Ally and Nick were laughing too hard to answer as they sat on a bus with about 20 extras on their way to meet Sophie and Matt.
By the time everyone had finally reached the karaokee place, it was about 7:30. The photo shoot had lasted longer than anyone would have ever thought but as everyone ordered drinks and grabbed seats, Matt, Ally, Sophie, and Nick congratulated themselves for pulling this together. Hours passed and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Suddenly, Sophie got on stage.
“Okay everyone, can I have you attention please,” she waited for effect. “These next two people are going to fight so that they don’t have to go on, but let’s give it up for Ally and Nick.”
The audience applauded as Nick and Ally gave each other “Oh shit” looks before walking on to stage.
Sophie was laughing so hard that she could hardly stand on her feet. “These two will be singing the newest hit from Jessica Simpson, “Where You Are” featuring Nick Lachey. Take it away you two,” she laughed, exiting the stage.
Ally could feel her pulse quickening as she drearily grabbed one of the two microphones that Nick was holding out for her and shot him a look of luck before the music began. Thanks to Angela, Ally knew the words and thought that she just might be able to pull this off. From the moment the two began singing the audience was amazed. Their chemistry seemed so perfectly unreal and despite what Ally had proclaimed earlier, she was hitting every single note and phrase perfectly. Nick’s obvious stage charisma also worked it’s magic on the crowd as the two continued their breath taking performance. When the music stopped, the entire crowd erupted in applause as Nick and Ally bowed and left the stage.
“That was amazing,” Ally screamed above the uproar. “You were amazing!”
“Oh and you weren’t? What’s with this crap that you can’t sing?” Nick exclaimed. “Did you hear that?”
“I sucked!” Ally shouted back.
An hour later, the cast began to slowly drift back to the cabin until only Nick and Ally were left sitting at the table.
“I’m gonna get something to drink,” Ally said. “Would you like anything?”
“I’m fine,” Nick said, motioning to his glass of water. Almost on cue, the second Ally left, her cell phone began to ring. Nick debated with himself on whether or not to answer it. On the third ring, Nick finally picked it up and pushed the TALK button. “Hello?”
“Where’s Ally,” came a stern voice on the other line.
“She’s not here at the moment.” Nick rolled his eyes. “Can I take a message?”
“No. Where’s Ally?” The voice became rudely persistent.
“I already said. She’s not here. Can I take a message”
“The hell she’s not there, where the fuck is she? Who is this?”
“My name is Jason,” Nick lied. “Who is this?”
“This is Ryan. Where is Ally?”
Nick felt a surge of anger through his body. The tips of his ears turned red and his mouth became contorted with rage. “She’s not fucking here,” Nick yelled into the phone, causing the two tables next to him to look over.
“Well, when she gets her ass back there, tell her to call me back about trial. There’s no way in hell I am gonna end up like her fucking father rioting to hell in jail…” Nick quickly pushed the OFF button disconnecting the call. He sat for a few seconds in shocked silence. Through the haze of reality, clarity was beginning to show through. Ally’s father wasn’t dead…he was in jail. That’s why she didn’t want to say anything about him before.
Moments later, the phone rang again. “Look, she’s not here…leave her alone!”
“What?” asked a different voice. “I’m looking for Ally Parker. Is she there? I’m her mother.”
Nick felt incredibly stupid. “I’m sorry Mrs. Parker. Your daughter just went to grab some water, she’ll be back in a second.”
“Okay, who is this?” Ally’s mom said a little worried. “And who were you expecting to call you when you answered the phone?”
“My name is Nick,” he said sheepishly. “I’m very sorry for answering the phone like that. It’s just that…” Nick paused wondering if he should tell Ally’s mom about Ryan because it was obvious that Mrs. Parker had no idea.
“It’s really okay,” Mrs. Parker laughed. “But really. Who were you expecting to call?”
Nick was becoming increasingly nervous as he saw Ally walking towards the table. He took a sip of his water. “I was expecting Ryan to call,” he said shortly.
“Really?” Ally’s mom’s voice began to rise into dislike. “What does he want now.”
“Actually, you would be very proud of your daughter. She broke it off with him about a month ago…”
“Hey Nick. Who’s on the phone?” Ally said.
“Anyway, Mrs. Parker…” Nick continued, speaking into the mouthpiece and teasing Ally trying to act as though he knew nothing about her father.
“No Nick…give me the phone!” Ally tried unsuccessfully to get the phone away from Nick.
“I take it that my daughter is back,” Mrs. Parker laughed again.
“She sure is…” Nick grinned. Suddenly Ally jumped on a chair and grabbed the phone.
“Hi Mom…I’m sorry about that.” Ally said giving Nick a playful “evil eye” and sticking her tongue out.
Nick put on a fake “hurt face,” sat back down in his seat and listened to the one-way conversation between Ally and her mom. His mind was racing.
“Okay mom, hold on a sec.” Ally grabbed a cocktail napkin and searched her purse for a pen. After a few moments, she finally found one and begin to jot down a few phone numbers and what appeared to be an address. “Okay, I got it.”
Nick continued to listen.
“How are Tom and Lisa?” Ally asked followed by silence. “And Cody?” There was more silence. “Tell them I said hi and I love you guys.” Ally said. “Bye Mom.” She pressed the OFF button on her phone. “Thanks for grabbing that one Nick.”
Nick forced a smile. “You ready to leave?” he asked anxiously. He knew that he needed time to think to decide if he should approach the subject.
“I think so,” Ally said as she grabbed her jacket, which was draped across the back of her chair, and stood up. Nick followed and together they walked out of the door in silence.
“Everything okay?” Ally asked as she unbuckled her seat belt and opened her door. "“You’re pretty quiet…”
“I’m just tired,” Nick said with a fake yawn. He wasn’t sure what he should be feeling.
After a brief hug, Ally dropped Nick off at his room and continued on towards hers’ knowing that something was extremely wrong.
Chapter Fifteen
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