Delirium

Chapter 4

Dallas heard his kitchen door opening.  All the guys were downstairs. He strolled into his kitchen, to see who was baby talking to his dog. There she was. Dallas shook his head and opened his eyes to see her still there. He approached her and she said, " I'm okay Griffin, just got a little lost."

Her blue eyes grew wide and her heart-shaped lips parted. " Ella?" Dallas asked.

She was so beautiful. Her little black dress hugged her curves. Her heels made her appear taller than she was. Ella's auburn waves fell over her slim shoulders framing her diamond-shaped face. Her defined neutral nose was scrunched up at the sight of him. She defensively crossed her arms. So she was the 'friend' that he brought on the date? "What are you doing here?"  he asked.

"Mikey invited us to come to the rehearsal."  She replied.

"Oh." Dallas scratched the back of his neck.

He could tell by Ella's posture that she was uncomfortable. He gestured to her toward the downstairs. Dallas followed her and caught a hint of her perfume. He did not expect to see the love of his in his kitchen. He chuckled at the thought. He could not help but stare at Ella. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, he watched as she took a seat beside his brother. Dallas grabbed his guitar. He placed the strap around his shoulder and over his back. He strummed the notes to warm up. He was going to take advantage of his time with her, "Okay, let's warm up with Mitchell Tenpenny's We Got History."

Dallas grinned as he caught Ella's expression. He knew she probably listened to it. He was glad that he decided to put a studio in his home so he did not have to travel to one.  He meets her light blue eyes and fights back a smile. He began to sing the words, "'We don't have each other's numbers anymore. We don't make any plans Friday night.'" Dallas sucked in his breath and lost himself in the moment, "'I won't know you when we turn 64. But no one knew you better at 25. Well I'd be lying if I said that you don't wind up in my head.'"

                    ***

Ella watched the flick of his wrist as he strummed the guitar.  His voice was full of melody. It was deep, rich, and captivating. He could draw anyone in with one word. She gazed over to Griffin as he recorded. Mikey seemed to be one with the beat as he played the drums. She scanned all the members. She had to hand it to Delirium. They were a great group. Dallas had a beautiful physique.  His biceps bulged with every move. She knew he'd sung that because of her. Ella could not help but smile. He was always good with instruments and singing. Dallas had great talent. It hurt to see that he had done so well without her. She should hate him for what he did yet she longed to know the reason.

After practice, Griffin approached her, "What did you think?"

Ella pushed her thoughts aside, " It was great, Griff."

Griffin crossed his arms looking at his brother, "This is one of the few times Dallas isn't hungover or drunk."

Ella felt her heart drop, "what?"

Griff  ignored the statement he made, "Forget I said anything, Ella."

His information swam in her head. Dallas was an alcoholic?  She remembered Dallas vowing never to become like his dad and stepdad.

                    ***

                    9 years ago

Dallas nervously rubbed the back of his head. His green eyes darted between Ella and the lockers, "So umm Elle, before you come over tonight I must warn you. My stepdad is pretty protective of my siblings and me. And he is a bit of an alcoholic."

That night Ella bid her sister and her parents goodbye as she sauntered down the pavement to Dallas'. She was glad that he lived on the same street as her. Ella adjusted her skinny jeans higher on her waist. " These are getting too big," she grumbled.