Redefining Dallas - Part 10 (Finale)

Everyone in this story is 18+

Ashlee flipped the mirror down and pouted at her reflection.

“You really need a cuter car,” she said. “Like an Audi. Or a Bmvee.”

“It’s BMW,” I muttered. “And I can’t afford a new car right now, babe.”

She waved a hand. “Whatever.”

The AC blasted at full, but I was still sweating. My thighs stuck to the seat. I shifted again and adjusted the air vents like that was going to fix anything.

“You seem twitchy,” Ashlee said, side-eying me over her sunglasses.

“I’m fine. It’s just hot.”

“So, this Troy,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road. “Who is he?”

“Ayden’s straight friend,” she said casually. “The only straight friend he never turned, according to himself. But I have my doubts. They’ve had a lot of sleepovers. And Ayden’s basically gay catnip for confused boys.”

I coughed and stared harder at the road.

Ashlee wrinkled her nose. “God, you’re weird. Get some allergy meds or something.”

I didn’t answer.

“There it is,” she said, pointing. “That’s Ayden’s place. Pull over.”

I did, rolling to the curb, trying to suppress the clenching in my stomach.

A moment later, Ayden came out in an aggressively cropped mesh tank top, lace shorts, and sunglasses he absolutely didn’t need. Troy followed behind him, tall, broad, loose-limbed. Shirtless. Of course.

Ayden slid into the backseat with a lazy smirk.

“Hey, boys,” he said, voice light, grin sharp. “Thanks for the ride again, straight boy. And Ashlee, sis—looking whorish as always.”

Ashlee scoffed, full drama. “Little brother, if anyone’s the whore here, it’s you. This dress is adorable. Dallas bought it. Or, like, I ordered it on his credit card.”

Ayden just smiled like it was the highest compliment.

Troy climbed in beside him, shirtless and grinning, and reached up to fist bump me over the seat.

“Sup, man. I’m Troy.”

“Dallas,” I said, gripping the wheel a little harder. “Nice to meet you.”

Ashlee turned, eyeing Troy up and down, her whole face lighting up.

“Hey, Troy! Long time, no see. Nice abs. So cute. I like the whole hobo-chic shirtless surfer look.”

“Oh, hey, Ash! Thanks. I just hate shirts,” Troy said. “Like, in general.”

Of course he did.

Ayden stretched out like he owned the entire backseat, resting his chin on his hand, smug as hell.

Ashlee started fiddling with the playlist. “Ugh, who picked this song?”

“You did. You always do.”

She ignored me. “Next time we’re getting a car with Apple CarPlay.”

Ten long minutes later, we pulled into the lot of Texas’s apartment. And I was already a mess.

◆◆◆

Texas opened the door with a beer in one hand and a spatula in the other.

He grinned. “Y’all made it.”

Ashlee stepped past me first and gave him a quick hug. “Hey, Tex. Smells good in here.”

“Barbecue chicken,” he said. “Don’t worry, there’s a salad too. Kinda.”

Ayden wandered in behind her like he owned the place. “We brought booze,” he said, holding up a bottle of tequila like it was a trophy.

Texas raised an eyebrow. “Figures.”

“This is my little brother Ayden,” Ashlee said. “And that’s his friend Troy.”

“Sup,” Troy said, offering Texas a lazy bro-nod from behind his sunglasses.

Texas stared for half a second. “Cool. I’m Tex.”

“I figured,” Troy said, nodding again.

Ayden dropped onto the arm of the nearest chair like it was a throne. Troy followed and immediately found something to snack on.

I lingered near the door, adjusting my shirt even though it wasn’t twisted. The AC was fine, but I was sweating anyway.

Texas glanced at me. “You good?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “Just hot.”

Texas didn’t push. He turned back toward the kitchen, flipping something in the pan.

“So,” he said, wiping his hands on a towel. “I want you all to meet someone very special to me.”

He turned toward the hallway. “Hayes, come out here, babe!”

Ashlee lit up. “Hayes is such a cute name. I love unisex names. I’m sure she’s adorable. You always have the prettiest girlfriends, Tex.”

That was when Hayes stepped into view.

Not a girl.

