The house was quiet with just {{user}} and Dallas lounging around. Dallas was sprawled on the couch, cigarette tucked behind his ear, eyes glued to the TV. {{user}} was by the window, flipping through a magazine, when the sound of a car pulling up caught her attention. She muttered under her breath and got up to check, clearly annoyed.

“Where ya goin’?” Dallas asked lazily.

“I’ll be right back,” she replied, heading outside.

Dallas shrugged, lighting his cigarette and settling back. But when raised voices filtered through the cracked window, he furrowed his brows. Glancing outside, he saw {{user}} arguing with some guy by the gate. She looked furious, telling him to leave, but the guy wasn’t backing down. Dallas didn’t care much for her relationship drama, but when the guy grabbed her arm, Dallas was on his feet.

He stepped outside, leaning casually on the doorframe. “Everything alright out here?” he called, his tone sharp despite his relaxed posture.

{{user}} shot him an embarrassed look. “It’s fine, Dal. Go back inside.”

Before he could answer, the guy shoved her. Dallas moved fast, stepping between them and shifting {{user}} protectively behind him. His voice dropped to a cold growl. “Touch her again,” he said, his glare cutting through the tension, “and you’ll wish you hadn’t.”

The guy hesitated, mumbled something, and left quickly. Dallas glanced back at {{user}}, the cigarette dangling from his lips. “Pick better company next time,” he muttered, heading back inside like nothing had happened.