Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Dallas

TONIGHT IS MY weekly dinner with my dad. Every Friday we have dinner together no matter what's going on in our lives. It's something we started to do when I moved out and it's continued ever since. Neither one of us wants to admit that we get lonely in our homes all alone and it's the one chance we have to get together without a ton of other shit getting in the way. My dad makes sure everyone on his staff knows not to bother him Friday nights and the only one who would contact me is Emmie. She knows where I am and waits for me to let her know I'm on my way home. Another thing that happens every single Friday like clockwork. Emmie worries about me living alone and constantly being on my own. I don't. I enjoy my own company and I'm way too busy for it to bother me. Even if I'm just reading, I get lost in the words of whatever author I'm reading and don't think about my lack of a social or love life. I'm rather boring that way I guess you could say.

Pulling up to my dad's house because he refused to move into the manor the previous mayors of Clinton City have lived in while they were holding office, I shut the engine off and take a look around. Nothing has changed in my childhood home from the day my mom lost her battle with cancer. It was a short battle and one none of us were prepared for when she got the news that's what was going on with her. Her gardens outside still have the same flowers planted in them, the same furniture still sits on the porch where my dad still takes his morning coffee and has a drink a few nights a week before he goes to bed. Inside the house, not a single thing has changed. He's kept everything the same as when my mom was alive. Even has all of her clothes in the closet still.

Part of me hates coming here every week and seeing how much my dad hasn't moved on since we lost mom. I want him to be happy and not live the rest of his life mourning and missing the woman he spent most of his life with. Though, I know he won't ever find another woman because he feels as if he'd be replacing my mom and that's not something he'll ever do. The other part of me finds comfort in seeing pictures of her, seeing all of her knickknacks still on display, her sweater over the end of the couch where she always had it waiting for her, and feeling as if she's just run to the store or something and will return before too long. I know that's not the case, but some days it's what I need to think when I'm here and seeing my dad simply exist instead of truly living.

Getting out of my car, I make my way to the steps of the front porch and don't bother knocking or anything on the front door. The first time I did that after moving out, my dad went up one side of me and down the other because this will always be my home and there's no reason for me to knock. So, I haven't knocked on the door since that day and simply walk in to see what my dad is doing. Today, he's not in the living room waiting for me. Usually that's where he is. I walk through the house until I'm in the kitchen and he's not here either. Looking out of the open patio doors, I find him standing in front of the grill, about to pull off whatever meat he's chosen for dinner tonight. Looking in the refrigerator, I find a potato salad, pasta salad, and a cheesecake for dessert. I grab it all out and head for the table we've had on the patio for as long as I can remember.

"Hey, Dad. How was work today?" I greet him as I set everything down on the table where he's already got plates and everything else laid out for us.

"It was okay. Another day of pissing people off because I won't give in to their demands. How was your day? Are you ready to open the clinic?" he returns, accepting the hug I give him when he steps up to the table with me.

"We are. Charlotte just got into town. She sent me a message to let me know she's here and loves her apartment. We'll open the doors for business at nine Monday morning. I was going to do it tomorrow, but I want to make sure Charlotte has time to settle in and that can't happen if she's rushing around. Emmie liked the idea of having one last weekend free too," I tell him, both of us laughing because Emmie can be lazy and she loves sleeping in on the weekends after going out at night.

"How is Emmie doing? It's been a while since I've seen her," he asks about my best friend who's almost like another daughter to him.

"She's good. Managed to talk me into going out with her tonight. I think we're heading to Brothers. It's the only place she really likes going on a Friday night," I answer him as we both begin to fill our plates with food.

"It'll do you good to get out. Dallas, I have to ask you something and I need you to be completely honest with me," my dad says, picking up the pitcher of sweet tea and pouring us both a glass. "Have you noticed anyone following you or watching you when you're out running errands? Anything out of the ordinary that hasn't been happening until recently?"

I think about my dad's questions. There have been a few times that I've felt like I've been being watched over the last few weeks. Other than that, I don't really recall anything else happening.

"Um, there's a few times that I've felt as if someone was watching me. When I scanned the area, I didn't notice anyone standing around looking in my direction. I guess I just kind of figured I was being paranoid or something. Is there something in particular I should be watching out for?" I ask my dad, an uneasy feeling settling in my gut as I set my fork down and give him my complete attention.

"I'm not sure yet. For now, just keep an eye on your surroundings, your phone on you and not in that bottomless pit you call a purse, and try not to go anywhere alone. If you go out with Emmie, stay with her at all times. Make sure someone knows where you are too. If anything changes, let me know immediately, sweetheart. I've pissed someone off and I want to make sure nothing touches you," my dad informs me as a tremor runs through my body with this information.

