The only sound was of our forks tapping out plates as we ate, well as the others ate. I simply pushed the food around on my plate.

My fathers eyes stayed glued to Phoenix and would occasionally flicker to me and pretended I didn't see it.

"Sooooo" Ellie began breaking the silence "I decided to audition for the Victoria Secret Fashion show next year."

"Ellie oh my god that's great." I exclaimed and my mom gave her a warm smile.

"Ellie sweetie that's amazing! You were just gorgeous in the New York Show " My mom spoke up.

I was glad her career was hopefully taking another step up.

"Congrats." Phoenix also added making my dad stare into him even harder.

"So Phoenix, tell me what are your long term plans." My dad prompted.

I cursed myself and started to feel my ears heat up in pure anger. Why was he like this? Why couldn't my dad be the nice and funny type. Instead I have a hardass father that needs to learn to hold his tongue.

I caught Ellie's eyes and she gave me a small shake of the head telling me not to explode.

"Well, as you know I'm already an officer so one day I hope to be chief." He explained smoothly.

"You hope? That's it, no plan." My dad argued and I had enough.

"You know what we're done hear. Nix lets go." I said pushing myself away from the table inturpting him.

I stood up and slipped on the jacket that was hanging off of my chair.

I was way too old to let my father treat me and Phoenix like we were nothing. My mother and sister quietly prompted me to sit back down but I ignored them.

I grabbed Phoenix's hand and pulled him towards the front door. I couldn't bring myself to say bye to my mom, she should have stood up for us.

"Amelia come sit back down." My father said, his voice echoing through the house.

"Mia, really it's ok, we can go back." Phoenix said lowly catching my upper arm.

"No" I said firmly grabbing his arm and slamming the large door as hard as I could behind us.

I got myself back into the passenger while Nix got into the driver seat.

We both sat there for a little bit while I breathes heavily fighting back tears. We couldn't have one single family dinner without him ruining it.

I didn't even notice my car was moving until Phoenix hit the breaks to let some skateboarders go by.

"Where are we going?" I muttered to him rubbing my eyes , thankful for waterproof mascara.

"Back to your place?" He questioned getting into the freeway. I hummed in agreeance and say as far back as possible in my seat trying to will my oncoming head ache away.

The freeway was way less busy since it was wet and getting later, so we were able to fly traffic free.

Phoenix didn't say anything for a while until he turned up the radio. "Cheer up, shitty fathers shouldn't get you down." He said softly to me and it kind of surprised me.

I rubbed my eyes and sat up straighter. I needed to stop stupid things get me down.

We sat in content as Taylor Swift came through the speakers and my stomach growled a few times.

"I know there's a Denny's up ahead, we can stop there?" Nix offered and and I laughed.

"Phoenix, ever since I met you I've eaten as much Denny's as I would of in a whole year." I joked.

"Ok, cross that off our list." He laughed back and shook my head.

"That doesn't mean I still won't eat it." I said.

So far this trip will be our third to the diner and I found myself coming to the conclusion id eat there a million more times if Phoenix was with me.

I looked at him as he drove with one hand on the wheel , tapping along with the beat. He had some family issues ,that was for sure. But so did I and somehow I feel like tonight brought us to a whole new level of understanding.

Phoenix parked and was about to get out when I stopped him by placing my hand on his chest and bursting out laughing.

He looked at my confused, raising an eyebrow.

"Phoenix, were in the Pjs my sister loaned us." I said between breaths.

I was wearing some black thermal leggings that the insides lined with fur, and a pale pink sleep T that reached just above my knees. Phoenix had on blue flannels and a grey long sleeve that was a bit too short for him.

"We left our clothes at your house." He said in realization and then began laughing too.

"Well, we will at least be the cutest pj wearers they will ever see" I said once our laugher died down.

We both got out as quickly as possible and into the restaurant and thankfully there was only a few others in there.

The waitress gave us a small giggle when she saw our outfits but lead us to a booth.

We looked through the menus before deciding on what we wanted.

I , a chicken sandwich and him some type of burger.

Rain began to pour outside and I groaned.

"For someone that lives where it rains and it almost cold, you don't seem very fond of it." Phoenix pointed out.

"Ugh you right." I began. "I was born in California and I can't seem the get the sun out of my veins" I joked.

"Ooo a Cali girl, one day you'll have to take me there, maybe it will warm my cold heart." He said making me roll my eyes.

