D A L L A S

"...and in other news, we briefly spoke to the newest Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Drayton Lahey, who was drafted in April. He was attending the lakeside gala with former NFL Star and Father, Leroy Lahey. His fiancée Dallas Bryan wasn't in attendance, but Drayton had this to say..."

The screen changes to a scenic, lavish, outdoor looking event where Drayton had been two days ago. The background is prim green fields and a gorgeous flat lake. He looks so damn delectable in his suit and tie, standing beside the middle-aged interviewer who's clad with a microphone.

"Dallas is actually working on a music video at the moment. She's choreographing for a Rita Ora video. Which is like, a huge deal for her. She loves Rita Ora and she's super pumped for it."

"So do you think it'll be hard with the upcoming season now that you'll be living in Texas? Will your fiancée be going with you or. . . how will that work?"

The woman aims the microphone back in Drayton's direction and he looks thoughtful for a moment, focused on the ground beneath him while the interviewer waits for his response.

"Um no, Dallas is staying in California. Her work is here and it's only a few months out of the year. I'll come home as often as possible of course and the rest will work itself out."

"How about the wedding plans. Have you set a date yet? There's a lot of girls out there that are devastated to know that you're off the market."

Dray chuckles, rubbing his jaw with a distant gaze. I almost want to roll my eyes at his modesty. Girls have been obsessing over him since school.

"The date is a secret. I'm under strict instruction not to let that slip. But um yeah. As for the ladies. Keep being disappointed. I'll never be available again." He looks into the camera with a shrug and a smile that makes me weak. And no doubt every other female that's watching him.

It's sort of a surreal feeling to know that there are hundreds of random women out there who have fantasised about my man. It's natural to do when someone's in the spotlight, but it's still strange.

I lean back into the cream leather couch and grin at the television, taking a moment to feel grateful that such a stud is so in love with me and so open about it. He's done a few of these interviews since he was drafted a couple of months ago and every time, he makes an effort to brag about me in one way or another.

"Morning," Spencer's voice echoes from the staircase and when I glance over the back of the couch, I spot her strutting down the timber stairs in her shorts and tank top, pulling her long brown curls into a bun.

"Hey." I aim the remote at the television and switch it off, making space for her to sit down beside me. "How'd you sleep?"

"So good." She leans back against the couch and lets her head roll towards me with a blissful expression. "Two weeks in that bed and I'll feel like a new woman."

"Well I'd hope so." I laugh, pulling my feet under my bum. The morning sun streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows and I gaze past Spencer's shoulder at the waves that roll onto the shore. "The bed sure cost enough. I'd like to think that it came with healing powers."

"Well, you're like, famous now."

"I'm not famous." I roll my eyes at the statement that she's hit me with time and time again.

I am blessed though. A few months back I'd done some backup dancing for a performance in Hollywood. I'd spoken up a couple of times and suggested certain steps and moves that would better suit the dance. Little did I know, Rita Ora was collaborating with another performer and had been so impressed with the routine that she'd hired me to direct her latest video. She said she loved the dance style and while I'd never thought of choreography as a possible career path, so far, I'm loving it. We just finished yesterday in time for Spencer's arrival and I can't wait to see it air on television. I've already had a few more emails from people wanting to hire me. It's a bit surreal.

"Yeah yeah." Spencer chuckles, stretching her arms above her head as she glances around the room. "So was that Drayton I heard on the television before."

"It was." I grin, so proud.

"Is it weird, seeing your boyf— no fiancé," her eyes widen at the self-correction. "Is it weird seeing your fiancé on TV?"

"A little," I admit, standing up with a stretch and gesturing for Spencer to follow me to the kitchen. "But it's exciting at the same time."

"You've both come so damn far." She leans on the other side of the kitchen island while I push open the large windows above the sink to let some air in. "I'm so jealous."

"Don't be like that Spence." I give her a warning look while I start fiddling with espresso machine. It's so damn excessive and huge and has far too many functions but Drayton bought it for my birthday and so I use it as often as possible. "You're doing a great job of raising Lyds. You have to see that as a success babe. A lot of people screw that up."

"Yeah," she huffs and slides on to one of the bar stools. I'm certain she's about to mention her failed relationship or something along those lines as she often does. But she's quiet for a few moments while I get the mugs out and set them on the counter. "Anyway, have you set the date yet?"

