Chapter 5

Zane, Cole, and Peyton all sat on the front porch drinking beer as they waited for Dallas to make her appearance.

“Where’s the General?” Zane asked.

Peyton shrugged and peeled the label off his beer.

“What? What’s going on?”

Peyton took a long pull on his beer. “He’s just being a dick, as always.”

Zane studied Peyton. “He stirring shit about Dally being home?”

Peyton grunted his response. “He was a dick. He shouldn’t have treated her like that. It’s a wonder she came back at all.”

“Maybe he had reason,” Zane said thoughtfully.

“Dude, what the hell?” Cole spoke up as they all turned shocked eyes to Zane. “You’re being a real dick right now.” Cole’s voice was tight with anger.

“I think we all need to just calm down. Dally is finally home. Where. She. Belongs,” Peyton said looking at each one as he spoke. “She’s always belonged here, no matter what the General says or feels.”

It was the creaking sound of the screen door that b