seeing Teddy again was harder than I thought. I almost gave in, it would be so easy. He really did look heartbroken and like he was sorry for what he had done.
I know that growing up he didn’t have an easy life. His dad was some unknown one-night-stand that his crack-head of a mother had hooked up with, probably to get her latest fix. I had never even met the woman and I hated her, which was a really strong word to use but I really couldn’t help it.
Teddy had never come right out to say it but I know that he never really felt loved by her, or really anyone else for that fact.
Chase had been like a savior to him when they became best friends. Chase and his family welcomed him with open arms, and he really became a part of their family. But Teddy was right, the damage had already been done with the way his mother raised him, and I think that his cheating had really been inevitable. How could I have been so stupid not to see it coming?
I shook my head, trying to clear Teddy from my thoughts.
Breathe, Ally, breathe. You need to focus.
I walked through the entrance after easily finding my way, and took in the lush property surrounding me. This was the type of place the wealthy would frequent. You could just tell from the whole atmosphere. My heels clicked on the marble floor as I made my way inside. The grand lobby had a sleek, modern look with its dark wood accents and just a touch of the beach, which you could see from the wide windows surrounding the building, giving impressive views of the water.
“Hi, I’m here for an interview,” I stated when greeted by a man at the front desk. He looked up from where he was typing on a computer and gave me a wide smile, his overly tan skin wrinkling slightly at the corners of his mouth.
“You must be Ally then, the two o’clock interview. A pleasure to meet you.” He stuck out a beefy hand that I gripped firmly, before he moved to open the wooden partition. “Right this way.”
I followed him through the narrow hallway until he stopped at a door and tapped on it twice, peeking his head in and then moving aside to let me pass. “Good luck, dear. I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”
“Thanks, Leo.” I heard murmured from behind a folder as I took a seat, and I jumped in surprise at the voice that was semi-familiar. I only met the guy once, but we had talked for hours, and I still hadn’t forgotten it.
“So nice to meet you, Ally—” His voice cut short as soon as he stood up to greet me and realized who was sitting there. I thought at first maybe he didn’t remember me, until he did a double take between me and the paper that was sitting on his desk, confusion crossing his face. “Sampson,” he finished, before sitting back down.
I squirmed in my seat as he waited for me to explain.
Of course, it was just my luck that my very first interview would be with Nick. The guy that I pretty much blew off with really no explanation. He probably thought I had been leading him on the whole time, which I really wasn’t, I just hadn’t expected to connect with someone like that so quickly. I had jumped straight into things with Teddy. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
“Samps
on’s my married name actually,” I quietly explained, looking down to avoid those blue eyes of his that seemed to see right through me.
“Married?” he asked, his deep voice rising with a slight edge to it. “You didn’t bother to mention that. Most people would.”
“Look, I didn’t get into specifics with you, but I did tell you that I had just gone through a breakup.” I pointed out, chewing on the inside of my cheek to keep the tears at bay. If I hadn’t just had a run in with Teddy, I’m sure I would have been able to handle his line of questioning a little bit calmer, but of course that wasn’t the case.
“Ally Sampson,” he repeated once again, staring at me harder this time. “Why does that name sound so familiar?” He tucked his top lip in, flashing that set of dimples at me that had caught my eye the first time I met him. It gave him sort of a boy-next-door look that I hadn’t ever really been attracted to before.
“We-ll,” I dragged out, trying to decide how I would play this off. I could just make something up, but then he would easily be able to figure it out anyway. Or I could just tell him the truth. With my luck, he would be some closet fan boy of the Major Hoosiers. “I’m married, or was, or I’m going to be div—we’re not together anymore, but I’m married to Teddy Sampson.” When I saw no recognition, I added, “He’s the lead singer for the Major Hoosiers.”
“Oh,” he answered simply, nodding his head. “I’m not really into that type of music, but the guy seems like a bit of a douche.”
I burst into laughter at his description, my thoughts on Teddy being pretty much the same lately, but then the laughter turned a little hysterical until it was mixed in with tears. By this time Nick probably thought I was insane, and by the look he was giving me I’m fairly certain he was pitying me, too, which I definitely didn’t want.
I somehow managed to calm myself down after a few minutes, and Nick cleared his throat, looking down once again at the paper on his desk. “Alright, then, I just have a few questions to ask you.”
By the time the interview was over, I felt like it had been one giant fail. Nick awkwardly told me he would be in contact as he showed me back to the lobby. I had a feeling that really wouldn’t be the case. I’m sure my cheeks were bright red by the time I left, and Nick had only given me a simple ‘bye’.
I wasn’t going to let it bother me, though.
Really, I wasn’t.
Yes, I probably looked like a complete idiot in front of the guy who was not only interviewing me, but that I had also connected with so quickly and shared one of the most amazing kisses of my life.
I touched my lips once, before sliding my red heels off, and leaving them behind to sink my feet into the private stretch of beach where the resort was situated.
I still remembered everything about that kiss. The feel of his lips on mine, gentle and rough at the same time, if that was even possible. The way his mouth tasted like cinnamon with just a hint of the beer he drank at Clammy’s.
And his hands.
I had always been tall compared to most guys while I was growing up. I even had about an inch on Teddy, but compared to him, Nick felt like a giant. The way he held my body firmly against the wall, made me feel safe and scared all at the same time. Scared because of the overwhelming feelings that he had been able to stir up.
