Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters you see in this story other than obvious original characters such as Lyla Dixon and any other original characters you may meet, as well as any original plots and story arcs.
I've been working on this story on and off since 2011 and I'm finally, blessedly, ready to share it. This is sort of AU but only because I'm messing around with everybody's hometown. This is Pre-Apocalypse and this is going to be a short 5 chapter story, giving the new backstory to MY story, New World: The Walking Dead, that I will be uploading after this is complete.
This is obviously a Shane-centered story and no, Shane never goes crazy.
Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!
Chapter One
One year before outbreak
July 2009
2:30 AM, Friday
Kings County, Georgia
"You just moved back yesterday and I already have to come to bail your ass outta jail?" The young woman asked with a fiery, ice-colored gaze. "I mean, goddammit Merle, I was sleepin'."
The oldest Dixon merely grinned at her while the police officer led him out by his cuffs. "C'mon, Lyla Jane," Merle said teasingly. "I was just catchin' up with my boys. Not my fault things got too rambunctious for King County's PD."
"Ya'll were playing chicken in the street while chucking empty beer cans at cars and other pedestrians," Shane Walsh, the officer who called Lyla about her brother, responded curtly. "Merle, things were nice and quiet with ya gone."
"That's why I came back," Merle told him, holding up his cuffed wrists. "Gotta give ya somethin' to do. Now how about taking ole Merle's hand out these cuffs now that my bond is paid."
No, Merle came back because he got evicted from his apartment in Atlanta and Daryl was nice enough to let Merle crash with him at his place, so Merle wouldn't interrupt Lyla's day-to-day work activities. Not that Lyla was going to rat out her brother. Instead, she brushed some of her, no doubt wild, black hair out of her face and watched Shane shake his head before reaching into his back pocket, withdrawing the keys.
Shane said, "You're lucky Lyla Jane has a lot of patience." He unlocked one cuff and then the other. "I don't know how she puts up with you and your antics."
"Don't call her Lyla Jane," Merle said, ignoring everything else. "Only I get to call her that and Lyla Jane ain't got no patience."
"Got more than you," Lyla quipped, watching as Merle rubbed his now free wrists. "Now, come on. I gotta get you to Daryl's and I gotta go back to sleep. I have work in three hours."
Shane tilted his head at her, his brown eyes lighting up with curiosity. "Where ya workin' at?"
Merle grinned proudly and put an arm around Lyla's shoulders, his slightly sober gaze moved to Lyla. "Baby sister done finally got her nursing degree and she's a nurse over at the hospital now."
Lyla couldn't help but roll her eyes at Shane's surprised expression, pretty hard to miss that hard jaw drop. Nobody expected much from the Dixons but damn it, it hurt when people seemed to think she was going nowhere. As much as she tried to not let it bother her, it upset her when people thought so lowly of her.
Stripping didn't make her bad and it didn't mean she was going nowhere. It was a means to an end that got her to where she was now, in a nice house with a good job.
"Yeah, well, if I miss my alarm waking me up and I'm late, I won't be working anywhere," Lyla replied, anxious with the look Shane was giving her. "So, let's go. Gizmo is probably worried."
Shane's face scrunched up inquisitively and asked, "Gizmo?"
"Her pussy," Merle answered with an obnoxious laugh.
"Merle!" Lyla scolded, lightly hitting his stomach and frowning up at him. She'd long stopped being embarrassed by Merle's crude language, but for God's sake, Shane was a cop and he was cute. She knew she already looked like an asshole for bailing Merle out of jail, she didn't want to look any worse.
Like that's possible.
Shane chuckled lightly and nodded his head. He crossed his impressive arms over his large chest and said, "Classy Dixon."
Unwilling to show how mortified she was, Lyla took Merle's hand in hers and tugged. "Alright, lets go, Bubba."
Losing all interest in Shane, Merle allowed Lyla to lead him out of the station, telling her in a serious tone, "I told you not to call me that in public."
