Page 89 of Surrender
Dallis pulled his keys from his pocket and held them out to her. “Go get in the car.”
“Dallis.”
“It’s fine. Get in the car, please, beautiful. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Colbie took the keys from him and went to his car, unlocking the door and sliding into the passenger seat. She started the car, turned the radio off, and rolled down her window. She wanted to hear what was being said in case she needed to step in and de-escalate the situation.
«--------------»
Dallis stared at Max as Colbie went to the car. He hadn’t seen him since prom, and while he knew the population of Chandler was large, he hadn’t doubted that he’d run into him at some point. He’d actually been hoping to, especially after Max skipped the graduation ceremony.
To say he was still pissed that he’d had the audacity to put his hands on Colbie was an understatement. Dallis was enraged, had been the moment she’d told him, but hadn’t acted on it because she’d asked him not to, because she was still his teacher at the time. Now, he didn’t have to worry about that.
It sounded hypocritical because Dallis had come on to Colbie in much the same way. The difference was he’d read her first and hadn’t just assumed she’d like whatever he did. He was confident in his approach, yes, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t thought it all through.
Dallis had a choice to make in how he approached this situation with Max. He could tell him he knew about what happened in the classroom but then would have to come up with a lie as to why Colbie told him since they weren’t supposed to be dating at the time. He decided to bypass that option because it had to be something he remembered in the future if, for some reason, it was brought up again. He also preferred not to lie about their relationship when he could help it.
“Whatever offer you’re talking about, she won’t be taking it,” Dallis informed him.
“You sure about that?”
“Positive.”
“Let me ask you something, Banks. How do you think the school would feel knowing she’s dating one of her students?”
“I’m not her student.”
“But you were,” Max countered.
“And we weren’t dating then,” Dallis lied. “Besides, I went to Principal Coe after the graduation ceremony and told her I planned on asking Colbie out since she was no longer my teacher.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind me checking with Principal Coe to see if that’s true.”
Dallis shrugged as he tried to keep calm. “Knock yourself out.”
Max glared at Dallis as if he hadn’t expected him to say that. He’d expected a protest, maybe Dallis asking him not to, but that wasn’t what he would get—doing that gave merit, even if it was the smallest amount, to what Max was thinking.
Every part of him wanted to put his hands on Max. He’d made that promise to himself. However, he didn’t want him to ruin the ending of their first date in town, which had Dallis conflicted.
Deciding to be the bigger man, Dallis turned to walk away. He believed in karma and knew it would have Max in his path again.
“Well, when you get tired of her, you can send her my way. I don’t mind sloppy sec-”
Dallis’ fist collided with Max’s jaw, sending his head whipping to the side. It seemed karma wanted him to get his ass beat right then. He punched him again before Max swung back. As they traded blows, Dallis vaguely heard someone approaching them. He threw a left to Max’s jaw that had him stumbling before hitting the ground. Dallis looked in the direction of the footsteps to find Colbie looking between them as she stepped toward them.
“Don’t,” he told her because if Max decided to get up swinging, he didn’t want her in the middle. If Max hit her, he would have to kill him for it.
“Let’s just go,” she stated. “Please.”
Dallis stared at Colbie, feeling some of his anger dissipate before looking at Max, who was sitting up, arms over his bent knees, as he wiped at his bloodied lip.
“Watch your mouth because she may not be here to calm me down next time.” Dallis took her hand, and they walked the short distance to his car.
“I’ll drive,” she told him.
Dallis didn’t mind as he walked her around to the driver’s side and opened the door for her. Once she was in, he went to the passenger side, adjusting the seat when he got in as Colbie did the same.
“Are you okay?” she asked after pulling out of the parking lot.