Not that it mattered, he probably thought I was a complete and utter mess, and was now happy that I had blown him off.
The water skimmed my ankles as I waded in, trickling around my toes, until the waves receded, and then I went in even farther, hiking up my skirt.
I wasn’t going to let the whole interview thing bother me. I would keep looking for jobs until I could find something decent. I really did like this town, and being able to catch up with Remy. I’m certain she wouldn’t want me to live with her forever, but I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to go back to Indiana. I know my family, and Leah, were really pushing for it, just because they missed me. They all figured since things were over with Teddy, that there really wasn’t a reason for me not to come back, but something was holding me here. Maybe this is where I was meant to be in life, and although I didn’t really like the journey very much recently, I had to go through that to make it here.
I just had to keep living to make myself happy, and eventually things would work out.
Chapter 8
Nick
Ally showing up for an interview had been beyond shocking. I really hadn’t put two and two together when I saw the applicant’s previous address was in Indiana, mainly because of the different last name. And then to learn that she was actually married left me more than a little confused.
I never expected to even see her again.
She probably thought I was an asshole by the way I treated her when she basically broke down in my office. Really, I had no fucking clue what to do.
Growing up I was an only child, and then with Kara being my only relationship, I never really dealt with girls being a mess like that. I had never even see Kara cry before because she was always trying to be a tough bitch that no one messed with.
Ally looked beautiful even when she cried, though: makeup streaking down her face, her eyelashes clumped together into tiny black spikes, and her eyes the brightest blue I had ever seen. I just wanted to jump across my desk and wrap her up in a tight hug, but then I remembered how she had blown me off. I guess I could understand why she did that now. She was probably going through a hell of a time. At least Kara and I had never gotten married. I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to deal with that shit.
I watched her as she left in sort of a daze, but didn’t head in the direction of the parking garage, instead going towards the beach, kicking off her shoes before she stepped into the sand. “Hey Leo, I’m gonna head out for a break real quick. Have everything handled?”
“Sure,” he answered cheerfully, his head turning in the direction of where I was staring. “Take all the time you need, Nick.”
I rolled my eyes as I stepped through the large balcony that overlooked the ocean. Leo had always been a good guy to work with, but now he was even more relaxed than usual because he was looking forward to his retirement. I thought it would be more like in a year or two, but he recently informed me that instead it would be at the end of this month, which meant I would officially be taking over the responsibilities of the resort.
I was a little nervous at how many responsibilities exactly I would have to handle. Leo worked endless amounts of hours and was on call practically twenty-four seven, but I was ready as I could be.
I looked down the stretch of the beach that was only dotted with a few guests, but didn’t spot Ally’s tall figure. I panicked for a second, thinking she had gotten into her car all upset, but her shoes were still lying in the sand, so I knew she hadn’t gone too far.
I don’t know what made me do it but I looked out at the ocean, and just as I did, I caught sight of a blonde head bobbing above the waves. I didn’t even think for a second before I sprinted towards the water, and dove straight in.
Ally
My hands had just reached the bottom of the sandy floor when I felt a set of arms wrap around my waist and I was being pulled back towards the surface. I didn’t have time to think about what was happening, so I forgot that I was underwater and sucked in a mouthful, causing me to sputter for air as I blindly flailed around.
I didn’t get far, though, because I could feel my body being dragged towards the shore. When I managed to peel my eyes open, I saw Nick hovering over me. “What in the hell were you doing?” he asked in a quiet, calm tone, but I could tell he was trying to control himself by the way his jaw was clamped down tightly.
I didn’t answer him right away because, really, I was a little confused. I mean, I knew this was a private beach, but I figured it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Apparently it was.
He licked his lips as he pushed his wet hair out of his eyes, and returned his attention back to me. “I know things are hard right now, Ally, but I promise they’ll
get better. This is not the answer.”
He stared at me very seriously, and I sat up quickly. I couldn’t help myself any longer once I realized exactly what he meant. I began laughing as I pushed up the sleeves of my shirt, which was now sticking to me like glue. This man probably thought I was insane, second time in one day that I looked like a nutcase in front of him. Oh well, I guess everyone has a little bit of crazy in them.
“Nick.” I reached out to grip his hand, and bit down on my lip to control the laughter. Now, I felt a little guilty because he looked so worried, and there was the little fact that he had jumped into the water after me. Woops.
“I was just going for a swim, I swear. Nothing else. Just like you said, things might be bad now, but I would never do something like that.”
His eyes flicked to mine, and I could tell he really wasn’t sure if he believed me. “I swear,” I reassured him, giggling slightly. “Trust me, if you knew me before all of that happened, you wouldn’t even think twice about it. My best friend teases me that I’m all rainbows and butterflies, it drives her nuts. I just felt like taking a swim, clearing my head a little.”
He arched one eyebrow at me, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “In your clothes?”
“In my clothes,” I repeated, looking down at myself and realizing it probably wasn’t the best idea with a white shirt on that was now basically see-through.
Oh well, you only live life once, right? Except I think Nick was now noticing how little my shirt was covering by the way his eyes slowly moved away from my chest, and he gave me a wide smile before jumping up, holding out a hand to pull me to my feet.
“C’mon, Ariel, let’s get you into something that’s dry.” He looked back down at me one more time with a smirk. “And isn’t so revealing. Even though I don’t mind,” he stated, whispering the last part into my ear, his warm breath sending shivers all the way down to my toes.
One Simple Step (Journey Series) Page 5