Walking into the cool night air, Lyla ignored Merle and fought the urge to look over her shoulder at Shane. She'd had the biggest crush on him since high school but since she was a freshman when he was a senior, nothing big ever happened. Since Merle had a reputation for being an unruly trouble-maker and Daryl was the silent kid with anger issues, nobody was really lining up to ask her out.
During his and Daryl's graduation, Lyla thought for sure that Shane might have asked her out. She'd been walking out of the bathroom while he seemed to be wandering the halls. They'd had a short conversation about him going to police academy with his best friend, Rick Grimes, and what she was going to do during the summer. Just when she thought he might suggest they stay in touch, Lori Bradshaw walked down the hall. Looking perfect in her blue graduation grown, Lori gave Lyla the fakest smile in existence before dragging Shane away.
"-but then Harry decided that beer cans weren't enough so he whipped out the firecrackers," Merle's obnoxious laugh brought Lyla back to the present, to her reality.
Getting Merle into her small Honda, she closed the passenger door and walked around to her side. Opening the door, Lyla sighed and looked up, eyes widening when she saw Shane staring back at her through the clear doors. A barely there smirk came onto his face before he nodded and turned away.
Rolling her eyes at herself, Lyla got into the car and angrily started the engine while listening to Merle ramble. Hearing her brother talk in his slightly drunken stupor, Lyla sighed and leaned her head back on her head rest as she drove through the silent town streets. This was why she would never be able to be to have a normal relationship with somebody like Shane.
/
Harrison Memorial Hospital
1:00 PM, Friday
"I hate doing twelve-hour shifts." Lyla complained, stretching her arms over her head. Her pale pink scrubs should have been as black as her mood.
Friend and co-worker, Jamie Wood, grinned sympathetically at her. "I had to do a thirteen-hour one last week," the blonde informed with a wince. "Not easy or fun."
Leaning onto the water cooler in the hallway, Lyla laid her head down, her dark ponytail cascading of the end of the large container of water. "I can't even go on lunch for another fifteen minutes and I've been here since six." She was starving.
Jamie dug into her bright green pockets and held out a peanut butter cup. "Here. I'm leaving in three hours. You need it more than I do." Her pocket vibrated, signaling a patient needed her, and Jamie dug out her room pager. "Duty calls," she joked. "I'll make sure to find you before I leave."
Standing up straight but leaning against the wall, Lyla nodded and waved good-bye to her friend and the blonde soon disappeared around the corner. Eagerly opening up the Reeses candy, Lyla closed her eyes as she bit into the entire chocolate and peanut butter treat, not aware of the coming footsteps.
"Enjoying your snack?"
Lyla's blue eyes immediately opened in shock, only to clash with Shane's familiar dark brown orbs.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." Shane told her, a friendly smile on his face.
Swallowing harshly, Lyla coughed. "Can I help you?" she asked, feeling her cheeks turn red and despising herself.
You used to take your clothes off and dance in front of men and Shane looking at you has you blushing?
Rubbing the stubble on his jaw, Shane told her, "I wanted to say sorry, about yesterday."
More than confused, Lyla frowned. "What? Why? If anything, Merle should be apologizing to me." She hated having her sleep interrupted.
Shane's brows rose, his forehead creasing. "He didn't?" he asked surprised. He ran a hand through his dark brown hair and scoffed. "Why am I not surprised."
"Alright, what did you want to apologize for?" she asked in a short tone. Sure, Merle was an asshole but he was her brother after all. The only people allowed to talk shit about Merle was herself or Daryl.
Shoving his hands in his denim-jeans pocket, Shane looked at her sincerely. "I know that I must have looked like an asshole yesterday. Looking all surprised when I found out you were working here."
Shocked that he seemed to be this self-aware, Lyla crossed her arms defensively. "Yeah, so?" she asked with narrowed eyes. "It's not the first time someone like you has underestimated me."
Releasing a breath, Shane rubbed a hand down his black t-shirt. "This isn't how I wanted this to go."
"Have what go?"
