It has been several weeks since I started at the bar and met some fantastic people and made great friends. I had slowly gotten used to the guys coming over on Sunday nights and was beginning to enjoy having them around. Dustin and I have become great friends and I was starting to wonder if I would want anything more. We texted each other a lot and he always checked in to see how I was doing. It was Saturday night and the guys were playing again. The place was packed as usual. Jack had given me more of the floor during the week but had always wanted me to take vip on the night that they were playing. I always seemed to feel safer when Dustin was there. His presence always seemed to calm me. They had finished their first set and were headed up to their table. I had already had their drinks waiting for them.

"I always knew there was a good reason to keep you around, flower." Sam said as they sat down at their table.

"You are awesome!" Elijah praised.

"Thanks Daisy." Jack said.

"You're welcome, guys."

I turn to head back down the stairs and I see Dustin walk my way. I smile as he approaches me. I am lost in his eyes and stop as he gets close to me. He reaches up to cup my cheek and I instantly freeze, and my body tenses up. He realizes what he has done and quickly pulls his hand back.

"I am sorry doll, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay, Dustin. I just have to learn that not everyone wants to hurt me."

"You know that I would never do that."

"I do, and I am learning. Don't give up on me."

"I don't think I ever could."

I see a small smile cross his lips and I give him one back. Sam comes behind me giving me a big hug as he picks me up. I instantly freeze and my breaths come fast and shallow.

"Sam, put her down. You sent her into a panic attack."

"Oh god, I'm so sorry." He sets me down quickly as I try to catch my breath. Dustin quickly picks up my hand and has me look in his eyes. He is starting to learn how to comfort and bring me back. My breathing soon comes back to normal and I turn around to Sam.

"It's okay. You didn't know. It is something I am coming to terms with. You all are amazing and I don't want to scare you off."

Dustin takes my hand and starts to walk off.

"Hey guys, we'll be back in a minute. Doll, come with me."

I follow him as we walk through the crowd to the back office. As we walk in, he closes the door behind him and we sit on the sofa together.

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes, thanks to you."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"My ex abused me. Which is why I am jumpy. I can't go into detail right now. I ran from him and ended up here. I am scared he will come after me and find me."

"I will not let anything happen to you."

"How can you say that?"

"I really care about you, doll." He reaches up to brush my cheek and I flinch at first as he wipes a tear from my cheek with his thumb.

"I am so broken. Why would you care about me?"

"Something just draws me to you. I can't figure it out but I don't want to let you go."

I burst into tears and he opened his arms to me and waited for me to come to him. I hesitate for just a moment and crawl into his arms as he wraps them around me. I feel safe here. I don't ever want to leave. He softly places a kiss to the top of my head and for once I don't flinch at the sweet gesture.

"Are you ready to go back out there? I think it is about time for us to go back on stage."

"Yes, I think I am okay. I don't want to hold you up."

"However long it takes. They will just have to wait."

"No, it's fine. Let's go back."

We headed back out to the vip area as the guys were coming down to head to the stage.

"Everything okay?" Jack asks, concerned.

"Yes, all fine now."

"I'm sorry, flower. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay, Sam. No harm, just warn me next time."

"No problem."

They guys head to the stage to start their next set and I go check on my tables. I stop to watch him perform every so often. He looks so free up there, so at ease. This is his element and you can see that he loves it. He is living his dream, being in the public eye. Would he want me there with him? What am I thinking? He would never want someone broken like me. I'm not pretty. After about an hour they finished their set and I brought up drinks for them.

"Great job guys. That was awesome!"

"Thanks doll, the crowd is buzzing and it's like a high for me."

"Thanks Daisy, your right Dustin that crowd is crazy.!" Jack commented.

"Man, I haven't been pumped like this in a long time." Elijah laughed.

"It's crazy!" Sam said as he bounced into his seat.

The rest of the night flew by with no problems. We were cleaning up and getting ready to close up for the night.

"So Daisy, there is another after party at my house. Are you going to come this time? No pressure, but we all would like for you to be there." Jack asked.

"You know what? I think I will come this time."

"Awesome!" Sam says.

"So glad you will be there." Dustin smiles.

After we all had cleaned up, I was sitting at the bar counting my tips.

"You ready to head out, babes?"
"Sure am. It was an awesome night tonight. I am ready to head out if you are."

"Let's go. The guys are already over there. Hey Jim, we are headed out, are you ready?"

"Yep, let's get out of here."