Shaggy brown curls, lean build, long legs in tight jeans, a worn-out band tee that hung just right. Cute smile, but sharp eyes.

Ashlee’s expression faltered for half a second before she caught it.

“Oh,” she said. “That’s… not a she.”

“Nope,” Texas said, grinning wider. “Everyone, this is Hayes. My boyfriend.”

Texas put an arm around Hayes, grinning like he just came out and won a trophy.

I cleared my throat. “I knew all those times you watched wrestling weren’t just research,” I said. “Especially since you never actually wrestled.”

Texas chuckled. “Gotta appreciate the technique.”

“But seriously,” I added. “I’m happy for you, brother.”

I stepped forward and gave Hayes a handshake that turned into a half-hug. He felt warm, calm, unbothered. I hated how together he looked.

“Nice to meet you, man,” I said.

“Same,” Hayes said. “Texas told me a lot.”

Ashlee stepped in next, giving Hayes a once-over and a polite smile.

“Well,” she said, “I thought my brother would be the one sashaying down a pride parade, but looks like he’s got competition.”

Ayden didn’t miss a beat. “Doesn’t matter to me. If there aren’t enough gays around,” he said, eyes locking on me, “I just flip ’em.”

My stomach twisted.

Troy, totally unfazed, stepped in and clapped Hayes on the shoulder.

“I love gays!” he said cheerfully. “My best friend here is gay—he gives fashion advice and knows tons of slutty girls. It’s great! I even wore mascara at Pride to support him, ’cause I’m confident in my sexuality.”

There was a beat.

“And I’m hungry too. Any food soon?”

Hayes laughed. “Yeah… thanks, I guess? I set the table outside. Figured we could eat on the patio.”

◆◆◆

The patio was lit with string lights and the smell of grilled chicken hung in the air. Plates passed around. Troy was already two servings deep. Hayes poured drinks with practiced ease. And Ayden looked like he belonged on the cover of Queer Home Invasion Weekly.

Ashlee twirled her fork and eyed Texas.

“So, Tex. You just woke up one day and figured out you were gay?”

Texas shrugged, passing the salad bowl. “I’ve never really cared much about labels. But yeah, I guess I did put on a pretty straight act for a while.”

I rubbed my palms on my jeans under the table.

Texas continued. “Hayes and I went to the same high school. But we never really ran in the same circles. Then one day I got curious and hit up Grindr, and boom—recognized him.”

Ashlee raised her eyebrows.

“It was around Christmas,” Texas said. “I’ll skip the unnecessary details, but... we hooked up. Then again. Then we started hanging out more. Now he’s my boyfriend. We’re even transferring to the same uni and getting a place together off-campus.”

Hayes grinned, brushing a hand through his curls. “Yeah, I never thought I’d end up with the golden boy, quarterback Texas-fucking-Eden.”

Texas laughed. “You gotta stop calling me that. Or Santa’s gonna put you on the naughty list.”

“Huh?” Ashlee said, blinking.

Ayden smirked into his drink. “Gotta love some Santa cosplay.”

Texas and Hayes both blushed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen Texas’s ears turn red like that.

Troy wiped his mouth with his forearm. “I love Christmas. And this food is the bomb. Kinda sad it’s summer now, really.”

◆◆◆

After dinner, the tequila made its rounds. Ayden poured heavy. Ashlee poured heavier.

Ashlee took a sip and leaned back in her chair. “Dallas doesn’t really work enough.”

I blinked. “Babe, I have like ten days of vacation this year.”

“Yeah, but we ain’t got any plans this summer. I wanted to go to Aruba or something. Somewhere we could swim. I want to show off my new cute pink bikini.”

Ayden tilted his head. “Let me guess. Dallas bought it?”

I just nodded, rolling my eyes.

Texas cleared his throat. “So, bro. What about Mom and Dad? How do you think they’ll take it?”

He didn’t even blink. “Yeah, I know that’s a tough one. I’m actually taking Hayes to the family ranch this summer. Figured I have to tell them in person. And if I bring him along, I figure Mom’s too much of a hospitality nut to kick him out.”

