by Kaci Rose
Me: You could be here, but no, you’re too busy stuffing your face right now.
I send a winking emoji with it, and instantly, those three dots pop up, letting me know he's typing back.
Landon: Have fun, and it's not just any food.
A photo comes in of him at a table with coffee, a donut, French toast, and some egg dish.
Me: Minute in the lips a lifetime on the hips. Got to keep your figure, until you land a sugar mama and get a ring on it. Then, you can let yourself go.
I laugh out loud at my own joke. Dallas leans over my shoulder and reads the text and laughs, too.
All I get back from Landon is a middle finger emoji, so I put my phone away and turn back to Dallas.
"Let's do this."
We make it all the way into the house without being stopped once for Dallas being asked for an autograph. We walk the main floor, which is an indoor winter garden, the dining rooms, a sitting room, the back porch, and my favorite room, the library.
I stand in awe, looking at the huge two-story library with a massive fireplace.
"I love the look on your face," Dallas whispers next to my ear.
"What look?” I glance over at him.
"The look of pure wonder. I knew you'd love this room."
"Someday, I want a library like this. More shelves than I can fill with classics, rare books, and all the dirty romance novels I can get my hands on. Complete with a huge fireplace and the most comfortable couches."
"I'll make sure you get it." He whispers, almost like he doesn't want me to hear. I don't push it, because I want to hold on to the dream. Maybe someday.
Before we move on to the second floor, we head out to what used to be the stables, but they’re now shops and a few places to eat. We go sit down for lunch at the restaurant, which has all the family's recipes, so I'm really excited about trying some of them.
We get seated at a booth, and Dallas sits beside me, instead of across me.
"Oh, you’re Dallas McIntire!" The hostess squeals.
Great.
"Yeah, listen, we want to have a low key lunch. I'm happy to sign something on our way out, if we can eat in without being bothered." Dallas flashes her his smile all the magazines have dubbed his 'pantie dropping smile,' and she melts.
"Oh, of course. I’ll keep the girls away. You got it."
She gives me a once over, and must decide I'm not a threat, and places her hand on his arm, before walking away.
"Well, she seems fun." I laugh, as I open the menu.
"Hey, we’ve been lucky all day. It was only a matter of time, before someone recognized us." He says.
"You. She has no clue who I am. You’re the one every woman in here is drooling over." I nod towards the dining room, where more than a few heads are turned our way.
This used to bother me in the beginning, but over the years, I realized they truly are looking at Dallas and don't even see me. Fine by me, I just go about my business and let them deal with it.
When our food comes, I can’t take the first bite, before two guys stop at the table.
"No way! You really are Austin Anderson!" The first one says. "We saw you across the room and didn't think it could really be you. My sister is a huge fan of your brother's band, but I really enjoy the songs where you sing, too."
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. It's rare someone recognizes me, so I smile and whisper for only Dallas to hear.
"I'm sorry for this."
Then, I turn back to the guy who was just talking. "Thank you, hear that, Dallas? He likes my stuff better."
The guy's eyes shoot over to Dallas.
"Oh, no way! My sister is going to be so upset she ditched us today."
I pull a pen and a notebook out of my purse and hand them to Dallas and smile at the look he gives me. I learned a long time ago to carry some pens and paper, when I'm out with them. It just makes life easier.
"Dallas would be happy to sign an autograph for her. You can hold it over her head for a few weeks."
He laughs, “Only if I can get yours with it and a photo? I know you’re trying to eat. We’ll make it quick, and then leave you alone."
I know they will, but the problem is they have now drawn attention to us, and people will keep coming by the table.
We sign the paper, and a waiter takes a photo of the four of us.
"If you post it online, tag Dallas please," I ask them. Despite the interruption, I still want a copy of the photo.
"Oh, you bet. Thanks again!" They say and head out.
"I know you don't like the attention, and you don't have to apologize for shifting it like that." He says and nudges my shoulder with his. We eat fast and are only stopped two more times.
"Never fails. I need to start asking for male servers." Dallas says, when he opens the check to find his waitresses name and number scrawled across the receipt with a bunch of hearts.
"Let me," I say.
"No way am I letting you pay." He's always been like this. No matter if it's a day out like this, or something as simple as an ice cream cone. If I'm with him, he never lets me pay for anything.
"Fine, do you have cash?" I ask.
"Yeah." He hands me enough to cover the bill with a tip and puts it on top of the receipt. I hand it back to her with a smile on my face.
"Thanks, but I don't swing that way." Then, I take Dallas's hand, as we leave, only stopping, so he can sign an autograph for the hostess.
I go to let go of Dallas's hand once back outside, but he doesn’t let me, and I don't fight it.
We spend the rest of the day finishing the house tour and the gardens, before going down to the village green, where there are more shops, a winery, and a few restaurants, along with a small museum.
The whole day is perfect, and we are only stopped a few more times for autographs, so Dallas is really relaxed. He’s constantly touching me, holding my hand, or has his arm around my waist, pulling me close. I know he’s doing it to protect me, as we walk around, but it's so easy to let my heart hope it's more.
