Fresh Start, New Beginnings

Chapter 6

Ryan and Abigail had managed to find a quiet corner in the bar, it was a very relaxed kind of place "What can I get you?" A young girl came bounding over to them as they were sitting down on a leather couch "Oh my god" she gasped as she got closer "Abigail Jenson-Car...sorry it's just Jenson right?" She corrected herself instantly. Abigail nodded sweetly "And Ryan Tedder, oh gosh so much talent at one table"

Abigail and Ryan shared a knowing glance and turned back to face the waitress "I am a huge fan of you both" the waitress beamed "What can I get for you?" She looked at Ryan first.

"A beer please" Ryan asked in a polite tone, the waitress turned to Abigail.

"Make that two, please" She smiled as she slipped her jacket off, she placed it on the side of the couch before turning to face Ryan. The waitress had now gone, as Abigail looked at Ryan she notice him glance at her arms. She quickly folded them loosely in front of her stomach, covering the scars on her inner left elbow with her hand.

"You don't need to do that" Ryan smiled when he saw what she was doing.

"It's just habit, I am ashamed of them" Abigail explained weakly "They aren't exactly nice to look at"

"Don't worry about it" Ryan tried again "You wanna know what I see when I look at them?"

"What?" Abigail wasn't sure if she wanted to hear it.

"I see an incredible person who has obviously been through a lot of shit, but has made it out the other side, and is a much better person for it" Ryan was happy when Abigail relaxed her arms.

"You really see that?" Abigail couldn't believe how nice Ryan was being about her scars.

"Yeah I do" he replied honestly "Listen I watch the news and read newspapers, I know how much of your life has been published. It can't be easy having no secrets from anyone, no privacy"

"No it's not always, but it is what it is" Abigail smiled as she played with the beer mat in front of her "Who am I to complain about it though, if it wasn't for the fans I wouldn't be as successful as I am today" Ryan couldn't help but stare at Abigail as she spoke, she was so enticing "You have to take the rough with the smooth, that's how it works. Admittedly though it would be great to have some kind of private life"

Ryan picked up instantly how dark the mood around them had become "Ok let's have some fun" Ryan sat up and changed the subject "Tell me one thing about yourself no-one knows, it can be anything at all"

"Erm" Abigail tried to think of something, she blushes a little when something comes into her head "I have a tattoo in a very naughty place" she smirked.

"Now that's what I am talking about" Ryan laughed "How naughty is this place?"

"Let's just say it's not the kind of place you can show your Mom" Abigail couldn't help but smile at the cheeky look that was now on Ryan's face.

Oh man, I really need to see this tattoo. Ryan thought to himself quietly as he continued to watch Abigail "So do you have anymore tattoos?" He asked trying to cleanse his mind and take his thoughts away from Abigail's naughty place.

"Yeah I have four more, I have three butterflies on my back, a small rose on my ankle" she bends down and lifts her leggings up a little exposing the dainty little black rose she has.

"Awesome" Ryan looks at the tattoo, before looking back at her "And the third one?"

"Oh here" Abigail shows Ryan her right wrist, They are the initials FNC in some sort of old English script "Freya Nicole Carter, my daughter"

"Right" Ryan nodded "So Freya's 9 right?"

"Yeah she was 9 last month" Abigail was hoping talking about Freya wouldn't change the mood, but to her surprise Ryan seemed interested to know everything about Abigail.

"So where is she now?" Ryan asked "Tell me to mind my own if you want, it's just I would really like to get to know everything about the real you...not the advertised version"

"It's fine" Abigail said a she took a drink of beer from the bottle, neither her or Ryan had noticed the waitress come back with them "Nick has her for a few weeks, he is going on tour at the end of this month and won't see her for a few months"

"Damn that must be tough" Ryan replied, both Ryan and Abigail seemed incredibly comfortable in each other's company. Abigail was completely at ease.

"No not really, Freya is used to Nick being away and when I'm working my parents take care of her" Abigail explained.

"Same again?" The waitress came back and took their empty bottles of beer. Ryan and Abigail nodded.

"Please" Abigail smiled, before returning her attention to Ryan 'God he's so hot' she thought to herself 'And such and genuinely nice guy'

Abigail and Ryan had worked their way through 3 bottles of beer each. Abigail realised they had spent the last few hours talking about her "So we have spent all night talking about me, when are you going to start telling my about yourself?" She teased, Ryan just smirked cheekily.

"I thought we could save that for our second date" He grinned suggestively.

"A second date aye" Abigail has a flirtatious look on her face "Very smooth"

"Yeah well what can I say, have to guarantee another date somehow" Ryan drank some more of his beer, but hadn't taken his eyes away from Abigail's.

"Is that right?" Abigail laughed gently "Well just for the record, I am quite open to the idea of a second date"

"That's good are you free tomorrow?" Ryan asked, causing Abigail to almost choke on her beer.

"Tomorrow, wow" She didn't want Ryan to think he had done something wrong so she answered quickly "Yeah sure"

"Brilliant" Ryan seemed happy that Abigail was available "I'll pick you up for lunch"

"Ok, is 1.30 ok?" Abigail glanced asked her watch, it was 3.45am "Oh shit" she exclaimed "I need to get back, Tony will be going crazy"

"I'll drive you" Ryan stood up and walked over to the bar, he took out a credit card and paid the bill.

Abigail slipped on her jacket and walked outside with Ryan close behind her, as they headed towards the multi storey car park Abigail spotted a small group had gathered near the entrance, Ryan saw her body tense up as she neared them "Hey, it's ok I got you" Ryan gently took hold of her hand and led her closer to the crowd.

"Ryan, Abigail can I get a picture" a young girl asked. Abigail didn't speak she just posed for a photo with Ryan and the young girl. They both signed some autographs, before Abigail was grabbed from behind by a guys hand "Abigail over here" Abigail jumped away quickly causing Ryan to step in, he moved in front of Abigail so she was protected and signed a few more autographs.

"Right that's it I'm afraid" Ryan said politely before turning to Abigail, he gently placed his hand in the small of her back and led her into the car park. The car wasn't too for away, Ryan opened the car door for Abigail and walked around to the drivers side and got in "You ok" He asked when they had both closed the doors and fastened their seat belts.

"Yeah" Abigail nodded "Sorry I freaked out a little back there" she apologised.

"It's ok, like I said before I know what happened to you" Ryan didn't start the engine straight away "You don't need to explain anything to me"

"Thanks, and thank you for stepping in" Abigail felt abit silly for her previous reaction.

"Don't mention it" Ryan had started to leave the car park now "You never have to feel uncomfortable when you're around me, I wouldn't let anything happen to you"

Abigail smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear "I know, I get that" she whispered as she turned to look out of the window 'How could any of this be real, this guy is amazing, gorgeous and absolutely perfect. Surely there has to be a flaw somewhere...doesn't there?' Abigail thought as she continued to watch Ryan, he was concentrating so hard on the road.