Bashfully smiling, Shane answered, "Asking you out."
Lyla's heart stopped. "Excuse me?"
"Man, I really thought I was better at this." Shane tilted his head at her. "I just wanted to know if I could take you out to dinner tonight."
Lyla's jaw dropped in shock, surely Shane was joking. She crashed her car on her way home and hit her head pretty fucking hard because that would make more sense than Shane asking her out right now.
"Um, I'm sorry, I can't." She replied after a minute. The last thing she needed to do was start dating the cop who was constantly arresting Merle. Talk about embarrassing. Her pride came before her desires.
"Do you work tonight too?" Shane asked with a small frown.
"I can't at all," Lyla told him slowly. "I'm working until six and I' m running on, like, four hours of sleep. I don't think I'd be the best company."
He leaned forward, resting his arm against her head and Lyla felt light-headed from him being so close. "This would be a perfect way for you to relax then. Good food, even better company."
Bringing her hand up to her forehead, she scratched it softly. "Um, yeah, no. I really can't. I'm sorry."
"Is this about Merle or Daryl finding out?"
Spell broken, Lyla pushed Shane away with a scowl. "My brothers don't own me," she responded in a hard voice. "I don't wanna go out with you because I don't want to." In truth, any guy she'd bring home she'd hear an earful from Merle and some smartass remark from Daryl.
It would be ten times worse if she went out with a cop, especially Shane. She didn't wanna lose her brothers to prison as cop-killers.
Lyla narrowed her eyes at Shane, looking at him accusingly. "Why are you asking me out all of a sudden?" It didn't make any sense that Shane would ask her out now, when he basically ignored her aside from when he was around when Merle got booked.
Looking at her playfully, Shane put hand over his heart. "Can't I just ask a beautiful woman out to dinner?"
"Not this one," she replied, crossing her arms and standing up straight. Lyla was more than skeptical. Why, after all these years and all the bail outs, did Shane decide to ask her out now? "Look, if you're looking for an easy lay, contrary to popular belief, I'm not your girl for that. I can hook you up with some that are though."
Shane's dark eyes widened in surprise. "Woah, woah. No, that's not what I was lookin' for." He looked at her earnestly. "Not even close."
Relaxed slightly by his snappy shutdown, Lyla blew out a breath and leaned back against the wall. "Then what are you lookin' for?"
Putting his hands on his hips, Shane gave her a mischievous look. "Alright, listen. I know you like to cause a little mayhem now and then."
Raising a dark brow, and insanely curious, Lyla said, "Proceed with caution."
"My buddies and I are all going out for a group dinner tonight. We're all bringin' dates and I thought this would be a good way to get to know you better." Shane grinned at her, looking at her figure appreciatively before boldly meeting her eyes. "And, Lil Bird, I do believe that you are the sexiest woman I have ever seen. It would be a pleasure showing you off."
Well, damn, put like that, what woman in her right mind would say no to that? Probably a lot of them, but she wasn't a normal girl. "You're paying," she said calmly instead. "And picking me up and dropping me off because I'm not trying to waste my gas."
Instead of being turned off, Shane merely grinned and replied, "What kind of gentleman would I be if I made my date drive herself and pay?"
"Not a very good one." Lyla said, standing up when she felt her pocket vibrate. Taking the pager out of her pocket and looking at the room number, she sighed.
"When do you get off?" Shane asked, taking a step closer to her, his male scent enveloping her senses.
She put the pager back in her pocket and answered, "Six."
"I'll be at your house to pick you up at six-thirty, then," he responded, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "Make sure you change into something casual but shows off yours legs. They drive me crazy."
Her jaw dropped for the second time in less than ten minutes at Shane's statement. Shane laughed lightly and took a few steps back. "I'll see ya later."
A million questions ran through her head but, looking at Shane's retreating form, Lyla called out. "You don't know where I live."
Shane chuckled but didn't turn around to look at her. "I'll pick you up at six-thirty."
