LOVE, DALTON

CHAPTER ONE

Can't pick you up at the moment. Austin had an emergency. I just texted Alyssa to go pick you. Sorry.

I sighed in disappointment as I shoved my phone into the back pocket of my mum jean. The last thing I'd expected tonight after a hectic day at the diner was getting a rain check by my brother Travis. It was going to rain soon—a first in weeks at San Diego—and in as much that I loved that it was going to rain, I wasn't planning on getting showered with it or getting into Alyssa's car dripping wet.

I internally groaned at the thought. Alyssa was the last person I intended being around with on this hectic night and it was more frustrating that she didn't ever seem to take a hint that I just didn't like her nor did I consider her a friend. Or maybe she did and just loved getting a reaction out of me.

No matter how much I tried, there was no way I could really avoid her because it was already worse that she was dating my brother Travis for four years now and my mum seemed to adore her, so she was just everywhere. And so I just tried really hard to put up with her.

Tonight however, would not be that day. I prayed she at least would read my expression and not talk to me or piss me off because I was ready to knock her out if she did.

I heard cardi B's music Money bag booming from a distance before looking over to see Alyssa's Camry driving towards me. I rolled my eyes at the loud music and the speed with which she was driving. She was the loud, reckless type. She came to a stop right infront me and tuned down the volume of the stereo before rolling down the front passenger window with a grin.

"Hey, future sister—in—law. How are you doing?"

I rolled my eyes with a sigh and didn't bother answering. I opened the passenger seat door and got in, shutting the door. Her car smelled of lavender—exactly like her.

There were times when I found myself comparing Alyssa with me. Her height, slim built and her outgoing nature. I was the opposite of her. The quiet girl who loved her personal space. The average height, thick girl who found herself stating at the mirror for minutes and wishing she was less slimmer.

I caught her watching me from the corner of my eyes and I turned to her with a death glare. "What?"

She raised her hands in defeat. "Oops. Sorry. Someone's obviously not in a jolly, good mood."

"Yeah. I'm glad you figured that part out. Can we go now?"

"Sure, ma'am," she smiled. "Any specific destination?"

"Home." I answered, leaning back into my seat.

"Sure thing, ma'am."

Moments like this made it really hard to hate Alyssa. I would never admit it but she was the sweetest, kindest and thoughtful person I knew. And people seemed to know that because she attracted people easily and they always stayed. Honestly, I had no reason to hate her except that I still wasn't over the fact that my brother chose her instead of my best friend Starr. I had been rooting for them for years and just when everything was going great, Alyssa suddenly appeared and whisked him away just like she always did.

I didn't hate her. No. Hate was a strong word. I disliked her. I believed Travis deserved better though. He deserved Starr and I'd spent many years trying to show him that but it was like Alyssa was too perfect to be real. Or maybe she was faking it because how could someone be this perfect?

I looked over at her. With her wavy blonde hair, tanned skin, a height for super models and her perfectly sculpted face that had  freckles scattered around them, Alyssa was just a goddess.

There were times when I found myself comparing Alyssa with me. Her height, slim built and her outgoing nature. I was the opposite of her. The quiet girl who loved her personal space. The average height, thick girl who found herself staring at the mirror for minutes and wishing she was slimmer.