Temptation

Chapter 37

*Alice's POV*

"Yeah, it's me." He murmurs softly.

"Uh.. Hey." Is all I can manage. I'm in shock right now.

"Hey.. How are you?" He speaks softly.

"I-uh... I'm good-fine.. Umm.. How are you? How's tour?" I stutter. I don't know how I should speak to him, nor what to say.

"I'm good, and tour is amazing, it's exactly what I thought it would be, if not better." He laughs softly and a wave of relief washes over me.

"That's great.. I'm very happy for you." I choke. My throat is tied into a knot, and I can feel myself about to cry but I don't know why...

"Thank you... I-uh... I'm actually calling to wish you a Happy Birthday." I can't see him, but I'm almost positive he's smiling. That beautiful smile of his that can light up any room, that can make any girl feel special... I miss that beautiful smile more then anything. Gosh, It's been too long without hearing from him.

"Thank you.. Umm.. I didn't expect to hear from you today." I admit. I can feel the palms of my hand sweaty and my heart beating faster by the second. Why am I so nervous?

"You wouldn't think I would miss your birthday now would you?" He laughs softly, and I can't help but close my eyes taking in the beautiful sound of his voice.

Shawn never missed one of my birthdays, ever! He would always plan something special for me when we were little.

I remember one birthday specifically. He got me a toy I desperately wanted but my mother refused to buy for me. So Shawn saved up all of his money, and gave me that as my birthday present, just to cheer me up. It was around the time I faced my parents divorce. I was a very angry and upset child, and I know that if it weren't for Shawn, I would of never gotten out of that dark place.

"Hey, I-uh... I have something for you, listen to this, okay?" He asks and I nod, as if he could see me.

After a few seconds of silence I soon hear the sound of a strumming guitar begin to play, making my heart leap out of my chest.

"Ready?" He asks, clearing his throat.

"Yeah," I mumble softly.

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Alice, happy birthday to you..." His wonderful voice sings passionately on the other line, making me smile widely.

"I've missed the sound of your voice." I confess as soon as he stops singing. "I miss you Shawn." I whisper softly to the phone, and a tear escapes my eyes; but I bite my lip attempting to control it.

Don't cry, stop crying!

"I miss you more." He replies, making my heart swell. "You have no idea how hard it's been to stay away from you." He sighs sadly.

"Then why are you? Why didn't you return any of my calls? I tried contacting you in so many diffident ways, and you denied me all of this time." I say, my tone desperately seeking for answers.

"I know, and I'm sorry but we both knew that keeping my distance from you was the best thing for the both of us." He sighs deeply, and I can hear the hesitation behind his voice.

"Nothing about you keeping your distance from me sounds like the right thing to me." I assert.

"I'm sorry.. It was the best thing for me." He clarifies, sadness fills his voice making it crack softly.

"Y-yeah... I know." I sigh remembering how we left things last time we talked.

"Um.. So how are things with you and Cam?" He clears his throat, making my heart drop.