"How did you piss them off?" I ask him, wondering if this is something he can tell me or if it's another one of those secrets he keeps from me.

"I can't tell you that, Dallas. Just know I'm not gonna let this shit touch you, but I still want you to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on things around you at all times. Don't ever leave yourself vulnerable," he answers, nodding at me to go back to eating.

The rest of dinner, we talk about the week we've had, our plans for the weekend, and make idle chit chat. I help my dad clean up what's left from dinner and allow him to put a decent portion of the salads into containers for me to take home with me. There isn't a single Friday night where I don't leave here without food. My dad is always going to take care of me and that's not anything I'll ever try to stop. It's the same way that I'll always take care of him. After making sure there's nothing else to do, I hug my dad once again, grab the containers of food, and head out. He watches me get in my car and leave his driveway before I watch through my mirror as he goes back inside and closes the door behind him. I call Emmie to let her know I'm heading home to get ready so she knows to pick me up there. Plus, I let her know we really need to talk about my conversation with my dad before we both get started drinking.

Emmie and I have just gotten to Brothers and are trying to find a table for the two of us to occupy while we're here. The place is packed and I'm not ready to face a crowd this large. Though, I'm not surprised and will deal with it because it's been a very long time since Emmie and I have been out on a weekend. She goes out all the time and I prefer to spend my time at home with my animals. Emmie finally rushes in front of me and tries to dodge everyone standing around as she weaves her way to a booth toward the back of the bar. I follow her, apologizing to anyone she might have hit or elbowed on her rush through the crowd. Most of them know her and don't hold it against her because that's just how Emmie is.

Once I'm finally sitting across from her, I look at Lyssa as she makes her way through the crowd and heads our way. Tonight we're both drinking and taking a car back home when we're done. I don't really plan on drinking though. Getting in a car with a stranger after what my dad just told me doesn't exactly sit right, but Emmie had the one that brought us here already on the way so I couldn't refuse. On the way home is a different story. If I have to, I'll call my dad and have him come pick me up. It won't be the first time I've woken him to come get me.

"So, what happened at dinner?" Emmie asks once Lyssa has left us alone.

"My dad apparently pissed someone off at work and wanted to know if I felt like I was being followed, watched, or anything else. I mean, I've told you for a few weeks now that every now and then I get that feeling as if someone's watching me. When I look there's no one there. Apparently I'm not just being paranoid and there might be a valid reason for me feeling that way. So, he doesn't want me going anywhere alone and all that shit. You know the drill," I tell her, keeping my voice almost a whisper as we both lean in close to one another.

"Shit! That's not good, Dallas. What are you gonna do?" she questions me as we look around to make sure no one's listening to us talk.

"Keep going how I have been. I mean, what else can I do?" I answer her honestly. "It's not like this kind of thing hasn't happened before. I've been put on alert by my dad pissing one person or another off for most of my life. Now I'm an adult and I can handle how I choose to deal with the situation. I'll take precautions and make sure no one gets close to me. There's not much else I can do."

"I don't know. Something about this situation feels different than it's been in the past, Dallas. Maybe we should call it a night now and go back to your house," Emmie says, looking around the crowded bar as Lyssa makes her way back over to us.

"No, we're not. You finally talk me into coming out with you to drink and dance so that's what we're gonna do. Besides, I would imagine I'm in the safest place in Clinton City right now with the group of bikers in that last booth," I tell her, looking at the small group of men to see if I can spot Adam. He doesn't seem to be among them though.

"Oh. Then yeah, I think we're good right where we are," she says, a giddy smile on her face as she accepts her drink from Lyssa and takes a deep sip.

Emmie and I remain in our booth while drinking our first drink of the night and relaxing. By the time we're done with our first drink, my best friend is ready to start dancing. Lyssa lets us know she'll put one of the signs up on the table so no one takes it from us as we get up and make our way to the middle of the floor so no one can see us. We always choose the middle of the floor because it means the perverts leaning against the wall can't get a good look at every single woman choosing to dance. Though, I can't help but notice that she's positioned herself to look at the bikers. And at least one of them is staring at her in return. I kind of feel as if I'm interrupting an intimate moment no one else should witness. So, I close my eyes and let the music flow through me.

As I'm lost in the song currently playing, dancing and swaying my body as I normally do, I suddenly feel a set of hands on my hips as someone tries to pull my body back against theirs. It's not gonna fucking happen. Turning quicker than the guy was expecting, I slam my arms out to get rid of his touch. My eyes take in the man as he goes to reach out for me again. He's about a foot taller than me with long, black hair that's a tangled mess. His eyes are almost black and lifeless as he stares down at me. An unkempt beard covers part of his face and his teeth are broken and nasty when he opens his mouth to talk shit to me. Even his clothes aren't in good shape. I honestly don't know how they're still clinging to his body with the numerous holes in them.