Hayes raised his glass with a half-smile. “Yeah. I’m not stressed at all about that…”

Ayden snorted. “You’re taking your first gay boyfriend to a Texas ranch? That’s bold. Keep an eye out for pitchforks.”

Troy nodded solemnly. “I think gays should be allowed to live in peace everywhere. They don’t hurt anyone.”

Ashlee took another drink. “I don’t know about that. Ayden’s a menace. Sure, I love him. But what a bitch.”

Ayden beamed. “Takes one to know one, sis.”

Troy looked confused, then brightened. “Ayden isn’t bitchy. He’s just sassy and glittery. He taught me that.”

Ayden pulled a cookie from somewhere — I didn’t ask — and handed it to Troy like he was a dog at obedience school.

“Good boy, Troy.”

Troy accepted it with both hands, smiling like he’d won a medal.

Then Texas’s phone buzzed.

Incoming FaceTime: Antonia

Texas swiped to accept.

Texas answered the FaceTime, smiling into the screen.

“Hi, sis. How’s Texas?”

Our sister Antonia’s face appeared, perfectly lit and unimpressed.

“Warm. But all the renovations are done and the new pool is lovely. Almost like a resort, so summer will be bearable. You busy?”

“Kinda. Got a little dinner thing. Dallas, Ashlee, her brother and his friend are here. They’re meeting Hayes.”

He turned the camera to the table. Everyone smiled, waved, or raised a drink.

Antonia squinted. “That’s great. I really like Hayes. Much better than the other bimbos you and Dallas usually pick.”

Ashlee froze mid-lipgloss reapplication.

I could help but smirk for a second.

Then Austin, our brother popped into view beside her, beaming. “Yeah! Can’t wait to see you guys this summer. Antonia’s already planning to argue with Mom about having ‘another one’ in the family.”

Antonia rolled her eyes in the background.

“Mom still hasn’t gotten over me being bi,” Austin continued, “and now Texas is all gay too? Antonia lives for this drama. But good thing Antonia and Dallas are still straight. Mom and Dad would freak.”

I almost choked on my tequila.

Austin kept going. “But seriously, Dallas, Ashlee—you two should join! Tex could use the backup.”

Texas nodded. “Yeah! Come on, it’d be fun.”

I cleared my throat. “I don’t know if I can handle Mom’s shenanigans right now. I’ve got a lot on my plate.”

Ashlee perked up. “That’s actually a great idea. Dallas is too poor to take me anywhere anyway. And the pool looks sick. I could totally wear my new bikini there.”

Austin grinned. “Yeah, the pool’s awesome, Ash. Bring my grumpy brother. Let’s make it a summer.”

Right then, Troy knocked over his tequila, spilling it across the table.

Texas tilted the phone toward the chaos.

Austin squinted. “Wait—who are they?”

Ashlee waved casually. “Just my brother and his friend.”

Austin smirked. “Nice. Cute guys! Heck—bring them too!”

My stomach dropped. “I don’t think they can make it...”

Ayden smirked. “Sorry, sweethearts. That would be lovely, but I don’t think Texas—the state—can handle me yet. Besides, I have plans.”

Antonia leaned into the camera. “Come on. It’ll be fun. Hayes’ll be there. And Austin already promised to cook one meal.”

Austin raised his hands. “Two, if tequila’s involved.”

Antonia looked straight into the camera. “Dallas. You in or not?”

Everyone stared at me.

I sighed. “Okay, okay. Me and Ash’ll go. Thinking at least Ayden wont be joining”

Ashlee clapped and squealed. “Yesss. Road trip.”

The call ended and everyone cheered. I just sat back, drained.

Fuck. Everything’s bigger in Texas. Especially the secrets.

--- --- ---

Hey everyone! That wraps up Redefining Dallas — thank you so much to all of you who followed along!

But don’t worry, the story isn’t over just yet. A spin-off is on the way, and trust me, you need to know what goes down in Texas this summer — it’s going to be wild And there will defo be more redefining going on!

The spin-off will be called The Size of Texas — big shoutout to Aaron C here on Patreon for the perfect name suggestion. I knew I had to use it somewhere, and this is it!

So stay tuned, everybody!