/
6:45 PM
The goddamn traffic made him fifteen minutes late. He knew he should have left earlier but he had lost track of time at his grandmother, Jean's, house. The old woman meant well, but she took her hour weekly visits with her only grandson seriously.
Anxiously whipping in beside the small Honda, Shane took in the small two-story house just outside of town. Shane was ashamed to admit he had been surprised that she owned a house and wasn't renting out a trailer. He was quickly learning that nothing was as it seemed with Lyla Dixon. Since it was Burger & Brew Night at Shane and his co-worker's favorite restaurant, they'd all decided to get together with their dates and catch up outside of work.
One problem, Shane had no idea who to ask without it looking like he just chose somebody so he didn't look pathetic in front of Lori. Since they ended their secret affair a month ago, Shane had been keeping his distance from the she-devil. However, the last outing they'd had as a group two weeks ago Shane had gone solo and Lori looked a little too pleased with the fact.
So, who better to bring to dinner than Lyla Dixon? Shane knew for a fact that Lori had always had something against the younger woman. He could understand why she'd be insecure; Lyla was a total babe, long black hair, big blue eyes, a nice full set of pink lips. Not to mention she had a body built to please a man.
It would not be a chore to have a woman that beautiful on his arm all night.
The raven-haired woman back on his mind, Shane ran a hand through his dark brown hair one last time, before exiting his car. He smoothed down his dark blue button-down shirt while he walked through the small pathway to the door, looking at the growing daisies on the sides.
Ringing the door bell, Shane put his hands in his black pant pockets and waited. Cocking his head to the side when he heard disheveled movement, Lyla's voice called out, "One minute!"
A moment later the door opened and Shane didn't know how he kept his jaw from dropping at the sight of her. Wearing a sleeveless little black dress and black-open toed pumps, Lyla's cleavage was tasteful but oh-so-clearly there. Her legs were long and slender, Shane's imagination putting them around his waist while he'd be balls deep inside her.
"Sorry, I had to put Gizmo in the bedroom or else he'd try and run out," Lyla explained, drawing Shane's attention to her beautifully made up face and curled hair. "He usually comes back after a few minutes, but I didn't feel like chasing after him in these shoes."
Forcing himself not to sigh in disappointment when Lyla pulled a jean jacket over her dress, Shane just grinned at her, maintaining eye contact. "Sounds like an adventurous fellow."
Putting her slim black, long-strapped purse over his shoulder, Lyla closed the door behind her and walked with Shane to his car. "So, where are you taking me? I hope it's somewhere good if you're making me go out after working twelve hours."
Shane walking a little quicker to pull open the passenger door for her, a gentlemanly smile on his face as he held her hand while she got in. "Down over to Harmony's Bar and Grill," he answered her before he closed the door and walked over to his side and got in.
"Damn, I haven't been there in years," Lyla said, crossing her legs while she buckled up. "I don't think I've ate a burger in, like, three months."
"Ah, Lil Bird, they got the best burger and beer around," Shane told her enthusiastically, casting her a side glance. "Place is usually pretty expensive but every other Friday they slash their prices."
"Lil Bird?" Lyla asked but then shook her head. "Wait, so who exactly is going to be here?"
Tricky territory. Tread carefully.
Inhaling deeply, Shane kept focus on the road, aware of ocean-blue's staring at him. "Just some buddies and they're significant others from work. I didn't wanna be the one to fly solo and I'd love the opportunity to get to know you better while making everyone in the place jealous that I got the hottest chick to go out with me."
Casting a quick look over to the younger woman in his passenger seat, Shane cursed to himself when he saw her face. Lyla wasn't buying it. Shane didn't know why he wasn't telling her Lori was going to be there, Lyla barely knew Lori, but he just… didn't.
"What aren't you telling me?" Lyla asked immediately, turning her body to face his, a little frown on her face. "Is this a whole 'Punk'd' thing where you say you're taking me out to eat and then ditching me in the middle of nowhere because, if you are, my brothers will be the least of your problems."
"Woah, no. The hell kind of guys you been out with?"
