Page 4 of Love Rewritten

I shrug, still grinning from ear to ear.

“So, spill,” she says, tapping her hands on the table like a drum.

All through a cheesy grin, I explain how Dallas and I met. There’s not much to tell, yet so much to tell at the same time. Even through my drunken state at the party that night, I still remember the whole spilled drink scene rather vividly. And the conversation in the bathroom after. Retelling the story makes me giggle, and even though I was terribly sad about Sam, it almost doesn’t matter anymore. Almost.

“You know what he told me that first night he brought you home?” She refills her water from the pitcher before taking a long sip.

“What?” This could either be really good, or absolutely terrifying.

“That you gave him butterflies for the first time in over a year. Like, proper butterflies.”

My brows rise instinctively. “Dallas said that?”

“Yep. Hard to believe he’d say something so sappy, right? And so soon after meeting you. He’s got a soft side. Believe it or not.”

I let out a quick breathy laugh, imagining him getting all mushy with his sister. “I’ve seen his soft side, but not quite that sappy.”

“He cares about you, you know? A lot.” Her tone has shifted into a seriousness that draws my attention back to her.

“I know.” It’s no secret that he cares about me. But like Dallas said a week ago, I don’t want to mess this up either. We’ve both got so much going on in life that I’m not sure starting a relationship is a good idea. But at the same time, it’s the only thing I want.

“What are we talking about?” Dallas asks, sliding in next to me. He eyes me carefully. I’m sure he sees the smile I’m having a hard time hiding.

“Nothing,” I lie. No way am I divulging this conversation to him.

Rose giggles knowingly, resting her chin on her fist. “Just things.”

He looks between us curiously. “Sounds ominous.”

We both shrug and smile at each other like two giddy schoolgirls. “How’s work been?”

“Nod bad. Pretty calm for Saturday. I don’t feel like I’m racing around the place. There’s a lull in the crowd, so I figured I’d get my girl time in.”

“Girl time?” Rose asks, stifling a laugh.

“I may not be able to hear you over there, but I can tell you’re gossiping. And likely about me by the way you oh-so-discreetly peek over at the bar.” Dallas narrows his eyes at me.

I narrow mine back at him, but I’m not sure what my goal is. I know he already knows the answer to his comment.

“Dallas! I need you back up here!” the bar manager, Aubrey, yells from the bar. I don’t miss the irritated scowl she shoots me, but I don’t give her the satisfaction of responding to it. I don’t know why she’s always had such a problem with me other than my being here might pull him away from the bar a few more times than usual.

“I can’t get two seconds of peace from her,” he mumbles. Dramatically planting both hands flat on the table, he stands. “I’m afraid I must take my leave.” He theatrically bows before leaving the booth.

Rose shakes her head as she watches him get behind the bar again. She turns her attention back to me with a smile and points toward Dallas with her thumb. “You are a force of nature with that one.”

Chapter 2

Dallas

Practicestartsearlythenext day. Despite not being a morning person, Abby insists on tagging along. As reluctant as I am for her to be out in public again, I know I can’t force her to stay home. Nor do I want to. “Are you ready to go?” I ask from the front door.

Abby peeks out from the bathroom, a makeup brush in hand. “Yeah, just about.” She emerges, looking down at her legs, brushing what I’m assuming is lint off her black jeans. “Sorry, my eyeliner wasn’t cooperating.” She finally looks up, adjusting two black braids over her shoulders before grabbing her helmet off the hook.

I pause at the front door with my helmet in hand. “Are you sure you want to take the bikes? Your ribs aren’t fully healed yet.”

“I need this. I need to feel like a whole human again.”

I’m in no position to debate this with her further, so I swallow the rest of my argument and head out the door. After getting out of the house yesterday, she was adamant about coming today. She hasn’t joined me at practice since before the hospital stay. The effort to get back to a “normal” life, as she’s been calling it, has been her sole priority over the last few days. I’m not sure going back is an option. But creating a new normal for her is my goal.

---