We all headed out to our cars and headed over to Jack's. It actually wasn't too crazy when we got there. There were a lot of people but it wasn't crowded like I thought it would be. We walked in and the guys were playing cards as usual.

"Are you guys practicing for me to beat you later?"

"No, we are gonna beat you one of these days. You are such a cheater." Elijah says with a laugh.

"Hahaha, can't take losing to a girl?"

"Hey, Daisy! Come sit next to me. Be my good luck charm." Dustin beckons me over to him. I laugh as I pull up a chair next to him, with Sam sitting on my other side. I sit quietly and watch as everyone plays. Curious as to what's going on, I lean over to Dustin and ask. He quietly explains everything that is involved and how the game is played. It all sounds confusing to me but I sit and watch. It's fun to listen to the banter between everyone.

"I'm going to go get a drink. Do you want something?"

"Sure doll, grab me a beer?"

"Can you grab me one too?" Sam calls out as I head to the kitchen.

"Hey, she's not your waitress anymore, get your own."

"It's okay. I'll get you one too, Sam."

"Thanks flower."

I head into the kitchen and grab a couple beers and head back to the game. I walk in and there is a woman sitting in my spot with her hands on Dustin. I stop in my tracks. What is this feeling I have. He is not mine, but who is this person?

"Hey daddy, did you miss me?"
"Not really Tasha, and someone is already sitting there."

"Yeah, someone better than you." Sam says in disgust.

"Come on daddy, nobody is better than me." She says as she rubs her hands on his chest. I can feel anger boiling.

"I have told you a million times, don't call me daddy. I have a name. Just go away." I walk over to the table and set the beers down and look at her.

"Is this you you replaced me with. She's nothing compared to me. She is so plain and probably boring. You know I am the only one that can satisfy you."

I can feel the tears sting the back of my eyes and I quickly turn around and head out to the back porch and I hear her laughing behind me. I head outside and slam the door behind me. I stand outside alone as my chest heaves and I try to control my breathing. Scott would always tell me I was boring and not very pretty, that no one else would want me. He would constantly belittle me and everything I did. Why do I still let him overshadow my happiness. As I finally get my breathing under control and the tears slowly stop falling I sit down on the couch and look out to the stars. I hear the door slowly open and hear footsteps come my way.

"Mind if I sit down?" I hear Dustin quietly ask and I slide over giving him room. "I'm sorry about that."

"That's okay. She is right though, I am plain."

"No, she is not. You're an amazingly strong woman. I think you are beautiful. She is just desperate. I admit we had fun together, but that's not what I want anymore."

"Scott used to tell me awful things after we moved in together."
"Don't listen to her, and don't believe anything your ex told you."
"It's hard not to." We sit and talk for a while and he eases my distress. We finally got up to head back inside.

"May I take your hand?"

He holds his out to me and I place mine in his. I feel the sparks fly up my arm and it tingles. He looks back to me and smiles. I actually return it and I see his eyes light up. As we walk back inside we see that the game has ended and everyone is sitting around talking. I notice the clock on the wall and see it is early morning.

"Amber, I think we need to get home."

"Babes, it's fine you can crash here."

"I don't feel comfortable with that."
"I can take you home if you want." Dustin offers.

"Are you sure you can drive?"

"Yes, I haven't drank that much. I usually don't drink when I have to perform."

"Okay, I guess."

"Don't worry, I won't bite." He leads me out to his car and opens the passenger side for me. After I get in he closes the door and gets in on the other side. Starting the car we head back to my place. The ride over was a comfortable silence as I tried to keep my eyes open. We soon arrive and he walks me to the door.

"Thank you for bringing me home. I'm not quite ready to sleep around strangers."

"You're welcome. I could sense your uneasiness. You know you don't have to worry about the guys. They are good people."

"I'm just not ready yet. I do feel safe with you though." He smiled after I said that. It is true though. I don't know why but he does make me feel safe.

"Will you be okay by yourself?"
"Yes, I will be fine. You should get home and get some sleep."
"I will go, but I want to kiss you right now."
I point to my cheek and I feel his soft warm lips touch my cheek and leave too quickly.

"I will take what I can get for the moment. Go inside and lock the door behind you, then I will leave."

"Goodnight Dust, text me when you get back so I know you are safe."

"I will doll, sweet dreams." He stands and watches me go inside and I shut and lock the door behind me. I head into my bedroom and change into pjs and crawl into bed. I can still feel his lips on my cheek as I fall asleep.