Ignoring his question, Lyla raised her brows. "So, then what aren't you telling me? I'm gonna find out when we get there anyway."
He blew out a breath. "Rick and Lori are going to be there."
Lyla gave him a confused look. "Yeah? So?"
"You knew?" He asked incredulously.
She shrugged as if it were no big deal. "You said 'buddie and their dates". Last I heard, Rick was a buddy and Lori is his date. Why is it a big deal that Rick and Lori are there?"
No way was he getting into this with Lyla on their first date, or ever. Stopping at the red light, Shane looked over at her and gave her a charming grin. "It's not. I just didn't know if you liked Rick and Lori, is all."
Lyla watched Shane carefully while he started driving when the light turned green. Slightly uneasy at being scrutinized, Shane turned up the radio, country music playing slightly louder now.
"Oh, dear God," Lyla suddenly said in a disgusted tone after a few minutes of silence. "You slept with her, didn't you?"
Almost crashing his car, Shane was thankful that no other cars were out and jerked the car back from where it had turned onto the other side of the road. Lyla grabbed the dashboard tightly at the sudden movement.
"What the hell?" She asked angrily. "Are you trying to kill us? Jesus Christ." Lyla blew some hair out of her face. "I'm not gonna tell anybody, you don't have to try and kill me."
Ignoring her sarcasm, Shane asked in a low voice, "What are you talking about?"
Lyla rolled her eyes, fluffing and fixing her hair in the pull-down visor mirror. "I don't care if you slept with Lori. I'm here for the free beer and food. If this is a little game of yours that's your business, not mine."
Pulling into the bars' packed parking lot, Shane released a breath and looked over at Lyla. In a weird way, it was liberating having somebody know his deepest secret, his biggest shame.
"You're not gonna judge me for sleeping with my best friend's wife?"
Lyla laughed, but there was no real emotion to it, and shook her head. "I used to be a stripper and my audience was ninety percent married men," she told him bluntly, pushing the visor up and turned her head to look him. "I don't think I have the right to judge anyone."
Shane watched as she unbuckled her seat belt and he stared at Lyla in bewilderment. "So, we're just gonna go eat?" he asked stupidly. She used to be a stripper?
His kinky side was gonna get the best of him tonight.
This time, Lyla's chuckle was filled with amusement. "We better. I was promised a hot meal and the only thing I've eaten today was a nasty ham and cheese sandwich with some stale Cheetos. I'm ready to eat."
/
7:10 PM
Harmony's Bar & Grill
Lyla couldn't believe she went from the highest of highs to having Shane ask her out, to the lowest of the lows when he all but said he asked her out tonight to make Lori jealous. Well, lucky for him she didn't like Lori, so she didn't mind messing with her a bit.
And what girl would turn down a free dinner?
"We really don't have to go in if you're uncomfortable," Shane said for the third time since exiting the car. "I understand if you changed your mind."
Sick of the third degree, Lyla put her hands on her hips and turned to Shane. Still only coming up to his chin in her heels, she looked up at him and asked, "Do you not want me here?"
Shane looked startled by her question, his brows drawing together. "What? No. It's just- You shouldn't be acting this way. For fuck's sake, you found out I fucked my best friend's wife and you still wanna go out with me?" he asked her in quiet voice. "I don't get it."
Giving him a teasing grin, Lyla answered, "Free food." And because she wanted to see the look on Lori's face when Lyla sat down at the table as Shane's date. Something she never thought she'd be, even if this wasn't the ideal date scenario.
"Shane, over here!" A feminine voice called out over the bad music and loud chatter.
Shane and Lyla both looked over to where a large corner booth was taken by ten people. A redhead stood up, waving them over. "Is that Diane or Linda? I can never tell the twins apart."
"That would be Diane," Shane answered, his hands dropping down to her waist as he began to walk them over.
Lyla shivered at the feeling of Shane's hands guide her over, biting her lip nervously when she saw the back of Lori and Rick's head. Lyla chose to stay away from Lori. The woman was never outright rude to her but the older brunette always looked down at her.
