An Unlikely Allie

Chapter 35

Dally's POV

Shepard and I were at Buck's, shootin' some stick. We were havin' some drinks and shootin' the shit, when Douglas walks in with Wallace and Miller. I hit Shepard to get his attention and motioned to the 3 of them, "don't do anything stupid," Shepard warned.

"I'm just gonna say hi to my good buddy Wallace." I turned and smirk dangerously, "and kill him for hurting Phaedra."

I slauntered up to the bar, "Ryan Wallace, it's been along time." I crossed my arms over my chest.

He turned toward me, "Winston" he stood and mimicked my stance, "thought I heard your name around these parts."

"Still full a shit like always...you knew I've here this whole time." I cracked my knuckles, "but instead of finding me yourself, you tried to intimidate one of mine."

Wallace grinned his ugly grin, "if she had cooperated, I wouldn't have had to hurt her. Wanna know if she screamed?"

My fist connected to his face with satifying crack, "you better watch you fuckin' back, Wallace." Then I turned toward Miller. I knew Miller was in cahoots with Wallace, but Miller didn't know that I knew, "whatcha doin' with Wallace, Frankie?"

Douglas jumped to his feet, "just cause Frankie and Wallace were near to each other, don't mean they're hangin' out, Winston."

"Sure looked that way," Tim growled, stepping beside me, kicking Wallace as he did.

"You accusing the Tigers of something?" Douglas yelled in my face. He was playing his part well.

I shoved him away, "I'm fucking accusing you of something, you prick."

Bryon grabbed my collar and whispered, "we need to talk." I nodded and punched him in the nose. Tim took the opportunity to shove us outside, giving me and him a chance to talk. "Fuck Winston, why'd you punch me in the face!"

"You said we needed to talk, so I got us thrown out, Stupid." I lit a cigarette. "You got some balls comin' in here with them. Why the fuck ain't you at Charlie's?"

"Cause you wouldn't be at Charlie's. I need you to get a message to Darry as soon as you can!" He whispered harshly, "The twins need to be protected by your gang or Shepard's. I'll explain later tonight. Where are they?"

"What? You think I know where they'd be? Do I look like a nanny or whatever?" I retorted.

"You better fuckin find them before Wallace an' Frankie sober up a bit. Go!"

Without thinking, I jumped into Buck's car and sped toward the Curtis's, ok...let both if them be there...or at least let them be together thats ok too. I thought to myself as I pulled in, "Phaedra! Ponyboy!" I yanked the door open, "Anyone home?" I yelled. Nothing...I scanned the room, hoping something would give an idea. It's Phaedra and Ponyboy...where would they be. I looked for Phae's softball equipment. You're an idiot...softball field.

Sure enough, Phaedra had practice and Pony was sitting on the bleachers with Johnny. I sat down next to Pony, "ran into to Douglas. He said that you and Phae need be with someone at all times."

"Ha! Good luck tellin' that to Phaedra! You'll have a better chance if you don' say nothing at all," I heard the amusement in his voice.

"She'll listen or I'll beat the tar outta her," I barked at him. "How long is practice?"

"There about done...coach want her to rest her arm."

"How'd you know?" Did I mention the twins could be weird at times?

"Her pitch is slower than normal. She ain't consistant. Coach has been out to the mound twice and checked out her shoulder." He rattled off in an annoyed tone.

Sure as shit, Phaedra comes over to us, "No practice tomorrow. Coach said we need to rest up for State this weekend."

That's right, the Curtis's will be down in Oklahoma City...that could work, "Phae, I ran into to Douglas, he said you an' Pone need to be with either us or Shepard's outfit at all time."

She narrowed her eyes, "why?"

"Because," I got almost hear her eyes rolling, "Douglas said it ain't safe."

"So?" She went to put her gym bag over her shoulder, but Johnny took it from her, "shouldn't I get to decide if I feel safe or not...instead of you ordering me around?"

Her bitchiness was really starting to annoy me, "you should trust me when I tell ya something! You better start showing us a little respect, huh?" I snapped at her. "What the hell is her problem?" I mouthed to Ponyboy.

He shrugged and offered a sympathetic smile, "told ya," he mouthed.

It was my turn to roll my eyes. Douglas better have a damn good reason for this because no one is gonna deal with Phaedra. Then a thought came to me, that's why we keep Darry around...