"Twentieth of July. Next summer. Yeah it gives us just under twelve months to plan. I mean, when we first got engaged he wanted to do it fast but his mom convinced us both that we should do it right. Plan it all properly etc. So next summer it is. Well hopefully."

"Why hopefully?" Spencer questions while I start putting last night's dishes in the dishwasher.

"Well. . ." I give her a knowing smile and wipe my hands on a dishtowel, walking towards the island so that I can lean on the opposite side to her. "It depends when I get pregnant."

"What?!" She basically falls out of her seat, her hands slamming down on the marble surface to steady her. "Are you trying for a baby?!"

"We aren'tâ trying." I squint with a little hesitation on how to explain it. "We're just not preventing it. We both decided that if we wait for the right time to have a baby then we'll be waiting forever. So we're just sort of letting fate do its thing. Also, both of us want to have kids before we're oldish."

The espresso machine buzzes to let me know it's ready, so I shuffle back over to the fresh brew and begin pouring the steaming liquid into the mugs.

"Okay but what about your careers? They like, just started and Drayton will be living in Texas?"

Of course those are things I've already thought about. But I take a moment to appreciate Spencer's growth while I slowly slide her mug across the island. The younger Spencer wouldn't have asked those kinds of questions. She would have just told me to dive in head first and to hell with all else. I'm so proud of how she's matured.

"That's what I mean," I tell her, coming around to her side of the island so that I can sit down. "If we wait for the right time in our careers we might be in our thirties. And that's just not what we want. I can still dance after a baby. Especially choreography. And Drayton won't be gone all the time. It's just one of those things that we don't want to wait too long to start."

"That makes sense I suppose."

"Anyway, enough about me." I give her knee a playful tap. "What's going on with you? How's Lyds. Did you find a new place yet?"

"Lyds is good. I think she's slowly adjusting to the whole situation." Spencer sets her coffee down and twists her body to face me. "And I wanted to talk to you about the house thing."

"Okay. . ." I give her my undivided attention because for some reason, she looks a little nervous. Is she going to ask if she can move here?

I'd kind of love that.

"Um, well. I'm kinda moving in with Nathan."

"As in. . . my brother Nathan?"

"Yeah." She takes a deep breath. "Well he bumped into me while I was looking for a place and he offered me a room and said I wouldn't have to pay a lot which would be great because you know, I'm not working right now and heâ"

"Woah." I put my hand in her face to cut off her frantic blubbering. "Chill, it's fine. You didn't think I'd have a problem with it, did you?"

"I dunno." She gives me a sheepish look. "Maybe. I wasn't sure."

"No no. This is good," I assure her. "You know Nathan and he thinks Lydia is the cutest. It's perfect."

"Yeah. I thought so too."

Before I can ask how Grayson feels about it, the front door opens and shuts with a thud that resonates through the house and soon Drayton strolls into the kitchen with a few paper bags full of food. His signature black cap sits backwards and his grey T-shirt clings to his frame.

"Morning." He smiles at the both of us, setting the bags down on the island and pressing a firm kiss against my lips.

"What about me?" Spencer playfully pouts which earns her a ruffled head of hair from Drayton's large hand.

"Hungry?" he asks, circling the island and opening the bags while he eyes us both with raised brows.

"What'd ya get babe?"

"Breakfast muffins, waffles, châ"

"I'm in!" Spencer puts her hand in the air. I laugh and stand up, walking around to Drayton's side and wrapping an arm around his waist.

"How was training this morning?"

"It was training." He shrugs, sliding a bag across to Spencer so that she can dig in and find what she wants. "I saw Lennon at the gym. She wants you to call her for a catch-up."

Lennon is a friend that I'd made last year during a job that we'd both worked for a big live concert that takes place in Pasadena once a year. She's a spunky girl with mint green hair and a lean physique. I love her outlook on life. She's fun to be around.

Drayton wraps his arms around me and gives me another kiss. "You look beautiful this morning."

I arch backwards and glance down at the black cami that reveals my midriff and my white shorties that I wear most mornings. Of course, we often don't see each other in the morning because of our schedules.

"Thanks baby."

"Aww you guys are cute." We both glance at Spencer who's smiling but I swear her eyes are glistening. I feel a little guilty for flaunting our relationship in front of her. "When are you leaving for Texas, Drayton?"

"Uh, next week. Six days," he responds, keeping one arm on my hip while he digs into a bag and pulls out a savoury.

"Damn, that's soon." She looks apologetic while she drizzles a pouch of syrup over her waffles.