When they reached the table, everyone's eyes widened in shock when they realized that it was Lyla standing in front of Shane.
"Everyone, I'm sure ya know Lyla," Shane introduced with a big smile. "Lyla, this is, Lam, his wife Joanna. Next to him his Diane and Ralph, Rick and Lori, and Linda and Fred."
"I absolutely love your hair," One red head, Linda, said genuinely, while Shane ushered in Lyla and sat on the outside. "Are those extensions? It's so thick."
"No, no extensions," Lyla answered with a shake of her head, shrugging out of her jean jacket. "I'm cursed with this thick mane." She put her purse in her lap.
"Alright, alright," Shane broke in, putting an arm around her shoulder. "We are not swapping hair tricks. I won't allow it. Now, did anybody see the game last night?"
Immediately, a black straw was thrown at Shane's face by the other redhead, Diane. "We absolutely will swap hair tricks because I guarantee nobody cares about whatever game you're gonna go on about."
Linda chuckled, her gray eyes twinkling with laughter as she leaned over and high-fived her identical twin. "Nice."
"Now speak for yourself, ladies," Rick chimed in, taking a sip of his beer. "The Falcons got a real chance at the Super Bowl this year."
Lam chimed in, "Not if our QB doesn't get his throwing arm back." A droll look came over the older African-American man's face. "Boy couldn't pass for shit last game."
A young waitress came by the table and interrupted the conversation, taking everyone's order one by one until she made it through the line. The young blonde dropped off another round of beers for the table and then scampered through the hectic place.
As the banter continued around them, Lyla took a pull from her beer bottle and almost jumped out of her skin as Shane's mouth brushed her ear. "You're legs are killin' me in this dress, Lil Bird," he whispered softly in her ear. "You keep crossin' 'em, and you're dress keeps goin' a little higher."
Because he was making her antsy. Just having him next to her was a euphoric feeling.
Lyla lowered her beer to the table and set her hands in her lap and looked up at him. "That's the second time you've called me that," she said with a small frown. "Why?" Did he call all the women he took out that?
Ugh, total mood killer.
Shane simply grinned at her and played with a strand of hair near her shoulder. "Your hair reminds me of a little Raven bird," he answered in a gravelly voice. "Thought it fit."
Surprised at his thoughtful answer, Lyla's eyes widened and said, "Oh." Which only made him grin wider.
"Have I finally managed to make you speechless?" Shane asker her coyly.
She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to reply with something before a loud cough cut her off. Looking over at Linda, who wanted her and Shane's attention, she grinned at them.
"So," the vibrant woman said, holding onto her boyfriend's hand. "How long has this been going on?" Linda gestured to Shane and Lyla.
"Oh, not long," Lyla answered smoothly. "He's still trying to win me over."
Shane chuckled and smoothly dropped his arm to her leg, caressing her thigh, giving her goosebumps. "Won't be long 'til Lyla's singing my praises."
Diane scoffed, leaning into Ralphs' chest. "Seriously, Lyla, take him down a notch or two."
That statement sent off an idea through Lyla's head. She didn't wanna take Shane down, she loved how cocky and confident he was, what she aspired to truly be. But she did want to take Lori down from her pedestal with Shane. It was like Lyla was the dirty interloper and Lori was a saint.
She needed to fix that.
Lyla just chuckled and the conversation turned away from her and Shane. Talk of a new schedule change at work let Lyla drown out of the conversation and slyly looked at Lori for the first time.
The brunette was tense, sitting rigidly next to her husband while she spoke softly every now and then. She wore a regular dark blouse and jeans, her hair done in a curled half-ponytail. She hadn't put on more than mascara or lip gloss to go out, which Lyla didn't understand. The best part of going out was getting all done up.
Their food arrived shortly after, and Lyla eagerly bit into her well-done burger. Opening her eyes after she swallowed her first bit, she found Shane looking at her with amusement in his dark eyes.
