Page 29 of Surrender
Dallis nodded, knowing that he was right.The person and the situation determined the way the first move was made.
Looking down at his phone, he saw that it was after six. Standing to his feet, he told his friends he was heading out to get something to eat and asked them if they wanted to come. They decided they would and got on the elevator leading out of the building.
Once in his car, Dallis headed to a pizza place downtown that they liked. He was lucky enough to get a park only a few blocks away. They walked to the restaurant through the crowd of other people moving along the sidewalk.
Once inside and seated, they placed their drink orders and ordered two pizzas. While they waited, Arsyn told them about how he was revamping his approach to the hairdresser, Dailee. He had started several months ago but had come to a standstill when he found out that she was in a relationship with someone.
Dallis gave his input when Arsyn asked for it, but for the most part, they all liked to let the other person figure things out on their own. Their parents seldom ever got involved unless they explicitly asked them.
As they ate, they talked about when school was over. Dallis honestly couldn’t wait until he graduated. It meant he didn’t have to hide his relationship with Colbie anymore, and he could have her on his arm in public the way he wanted to. He hated treating her as if she was a secret.
After their food, Dallis paid, and they headed out of the restaurant. They were going to go to the Hookah bar a few blocks down. Even though Hayden wasn’t eighteen, Arsyn was still sure they could sneak him in.
Dallis followed them down the few blocks to the lounge. Just as he thought they wouldn’t let Hayden in. Well, the girl at the counter was all for it, but her manager happened to walk up, and he was not having it.
They left the lounge, returning to where he’d parked when Hayden stopped walking. He tapped Dallis on the shoulder, and Dallis turned his attention to his friend.
“Isn’t that Ms. Morris?” Hayden questioned, pointing.
Dallis turned his attention in the direction Hayden was pointing. Sure enough, he saw Colbie sitting inside the restaurant. Across the table from her was a man. He clenched his teeth, and his jaw began to tick.
“Dal, before you go in there and do something crazy. It may not be what it looks like,” Arsyn told him.
“Don’t care. She didn’t tell me she was going out with a man. Regardless of the situation.”
“Okay, I’m not saying that she shouldn’t have told you, but she’s still your teacher, so you can’t go in there and go all he-man boyfriend.”
Dallis knew Arsyn was right, but he was still going in there. He was going to make her aware that he had seen her.
Opening the door, he walked inside. He made his way over to her table. When he was close enough to speak to her without having to be too loud or alert the rest of the restaurant, he did.
“Hey, Ms. Morris,” he greeted, automatically falling into calling her that the way he did when they were around other people.
He didn’t miss her shoulders stiffening when she heard his voice. She turned to look at him, and Dallis could see in her eyes that she was shocked to see him.
“H-Hey, Dallis,” she stuttered out.
“Colbie, are these some of your students?” The man with her asked. Dallis only spared him a glance before his attention was exclusively on his woman again.
“Um-”
He cut her off. “We shouldn’t have interrupted your dinner,” Dallis stated, his green eyes solely on her. “Get home safe, Ms. Morris,” he then spoke. The tone of his voice barely changed, but he knew that she had caught it.
Turning, he headed out of the restaurant. He paused to look at her through the window before continuing down the sidewalk. He was pissed, and she had some explaining to do. Once they were back at his car, Dallis started it and pulled out onto the street. He returned toCyberto drop off Arsyn and Hayden so they could get their vehicles.
“I know you’re not going to, but try to listen to what she’s going to say before you act,” Arsyn told him.
“Sure,” Dallis stated, though he knew himself well enough to know that probably wouldn’t happen. He was his father’s son, and they both tended to act first and ask questions after the fact.
Pulling back onto the road, he headed towards Colbie’s house. When he pulled onto her street, he parked in front of her mailbox. Her car wasn’t in the driveway, but he didn’t mind waiting.
Going up to her door, he sat on her doorstep. After waiting for about ten minutes, he started to take out his phone and call her, but he saw headlights coming down the street. He recognized her car and put his phone away.
He watched her get out of her car but didn’t get up. She stalled for a moment when she saw him, and he was sure it was the look in his eyes. Dallis continued to look at her as he slowly stood. She made her way over to him. He knew she was nervous as she shifted.
“Dallis-”
He reached up and gripped her chin, halting her words. “Inside,” he stated, tilting his head towards the door.
