“Just back off,” Nick said with a laugh as he turned on to yet another road. “I swear to God that it’s around here somewhere.”
“I would tell you to stop somewhere and ask for directions, but I really don’t think that I want to get beaten down today.”
“Funny funny Ally,” Nick said sarcastically. “You know what’s even funnier than that?”
“Not a clue.” Ally said. “What is even funnier than that?”
“You walking on the highway.”
“Oh,” Ally said, pretending to be offended. “Well then.”
After a short pause, Nick said, “Screw this, what about just picking something up at Diary Queen and driving up to Oceanside Park.”
“Sounds good to me,” Matt said.
“Before I say yes, you do know where Oceanside Park is, right? Or is it just ten minutes from the hotel also?” Ally said laughing.
“Oh that’s it.” Nick said with a smirk on his face. “When we get out of this car, it’s all over.”
The sun was dipping behind the ocean as Nick, Matt, and Ally sat around a picnic table in Oceanside Park deep in discussion about each other’s lives. The conversation was moving so smoothly that it became more and more surprising that these three people had just met that day.
“Have you two seen that girl, I think her name is Rachel Bernile? She’s in the movie?”
Nick and Ally looked at each other and rolled their eyes. “Yeah, we’ve seen her,” Nick said.
“That girl is so fine.” Matt obsessed.
“Yeah, and with a wonderful personality too.” Nick said sarcastically.
“Be kind Carter.” Ally warned with a smile. “Second chances aren’t just for super stars like you.” Ally tapped her finger against Nick’s nose. “She’s just a huge fan who couldn’t believe that I was asking for your name.”
“Wait,” Matt looked confused. “You’re a girl and you didn’t know who Nick Carter is. I thought that all you girls liked boy bands.”
Ally laughed. “I knew who he was…”
“Sure, you did.” Nick said.
“And…”continued Ally, ignoring Nick’s comment. “Not all girls love boy bands. I respect them but…”
“She just has crappy taste in music.” Nick finished jokingly.
“You are so funny,” Ally said as she elbowed Nick lightly.
“Oh, don’t worry, I know I am.” Nick said as he reached out in attempt to tickle Ally.
Ally caught his hands in defense. “Nice try. I have two older brothers. They have figured out that tickling me is like the ultimate torture, but hey, fast reflexes.”
“You aren’t gonna be on your guard 24-7. Watch your back.”
“Ooohh, scary…” Ally said mockingly. Ally's thoughts momentarily drift to her boyfriend Ryan. He use to play this type of thing with Ally, before things had changed.
Nick looked over at Ally with his eyes locked on hers. “Okay, that’s it.” Nick challenged playfully.
Knowing that she was in trouble, Ally stood up and freed herself from the picnic table before she took off running. Seeing this, Nick immediately took off after her. It took him only seconds to catch up with her. With one graceful swoop, Nick had picked up Ally and had her over his shoulder.
“Okay, okay, I give up.” Ally surrendered. “Put me down.”
Nick walked over to the picnic table and kneeled down allowing Ally to set her feet on the ground. “Thanks for the lift.” Ally said sarcastically.
“You looked like you needed a pick-me-up.” Nick said lamely, smiling as both he and Ally took their seats.
Meanwhile, Matt was becoming jealous as he watched Nick and Ally obviously flirt with each other. “Two older brothers.” He began. “A curse or a blessing?”
“It depends.” Ally explained. “Tom and Cody are completely cool but they’re twins so they can be a total curse when they want to gang up on you, but Cody hasn’t really been around much since my dad died,” Ally immediately regretted saying anything about her father. This was a topic that she didn't really feel ready to discuss with Nick and Matt.
“Twins…I know that feeling.” Nick commented.
“Any other siblings,” Matt said reverting the conversation back to Ally.
“A younger sister named Lisa.” Ally said. “That’s the Parker’s. What about you Matt?”
“Only child.”
“Lucky,” Nick said. “You haven’t experienced the full out thrill of rivalry and name calling about 365 days a year. It’s great.”
“No kidding.” Ally commented knowingly. “Sometimes you just want to…”
“What’s this about your dad?” Matt interrupted, again jealously trying to stop conversation between Ally and Nick.
“Oh, um…he died about three years ago.” Nick noticed that Ally became more interested in her Blizzard than in continuing her statement.
“Are you okay Ally?” Nick asked.
“Huh, oh yeah, fine. It’s kinda hard to talk about.” After a short pause, Ally continued. “Anyway, you guys want to head back, it’s 10:00.”
“You’re kidding me.” Nick said finally realizing that the streetlights were on and that it was completely dark around them. “We’d better get back then.” Ally got up a little faster than Nick and Matt and began walking towards Nick’s Durango. “Don’t bring up Ally’s dad again.” Nick warned Matt quietly. “It’s obviously a touchy subject, she’ll tell us if she wants to.” Matt just glared blankly at Nick as he quickened his pace to catch up to Ally. After a day of getting to know each other, the group of three piled into Nick’s Durango and headed back to the Hyatt.
Chapter Five
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