"What?" Lyla asked, carefully wiping her mouth so her lipstick wouldn't smear on her face. "I told you I haven't eaten anything good today." Lyla shrugged, she would never be the girl who ate daintily. She loved food too much.
Shane chuckled at her. "I like a woman who's not afraid to eat." He gave her a hot look, sticking a fry in his mouth. "No inhibitions."
The rest of the dinner went by smoothly. Lori hadn't spoken directly to Lyla but she did see the older woman checking her out more than once. Lyla had to fight the urge to give a cocky smile. She knew she was a hot, working as a stripper and being an avid hunter had given her a physique she liked to show off. Lyla liked the idea of making Lori second-guess herself. Lori had made Lyla doubt herself numerous times.
Throwing thirty dollars into the middle of the table, Shane stood up with a stretch. "Alright, we gotta get goin."
"Already?" Lori blurted out, blushing slightly after her outburst.
Lyla narrowed her eyes as Shane took Lyla's hand and pulled her up. He answered, "Yeah. Ly's got work in the mornin'. I don't wanna keep her out too late."
"Oh, where do you work?" Rick asked curiously.
Lyla stood uncomfortably. "Over at Harrison Memorial."
Pulling her to his side, Shane held her jacket in one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist. "Being a nurse is tiring and she just did a twelve-hour shift today," He explained, Lyla rolled her eyes at Lori's surprised look. "I think she's had enough of people for one day."
Shane wasn't wrong. She usually preferred Gizmo's company over people's.
"It was nice seeing you guys again," Lyla said to Rick and Lori boldly with a friendly smile before turning to everyone else. "It was nice meeting y'all."
After saying their goodbye's, Shane seemed eager to get them out of the, still wild, bar. When she went to take her jacket to put on, he held it just out of her reach teasingly.
"Ya can't expect me to let you cover up something this beautiful," he gestured to her clinging black dress. "With this." Shane held up her jacket.
Blushing at the compliment, Lyla allowed Shane to lead her out of the bar and into the cool night air. "You talk to all girls like this?" She asked, arching a brow as they arrived at his car.
She watched as he opened the passenger door for her and Shane replied, "No, just you, Lil Bird."
/
11:15 PM
Lyla's House
"I had fun tonight." Lyla stood at her front door with Shane in front of her. He was staring down at her intently, a small grin on his face.
He took one of her hands and in both of his large ones, caressing them softly. "So did I. Have I mentioned you look beautiful?"
Such a charmer.
"Only five times but please keep feeding my ego." Lyla responded casually, heart racing when Shane took a step closer to her.
He raised one hand and brushed her hair behind her ear. "I should've asked you out sooner." Shane said, still holding her hand in his grip.
Lyla shrugged, internally pleased with the comment. "Whose fault is that?"
In truth, Lyla wished so too. Ever since she was fourteen she knew Shane Walsh was one of the good guys. Sure, he was a bit of a playboy but Shane was always such a gentleman around her. While everyone else at the station gave her looks when she came to bail out Merle, Shane was the only one that didn't make her feel like the loser sister picking him up.
"Certainly yours," Shane answered, ripping her from her thought and she was dumbstruck by the gorgeous smile on his face. "Now, for putting me though some heartache I think I deserve something."
Laughing, Lyla looked up at him with bright blue eyes. "Like what?"
Shane's eyes twinkled as he answered, "A second date."
Before she knew it, Shane's head lowered to hers and he brushed his lips against her. Once. Twice. Holy Shit, Shane was kissing her. Then the hand playing with her hair ended up holding the back of her neck as he pressed his mouth against hers harder. Lyla took her hand from Shane's and entwined them behind his neck as his other hand strayed to her waist.
Just as fast as the kiss started, it ended.
Shane pulled his lips away from her, making Lyla's eyes snap open in confusion. Why had he ended the kiss?
Grinning at her bewildered look Shane leaned down and whispered in her ear, "If you wanna get to second base then I'm afraid we're gonna have to have a second date."
