The next day I woke up alone. That's usual for me but my surroundings were unfamiliar. I remembered I fell asleep in Phil's room last night. 'God my back is so sore..' I stretched, slowly getting up and my whole body ached something fierce. Must have been some night! I wonder where Phil went...

I put on my pajamas and acted natural as I opened the door into the rest of the studio. I expected to see nobody out there. But when I opened the door, there was Dimebag. "Uh hey. Good morning..." I said, confused as to why he had been standing in the hallway like this. "Morning." He replied, looking at me and then at the open door behind me. "How long have you been standing there? And uh who's watching the front?" He raised an eyebrow at me. "Long enough. Rex is watching the front." I nodded "So where's Phil?" Dimebag gestured towards the porch. "He's been up since 4. You got anything to do with that?" He seemed to know something was up between us. I wasn't going to admit to it. "No, Dime. I don't." I gave a simple answer, hoping he wouldn't question it. It was really nice of him to let me stay here and I get good vibes, I really do. But I don't know him at all. What would happen if he found out what Phil and I did last night? "If you say so Emily." Dimebag now stepped aside and allowed me to go through the narrow hallway. 'That was really strange...' I walked outside to the porch to find Phil sitting down on a worn-down, rustic bench with a table to match. He had a cigarette between his lips and seemed to be thinking really hard about something. "Hey Phil." I sat beside him. He put out his cigarette into the ashtray on the table "Mornin'." I looked behind me to see Dime standing by the window. Holy shit. "Phil?" He turned his attention to me. I tried to keep my voice down. "I think Dimebag knows what we did last night. He stood in the hallway this morning and is watching us from the window." Phil looked almost baffled. He shook his head in disbelief. "No, no I doubt that." "Why's he acting weird then?" I asked. Phil turned to look behind us as Dimebag turned around walking away from the window. "I don't know. Maybe he's jealous?" Phil smirked. I laughed. "You've gotta be kidding..." Phil shook his head. "I'm dead serious. He's been single for a while now and I think he's taken a liking to you, Em." For a minute, I freeze. I can't come up with a response to that without either making Phil jealous or annoyed. I almost agree with him but I don't want to believe it. Dime's a cool dude, don't get me wrong. But Phil would fucking kill me, or worse kill him. 'I suppose I'll just deal with this as it comes.' I nod my head and go back inside, where Rex is chilling on the couch having what I believe to be a cup of coffee. I raise an eyebrow at him. "What? I drink things other than alcohol." He tilts the cup, showing me the coffee. I laugh. "You sure there's so whiskey in there?" He rolls his eyes playfully. I grin and pass into the hallway. 'There really aren't many places to go here. And I shouldn't be hiding out in Phil's room. I don't think he'd dig that.'

Not but a few moments later, I ran into Dime. No, literally, I almost ran into him. "Oh shit, I'm so sorry..." I spit out, trying to collect myself. "It's all good." He pushes his hair back to the way it was and fixes his necklace. "Now that you're here though, can I ask you something?" Dimebag nodded. "Why were you standing outside Phil's room when I came out and standing at the window when we were chatting on the front porch?" Dimebag looked around for any other prying ears and stepped closer to me, leaning in. "I know what you and Phil did last night." Fucking hell. I took a step back but bumped into the wall. There's nowhere to go. "I am so sorry... he just.. we uhh.. I couldn't help it. Stuff just started happening and we couldn't stop..." I trailed off, trying to stop my voice from shaking. The stern look on his normally welcoming face makes me so anxious. Dimebag just nods. "I know how it is. But I need you to remember what I said. Be wary of Phil. He's my brother from another mother, but I don't want you hurt. Is that clear?" I gulp "Crystal..." He starts to back away from me but I have one last question. "But why do you care?" Dime looks back at me and there's a strange glint in his eyes. 'What the hell is that look? Jealousy? Desire?' "You'll know soon enough." With that he turns and walks into the living room to sit with Rex. I am left standing, back against the wall with my mouth agape 'What the fuck...'

"Em? Emily? Earth to Emily?" Phil snaps me out of my thoughts. I'm sitting there on the couch between Phil and Dime. Rex comes from the back with 4 beers. One for himself and three for us. "You okay Em?" "Yeah I am. I'm sorry. I was just thinking." Phil raises an eyebrow at me and Dime nudges me subtly. "It's nothing to worry about. Just haven't heard from my mom this week. I should call her." As if on cue, my phone rings and it's none other than my mother.

"Hi, Mom. Are you getting over your cold? Is everything okay?"

"Oh yes dear. I'm feeling much better!"

And she sounds it. The hoarseness is gone from her voice and she sounds more lively than before.

"That's great. I'm so glad. Have you spoken to... you know who...?"

I asked in reference to my father.

"Yes Emily. He says he called you saying he's in Dallas now. Has he payed you a visit yet?"

"What...? He said he called me...?"