"Yeah yeah, well while we're on that trip , let's go to New York." I said fantasizing.

He nodded along. "Totally. The big apple." He said in an exaggerated New Yorker accent.

I giggled and played with nails in my lap.

"So,Mr Officer, tell me all the exciting things you do day to day." I promoted.

He thought for a second before answering. "It's not all flying bullets and army tactics, that's only part of the time." He said and i reached across the table to lightly smack his arm.

He raised his arms in surrender."OkOk, most of the time it's giving speeding college students tickets and taking underage drinkers off the streets." He smiled widely and it looked amazing on him.

Our food came shortly after and we both dug in.

Phoenix had a little bit of barbecue sauce on his face and I couldn't help but pull out my phone and snap a quick picture.

"Not even going to question it." Was his only reply.

Unguarded Phoenix was the best Phoenix.

We ate with our little conversation and it was perfectly content.

"How about I treat for ice cream after this?" I asked once we were finishing up.

"Mia, I'm pretty sure Baskin Robins is closed by now." He chuckled throwing down his credit card on the check.

I rolled my eyes at him."Im pretty sure Target isn't and if you aren't busy your invited to eat this ice cream at my place." I told him.

He pretended to think about it dramatically making me laugh.

"So Amelia, you want me to go to Target with you and back to your apartment with you , all while in borrowed pajamas." He summarized.

"Exactly." I replied.

He shrugged. "I'm definitely in."

Phoenix got his card back and we jumped out our seats and dashed into the rain and into my car, all while I shielding my cast.

I felt like I was in high school again and having a date with my crush.

We pulled into a target and parked as close as possible to avoid the large puddles forming. We sped walk as fast as possible without slipping while Phoenix attempted to cover my head even though it was fail and he probably got me more wet.

We received looks from the few people in there and it was a little annoying, like have they never seen people in pajamas before.

Phoenix and I couldn't decide on chocolate brownie or chocolate cookie dough, so we decided on both.

I had to literally fight him at the register to let me pay for them, making the frazzled cashier lady even more nervous than she already was.

We walked out and all of the overhead lights were burned out, making it way darker than usual.

"Race you to the car!" Phoenix yelled at me and turned his back sprinting.

"No fair!" I yelled back trying to catch up.

The dark was kind of eerie, so I tried to catch up with Phoenix's long strides when someone grabbed my uncasted arm making me swirl around and nearly fall.

It was a man , way taller than me with a ski mask on and all black clothing.

I did what they taught us in elementary and screamed at the top of my lungs causing Phoenix who was ahead of my to swivel around.

"Shut up, and give me your wallet" he seethed at me gripping my arm tighter, definitely going to leave bruises.

The unfortunate thing was I didn't even have a wallet but all that came out were stutters.

I opened my mouth to tell him but Phoenix interrupted.

"Let her arm go. ." He commanded. Bad Luck Mia, Bad Luck Mia, was the only thing reaching through my mind. I swear it seemed as if trouble followed me along with his friends conflict and danger.

The mans grip softened but remained on me and I could see he was shaking softly.

Phoenix yanked my casted upper arm causing the man to get startled and let me go and me cry out a little bit in pain.

He flung me behind him and squared up with man, as I cradled my her arm to my chest tightly.

Once I was free I dug my feet into the ground and sprinted as quickly as I could and ran to my car to call 911 since I left my phone there.

I glanced back just in time to see Phoenix swing and knock the guy out cold.

I stiffened a scream and fumbled to unlock the door for what seemed like eternity since I was shaking, when I felt Phoenix's hands around mine grabbing the car keys. I couldn't help but notice his purple knuckles.

He unlocked the door and I hopped in, breathing heavily and shaking . He grabbed his phone and I seen him diall 911 and quickly tell the operated he witnessed a mugging and the guy was now unconscious.

Phoenix drove us out of the parking lot , holding my hand tightly all the while.

He said comforting words every few minutes , making my heart slow a little but my shaking wasn't calming down and I realized I was in shock.

"How about our ice cream huh? You're ok, nothing happened and nothing was going to happen." He muttered trying to make feel better.

The weird thing was that I wasn't scared for myself in the moment, I was scared for Nix. I didn't want to see him hurt in any way.

Phoenix kept only one hand on the steering wheel and me close with his other arm as my tears flowed freely.

As he held tightly onto my body, creating some warmth, I realized that I may have a little more than just a crush.

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