"Don't fucking touch me," I practically yell so he can hear me over the music. "If I wanted to dance with you, you'd know it. I don't owe you a damn thing, so move along before everyone in this bar watches me kick your ass."

"You aren't gonna do shit except take the offer I'm giving you," he returns, leering at me before slowly running his eyes down my body. "You're lucky a man as good as me is even willing to give you a chance, fucking fat ass."

"You're right, I do have a fat ass. One I'm proud as fuck to have. So, walk the fuck away because if I wanted your attention, you'd know it. Like I just fucking told you. And I am far better than letting a fucking pussy like you have a chance with me," I state as he growls and raises a fist in the air.

I don't hesitate to dodge his weak punch before landing a jab of my own in his ribs. He immediately groans out in pain and doesn't anticipate my next move. I use all the training I've had over the years and hand this fucker his ass. In a matter of seconds he's on the floor at my feet, curled up on himself. Emmie is at my back, looking down at the asshole as I lift my foot and stomp on his pathetic excuse of a dick. A high-pitched scream erupts from him as I lean down over him.

"The next time a woman tells you no, I suggest you listen to her. Because this fat ass just did what she said and let everyone here witness me putting you on your ass. Just because I'm fat doesn't mean I don't know my fucking worth," I spit out at the man before removing my foot from his body and walking away from him.

"Are you okay, Tiny Fighter?" one of the bikers asks, walking up to Emmie and me.

Turning to look at him, I notice it's the one she was staring at while dancing. He's looking at me, but I can tell it's her he wants to give his attention to.

"I'm good. You two can proceed to go fuck on the dance floor or whatever you're gonna do," I say, quickly covering my mouth with my hands as Emmie and the biker burst out laughing instead of making me feel dumb for saying something like that.

"Well, I don't think I'd fuck your friend on the dance floor here. I'm all about havin' sex in front of others when it's appropriate. Here isn't a place I'd do that though. Especially not in front of you. I'm kind of afraid you'd rip my nuts off or somethin'," he says, more laughter spilling from him as Emmie steps closer to his side. "Seriously, that was fuckin' badass. We were tryin' to get to you but everyone was in our way and we didn't want to hurt one of the women standin' in the crowd around you guys. I'm Tripp, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Tripp. I'm Dallas and this is Emmie. Emmie, I think I'm gonna call it a night. Have fun and let me know when you get home. Or if you're gonna stay somewhere else so I know where you are. Tripp, you hurt her and I will remove your balls," I state, not giving either one of them a chance to say anything in response as I feel Tripp's eyes on my back the entire time I'm leaving the bar.

The second I get outside, I slump back against the building and take in a few deep breaths. After my conversation with my dad, the incident I was just involved in rattled me more than I'll ever admit to anyone. Tears fill my eyes because that's honestly the first time I've ever had to use any of my training. My dad has always made sure I'm able to defend myself but no one's ever approached me like that before. I'm glad I didn't freeze when it really mattered though. Blinking my eyes rapidly in an attempt not to let the tears fall from my eyes, I look around the parking lot until my eyes land on a familiar car. My dad is here.

As soon as he spots me walking in his direction, my dad gets out of the driver's seat and rushes over to me. He pulls me into his arms and holds me close before stepping back and looking me over. I know Emmie called him and had him come here to get me.

"Are you okay, Dallas?" he asks me, making sure nothing is out of place and I'm not hurt.

"I'm okay, Dad. Those training sessions you had me take paid off. The guy was left on the floor because of me. I'm not sure what's gonna happen now though. I might get paid a visit by the cops. There are a ton of witnesses inside," I tell him honestly as he leads me to the passenger side of his car.

"That's okay, sweetheart. We'll deal with anything that might happen from tonight. For now, let's just focus on getting you home so you can relax and be surrounded by your babies," he says, closing the door on me and making his way around to the driver's door.

The ride to my house is made in silence as I lean my head against the window. I almost fall asleep when my dad lets me know we're there. Leaning over to give him one more hug, I make my way in the house with him watching me the entire time. I'm greeted at the door by all of my animals. Yes, I let my rabbit run around the house loose when I'm not home. Giving them all a minute of attention, I lock my door and set the alarm once again. We all head straight for the kitchen where I grab some of the salad my dad sent home with me earlier and then I head for my bedroom. Getting changed into a pair of short shorts and a tank top, I climb in bed and get comfortable before all my babies climb up and surround me. It's not long before I've finished my salad, opened up a book on my tablet to read, and gotten ready to fall asleep. I always fall asleep with my tablet still in my hands. I'm honestly surprised it hasn't hit me in the face more than what's already been done.