I received no call from my father. He went behind our backs to call his no-good friend Richard. Richard led him here. And holy shit... he's already in town.

"Emily? Are you okay?"

"No, Mom. Dad never called me. I've gotta go. Love you."

I hung up the phone in a panic and the guys immediately noticed something was wrong. "You okay Em?" Phil asked as he reached out for me. "Is everything alright?" Vinnie walked into the room with a concerned look on his face. Rex looked over at me and tilted his head. Dimebag just immediately stood up and went to the window. "I've got to feed Cadillac and get ready to face my father." I said, anxiously looking around the room. "Is someone going to—" Rex tried to get a word out. "I'll take her," Dimebag interjected. He turned around and looked at Phil. Phil looked at me, signaling a "this okay with you?" and I nodded. "What about work Emily?" Vinnie asked and I shook my head. "Kiara closed the bar this weekend so she can see her in-laws." He nodded in understanding and Dimebag turned to me, "Ready to go?" I muttered an "As I'll ever be" and followed him outside to his car.

There was an acute silence when he first started driving. I had always been a little nervous alone with him but it was even more prominent because of what he said to me this morning. I want to ask him if what Phil said was true but I have a feeling I won't like the answer. Dime seems like a good guy and I'd be lying if I said he wasn't magnetically attractive. But the thought of he and Phil fighting over me makes my stomach sick. I don't need more stress right now. My father is coming for me with his scary friend and I can't cope with this alone. Maybe I should let myself lean on Dime. He knows more than Phil. Maybe his embrace would be comforting. "Hey Dime?" I asked, preparing my question. "Hm?" "Do you...like me?" My voice shook and the air grew still around us. Dimebag pulled over, got out of his car door, beckoning me to follow him out. He did not look happy, but I composed myself and got out of the car. Dimebag stepped in front of me, his body five inches away from mine. He lowered his head so his face would be right in front of mine. "What would you say if I did?" I was shocked to hear that. Is that a yes? His expression didn't seem angry anymore, it held an almost challenging look. Like he wanted me to do something in response. So I gave it to him. I reached out to touch him, running my fingers along his right shoulder blade. "I feel very conflicted. This feels right, but is it wrong? What's Phil going to say?" Dimebag gently pulls me closer to him. "What, are you his little girlfriend?" "No... but—" I was interrupted by his lips against mine. It was like fire and ice. An unusually electric sensation that ran my whole body into overdrive. We kissed until I was out of breath. "We...should..get going.."

We soon arrived at my apartment and Dimebag decided it was best he followed me in tonight. I was particularly shaken about the call from my mom earlier. I could hear Cadillac meowing rather loudly from the inside. "I've probably just left him alone too long. He must really miss me." I said as I grabbed my key from my pocket. A gust of wind rose up suddenly and I was horrified to find that the door cracked open. "Emily, get behind me.." Dime whispered as he pulled me back harshly and opened the door.

(Dimebag's POV)

The place looked like it had been the victim of a B&E, except oddly enough, nothing appeared to be missing. It was all there, just very disheveled. Emily's cat came towards me, meowing loudly as if he was yelling. Emily rushed inside after me, scooping her cat up. "Caddy, are you okay? I love you buddy. Let's get some food, yeah?" She whispered, putting him back down on the floor. I watched out for her, there could still be someone in here. Hopefully not but yeah. I followed her into the kitchen. Some of the drawers had been pulled out and forks mingled with spoons. The knives were taken out of the holder and put on the counter. Why the fuck would someone do this? What is the point of a break-in with no stealing or item damage? I watched her pour the cat food and simultaneously looked around for another person. "Seems like whoever broke in is gone now. Let's get out of here Emily." She said goodbye to Cadillac and I led the way out the door. Not but the second before I get in the car, my phone rings.

"Vinnie, my brother, what's going on?"

What I heard on the other line was troubling. But I kept my cool for Emily.

"Okay, we're leaving now. Listen, we'll be there soon. Hold him off. And don't let Phil get in trouble."

My brother hung up and I turned to Emily to check on her. She looked worried but I assured her it was going to be okay. I told her the truth, but told her we could face it. She didn't look so sure. I just wanted to kiss her again and hold her. Maybe that could convince her. But we had to get back.

(Emily's POV)

As Dimebag drove closer to the studio, I grew increasingly anxious. I haven't seen my father since he left my mom and I. And I know he brought his friend with him. I think that's who broke into my place. My father wouldn't have done it. He isn't the best person but he wouldn't break into my apartment... would he? Dimebag pulled up to the studio and I could hear Phil yelling from inside.

"She doesn't want to speak to you! You fucking bastard! You left her! You should be ashamed of yourself."

"And who the hell are you? Talking to me like that? Who do you think you are? You don't know anything about us."

As Dime and I reached the door, I prepared for the worst. The man yelling at Phil turned around to face me, my father. A silent, tall man, whom I recognize as Richard, stood next to him, a scary, unwavering presence around him.