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