As we leave, he puts the top down and takes the long way back to the bus, and we crank up the radio, when one of the band's songs comes on. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard.
We stumble into the bus still laughing and find my brother, leaning against the kitchen counter, giving us a strange look.
I clear my throat.
"I'm going to take a shower, before you two hog all the hot water." I head in, grab my clothes, and take a fast shower, the smile never leaving my face. When I turn the water off, I can hear them talking, as the wall is so thin.
"You’ve changed, man." My brother says.
"I have, you didn't believe me, but I told you I'm tired of the playboy life. I haven't been with a girl in months. I want more. I want to be a better person, even if the media won't change their mind. It's hard when even you won't believe me." Dallas says.
I'm glad they’re talking about it. I slowly start getting dressed, making sure I'm quiet enough that I can still listen to them. If they didn't want me to hear, they could have stepped outside after all.
"I'm proud of you. I also knew you'd wake up one day and want more." Landon says. He pauses, and then continues, "Just no Austin. I see it in her eyes she likes you, she always has, and she doesn't need to be hurt like that."
What the actual fuck, Landon? I'm pissed. I finish getting dressed with the intention of going out there and giving him a piece of my mind, when Dallas snaps.
"So, you’re proud I'm doing good. Yet, I'm just not good enough for your sister, but I’m good enough to be your friend?" Whoa, Dallas is pissed. His heavy footsteps rock the bus followed by the slamming of the bus door.
Great.
I step out of the bathroom.
"You're an asshole, Landon. He's been trying to prove to you for weeks he's changed, and the only thing you can say is great, but you still aren't good enough for my sister? Since when do you get a say on who I do, or don't date, or even sleep wi
th?"
I turn and grab a pair of jeans and a shirt and slip back into the bathroom to change out of my PJs to go after Dallas.
"Austin, you know Dallas's past as well as I do."
"I also know some shitty things in your past that you’ve done. Do you want me to only judge you on those moments? Maybe I should, then moments like this wouldn't be a huge disappointment." I grab my phone and head out.
I know Dallas, and I know he won't go far. I pull up a map and see there’s a local dive bar about a block away. I’ll bet anything that's where he is.
I'm going to prove to him my brother is wrong, if it's the last thing I do.
Chapter 8
Dallas
What the hell was I thinking? That I could spend a day with Austin and let my guard down, and maybe, her brother would see I've finally changed? How can he be proud of me, but still think I'm such a bad person that I have to stay away from Austin?
I rub my hand over my chest. Fuck, it hurts more than I thought it would. Getting so close, and then losing it like that. Losing what, I'm not sure. This is all assuming Austin would even give me a chance, but it sucks to not even be able to find out.
I walk into this dive bar and not one person even turns my way. Perfect. I head straight to the bar and order a whiskey. There’s a hint of recognition in the bartender's eye, as he nods and pours my drink, but he doesn't say a word. I'm grateful for that.
I stare into my drink and replay the day in my head. It was perfect. I almost felt like she was staking her claim with the waitress, and after that, it was just fun. I couldn't keep my hands off her, and she couldn't keep her hands off me. I can't remember that last time I laughed so hard.
It was just easy. I wasn't Dallas McIntire, rock star. I was Dallas, the kid she grew up with. I didn't realize how much I missed that side of myself until today. But no matter what I do, and how much I make amends for my past, her brother will never see me as more than a playboy, when it comes to his sister. He’ll never approve, and if he won't approve, there’s no shot for Austin and me.
Either way, I lose someone, and there’s a chance Austin could lose Landon, if she did go out with me. Not that she would want, too. Why would she want to date me with my past?
Maybe, Tony was right. I was using my playboy lifestyle to push her away, so I didn't get hurt, because now, it's what will keep me from her, so I will never know.
I finish my drink and hold it up to the bartender, and without a word, he pours me another one and goes off to help another customer.
I don't think I will find another girl like Austin. I've met a lot of people and not one has compared to her. So, I guess that means I'm destined to be alone for the rest of my life, having to watch Austin fall in love, get married, and have babies. I will have to put on a happy face and be content with being Uncle Dallas.
It feels like a vice is tightening around my heart at just the thought of it. How will I handle it in real life?
I'm so deep in my own head I don't realize someone sat down next to me, until they place a hand on my arm. When I turn my head and find the pair of gray blue eyes, looking at me that I know so well, all the tension leaves my body.
"Landon is an asshole, and he doesn't get to dictate my life," Austin says.
"You heard all that?" I ask, a bit shocked. I thought she was in the shower. I know the bus walls are thin, but I guess, I assumed the water would drown out the sound of us talking.
"Yes, and he's wrong, you know."
"No, he isn't. He's right. My life's a mess." I say, looking back down into my drink. I don't think I can handle a look of pity on her face.
"Your life was a mess, Dallas. Even then, was it really? You were happy, you were dedicated to the people important in your life, and you have an amazing career. You weren't an asshole, you were honest and upfront. Yes, maybe a little reckless, but aren't we all? When it was no longer working, you realized it and did something about it."
I have no idea what to say to that, so I keep my eyes on my drink, until I feel her hand on my arm again. I slowly turn to meet her gaze.