"I was actually lucky to have stayed this long," he mumbles through a mouthful of food. "They wanted me a few weeks ago but I convinced them that I could train at a decent level from here."

"Oh." Spencer nods with a distant gaze. She's hardly interested but I give her props for attempting to understand.

After breakfast, the three of us get into our swim gear and head out onto the beach. There is nothing that I love more than waking up in the morning and being able to step out onto the deck which then steps down into the soft sand. Being able to walk a mere forty feet before the water touches our toes is like a dream. There's so much peace and serenity about our home.

Spencer continuously gushes over the views and the water and the fact that we're living a dream. Sometimes it does feel that way. Like if someone were to pinch me, I'd wake up and be back in Archwood, working at the diner and living with Nathan.

But no. I'm here, laying on a beach chair beside my best friend and soon-to-be husband, outside of our lavish beach house while I take a small but needed break from my incredible job. I don't take it for granted. Not one bit of it. Every day I thank God for how far we've come.

After an extensive swim and suntan session, Spencer and I spend some girl time together on the boardwalk, taking in the sights and visiting the small stores. We have plans to explore more of LA, but we have two weeks together so it's no rush. Of course there's a lot to fit in but we enjoy the slow-paced day and finish it off at a beautiful restaurant for dinner. Drayton and I pay for Spencer's meal, despite her objection. We make decent money and it feels good to spoil my best friend. She's stuck by me since day one and I'd be lost without her.

"Hello big brother." I plop into bed at eleven that night and lean against the cushioned headboard with my cell pressed to my ear.

"Hey Dallas," he responds with a distracted tone. I can hear the sound of chattering and music in the background so it's safe to assume he's out and about.

"So I heard you asked my best friend to move in with you."

Silence follows my statement. The only noise that I get from the receiver is the sound of drunk slurring and terrible live house band music.

"And?" He finally drawls.

"And are we sure that's a good idea?"

Drayton comes out of the ensuite, freshly showered and in a pair of Calvin Klein's. His eyes wander the length of my body which is only dressed in a black lace slip and I hold a hand up, signalling for him to keep his hands to himself for a minute.

"Why wouldn't it be a good idea?"

"Well I seem to remember a certain drunk confession that you made to me three years ago." I promised I wouldn't bring it up again but Spencer moving in with him changes things. "When you told me you were in love with her."

"I was drunk," he quickly defends with hostility. "And it was three years ago."

"So you're over it? You're not hung up on her and this is your way of getting to her?"

"Correct. I'm just tryna help her out."

"I mean, if you did love her, it'd be okayâ I mean it'd be complicated but like, she's older now. And single andâ"

"Drop it Dallas. There's nothing going on."

"Alright," I sigh as Drayton rolls over beside me and throws an arm over my waist. "Well, if you're sureâ"

"I'm sure. Good chat. Night Dallas."

He hangs up before I can respond. I'm not sure that I believe a word he just said. But I'd also be surprised if he had held on to feelings for all these years. So I set my cellphone down on the side table and turn on to my side so that I'm facing Drayton.

"Everything okay?" he asks, his hand running up and down my back.

"Yeah. Just Nathan." I sigh and shimmy closer to my fiancé's bare chest, slinging an arm around his neck. "I don't know if I should worry about Spencer moving in with him. Considering how he used toâ or may still feel about her."

"I wouldn't worry. They're both adults." The tips of his fingers send a shiver up my spine when they graze against the skin on my outer thigh. "If they hook up, they hook up."

"Yeah but it's my best friend and my brother. That puts me in the middle of it if something goes wrong." I clap my hands together so that the lights go out and take a second to adjust to the now dark room. The waves outside can be heard and it's my absolute favourite sound to fall asleep to. "It sounds like the start of a dramatic teen novel."

"You're dramatic." Drayton quickly leans up on one arm and throws his leg across my body, encasing me beneath him and wasting no time in bringing his mouth down on my neck. "Now can we stop talking about other people's potential fucks so that we can do that ourselves. Right now."

"Spencer is down the hall." I half-heartedly give him a shove which amounts to nothing as he continues to lap at the skin on my throat. His hand slides under the bottom of my slip, his fingers dancing higher and higher and sending me to a place that I doubt I'll come back from.

"It's a good thing that when I saw her getting a water half an hour ago, she told me she'd be sleeping with her headphones in."

I let out a little laugh which is smothered by his mouth as his tongue pushes in and causes me to give up all impending arguments. My best friend knows us well.

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