"I told him he wouldn't want people to judge him for things he did in his past, so what gives him the right to do it to you? He isn’t a saint either, and that's just the stuff I know about." She gives me a small grin.
I shake my head, "Still you deserve better."
She laughs. Full on throws her head back and laughs.
"I don't see how that's funny," I say. Has she lost her mind?
"Dallas, you’re the reason all my relationships have failed."
"What?"
"You treat me so well that I compare every guy to you. Every date I'm on in my head, it's been, 'Oh, Dallas would have opened the door,' or 'Oh, Dallas never would have picked this restaurant.' And 'Dallas wouldn't have said that, or he would have said this.' Finally, I just gave up and went for casual, and then the freaking guy proposes after three months. I mean, come on. The dating pool isn't that great out there from this end either."
"I can't get between you and your brother." It's a simple statement, and one she really can't argue with.
"Dallas, my brother is a big boy. Regardless of how he's handling things right now, all he wants is for me to be happy, and a guy who treats me right. Now, if you plan to go run and cheat on me every chance you get, then yeah, it will cause problems."
"I may have been a playboy and didn't do relationships, but I don't cheat. I can commit and be a one-woman man." I interrupt her. Her thinking I'd cheat on her doesn't sit right with me.
"Can you be a one-woman man? From where I'm sitting, that’s the only thing holding me back. I haven't seen you do it, and I'm not sure my heart could take it, if you can't be." She whispers the last part, making my heart race.
I stand up and hold out my hand.
"Enough with the heavy, let's dance," I say, desperate to change the subject. All this has to be hypothetical, because there’s no way this perfect girl is thinking of giving me a chance. It's nice for her to stick up for me, but I can't give myself that kind of hope. So, I will take what I can get. Tonight, that’s holding her in my arms, while we dance.
She takes my hand, and I lead her on to the dance floor. I wrap one hand around her waist and hold her other hand in mine. Pulling her close, so I can feel her body next to mine, I rest my head next to hers.
"Remember the last time we danced together like this?" She asks me.
"Your prom," I tell her.
Like I could forget that night. She had been dating one of the guys from the football team, but she caught him cheating on her a week before prom. The guy lashed out and grabbed her arm, before she ran off. She had called Landon in tears. We were recording our first album, and he was about to drop everything and head home to kick the guy's ass and be there for her.
I stopped him, and said if I went, I could take her to prom. She deserved the experience, and she wouldn't go with him, and we both couldn't leave at the time. He agreed, and I was excited to go. I went all out and gave her the full prom experience. I rented a limo and spoiled her with a spa day before prom, the works.
She didn't even ask why Jimmy had a black eye at prom, though, I'm think she knew why. I made sure it was the best damn night of her life. Ignored everyone but her. We danced, until she couldn't dance anymore, and then ended the night out on our field. The one I have tattooed on my arm.
We lay on a blanket out there, and for hours, we talked and cuddled. I wish more than anything I could have completed her prom experience and taken her to a hotel room and spent the night making love to her, and in my fantasies, we did. But I had to leave the next day and get back to Nashville, and I couldn't do that to her. I had no idea where the future would take us then.
This is a huge part of why Landon is so protective of her. I know since then he’s had a hard time letting her go and do her own thing, and even had people check up on her, when she isn’t here.
"It was the best night of my high school life, anyway. It meant so m
uch to me you coming to my rescue like that." She says. "Even back then, you set the bar really high."
She sighs and rests her head on my shoulder. I pull her hand up to my chest and rest it right over my heart. Right where she has been all this time. Right where I will always keep her.
"This is my favorite side of you." She says and lifts her head to look up at me.
"Oh, yeah? What side is that?"
"This sweet, caring side. It seems I'm the only one who gets to see it. I want to keep it that way, but I know that's just me being selfish." She rests her head back on my shoulder, and this time, I rest my head on top of hers.
"You’re the only one who gets this side of me, and there’s a very good chance you will be the only one who sees this side of me. It's not being selfish, if it's the truth."
Thankfully, another slow song starts, and we just keep moving.
"How do you do it?" She asks.
"Do what?"
"Make me feel so safe and like the world can't touch me right now."
I smile, loving I can make her feel safe. If that's my only job in my life, I will make sure she always feels safe. I take a deep breath.
"I don't know. Maybe, it's because you know you’re always safe with me. No matter what, I will always be here for you."
She lifts her head and looks into my eyes then. We don't say anything, but I can't help but look at her lips. The lips I want nothing more to kiss and taste. When her tongue darts out and wets them, I know in this moment she'd let me. She wants this as much as I do.
My heart races, and my head lowers closer to her without even realizing I’m moving. The need to kiss her is overwhelming. Our noses brush, and I’m so close I can feel her breath mix with mine, before the music changes, and everyone starts yelling and singing and moving around us. A couple bumps into us laughing and dancing, and just like that, the spell is broken, and we step apart.
Austin smiles and grabs my hand and pulls us into the dance, and the rest of the night is light and fun. We smile and laugh. Sitting down in a back booth, we have some cheese fries and a drink, before heading back to the bus.